Saint Vincent College holds 179th Spring Commencement

LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College held its 179th Spring Commencement on May 10 in the Robert S. Carey Student Center gymnasium, awarding bachelor's or master's degrees to 314 students, including 10 anticipated to graduate in August. Five students from the Bearcat B.E.S.T. (Building Excellence through Skills Training) Transition Program walked and received certificates of completion.
 
Click here to watch a video replay of the 2025 Spring Commencement.
 
The Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government conferred 110 degrees. The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing awarded 106 degrees. The School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) conferred 108 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.
 
Reverend Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, president of the College, presented a Presidential Medal of Honor to Kimberly (Kim) M. Colonna, C’94, Esq., an education law attorney with McNees Wallace and Nurick LLC in Harrisburg and vice chair of Saint Vincent College’s Board of Directors. The Presidential Medal of Honor is awarded for extraordinary service and leadership to profession, community, family, church or education. The award honors those whose achievement is not strictly academic. Honorees are selected by the president of the College.
 
“Today, we honor an exceptional woman whose service to the higher education community has aided many institutions and whose dedication to Saint Vincent has been exceptional,” remarked Father Paul. “[She] gives back to her alma mater in many ways, [and is] a regular visitor to campus, always bringing energy and encouragement. For that selflessness and attention to others, Saint Vincent College recognizes Kimberly M. Colonna, Esq., attorney, litigator, counselor, Board member, alumna and friend.”
 
After receiving the Medal, Colonna delivered the commencement address.
 
“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your celebration today. I am deeply honored,” began Colonna. “It’s no exaggeration to say that you grew up in a world that I could not have imagined when I sat out there 31 years ago. So, I had to ask myself, ‘What do I say to you today?’ knowing that I have little idea of what amazing things will happen over the next 20, 30 or 50 years. … In the end, I decided to share one, simple message that I hope is timeless, and that message is: Raise your hands.
 
“When I ask you to raise your hands, I’m first asking you to commit your energy and talent to the community around you through civic engagement and a willingness to participate in a dialogue about difficult issues. … I urge you to raise your hands because your community will need you to connect with people you don’t agree with to solve problems.
 
“It is true, Class of 2025, that you will contribute a lot to the world around you. And it is also true that you aren’t going to solve society’s ails tomorrow. But you can make the decision today not to turn away from challenging and controversial issues when you see them in your community. And then, you’ll be ready to engage with them. And you can keep engaging with them one day after another, one year after another, and in that way, over time, you will do real and lasting good in this world. But it starts with just being willing to raise your hands.”
 
Following the commencement address, 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.
 
Upon completion of degree conferral, senior class president Angelina Bucci, C’25, and alumni council president Thomas Cocchi, C’13, delivered brief remarks.
 
Fr. Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, director of campus ministry, closed the ceremony with a benediction