Southern Vermont College has announced that it will award the Honorary Degree of Humane Letters to three national leaders at its 86th Commencement on Saturday, May 11. The recipients are: Michael J. Astrue, former Commissioner of Social Security; the Honorable Janice Lachance, Esq, Chief Executive Officer of the Special Libraries Association; and Brigadier General Barrye L. Price, U.S. Army. The announcement was made by SVC President Karen Gross who recently completed a year in Washington, D.C., as a senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Education.
Gross said that the school wishes to honor leaders who have encouraged civic engagement through government service and through their own community service work. “Education’s mission, above all else, is to develop thoughtful and engaged citizens in our democratic process,” Gross said. “These three individuals are the embodiment of that mission, serving our nation with extraordinary talent, honor and pride.” After the robing ceremony, each honoree will address the graduating class briefly in lieu of a single Commencement speaker.
Founded in 1926, Southern Vermont College offers a career-enhancing, liberal arts education with 17 academic degree programs for more than 550 students. SVC recognizes the importance of educating students for the workplace of the twenty-first century and as successful leaders in their communities. SVC’s athletic teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC). The College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Community-Engagement Classification institution.
