Lower Merion approves agreements for graduation ceremonies at Villanova

LOWER MERION—The Lower Merion School Board approved its contracts with Villanova University to hold its two high school graduation ceremonies on campus for the third year.

The contracts were discussed during the school board’s January finance committee meeting and then given final approval as part of the board’s consent agenda at its January business meeting.

The ceremony is taking place at Villanova’s Finneran Pavilion, according to information on the agreement.

Victor Orlando, chief financial officer for the Lower Merion School District, outlined the two agreements for each of the district’s two high schools.

“Everyone seems to be very satisfied with Villanova, and so we’re proposing to move forward with two agreements with Villanova for Lower Merion and Harriton graduation ceremonies,” Orlando said. “They’re both estimated at around $39,000 each for the use of the facility and other services.”

Orlando said the pricing for last year’s ceremonies at Villanova was around $38,000 for Lower Merion and about $37,600 for the Harriton ceremony.

Shawn Albert, athletic director at Harriton High School, said the agreement also includes a practice session on each school’s designated day.

“Villanova’s been really great to work with, accommodating every need that we’ve had in the last two years,” Albert said.

Board member Shayna Kalish described having the ceremonies at Villanova as being successful.

“I agree that it has been a very successful place to have our graduation, having done it there and at Saint Joes and at the fields, and I’ve enjoyed the Villanova events the most, so I’m glad we’re going there again,” Kalish said during the finance committee meeting.

Board member Jen Rivera added her support for holding the ceremonies at Villanova.

“I think this is a great partnership with Villanova. Looking at the pricing, they’re very generous compared to prices that I work with at our company using facilities,” Rivera said.

Harriton’s graduation this year is scheduled for June 2, and Lower Merion’s graduation is scheduled for June 3.