Even though the rain came, little could dampen the excitement or temper the smiles of more than 350 graduates from Lancaster Bible College on May 4, 2024.
2024 LBC Valedictorian Phoebe Clemens
Valedictorian Phoebe Clemens (’24), who during her four years on the LBC campus stood out as a student leader, talented athlete and dedicated scholar as a Sport Management major, summed up a valuable piece of advice for all graduates in her Commencement speech: “Walk with the King and be a blessing.” [Read her entire speech below.]
This fall, Clemens will return to Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School, this time as a master’s student. She is enrolled in the college’s Master of Science in Sport Management and will take courses this summer, throughout the 2024-25 academic year and plans to finish her graduate degree in the summer of 2025.
Clemens will also work as a graduate assistant in Business Administration/Sport Management throughout the next academic year. Some of her responsibilities will include assisting with championships for various sports within the Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference, organizing LBC Sport Management seminars, advising students, helping with Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) site visits and more.
“After that,” Clemens says, “I am interested in coaching softball at a collegiate level as well as working in a college athletic department. I am not sure what the Lord has for me, but His plans are best!”
As No. 22 on the Chargers softball team, Clemens racked up a slew of honors. Just a few days after graduation, she was named to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Midwest All-Region First Team—a repeat of her Second Team honor in 2023 as a junior.
Coached by her dad, LBC Softball Head Coach John Clemens, Phoebe had a stellar senior year as a Charger, leading the team to its first postseason appearance since the program was reintroduced in 2014. The Honey Brook, Pa., native ranked in the top 10 of the NCCAA in five different categories, including sixth in batting average (.496), fourth in slugging percentage (.779) and fourth in on-base percentage (.556). She also hit a team-high seven triples on the season, placing her first overall in the NCCAA, and stole a team-high 35 bases, ranking her sixth overall in the NCCAA. Clemens was also a strong force defensively, playing shortstop for the Chargers and grabbing 108 assists, good enough for fourth in the NCCAA, and she is tied for third overall in double plays with 11 total on the season.
Phoebe Clemens receives the 2024 Deb Thompson Award.
Then on May 15, Clemens added another honor to her résumé as the recipient of the national 2024 Deb Thompson Award, a softball-specific honor given by the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association to a student-athlete who has had a tremendous impact on and off the field. Clemens is the first to receive the honor in LBC program history.
Read more about Clemens and the award from the NCCAA’s release at lbcchargers.com, which included these words:
“On top of Clemens’ athletic achievements, what really stands out is her leadership. She was named the 2024 Lancaster Bible College Female Student Leadership Award winner, and she is also the class Valedictorian. Clemens is a team captain, and she uses that role to help her teammates grow athletically and spiritually through Bible study and prayer. Clemens has been a Bible study leader for her teammates and led a devotional for opposing team members during Spring Break where one of the players came to Christ. Outside of softball, Clemens is heavily involved on the Charger campus. She is the Vice President for Student Government and for the Sport Management Student Association and is a Finishers For Christ small group leader. She also serves as an intern with the LBC athletic department to give back to her fellow athletes on campus and prepare herself for a potential career in sports management. As a dual major, Clemens has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her career. She is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athletic Honor Society and has earned multiple scholar-athlete honors.”
According to the NCCAA, Deb Thompson became head coach at Spring Arbor University in 1987 and built a legacy through impacting players for Christ, while creating a winning culture on and off the field. She was awarded the NFCA Regional Coach of the Year on four occasions, received numerous NCCAA district/regional awards, and was the NCCAA Coach of the Year in 2005 when her Cougars captured the NCCAA National Title. Deb has over 800 career wins and counting and was inducted into the Spring Arbor University Hall of Fame in 2002. She has and continues to serve selflessly while nurturing the student-athletes who have had the benefit of calling her coach.
Congratulations, Phoebe!
2024 LBC Valedictorian Speech by Phoebe Clemens
Dr. Kiedis, Provost Wilson, distinguished quests, faculty, families and friends, thank you for giving me this opportunity. And thank you to my friends and family for the constant support over the years—I love you all very much.
My fellow graduates, I am honored to be representing you all on this stage, celebrating our accomplishments. Today is not just about the moment of walking across the stage, but about celebrating all the little moments it took to get here. The assignments turned in at 11:59 p.m., the projects, the papers, the countless hours of studying, the Sheetz runs, the sporting events, the hours and hours of practicing for musicals, games, recitals or presentations have finally paid off.
One phrase that has stuck with me over the years is: “Walk with the King and be a blessing.”
This phrase embodies many of the people I have met during my time here. My professors, coaches, mentors and friends have all demonstrated what it means to be a light for the Lord. They remind me of what a privilege it is to be in community with fellow believers.
Remember, we are not all just part of Lancaster Bible College, but we belong to the family of God, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our biblical worldviews, shaped at LBC, are what will help set us apart as ambassadors for Christ wherever we go.
Matthew 5:16 is one of my favorite verses, and it says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” This verse reminds me that we do not shine OUR light but REFLECT Christ’s light, as He is the true Author and Perfector of our lives.
My fellow graduates, congratulations on your tremendous achievements. I pray that the Lord would continue to richly bless each and every one of you as you step toward the future He has planned for you.
I leave you with this:
- Be the one who judges last and shows mercy first.
- Give the people you love a hug; life is short.
- And Walk with the King and be a blessing.
Congratulations, Class of 2024!