IBM Executive to Deliver Central Penn Commencement Address

April 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Dorothy Kronemer, a senior negotiations executive with IBM for more than 25 years and a graduate of Central Penn, will deliver the commencement address to the 128th graduating class of Central Pennsylvania College on April 23. The 2010 class of 426 eligible bachelor’s and associate degree graduates from Central Penn’s Harrisburg and Lancaster locations is the college’s largest-ever graduating class. At the ceremony, Ruth Koup and Ardella Brubaker will receive Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of the many contributions each has made.

“It is an honor that Ms. Kronemer can share her inspiring words with Central Penn’s graduating class,” said Janice Moore, dean of students. “She graduated from Central Penn in Travel and Tourism Operations in 1981 and has gone on to great international success. We hope our students will see that their possibilities are endless.”

In her commencement address, Kronemer will emphasize how Central Penn’s core values of integrity, professionalism, service, respect and educational focus can help build a solid and enduring foundation for a young graduate’s career.

“I hope today’s students remember the importance of living Central Penn’s core values,” said Kronemer. “They really do lead to success. In today’s world, one must work longer, harder and faster, but it’s important to not lose sight of the human side – the attitude, conduct and willingness to help others and probably most important, to lead a life of passion, purpose and mission that really sets you apart.”

Kronemer works in Global Technology Services, one of the two major divisions within IBM Global Services, and manages employees located in Europe. She has global responsibility to lead teams and the negotiations of large outsourcing projects exceeding $100 million, negotiate contracts and develop customer relationships. Throughout her IBM career, Kronemer was on international assignment from 1996 to 2005, residing in Europe, the Asia Pacific and Africa. Now based in the United States, she continues her efforts to support a global territory.

She has received several top awards from IBM, including the Global Golden Circle in 1997, 2002 and 2008, and a Leadership Award in 2004. Kronemer volunteers at various fund raising events and is a member of St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, SC. She resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC, a suburb of Charleston.    

Announced at the ceremony, special recognition will be given to the faculty member of the year and students of the year. Doctor of Humane Letters will also be issued to Ruth Koup and Ardella Brubaker, in recognition of their many efforts to build better communities

Ruth Koup is the founder and CEO of Dress for Success South Central PA, a local nonprofit serving “job ready” low-income women in the regional area by providing free interview suits, work attire and job retention programs. Ruth has been recognized as a leader by the Dress for Success Worldwide organization and was selected by the Dress for Success Worldwide CEO to serve on its Leadership Council in June of 2008.

Ardella Brubaker was a successful student 80 years ago before it was common for women to attend college. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college, making the daily two-hour commute to Central Penn by train, taking a full schedule of classes and scrubbing floors to pay tuition. While today’s graduates face the second-worst job market in modern times, Brubaker faced the worst, earning her diploma in the midst of the Great Depression. Despite significant barriers, she launched a career in central Pennsylvania that spanned five decades in private industry and the public sector.

For the past century, this community icon has served as an inspiration to generations of family, friends and neighbors. It would be nearly impossible to live in Perry County without encountering Ardella Brubaker. She could be found working the circulation desk at the Newport public library, where she volunteered for 20 years until her recent retirement. Her legendary civic involvement includes Church Women United, Historical Society, Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club, Garden Club, Head Start, Civic Club, RSVP, Perry County Food Bank and Newport Recycling Center. She was voted Perry County Volunteer of the Year in 1991.

According to Central Penn’s most recent One-Year Graduate Survey, approximately 92 percent of the college’s graduates were employed or continuing their education within one year of graduation. The Central Pennsylvania College commencement ceremony will begin at 8 p.m., Friday, April 23 at the Forum, located at 5th and Walnut Streets, Harrisburg. Tickets are required for admission.

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About Central Pennsylvania College: Central Pennsylvania College, a leader in career education since 1881, offers bachelor's and associate degrees in the fields of accounting, business administration, criminal justice, information technology, communications, graphic design, healthcare, homeland security and legal studies. The College, currently serving students at its Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lehigh Valley locations, attributes its high rate of student success to a caring faculty and its hands-on learning approach. Approximately 92 percent of Central Penn graduates are working or continuing their education within one year of graduation. Central Penn is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. www.centralpenn.edu