Cedar Crest College celebrated a milestone on June 16 with a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of renovations for the Elaine & John Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology.

The center, located at 2859 College Drive in Allentown, will provide an innovative learning environment where Cedar Crest students can develop the technological and leadership skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

It will also serve as a regional hub for businesses and organizations seeking to strengthen their approaches to technology strategy and workforce development.

Attendees included Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, members of the college’s board of trustees, faculty and staff, members of the Harmon Center Advisory Board and members of the Harmon family.

Dr. Robert Wilson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, opened the ceremony before introducing Cedar Crest College President Elizabeth Meade.

“Today we celebrate the realization of a vision rooted in generosity, opportunity, and innovation-and the belief that Cedar Crest students deserve every possible pathway to leadership in a rapidly changing world,” Meade said.

The Harmon Center was made possible through a generous gift from the estate of alumna Elaine Oberkotter Harmon ’59 and her husband, John.

“The groundbreaking of the Harmon Center marks more than the start of a renovation project,” said Dr. Beverly Magda, founding director of the Elaine & John Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology. “It represents opportunities for students to build the skills and confidence to lead in technology, for industry and education to collaborate on workforce needs, and for innovation to strengthen our regional economy.”

As part of the initiative, Cedar Crest has expanded its academic offerings with undergraduate majors in cybersecurity, data science and computer science, along with applied AI integration opportunities launched in the fall of 2025. These programs are available to both traditional undergraduate students in the college for women and learners in the coeducational School of Adult and Graduate Education.

“The technology sector shapes our economy, health care systems, governments and communications, yet women continue to be underrepresented in many of the careers defining our future,” Meade said. “The Harmon Center is a statement of purpose. It is our declaration that women belong at the forefront of technological innovation-in laboratories, data centers, cybersecurity operations, software development teams, boardrooms, start-ups and every place where the future is being imagined and built.

“The students who will learn here will help shape the future of technology. Together, we are opening new doors and preparing the next generation of women leaders to lead with innovation, ethics, and purpose.”.