F&M Stories
Danene Sorace, 2025 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Mayor Danene Sorace. Image Credit: City of Lancaster, PA
Danene Sorace serves as the 43rd Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2021. She is only the second woman to serve as mayor and brings a background as a nonprofit leader, environmental advocate, and former Lancaster City Council member, where she chaired the Finance Committee. In recognition of her public service, she will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at F&M’s 238th Commencement.
As mayor, Sorace has set forth a vision of building a stronger, more equitable Lancaster block by block. Her administration is focused on four strategic priorities: strong neighborhoods, safe places, a sustainable economy, and sound government. Key accomplishments include launching the Department of Neighborhood Engagement to elevate neighborhoods and empower residents, securing record grant funding to remediate lead and promote safe streets, achieving the Welcoming City designation, and making historic investments in affordable housing.
Mayor Sorace is a leader beyond Lancaster, serving as past president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League and as Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council. She has received the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence twice, most recently in April 2025 for her work leading the city’s adoption of a Home Rule Charter. She also completed the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and was featured in Politico’s Mayors Club series.
Mayor Sorace and Franklin & Marshall President Barbara Altmann have enjoyed a close professional relationship and personal friendship over the last seven years. The mayor credits F&M as a key partner in the city’s ongoing vitality and efforts to nurture community engagement.
Mayor Sorace earned her bachelor’s degree from Albright College and a master’s degree in public policy from Rutgers University. She is married to Christian and together with their daughter Aurelia, enjoy hiking, travel, and dining out in Lancaster’s many fabulous restaurants.
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