By Tyler Walsh ’26

Immaculata University celebrated its Class of 2025 on Sunday, May 18, with commencement ceremonies that honored the achievements of 278 undergraduate and 119 graduate students. The undergraduate ceremony began at 10 a.m. on the University’s campus, where family, friends and faculty gathered to recognize the accomplishments of the soon-to-be alumni. Dressed in black gowns and mortarboards, the graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. At 2 p.m., the University held its graduate commencement, honoring those who completed advanced degrees in fields such as education, health care, business and psychology. The graduate students were praised for their resilience and determination, especially as many balanced full-time careers and families alongside their academic pursuits.

University President Barbara Lettiere ’72 addressed both groups of graduates, offering words of encouragement as they step into the next chapter of their lives. “You are entering a world that is full of both challenges and opportunities,” Lettiere said. “But you are prepared. You have gained knowledge, yes — but more importantly, you have gained wisdom, compassion and a foundation of values that will guide you no matter where life leads.”

Eighteen students were recognized with academic medals for outstanding achievement across disciplines, including accounting, biology, business administration, communication, criminology, education, English, fashion, history, information technology, music, nursing, psychology, sociology and theology. The awards highlight the University’s commitment to celebrating academic excellence.
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Commencement speakers, Theresa Major Payton ’89 and Alice Demery Travis ’65, meet between ceremonies.

Theresa Major Payton, a 1989 graduate of Immaculata University, delivered the keynote address at the undergraduate ceremony and received the University’s highest honor, the Immaculata Medal. Payton was the first woman to serve as chief information officer at the White House, overseeing IT operations for President George W. Bush and 3,000 staff members from 2006 to 2008. She is the founder and CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity consulting firm, and has been recognized as a leading expert in the field. In her address, Payton encouraged graduates to “Be Brave. Be Bold. Be Different,” emphasizing the importance of living authentically and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Alice Demery Travis ’65, a distinguished alumna of Immaculata University, received an honorary degree during the ceremonies for her trailblazing career and lasting impact, and she served as the keynote speaker for the graduate students. In 1977, she became the first Black woman to host her own national talk show, “For You…Black Woman,” which provided a platform for Black women to share their voices and stories. “The New York Times” stated that Travis was “Oprah before Oprah.” In her remarks to the graduates, Travis shared with her fellow graduates, “Today, I join your army of supporters. I salute your achievements and bid you Godspeed.” Faculty, staff and families were recognized by the graduates for their support and contributions to the members of the Class of 2025. The ceremonies marked another addition to Immaculata’s tradition and community spirit, with graduates reflecting on their time at Immaculata — a period shaped by growth, perseverance and purpose. The Class of 2025 now joins the University’s growing alumni network, prepared to make a difference in their communities and professions across the globe.

Commencement Program Medals

ACBSP STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
awarded to Aidan C. Lawrence

THE JOHN REILLY MEDAL FOR ACCOUNTING
awarded to Isabella M. Carey

THE ADELINE E. DONIO MEDAL FOR BIOLOGY & THE WENDALL P. MACINTOSH MEDAL FOR CHEMISTRY
awarded to Aidan J. Doyle

THE MAURICE CZIKANN-ZICHY MEDAL FOR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/ECONOMICS
awarded to Jocelyn Garcia-Reza

THE SISTER CHRISTINE NOEL HENWOOD MEDAL FOR COMMUNICATION
awarded to Alaina M. Gross

THE MAJOR FRANK G. HARTLEROAD MEDAL FOR CRIMINOLOGY/CRIMINAL JUSTICE
awarded to Amanda C. Kovach

THE SISTER EUGENIE KENNEY MEDAL FOR EDUCATION
awarded to Caroline G. Troise

THE SISTER MARIAN WILLIAM HOBEN MEDAL FOR ENGLISH
awarded to Elizabeth K. Miller

THE MARY ELIZABETH LARKIN DOWLING MEDAL FOR FASHION—FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
awarded to Olivia N. Thorpe

THE REVEREND ROBERT T. RIDDLE MEDAL FOR HISTORY
awarded to Ashley E. Finkbiner and Ryan Charles Pringle

THE GRACE HOPPER MEDAL FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
awarded to Michael A. Balestriere

THE REVEREND WILLIAM E. CAMPBELL MEDAL FOR MUSIC
awarded to Graciela M. Cohen

THE ELIZABETH F. WAGONER MEDAL FOR NURSING
awarded to Emily Ann Bonaventure

THE SISTER MARIA JOSITA FEIGHAN, IHM MEDAL FOR NURSING
awarded to Mary Cathleen Taylor

THE SISTER MARION JEANNE BELL MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
awarded to Mei Lin McWilliams

THE REVEREND JOHN H. WALSH MEDAL FOR PSYCHOLOGY
awarded to Nina S. Dreng Hamrell

THE ANNIE E. GORMAN MEDAL FOR SOCIOLOGY
awarded to Erin K. Duffey

THE LOYOLA MEDAL FOR THEOLOGY
awarded to Thomas Elijah Babcock

THE MARY KATE COMMISKEY AWARD
awarded to Jason Edwin Motter