Charles W. Dent to Speak at Lehigh’s 2026 Graduate Commencement

Lehigh University Welcomes Charles W. Dent to Deliver Keynote at Graduate Commencement

Charles W. Dent M’93, a prominent figure at the Aspen Institute and former U.S. Congressman, is set to address the graduates at Lehigh University’s Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. This anticipated event will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Goodman Stadium.

“Returning to South Mountain to address Lehigh’s master’s and doctoral students is a profound privilege,” Dent expressed. “My hope is to celebrate their hard work while reminding them that a Lehigh education is just the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of discovery.”

Dent, an alumnus of Lehigh with a master’s in public administration, last visited the campus in 2020 to deliver the Kenner Lecture on Cultural Understanding. His talk, “A View from the Trenches: The Politics of Anger and What Challenges Centrist Problem Solvers,” explored the divisive nature of current U.S. politics.

Insights from a Distinguished Career

Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 remarked, “We are honored to have such a distinguished leader share his wisdom and insight with our graduate and doctoral candidates. With his experience navigating the complexities of public policy and government, I know our students will be inspired by his unique perspective on what it takes to lead with integrity and vision in today’s world.”

Dent’s career in public service spans nearly three decades, with significant time spent as a U.S. House Representative for Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District. His roles included being a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and chairing the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. From 2015 to 2017, he led the House Committee on Ethics.

Before his Congressional tenure, Dent served six years in the Pennsylvania Senate and began his political journey in 1991 as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Ongoing Contributions Beyond Politics

Continuing his engagement in public discourse, Dent remains active at the Aspen Institute, focusing on bipartisan policy education for Congress members. He frequently shares his political insights on CNN and other media platforms.

Post-retirement from Congress in 2018, Dent joined the global law firm DLA Piper as a senior policy advisor. His advisory roles have extended to Pew Charitable Trusts and academic institutions like Penn State’s McCourtney Institute for Democracy and the University of Pennsylvania’s Perry World House Program.

He serves on the boards of CARE USA and the National Archives Foundation and participates in the Task Force for American Democracy, launched in November 2025.

Dent’s educational background also includes a Bachelor of Arts in foreign service and international politics from Penn State University, with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Moravian University awarded in 2015.

For more details on the upcoming Commencement events, visit Lehigh’s Commencement website.