Spring Commencement, Diploma Ceremonies Hosted on Campus This Weekend

The University will honor approximately 1,600 graduating students at the Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m. in the A.J. Palumbo Center. Individual schools will host diploma ceremonies throughout campus on Saturday, May 9.

H.E. Michael Collins, the longest-serving ambassador of Ireland to the United States in the modern era, will deliver the Spring Commencement address on Friday and be presented with an honorary doctor of laws degree. During the ceremony, the University will also confer an honorary doctor of humane letters on both Dr. Sonia Nieto, professor emerita of language, literacy and culture at the University of Massachusetts’ School of Education, and Dr. Pedro Noguera, the Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University.

Commencement will be preceded by the annual Baccalaureate Mass at 3 p.m. in the A.J. Palumbo Center. Both the Mass and Commencement will be broadcast live via webcast.

The schedule for Diploma Ceremonies, including keynote speakers (where applicable), is as follows:

  • McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
    Mark Paoletta, partner, DLA Piper LLP
    9 a.m., A.J. Palumbo Center
  • Mary Pappert School of Music
    9 a.m., Union Ballroom
  • Palumbo-Donahue Graduate School of Business
    Steven Costabile, managing director, head of private funds group, Pinebridge Investments
    Noon, A.J. Palumbo Center
  • School of Education
    Dr. Sonia Nieto, professor emerita of language, literacy and culture, School of Education, University of Massachusetts
    Noon, Union Ballroom
  • School of Nursing
    Sister Rosemary Donley, S.C., the Jacques Laval Chair for Justice for Vulnerable Populations, Duquesne University
    3 p.m., A.J. Palumbo Center
  • Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
    Dr. Edward G. Franklin, product development chemist, Restek Corporation
    3 p.m., Union Ballroom
  • Rangos School of Health Sciences
    Norman F. Mitry, president and chief executive officer, Heritage Valley Health System
    6 p.m., A.J. Palumbo Center.