Manor College Names Student Commencement Speakers

Edward Fortescue Jr. (Blue Bell, Pa.) and Neysha Medina (Philadelphia) will speak at the institution’s commencement on May 16.

Manor College is proud to announce the two student speakers for the 2024 Commencement, Edward Fortescue Jr. and Neysha Medina.

Fortescue will speak on behalf of the Bachelor Degree graduates, and Medina will speak for the Associate Degree graduates.

Manor College’s 2024 Commencement takes place on May 16 in an outdoor ceremony on campus. Gregory E. Deavens, Independence Blue Cross CEO, will receive an Honorary Degree from Manor College and serve as Commencement Orator.

Learn more about the student speakers:

Edward Fortescue Jr.

Edward Fortescue, Jr., Class of 2024, will deliver the commencement address as the representative for those graduating with a Bachelor Degree from Manor College. He is graduating with his degree in Sport Management.

Fortescue is from Blue Bell, Pa. and graduated from Wissahickon High School. He is a first-generation college student. At Manor, he is a member of the soccer, basketball and baseball. He is a four-time USCAA All-American and a six-time USCAA All-Academic team.

Fortescue is also a Presidential Ambassador at Manor. Fortescue additionally was a finalist for the Mother Josaphat Medal in 2023.

Fortescue’s advice to students is to find ways to get involved on campus. “Manor gives you many options and opportunities to better yourself,” Fortescue said. “I tell everyone I can to take advantage of that.”

Neysha Medina

Neysha Medina, Class of 2024, will deliver the commencement address as the representative for those graduating with an Associate Degree from Manor College. Medina is graduating with her degree in Dental Hygiene.

Medina is from Philadelphia and is a graduate of Constitution High School. She is a first-generation college student. At Manor, she is a Presidential Ambassador, a member of the track and volleyball teams and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is additionally the President of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association at Manor College.

In 2023, Medina was named the Mother Josaphat Medal winner, Manor College’s highest honor given to a student.

Medina’s advice for Manor College students is to find ways to be part of the positive environment on campus.

“Good vibes here are contiguous,” Neysha said. “You have the opportunity to become a better person from the bonds that you can have here.”