By Lydia Szyjka
Members of the 100th graduating class of Immaculata University received their diplomas from Immaculata’s President Barbara Lettiere ’72 on Sunday, May 19.
With a chance of rain threatening the outdoor ceremony planned for Immaculata’s Back Campus, University officials implemented a special weather strategy. “We thought we would employ a couple of our IHM Sisters who have been particularly successful with weather prayers. We had the statues in the windowsills, and as my grandmother would do, we had the statues upside-down,” Lettiere shared during her opening remarks, evoking laughter from the 500-plus people in attendance.
As fate would have it, the weather forecast miraculously shifted at the last minute, and the campus was rain-free for the entire ceremony.
Five hundred and forty students earned their degrees during the 2023-2024 academic year, including 194 from the College of Graduate Studies and Research, 171 from the College of Nursing and Health Professions and 175 from the College of Undergraduate Studies.
Bob Kelly, traffic anchor and feature reporter for Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia,” received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, in recognition of his charitable and professional contributions to the local community and the Philadelphia metro-area media.
Kelly addressed the graduates and explained his circuitous radio career that eventually led him to Fox 29. He asked the graduates to give a round of applause to their family and friends who supported them, saying, “You sacrificed a lot, tuition—other things you could have spent your money on. But no, you insisted that they have the best education, and that’s why you sent them to Immaculata University.”
Providing words of wisdom, Kelly left the graduates with three things to remember. First, never forget where you come from. He also emphasized the importance of trying new things and taking the proverbial U-turn, stating, “Map out your future, but do it in pencil.” For his last piece of advice, as a culmination of his radio days, he quoted his mentor, Jerry Blavat: “Keep on rockin’, because in this life, you only truly rock once.”
Following the conferral of degrees, 18 special academic medals were presented to recognize students for their outstanding scholarly achievements. See the list of the medal recipients.
Long-time faculty member Kelly Stalker, Ed.D., L.A.T., A.T.C., athletic training professor and program director and chair of the Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science Department, received the 2024 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. The award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching.
“I am pleased to recognize the dedication and outstanding service that Kelly Stalker provides to our students and to the Immaculata community,” stated President Lettiere. “She is well deserving of the 2024 Lindback Distinguished Faculty Award.”
Commencement Program Medals
- ACBSP student leadership award awarded to
Gerard F. Faia - The John Reilly Medal for accounting awarded to
Nicholas Joseph Livolsi - The Adeline E. Donio Medal for biology awarded to
Payton M. Conard - The Maurice Czikann-Zichy Medal for business administration/economics awarded to
Kristin T. Carter - The Sister Christine Noel Henwood Medal for communication awarded to
Abigail Yarrison - The Major Frank G. Hartleroad Medal for criminology/criminal justice awarded to
Kenneth P. DiFilippo - The Sister Eugenie Kenney Medal for education awarded to
Grace M. Keeley - The Sister Marian William Hoben Medal for English awarded to
Emely Jimenez - The Mary Elizabeth Larkin Dowling Medal for fashion–family and consumer sciences awarded to
Alison Furman - The Reverend Robert Riddle Medal for history awarded to
Gina E. Rufo - The Grace Hopper Medal for information technology awarded to
Makenna N. Piaskowski - The Reverend William E. Campbell Medal for music awarded to
Avery N. Valenta - The Elizabeth F. Wagoner Medal for nursing awarded to
Heather Burns - The Sister Maria Josita Feighan, IHM Medal for nursing awarded to
Theresa Virginia Arata - The Sister Marion Jeanne Bell Medal for excellence in nutrition and dietetics awarded to
Elizabeth M. Detweiler - The Reverend John H. Walsh Medal for psychology awarded to
MacKenzie A. Cain - The Annie E. Gorman Medal for sociology awarded to
Emilia Dunn - The Loyola Medal for theology awarded to
Lauren Kolenda