First Graduating Class of the College of Health

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, Lehigh held its 155th Undergraduate Commencement where the first College of Health graduating class was recognized. This marked a moment in history as our first graduates were sent out to start their own journeys. It has been a pleasure to see you all start the legacy of our college! 

We were privileged to hear from NBA player, CJ McCollum’13 and his address to the Class of 2023: ‘Your March to an Independent Future Begins Today’. He spoke about two instances where he was put down and how he used them as inspiration to better himself. He advised graduates to take five steps toward success, and realize that successful people are deliberate in their actions. McCollum concluded his speech by emphasizing how happiness and success go much further than any degree and salary, it is about how you take charge and shape your own future. 

A fellow 2023 undergraduate, Bonor M. Ayambem ’23, had a few remarks for her fellow classmates. She reflected on her time at Lehigh and highlighted the importance in finding comfort in growth. She states, “I was thrust into an environment of people who didn’t have the same story as me or the same history as I did.” It was scary for Ayambem at first, but she eventually found the beauty and comfort in everyone’s differences. She ended her speech with a line that truly sticks out among the rest, “Acknowledge everything that you and we have all been through and wear it like armor, because it is.” Ayambem left the podium in hopes of her class defining their own successes, and not letting their past interfere with their future. 

Finally, President Helble praised the Class of 2023 for coming together and facing all challenges that came their way. "Your determined, grounded, and pragmatically optimistic view of the world is infectious," he preached. Although this class endured heavy, negative consequences and challenges of COVID-19, Helble remarked, “There is a whole world of challenges awaiting your collective talents and intellect to help us address, and yet I stand here today feeling truly optimistic, because of what I see at this moment before me, and that, truly, is you… for who you are. I have come to know many of you the past two years, and I say with absolute certainty that you are grounded. You are pragmatic. You are undaunted.” Helble ended with a request to all of these students to stay true to themselves -  he knows it will take them long and far in life. 

Out of 1,940 undergraduates in the Class of 2023, we would like to thank our nine amazing graduates for dedicating their time and efforts to our college and trusting us to guide them in their successes - it has truly been an honor to know you. We congratulate: Abby Bryer, Samara Everman, Isabelle Glazer, Emily Grace, Kenzie Kramer, Emily Lacasse, and Cheryl Qin for graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Population Health, in addition to, Trevor Buss and Carson Synder for graduating with a Bachelors of Art in Community and Global Health. 

The nine of you have set the standard for all our upcoming classes to come and, for that, we are grateful. You will be remembered as, The Divine Nine from the Class of 2023 - the first class to ever graduate from the College of Health, our beloved home.