President's Message

Dear Friends,

Lebanon Valley College continues to build on the many recent successes I noted in my spring Valley letter, including, as of this writing, welcoming the largest first-year class this fall in the College’s history. Except for last year, when a few students opted to hold off enrolling during the pandemic, we set record first-year classes three out of the past four years. This student interest in attending LVC is a testament to our dedicated faculty, loyal alumni, committed staff, and supportive community partners.

LVC has also made significant progress in supporting the newly approved bachelor of science in nursing program that will enroll its first class of future nurses in fall 2022. We’ve engaged architects Noelker and Hull Associates Inc. to construct a new academic facility next to the Jeanne and Edward H. Arnold Health Professions Pavilion. The new facility, slated to open in time for the spring 2023 semester, will include simulation and skills laboratory spaces to prepare our graduates to adeptly meet the needs of healthcare providers and patients in our region. Please visit lvc.edu/nursing to see some beautiful artist renderings of the future education center.

There is much more exciting news to come. The campus community and Board of Trustees are finalizing the Imagine LVC strategic plan, which includes bold plans to distinguish the College through new programs and student opportunities while preserving LVC’s highly effective personalized learning environment and undergraduate liberal arts core. Along with a refined mission, Imagine LVC lays out a plan within the context of our community’s values, value proposition, and vision for the future. Our focus on well-being and future readiness places students at the center of everything we do. Look for more communications about Imagine LVC later this fall. We will need your support to achieve our goals, and I think you’ll be energized by what we have in store.

Gina and I hope to finally meet many of you during Homecoming Weekend October 15–17. Of course, as has become the “norm” in these times, flexibility is needed. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and working with healthcare partners and in accordance with government guidelines to determine event logistics and timing. Our best chances of being together depend on our continued prevention efforts. Our students, faculty, and staff have been terrific role models for the global LVC community to continue masking up indoors where necessary, practicing social distancing, and getting vaccinated. For ourselves, and for each other.

Sincerely,

James M. MacLaren, M.A., Ph.D.

President of Lebanon Valley College