DeSales University will hold its mid-year commencement on Saturday, January 24, at 11:00 a.m., in Billera Hall on the Center Valley campus. During the ceremony, Rev. Bernard F. O’Connor, OSFS, president of DeSales University, will confer degrees upon 154 graduating students for January 2015.
In addition to the January 2015 degree recipients, DeSales awarded 206 degrees to students in September 2014. Because there is no formal ceremony in September, the September graduates may take part in the January commencement.
Kevin F. Flemming (pictured right), president and CEO of the INTEGRITY group of companies, will deliver the commencement speech.
Flemming joined Integrity Personnel, Inc. in 1997 and was appointed president of the Lehigh Valley-based staffing company in 2004. He founded IntegritySBS, a business process outsourcing company in 2008. He has been closely involved with economic development and workforce policy in the region, serving two terms on the Economic Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Flemming holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from DeSales University and has been a long-time supporter of the DeSales community. He is a member of the DeSales University President’s Council, member of the board of the Forum for Ethics in the Workplace, and serves as chairman of the Societas Award for Responsible Corporate Conduct.
During the ceremony, Michael and Wilhelmina Laroche will receive the DeSales Medal.
The DeSales Medal is the highest nonacademic award conferred by the University in recognition of the outstanding contributions to the development of the University through personal service as well as financial support. Recipients of the DeSales Medal are well respected in the community at large and have been distinguished for the witness they give to the ideals most highly prized by St. Francis de Sales.
“Mike and Wilhelmina Laroche are living examples of the ideals most highly prized by St. Francis de Sales,” said Fr. O’Connor. “Both are ardent supporters of DeSales University who truly live a life of Salesian spirit and inspiration.”
Michael Laroche, a 1975 graduate of DeSales, is the district manager of the Social Security Office in Stroudsburg, Pa., and Wilhelmina Laroche is a retired elementary school teacher.
In 1995, Michael was ordained as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Allentown. Assigned to Holy Trinity Church, he coordinates the RCIA program and assists with liturgies and sacraments. He also served as a board member of the Allentown Central Catholic Music Parents, coordinating trips for the band.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in politics, Michael served as alumni board secretary and a class representative. He was the 1980 alumni chair of the school’s annual fund and previously served as the chair of the alumni advisory board for the Salesian Center for Faith and Culture.