Former Congressman Charles W. Dent to Address Lehigh's 2026 Graduates
Charles W. Dent, a former US congressman and current vice president of the Aspen Institute, will speak at Lehigh University's Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. The event takes place on Saturday, 16 May 2026, where Dent will address master's and doctoral graduates as they mark the end of their studies. Dent's political career spanned nearly three decades in the US House of Representatives. He represented Pennsylvania's 15th and later 7th Congressional Districts before retiring in 2018. During his time in office, he chaired the House Committee on Ethics from 2015 to 2017 and served as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. He also led the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.
After leaving Congress, Dent transitioned into policy advising, joining DLA Piper as a senior policy advisor. He later took on leadership roles at the Aspen Institute, where he now serves as vice president and executive director of the Congressional Program. Beyond this, he sits on the boards of CARE USA and the National Archives Foundation, while also contributing to the Task Force for American Democracy. Dent's academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in foreign service and international politics from Penn State University. He later earned a master's in public administration from Lehigh, the same institution where he will now deliver the commencement address. His speech will celebrate the graduates' achievements while emphasising the importance of lifelong learning and discovery.
The ceremony will highlight Dent's experience in public service, policy, and education. His address will mark a milestone for Lehigh's graduates as they prepare for their next steps. The event reflects both Dent's long-standing connection to the university and his ongoing contributions to civic leadership.
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