School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) Graduates

Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Leffler Chapel and Performance Center

There will be a Commencement rehearsal at Leffler Chapel and Performance Center. You are strongly encouraged to attend. If you have class that evening, it is understood that you cannot be there. There will be a mini-fair prior to rehearsal where graduates can check out items from the College Store, connect with Career Services and Financial Aid, and sign up to become part of the Elizabethtown College alumni network.

• 5:00-6:00 p.m. - Mini-Fair
• 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Rehearsal

The official graduation invitation will be mailed to you in the beginning of April.

• Parking will be at a premium on and near campus. Campus Security will be directing traffic on campus.
• Photos by Island Photography – visit the Island Photography website at http://orders.islandphoto.com/Apps/RegisterGraduates.aspx for information.
• A reception immediately follows the ceremony.
• FLOWERS: half-dozen roses with greens and colorful wrapping ($20), a dozen roses with greens and wrapping ($30).
• Flowers available at 3 p.m. just prior to the beginning of the Commencement ceremony in the lobby. Quantities are limited, so plan to get your flowers early. Sorry, no advance orders.

James L. Fritz, Esq. ’84

Elizabethtown College’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) announces James L. Fritz as its Keynote Speaker for the 114th Commencement to be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 4 p.m.

Mr. Fritz is a 1984 graduate of Elizabethtown College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was an adult student, taking classes while employed with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Board of Appeals. Immediately following his Elizabethtown College graduation, Mr. Fritz enrolled at the Dickinson School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, in 1987.

“We are thrilled to have one of our own, a continuing education graduate, James Fritz, as our Commencement speaker,” said Barbara Randazzo, Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “He is a supporter of our adult students through the Newcombe scholarship program, and is someone who has always championed our efforts on behalf of working adults in the Central PA community.”

From 1987 until his retirement in 2015, Mr. Fritz practiced law with McNees, Wallace & Nurick LLC, located in Harrisburg, where he chaired the firm’s state and local tax practice. He has represented large companies, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals in Pennsylvania tax matters. Mr. Fritz also argued significant tax cases before the Commonwealth Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Mr. Fritz is a former Chair of the Tax Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, served as a member of the American Bar Association State and Local Tax Committee and was recognized by his peers as one of The Best Lawyers in America®. He is also a long-serving member of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees.

Stephen C. Glaus MBA’17

Heather Smith ’17

How do I order my cap and gown?

Look for complete information regarding Commencement to arrive at your home address no later than early March. If you plan on attending Commencement, the packet will contain information regarding ordering regalia, announcements and info about the Mini-Graduation Fair to be held in May 17 prior to Commencement rehearsal. If you are not planning to attend Commencement, please email Cristie Dry at dryc@etown.edu.

Are tickets required at Commencement?

Yes, Commencement is a ticketed event. Further information regarding the total number of tickets and when they will be available will be communicated to students in mid-April. Ordering your regalia on time, or notifying our office (dryc@etown.edu) that you do not plan to attend, helps us to determine the number of tickets available for each student.

What honors are awarded by SCPS?

Latin honors are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed 60 or more credits at Elizabethtown College and have earned a GPA of 3.6 or higher. Latin honors are denoted on the graduation program; students who participate in commencement will receive an honor cord to wear during the ceremony.

If an undergraduate student has earned a GPA of 3.6 or higher and completed between 30 and 60 credits at Elizabethtown College, the student will be awarded SCPS Honors. SCPS Honors will be denoted in the graduation program; students who participate in commencement will receive an honor cord to wear during the ceremony.

Graduate students with a 4.0 GPA will have earned honors in their discipline. This will be noted in the graduation program; students who participate in commencement will receive an honor cord to wear during the ceremony.

Military members, past and present, may choose to be recognized with a red-white-and-blue cord to wear during the ceremony. Those who are interested should reach out to Katharine Daniels at danielsk@etown.edu as soon as possible.

Honors will not be announced for graduates participating in Commencement as Early Participants.

Students who are members of Alpha Sigma Lambda are encouraged to wear the stole given to them during their induction ceremony with their Commencement regalia.

How are the student speakers chosen?

Recommendations are solicited from our faculty for student speakers. We have one speaker at the undergraduate level and one at the graduate level. Our faculty know our students well and can share their recommendations based on a student’s academic achievements and presentation abilities. Once we have a list of recommended students, we reach out to ask if they are interested in submitting their name and a draft of their speech to the committee for consideration. From this group of interested students, two final student speakers are chosen.

Is it mandatory to attend commencement rehearsal?

It is not mandatory, however, you are strongly encouraged to attend. Rehearsal is an essential piece to assure a smooth commencement ceremony for all students. Cords are distributed and critical information is provided regarding parking and processional order.

Is special needs seating available?

If you need to request special needs seating, please contact Cristie Dry at dryc@etown.edu.