Deborah M. Suder, '81, will be keynote speaker for LHU's Founder's Day Convocation.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University has announced the theme and speaker for its opening convocation. The Founder’s Day Convocation is the university’s ceremonial event to mark the start of the academic year.

The Founder’s Day Convocation will take place on September 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Price Performance Center. Faculty, staff, students and alumni will come together to celebrate Lock Haven University’s history, heritage, and achievements, and to welcome incoming students who are making the transition from high school to college. The convocation will also be the first opportunity for most students and faculty to meet Dr. Barbara B. Dixon, who is serving as interim president until a permanent president is selected. Fittingly, the theme for the 2010 convocation is “Transitions.”

This year’s keynote speaker will be Deborah M. Suder, LHU class of 1981 and member of the Lock Haven University Council of Trustees.

Suder is a government relations professional. Since 1993, she has been a member of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, in the firm’s State government Relations Section. Prior to joining Buchanan, she served as a governmental affairs professional for the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and the Pennsylvania Retailers Association.

Suder earned her B.S. in political science and pre-law at LHU and her M.A. in governmental administration from The University of Pennsylvania.

In 2002 Suder received an Outstanding Young Woman of America Award and in 2009 was noted in Susquehanna Valley magazine as a Woman of Excellence. She has served on boards of directors for numerous organizations, including the Lock Haven Alumni Association and the Harrisburg Regional Chamber. She has served on the Government Affairs Committee of the Pennsylvania Society of Association Executives, the Legislative and Developmental Affairs Committee of the State System of Higher Education Advocacy, and the Government Relations Committee of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber. Other civic activities include the Pennsylvania Council of Alumni Associations and service as a faculty member for Leadership Harrisburg Area.

In March 2010, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell announced that the Pennsylvania State Senate had confirmed the appointment of Deborah M. Suder, LHU class of 1981, to the Lock Haven University Council of Trustees.

The convocation is scheduled for 1:30 – 2:45. Classes will follow a modified class schedule, available on the LHU web calendar: http://www.lhup.edu/calendar/