Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake Named Honorary Degree Recipient and Undergraduate Commencement Speaker
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake is this year’s Honorary Degree recipient and will serve as the commencement speaker at the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17.
She is the President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation (the Foundation) and Vice President of Community Affairs at Independence Blue Cross (Independence). Both organizations have been long-time partners of Gwynedd Mercy University.
As President of the Foundation, Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake fulfills the mission through strategic, programmatic, and operational efforts to create sustainable solutions for improving the health and wellness of the community. Through her leadership efforts, the Foundation has become an innovator and leader in addressing healthcare needs within southeastern Pennsylvania.
As Vice President for Community Affairs at Independence, Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake leads the charge in developing and managing relationships with the community to advance its mission.
Passionate about her philanthropic endeavors, Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake is involved with more than 30 professional and civic organizations, including the United Negro College Fund and the Anti-Defamation League. She is the former President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Omega Chapter, and is currently an associate minister at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake serves on more than 25 non-profit boards and committees, including the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association – Corporate Responsibility Committee; the Urban Affairs Coalition; the Urban League of Philadelphia; and The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia’s Paradigm Award & Scholarship Committee. She currently serves on Rutgers School of Nursing – Camden Dean’s Leadership Circle and Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Executive Advisory Council.
Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake is an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and was a member of the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice. Her leadership and community service have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the NAACP, Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, Philadelphia Tribune, League of Women Voters, Philadelphia Business Journal, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southeastern New Jersey.
Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Antioch University, a master’s degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently working a master’s of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary. She also obtained a diploma in Advertising from the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism and an Honorary Doctorate from Albright College, Ursinus College, and Harcum College. Rev. Dr. Marshall-Blake is a licenses and ordained Baptist Preacher from Vine Memorial Baptist Church.