The engagement of Lauren E. Romano, Lebanon, to Kenneth R. Houser, also of Lebanon, has been announced by her parents.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Christopher and Donna Romano of Pottsville.She is the granddaughter of Ruth Smulligan and the late James R. Smulligan Sr. of Tamaqua; and Angelo and Diane Romano of Mount Holly Springs, Pa., former residents of Hometown.She is a 2004 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 2008 graduate of Lebanon Valley College, Annville, where she earned a bachelor of science in health science. She also received a doctorate in physical therapy from Lebanon Valley College in 2010.She is employed as a physical therapist at Physical Therapy Associates of Manheim.The prospective bridegroom is the son of Kenneth and Sheree Houser of Ringtown. He is a 2004 graduate of North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School, Frackville, and a 2008 graduate of Lebanon Valley College, where he earned a bachelor of science in chemistry.He is currently attending Penn State Hershey-College of Medicine for a Ph.D. in chemical biology. He is employed at Penn State Hershey as a graduate assistant.A wedding is being planned for September 2011.