Adrienne Kisner, Ph.D. will be awarded an honorary doctorate and will offer remarks to the Albright College class of 2023, at the college’s 163rd Commencement ceremony, Santander Arena, Saturday, May 13, 2023. A higher education and student affairs professional with experience in residence life, spiritual life and leadership development, Kisner is a resident hall director at Boston University and teaches creative writing for Southern New Hampshire University.
Kisner is also an award-winning author who addresses societal issues in literature for young adults.
In her debut novel “Dear Rachel Maddow” (2018) a high school girl deals with school politics and life after her brother’s death by drafting emails to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. In “The Confusion of Laurel Graham” (2019), a teen copes with her grandmother’s coma by becoming obsessed with a mystery bird that she cannot identify. And her latest book, “Six Angry Girls” (2020) is a story of mock trial, feminism and the inherent power found in a pair of knitting needles.
Each of these novels won multiple awards. “Dear Rachel Maddow” was named the 2019 ILA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award for YA Fiction as well as being named one of New York Public Library Top Books for Teens 2018. “The Confusion of Laurel Graham” received the 2020 Green Earth Book Award for Young Adult Fiction and named to the 2020 ALA Rainbow Book List. And “Six Angry Girls” was named a Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year in 2021, as well as a Massachusetts Book Award Must Read Book in 2021.
A member of Albright College’s class of 2000, Kisner holds an Albright bachelor’s degree in religious studies and Spanish, a master’s degree in divinity and doctorate in practical theology from Boston University, and a Master in Fine Arts degree, with a focus in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Sunday, May 4, at the McMillan Center Main Lounge.
MA, MS, and BA students (traditional and SPS) must be there by 11 a.m.; BS students by 11:30 a.m. You do NOT need to bring or wear regalia.
Baccalaureate Ceremony Friday, May 12, 4 p.m
Baccalaureate Speaker Rev. Quentin Wallace, D.Min.In 2003, while continuing his work at Albright, his formal entry into the pastorate began at New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Reading. He then moved into full-time ministry as senior pastor of St. Matthews United Methodist Church, also in Reading.
While leading this ministry, the church became a beacon of light to the community. In addition to biblical preaching and teaching, the church met the needs of the community with free and low-cost meals, clothing and food giveaways, school uniform distribution, and outreach events for families. In 2014, the church received the Kim Jefferson award for outreach ministry in the Eastern Pennsylvania Association of the United Methodist Church.
In 2015, he became the senior pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Lancaster, and recently, was selected by the Bishop’s Council to become an Assisting Elder, where he coaches United Methodist pastors in his district. He also served on the District Committee on Ministry and the Cross Racial/Cross Cultural Clergy Team and currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry.
In July 2023, he will begin his journey as the senior pastor of Lincoln Park United Methodist Church in Shillington.
Rev. Dr. Wallace is married to Brenda Ingram-Wallace, Ph.D., and they have four children: Cristen, Quenel, Thearren and Jaedon
The Baccalaureate ceremony starts off the Commencement weekend. It is a procession that is held on campus at the Memorial Chapel.
Commencement Ceremony – for Graduates
Reading Parking Authority’s rate schedule for area graduation ceremonies at the Santander Arena is as follows:
State lot – $10 (across the railroad tracks – State Office Bldg)
Convention Lot – $10 (beside Double Tree Hotel)
South Penn Lot – $5 (600 block of both Cherry & Franklin Sts)
4th & Cherry Sts Lot – $5
Reed & Court Sts Lot – $5
5th & Cherry Sts Lot $5
Poplar & Walnut Sts Lot – $5
12:30 p.m. — Graduates report, with cap, gown and hood.
Please enter the Santander Arena at the Press Entrance on Penn Street, where you will be checked in. Your tassel should be to the front RIGHT of your graduation cap.
Only stoles representing Jacob Albright Scholars are approved for Commencement ceremonies. Students wearing stoles other than those for Jacob Albright Scholars will be required to remove their stole prior to their name being announced or they will not be allowed to walk across the stage.
Cords are meant to signify college engagement. Therefore, only cords representing organizations that are approved by Albright’s Student Government Association are allowed. Cords for non-SGA approved organizations are prohibited. No exceptions will be made to these rules, unless approved by the Provost, in writing.
2:00 p.m. — Processional begins. Remain standing for the National Anthem and invocation. Men should remove caps for the National Anthem, invocation prayer, benediction and Alma Mater.
Conferring Degrees, Presentation of Diplomas
Graduates rise as complete rows at signal from one of the faculty marshals.
As soon as President Fetrow has conferred your degree upon you as a group, all will be seated. Each row in your group will rise and proceed in alphabetical order to the right side of the platform (as you face it). Keep at least six feet behind the person in front of you.
When you reach the platform, pause for a moment while your name is being announced to the audience before proceeding to the President, who will hand you your diploma cover. Note: you will receive cover only at this time. Your diploma will be mailed to you six to eight weeks after commencement.
You will then continue across the platform and return to your seat following the Marshals’ directions. You may be seated immediately.
Once all degrees have been conferred, instructions will be delivered by the class officers to switch the tassel on the cap to the LEFT.
The Recessional
Follow the instructions of the Marshals for the recessional.
Graduates and families are asked to meet outside of Santander Arena after the ceremony.
We expect that the ceremony will last approximately two hours.
Commencement Ceremony – for Families and Guests
Reading Parking Authority’s rate schedule for area graduation ceremonies at the Santander Arena is as follows:
State lot – $10 (across the railroad tracks – State Office Bldg)
Convention Lot – $10 (beside Double Tree Hotel)
South Penn Lot – $5 (600 block of both Cherry & Franklin Sts)
4th & Cherry Sts Lot – $5
Reed & Court Sts Lot – $5
5th & Cherry Sts Lot $5
Poplar & Walnut Sts Lot – $5
A national collegiate photography house will take photographs on Commencement day of all graduates during the diploma presentation on the stage and as the graduate steps off the stage holding his or her diploma. Shortly after graduation, the photography studio will send you several color proofs for your review and instructions for ordering prints. These will come directly from the studio, not from Albright. After Commencement, the college will post a gallery of professional photographs to the Commencement website.
Albright College contracts with a videographer during Commencement weekend. The College will post clips, speaker footage, and the Commencement ceremony on the Commencement website shortly after the event.
Due to security and safety reasons, parents and families are not allowed to enter the Arena floor to take pictures during the ceremony.
Commencement begins at 2 p.m. promptly and should last approximately two hours. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. All guests should enter through the main ticket box entrance on Penn Street (next to the train tracks and across the street from the DoubleTree Hotel front entrance.)
If someone in your group needs accommodated seating, the graduating student can request accommodated seating
Diplomas will be sent by mail to everyone who qualifies.
The photography studio will send you several color proofs for your review and instructions for ordering prints. These will come directly from the studio, not from Albright.
If you have any questions about Commencement please call or email us!
Looking for the 2022 Commencement Ceremony video?
