Nicholas Bertram, president of The GIANT Company, will be the principal speaker at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology’s 15th Commencement on May 12, 2022.
“He is one of the most admired leaders in the country and we are delighted he will join us in May to celebrate the Class of 2022,” said Harrisburg University President Eric Darr. “The GIANT Company is using science-based solutions to address the most challenging issues of sustainability in our time. I very much look forward to his address.”
Harrisburg University will hold its 15th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2022, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Farm Show building and Expo Center, located at 2300 N Cameron Street in Harrisburg.
More than 1,100 students from the Class of 2022 are expected to graduate this year. The Class of 2022 joins with members of the Classes of 2021 and 2020 for the ceremony. This marks the first in-person Commencement for the University since 2019.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be invited to speak at Harrisburg University’s commencement and celebrate the Class of 2022,” said Bertram. “I believe now more than ever before, expertise in STEM fields is essential to meeting the current and emerging needs of our economy and society. Harrisburg University students and alumni have long been known for making an impact not only in the Midstate but across the globe, and I know that the Class of 2022 will continue to build on that legacy by being leaders in efforts to transform our world for the better.”
Bertram was appointed to the role in 2017, following years of executive roles at The GIANT Company’s parent company Ahold Delhaize. He began his retail career over 20 years ago at JCPenney. He then joined Walmart as a part-time stocker, and over the next 12 years, quickly rose with leadership roles in store operations, human resources, and innovation. Bertram then went to Jewel-Osco in Chicago as its senior vice president of retail before joining Ahold Delhaize in 2013.
Bertram currently serves as chair for the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Chamber. He is also co-chair of the corporate council and a member of the Foundation Board of Overseers for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In 2021, Bertram was inducted into the Food Industry Hall of Fame and honored with the Food Industry Trailblazer Award by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. Previously, Bertram was named a 2020 Most Admired CEO by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
He attained a BBA in marketing from Eastern Kentucky University and an MBA in global management from the University of Phoenix, along with post-graduate programs at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Harrisburg University is a private nonprofit university offering bachelor and graduate degree programs in science, technology, and math fields to a diverse student body. For more information on the University’s affordable demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, call 717.901.5146 or email, Connect@HarrisburgU.edu
