Cedar Crest College has selected former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild to deliver the keynote address at its 156th commencement ceremony this May.

Wild, who represented Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District from 2018 to 2025, will speak to graduates on Saturday, May 9, at the PPL Center in Allentown.

During her tenure in the House of Representatives, Wild served on the Education and Labor Committee. She was noted for her bipartisan work on health care access and mental health services, particularly on college campuses. Her legislative efforts included initiatives to increase transparency in student loan applications and address food insecurity among students.

“Susan built a reputation as a practical and effective leader who handled complex challenges while staying focused on the people she served,” the college said in a statement Tuesday.

Prior to her election to Congress, Wild had a decades-long legal career in the Lehigh Valley. College officials cited her commitment to mentoring younger generations as a primary reason for her selection as this year’s speaker.

The ceremony is the centerpiece of a week of graduation events, which include “Espejo: Reflections of Our Community” on Thursday and the college’s awards and graduate hooding ceremonies on Friday.

Tickets are required for the 156th Commencement Ceremony. The college will also provide a live stream of the event on its official YouTube page for those unable to attend in person.