Alumnus S. Dale High ’63, H’93, P’86 a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, will serve as Elizabethtown College’s 2025 Commencement Speaker. High will address the Class of 2025 and guests for the 122nd exercises on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. held in the Dell located on the College’s campus.
“S. Dale High represents the very best of what it means to be a civic leader, an innovator, and a changemaker,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “We are honored to welcome him back to Elizabethtown College as our 2025 Commencement Speaker. His remarkable legacy of community impact will serve as a powerful source of inspiration for our graduates as they embark on their own journeys to lead fulfilling and purposeful lives.”
High serves as Chair Emeritus for High Industries Inc. and High Real Estate Group LLC, joining the family business following his graduation from Etown in 1963. Under High’s values-based leadership, he strategically grew the High companies to encompass over 12 entities and nearly 2,000 coworkers across six states.
Following High’s guiding principle of harnessing the power of business for community good, the High Foundation was established in 1980 to support community growth and vitality, as well as improve the lives of people who live and work in Lancaster through philanthropic efforts.
High Foundation has driven progress across education, health and human services, arts and culture, environmental stewardship, and social enterprise by supporting numerous nonprofit projects and organizations. The work of the Foundation is continuously guided by the words of benefactor S. Dale High, “We are on this earth for a purpose that is larger than our own self-interests, and we must strive to make the world a better place.”
In December 2023, S. Dale High completed his transfer of ownership of High Real Estate Group and High Industries to High Foundation. The shift of High ownership to High Foundation represents The High Philosophy of trust and innovation that has been in place for three generations. High’s example will leave a lasting legacy that will impact Lancaster County and beyond for generations.
S. Dale High played a pivotal role in establishing the High Center for Family Business at Elizabethtown College. Founded by High and local business leaders in 1995, the High Center is celebrating 30 years as one of the nation’s first and largest centers dedicated to providing education, support, and peer dialogue to family-owned and privately-held businesses as well as nonprofits.
A Business Administration major while at Etown, High began serving on the College’s Board of Trustees in 1972 and was appointed Emeritus Trustee in 1998. He has generously supported the College through numerous capital projects and initiatives, including the High Library construction and renovations, the Bowers Center for Sports Fitness and Well-being, and the Trostle Finance Laboratory, as well as the creation of numerous funds and endowments.
The College has recognized High’s extraordinary contributions by honoring the esteemed alumnus with the Elizabethtown College Distinguished Business Alumni Award, the Centennial Medal for outstanding service to Elizabethtown College and presenting him with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
High has also been active in a variety of associations and organizations and has been recognized with numerous awards, including The Pennsylvania Society’s Distinguished Citizen of the Commonwealth Award in 2023 and the Leadership Award from the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County in 2024. In 2023, the City of Lancaster officially declared May 2nd as S. Dale High Day to honor his impactful contributions that have elevated both the economy and the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Elizabethtown College’s Commencement ceremony will honor all graduates from all five undergraduate Schools and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS). The ceremony will also be livestreamed on etown.edu.