Alvernia University Sets Record with 800 Degrees Conferred at Class of 2026 Commencement
Alvernia University reached a historic milestone this past weekend, celebrating the Class of 2026 with a record-breaking commencement ceremony. The event, held Saturday morning at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, Pa., saw the university confer 800 degrees, marking a significant period of growth and academic expansion for the institution.
- Record Growth: Alvernia conferred a record 800 degrees during the Class of 2026 commencement.
- Program Milestone: The ceremony marked the graduation of the university’s first Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate (PA) Studies students.
- Core Values: Leadership emphasized the Franciscan values of service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality.
- Diverse Representation: Student speakers highlighted the growing diversity of the graduating class, specifically noting the 15% Latino representation.
Expanding Academic Frontiers: The First PA Graduates
Beyond the record number of degrees, the commencement highlighted a pivotal expansion of Alvernia’s healthcare offerings. The ceremony included the university’s first graduates from the Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate (PA) Studies program. This addition to the academic portfolio underscores the university’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals.
Leadership and the Franciscan Mission
President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., who has served the university first as Provost and then as President, welcomed the graduates by framing education as something far more significant than a professional credential. She described it as the “formation of life-long learners, reflective professionals, engaged citizens, and ethical leaders with moral courage.”
President Fitzgerald emphasized that the university’s mission is rooted in Franciscan values, specifically service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality. She noted that this commitment to service is not an abstraction but is lived daily across classrooms, residence halls, labs, and clinics.
Voices of Success and Impact
The ceremony featured insights from both the corporate and student perspectives. Jay Sidhu, Executive Chairman of Customers Bank, addressed the graduates, offering advice as they transition into their professional careers.
Student speaker Héctor Malavé ’26, a communication major and theater minor, shifted the definition of success from individual achievement to collective impact. Malavé spoke to the significance of representation, stating, “I’m not only representing the class of 2026, but I’m also representing the 15% of Latinos graduating with me today.” He urged his peers to consider the impact they will have as they enter a “complicated world.”
Looking Ahead
The record-breaking nature of the 2026 commencement suggests a strong upward trajectory for Alvernia University. By blending traditional Franciscan values with new, high-demand medical programs, the institution is positioning its graduates to be both ethically grounded and professionally competitive in a shifting global economy.