Skip to main content
St. Vincent Homepage

Saint Vincent College holds 178th Spring Commencement

Saint Vincent College holds 178th Spring Commencement

by Public Relations | May 11, 2024

LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College held its 178th Spring Commencement on May 11 in the Robert S. Carey Student Center gymnasium, with 298 students, including four who are anticipated to graduate in August, being awarded bachelor's or master's degrees. Five students from the Bearcat B.E.S.T. (Building Excellence through Skills Training) Transition Program walked and received certificates of completion. Ms. Susan Baker Shipley (center) president of the Pennsylvania, Ohio Valley and Mahoning region for Huntington Bank, receives the Presidential Medal of Honor from Rev. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., president of Saint Vincent College (left) and Ms. Kimberly M. Colonna, Esq., Board of Directors vice chair (right)

Click here to watch a video replay of the 2024 Spring Commencement.

The Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government conferred 101 degrees in course. The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing awarded 101 degrees. The School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) conferred 109 degrees.

Dr. John T. Delaney, vice president for academic affairs, delivered introductory remarks, followed by an invocation from Right Reverend Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., S’85, archabbot and chancellor.

Ms. Susan Baker Shipley, president of the Pennsylvania, Ohio Valley and Mahoning region for Huntington Bank, delivered the commencement address.

“This is a day of celebration,” Ms. Shipley said. “A day to celebrate your hard work and achievement. A day to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Saint Vincent enrolling women. And a day to ponder a very big question: What will be your purpose in life? … Keep an open mind as you continue to reflect on the question. Keep an open heart as you answer your call, keep pressing forward and allow yourself grace along the way.”

Rev. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, president of the College, presented a Presidential Medal of Honor to Ms. Shipley. The Presidential Medal of Honor is awarded for extraordinary service and leadership to profession, community, family, church or education. The award is honors those whose achievement is not strictly academic. Honorees are selected by the president of the College.Kelsy Levendosky, of North Huntingdon, holds her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree

“Today, we honor a woman whose impact has been felt deeply in Pittsburgh and the larger region,” Fr. Paul said. “Susie, from your childhood, you have followed your calling to make an impact. You have broken through barriers. You have followed your inner voice, which enables you to live your life in a way that is consistent with your beliefs. It is your personal impact and dedication to this area and this institution that makes you such a deserving recipient of this award.”

Dr. Michael Urick, C’04, dean of the McKenna School; Dr. Stephen Jodis, dean of the Boyer School; and Dr. Elaine Bennett, dean of AHSS, conferred the degrees in course for graduates from their respective schools. Posthumous degrees were conferred to Dominic A. Bottino and Hugh Grant Jeanjaquet.

Upon completion of degree conferral, senior class president Bridget G. Doyle, C’24, and alumni council president Alexandria Simmons, C’10, delivered brief remarks. “Our class defined Saint Vincent over the past four years,” Doyle said. “We have celebrated together and grown in community.”

Fr. Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, director of campus ministry, closed the ceremony with a benediction.Kieran Rapp, of Pittsburgh, holds his Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art and Media degree

Platform participants were Father Paul; Dr. Jeff Mallory, C’06, G’13, executive vice president and chief operating officer; Ms. Kimberly M. Colonna, Esq., C’94, Board of Directors vice chair; Fr. Maxwell; Dr. Timothy Kelly, professor of history and faculty council president; Archabbot Martin; Dr. Delaney; and Ms. Simmons.

Back to Top