A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 16, marking the start of renovations for the Cedar Crest College Elaine & John Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology, 2859 College Drive, Allentown.

The Center will provide “an innovative learning environment where Cedar Crest students can develop the technological and leadership skills needed to thrive in a rapidly-evolving world.

“It will also serve as a regional hub for businesses and organizations seeking to strengthen their approaches to technology strategy and workforce development,” stated a June 17 press release from Cedar Crest College.

Attendees included members of the college’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, members of the Harmon Center Advisory Board and members of the Harmon family.

Dr. Robert A. Wilson, Cedar Crest College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, opened the ceremony before introducing Cedar Crest College President Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade.

“Today, we celebrate the realization of a vision rooted in generosity, opportunity and innovation, and the belief that Cedar Crest students deserve every possible pathway to leadership in a rapidly-changing world,” said Meade.

The Harmon Center was made possible through a gift from the Estate of alumna Elaine Oberkotter Harmon, Cedar Crest, Class of 1959, and her husband, John.

“The groundbreaking of the Harmon Center marks more than the start of a renovation project,” said Dr. Beverly Magda, founding director, Elaine & John Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology.

“It represents opportunities for students to build the skills and confidence to lead in technology, for industry and education to collaborate on workforce needs and for innovation to strengthen our regional economy,” Magda said.

As part of the initiative, Cedar Crest has expanded undergraduate majors in Cybersecurity, Data Science and Computer Science, along with Applied AI integration, launched in Fall 2025.

The programs are available to undergraduate students in the college for women and the coeducational School of Adult and Graduate Education.

Cedar Crest, founded in 1867, is listed by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best College Rankings as No. 16 in Social Mobility, is among the Top 100 colleges and universities in the region, and is ranked by Newsweek among the Top 28% of colleges nationwide for benefiting women.

Information: https://www.cedarcrest.edu/