The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College has landed an international award-winning author as its 2022 commencement speaker.

John Schlimm is a St. Marys native whose literary career includes authorship of two-dozen books including his Christopher Award-winning memoir Five Years in Heaven and his just-released children’s book The Star Jumped Over the Moon.

“Every step of my career has been about using the gifts I’ve been given in this life to connect with people here at home and beyond,” Schlimm said in a statement. “We are all teachers and students in ever-reversing roles, and so while I try to help folks to discover and embrace the beauty and potential of their gifts and their imperfections, they do the same for me. I believe in meeting people where they are and helping them to rise from there, while joining them for the amazing journey.”

In addition to his writing, Schlimm is also a Harvard-trained educator, artist and advocate with topics ranging from inspiration/motivation to mental health, animals, Gen-Z and The Imagination Generation.

That work has brought him appearances on national outlets such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, NPR, Hallmark and Bravo channel shows and Martha Stewart Living’s Everyday Food.

“Since NPRC was founded, I have been a number one fan of their innovative mission to make education more accessible and to connect students with the necessary tools and resources to fuel their unique talents and passions,” he said. “I’m looking very forward to crossing paths with this year’s graduates and the larger NPRC community on commencement day, so that we might all rise from that extraordinary moment toward the brightest future together!’

Commencement will be held on May 22 at 2 p.m. at the Dam Inn and be offered both in person and livestreamed.