Benedictine alum to give commencement address

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee DeRemer, Ph.D., will address graduates Saturday, May 13, at Benedictine University's 127th Commencement Convocation.

DeRemer served in the Air Force for 26 years as a pilot, commander and strategic planner for the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon. He has taught leadership skills to military officers, government officials and students. He has led Boy Scouts and youth and men's ministries, and is an experienced bicycle tour guide.

An avid cyclist, DeRemer founded Lifecycles, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization that helps teenage boys from challenging backgrounds develop educational, leadership and personal skills through cycling.

The program encourages participants to complete school and enter the workforce, trade school or college.

DeRemer earned a doctorate in values-driven leadership at Benedictine University in 2014. He previously earned a master's in national security strategy at National Defense University; a master's in national security and strategic studies at U.S. Naval War College; and a master's of public administration at Central Michigan University.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1983.

In 2016, DeRemer was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Benedictine's Center for Values-Driven Leadership in recognition of his transformative impact on business and society through values-driven leadership.