Niagara University Commencement Honorees and Guest Speakers

2008 - Graduate Exercises

Dr. Clayborne Carson: Founding director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Institute at Stanford University, Doctor of Humane Letters
The Most Rev. Thomas Collins, D.D.: Archbishop of Toronto, Doctor of Humane Letters

2008 - Undergraduate Exercises

The Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M.,

President, The Catholic University of America, Doctor of Laws

Recipients of Anniversary Honors

D’Youville College, Sister Denise Roche, GNSH, Ph.D., president
St. Bonaventure University, Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, S.T.D., president (Sesquicentennial Anniversary)
Christ the King Seminary, The Rev. W. Siepka, M.A., S.T.L., president/rector (Sesquicentennial Anniversary)

2007 - Graduate Exercises

The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. (Speaker)

President, DePaul University, Doctor of Pedagogy

William T. Gacioch

President, Chief Executive Officer, National Property Management Associates Inc., Doctor of Commercial Science

Charles Rand Penney

Art Collector, Doctor of Fine Arts

Caritas Medals Awarded

Jeanne C. Finn, ‘71
Lawrence Jacobs, M.D.,’61 (posthumous)
John B. Stranges, Ph.D., ’59,
Niagara University professor and former academic vice president

2007 - Undergraduate Exercises

The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. (Speaker)

President, Niagara University

Sister Carol Keehan, D.C.,

President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Health Association, Doctor of Laws

Caritas Medals Awarded

Concetta A. Dwyer, ‘65
Barbara A. Malinowski, ‘59
Cathy Falcone Ray, ‘76
Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott,’71
James M. Schermerhorn, J.D., MPP, PA-C, ‘64

2006 - Graduate Exercises

Dr. Samantha Nutt (Speaker): Executive Director, War Child Canada, Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. Eric Hoskins: President, War Child Canada, Doctor of Humane Letters
Robert D. Sweeney, ‘72: Senior Vice President for Development and Public Affairs, University of Virginia, Doctor of Commercial Science
Natalie MacMaster: Musician, Doctor of Music

2006 - Undergraduate Exercises

Dr. Michael Ignatieff (Speaker): Liberal Member of Parliament, Canadian House of Commons, Doctor of Humane Letters
Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSA: Executive Director of the National Tekakwitha Conference, Great Fall, Mont., Doctor of Pedagogy
Robert B. Engle, ‘75: President, Chief Operating Officer, CoBank, Doctor of Commercial Science

2005 - Graduate Exercises

John Roberts (Speaker): CBS News Chief White House Correspondent, Doctor of Humane Letters
The Most Reverend Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, D.D., S.T.L.: Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y., Doctor of Sacred Theology
Brian P.Crosby: Gibson, McAskill & Crosby LLP, Buffalo, N.Y., Doctor of Laws
Ralph A. Boniello, Sr.: Trustee Emeritus, President's Medal

2005 - Undergraduate Exercises

Donna de Varona (Speaker): Olympic Gold Medalist, Doctor of Humane Letters
Nerses H. Krikorian: Lab fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, N.M., Doctor of Science
Rev. Jacob C. Ledwon: Pastor, St. Joseph University Church, Buffalo, N.Y., Doctor of Fine Arts
Moira Reddy Smith: New York City Police Officer, Caritas Medal (posthumous)

2004 - Graduate Exercises

Jack L. Granatstein, OC, FRSC (Speaker): Canadian Author, Educator and Media Consultant, Toronto, Ontario, Doctor of Humane Letters
Sharon K. Darling: Founder and President, National Center for Family Literacy, Louisville, KY, Doctor of Pedagogy
Weldon Rougeau: President, Congressional Black Caucus, Washington, DC, Doctor of Humane Letters

2004 - Undergraduate Exercises

Jack Ford (Speaker): Award-Winning Journalist, Co-host of “Living it Up with Ali and Jack,” Spring Lake, NJ, Doctor of Laws
Jane Bryant Quinn: Financial Columnist and Author, North Salem, NY, Doctor of Humane Letters
Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub: Founder, The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, President, Rusty Staub Foundation, New York, NY, Doctor of Humane Letters
Rev. John T. Maher, C.M.: Provincial Vocation Director, Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, Princeton, NJ, Doctor of Pedagogy

2003 - Graduate Exercises

The Honorable Argeo Paul Cellucci (Speaker): United States Ambassador to Canada, United States Embassy, Ottawa, Ontario, Doctor of Pedagogy
Daniel J. Patterson: President, Niagara College – Welland Campus, Welland, Ontario, Doctor of Pedagogy

2003 - Undergraduate Exercises

Benjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D. (Speaker): Professor and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Doctor of Humane Letters
Rev. Betsee Parker: Head Chaplain, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, New York, NY, Doctor of Humane Letters
Rev. Thomas P. McGourty, C.M.: Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Niagara University, NY, Medal of Honor

2002 - Graduate Exercises

The Honorable Hilary M. Weston (Speaker): Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Doctor of Humane Letters
Eric Carle: Author and Illustrator of Children’s Book, Doctor of Humane Letters
John F. Riordan: President and CEO, Gas Technology Institute, Doctor of Commercial Science
The Honorable Robert M. Bennett: Chancellor of New York, State Board of Regents, Doctor of Laws

2002 - Undergraduate Exercises

Brother Rick Curry, S.J., Ph.D. (Speaker): President, National Theatre, Workshop of the Handicapped, New York, NY, Doctor of Humane Letters
Curtis C. Nelson: President and CEO, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, Minneapolis, MN, Doctor of Commercial Science
Laura Duhan Kaplan, Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, Doctor of Pedagogy
Rev. Louis P. Trotta, C.M.: Assistant to the President for Alumni Relations, Niagara University, NY, President’s Medal

2001 - Graduate Exercises

Roger Wilkins (Speaker): Professor of History and American Culture, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, Doctor of Humane Letters
Maestra JoAnn Falletta: Music Director, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo, NY, Doctor of Fine Arts
Rev. John H. McKenna, C.M.: Professor of Theology, St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, Doctor of Pedagogy

2001 - Undergraduate Exercises

Christopher Matthews (Speaker): Television Journalist and Newspaper Columnist, CNBC and San Francisco Chronicle, Washington, D.C., Doctor of Humane Letters
Paul Beeston: President, Major League Baseball, New York, NY, Doctor of Commercial Science
Rev. Francis X. Prior, C.M.: Vice President Emeritus, Niagara University, NY, President’s Medal
Children of Armand and Eleanor Castellani: Founders Award

2000 - Graduate Exercises

Bobbie Gaunt (Speaker): President and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Oakville, Ontario, Doctor of Commercial Science
Bishop Edward M. Grosz, D.D.: Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, Doctor of Sacred Theology
Linda Yellow: Volunteer Administrator for the Native American/St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Caritas Medal

2000 - Undergraduate Exercises

Tim Russert (Speaker): Senior Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief, NBC News, Doctor of Humane Letters
Jeffrey R. Holzschuh: Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Member, Board of Trustees, Doctor of Commercial Science
Rose Bonaro: Retired Employee, Niagara University, NY, Medal of Honor
Brian McLane: Assistant Commissioner,Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, New York State Department of Education, Caritas Medal

1999 - Graduate Exercises

Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, P.C., M.P. (Speaker): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ottawa, Ontario, Doctor of Laws
Sister Margaret Ahl, D.C.: Dean, School of Nursing, Sisters of Charity Hospital, Buffalo, NY, Doctor of Pedagogy

1999 - Undergraduate Exercises

Garry Wills, Ph.D. (Speaker): Department of History, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, Author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Award and the Peabody Award, Doctor of Humane Letters
Wei Jingsheng: Visiting Scholar, Center for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia University, New York, NY, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Doctor of Humane Letters
Very Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.: Provincial Eastern Province, Vincentian Fathers and Brothers, Philadelphia, PA, President’s Medal

1998 - Graduate Exercises

Diane Francis (Speaker): Doctor of Humane Letters
Elizabeth M. O’Donnell: Doctor of Pedagogy
Robert E. Rich, Jr.: Doctor of Commercial Science

1998 - Undergraduate Exercises

Christine Baranski (Speaker): Doctor of Fine Arts
David Halberstam: Doctor of Humane Letters
Rev. Kenneth F. Slattery, C.M.: Doctor of Laws

1997 - Graduate Exercises

Michael D. Duffy (Speaker): Host and Editor-In-Chief “Sunday Edition” BBS and CTV Canadian Television, Doctor of Letters
Roberta L. Bondar, O.C., O.Ont., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P. (C): Canadian Astronaut “Discovery”, 1992, Distinguished Professor – University of Western Ontario, Doctor of Science
Rev. Msgr. Henry J. Gugino, M.S.W.: Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Buffalo, Doctor of Humane Letters

1997 - Undergraduate Exercises

William Julius Wilson, Ph.D. (Speaker): Director, Joblessness and Urban Poverty Research Center, Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Doctor of Letters
John R. MacMaster: Founding member of Niagara Hospice and the Niagara Oncology Association, President, Health Association of Niagara County, Inc., Member, Board of Directors, Niagara County Unit, American Cancer Society, Caritas Medal
Daniel P. Weadock: Senior Vice President, ITT Corporation, President and Chief Executive Office, ITT Sheraton Corporation, Doctor of Commercial Science

1996 - Graduate Exercises

J. Roger Hirl (Speaker): President/CEO, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Doctor of Commercial Science
Sr. Alice Gallin, O.S.U.: Research Scholar, The Catholic University of America, Doctor of Pedagogy
Oscar Peterson: Jazz Pianist, Composer, Doctor of Fine Arts
Herbert Hauptman, Ph.D.: President, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Doctor of Science

1996 - Undergraduate Exercises

Arthur E. Levine, Ph.D. (Speaker): President, Teachers College, Columbia University, Doctor of Pedagogy
Most. Rev. Henry J. Mansell, D.D.: Bishop of Buffalo, Doctor of Humane Letters
Melvin B. Dyster, M.D.: Physician, Doctor of Humane Letters
Howard S. Goldberg, Ph.D.: Professor of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Doctor of Pedagogy
The Hon. M. Dolores Denman: Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial Department, Doctor of Laws

1995 - Graduate Exercises

The Honorable Gilbert Parent, M.P. (Speaker): Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Doctor of Laws
James P. Menzies: President and CEO, Key Bank of New York, Doctor of Commercial Sciences
Joanne Weinholtz: Cultural Education Teacher, Tuscarora Indian School, Caritas Medal

1995 - Undergraduate Exercises

The Honorable Hugh L. Carey (Speaker): Former Governor of New York State, Executive Vice President and Director, Government Relations Division of W. R. Grace & Co., Doctor of Laws
Thomas A. Constantine: Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration, Doctor of Laws
Dr. Judith A. Willard: Assistant to the President for Planning, Niagara University, NY, Medal of Honor

1994 - Graduate Exercises

Barbara A. Sizemore (Speaker): Dean, School of Education, DePaul University, Doctor of Pedagogy
Jack A. Gellman, Esq.: Attorney at Law, Doctor of Humane Letters

1994 - Undergraduate Exercises

Patricia Neal (Speaker): Academy Award-Winning Actress, Doctor of Fine Arts
Barbara L. Laughlin: Executive Vice President, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., Buffalo, NY, Doctor of Commercial Science
Rev. Thomas P. McGourty, C.M.: Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Niagara University, NY, President’s Medal

1993 - Graduate Exercises

Paul Gibson Jr., Esq. (Speaker): Counsel, Davidoff & Malito, President’s Medal
William J. Crerend: Chairman and Founder, Evaluation Associates Capital Markets, Inc., Doctor of Commercial Science
Sister Mary Jane Raeihle, C.S.J.: Principal, St. John the Baptist School, Brooklyn, NY, Doctor of Humane Letters

1993 - Undergraduate Exercises

Frances Moore Lappe’: Author and Co-Founder, Institute for the Arts of Democracy, Doctor of Humane Letters
Rev. Keith P. Lawlor, C.M.: Coordinator, Hispanic Evangelization Project, Eastern Province, Congregation of the Mission, Founders Award
John B. Stranges, Ph.D.: Academic Vice President, Niagara University, NY, Medal of Honor

1992 - Graduate Exercises

James P. Comer, M.D. (Speaker): Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry, Yale University Child Study Center, Doctor of Pedagogy
Aubrey Blackwell: Vice President-Western New York Operations, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Doctor of Commercial Science
John W. Vanderhoff, Ph.D.: Co-Director of the Emulsion Polymers Institute, Lehigh University, Doctor of Science

1992 - Undergraduate Exercises

The Honorable Elaine L. Chao (Speaker): Director, Peace Corps of the United States, Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. James S. C. Chao: Chairman and President, Foremost Group, Doctor of Laws
Mary A. Dineen, Ed.D.: Dean Emeritus, Boston College School of Nursing, Doctor of Pedagogy
Very Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., S.T.D.: Provincial/Visitor of the Eastern Province, Congregation of the Mission, Doctor of Humane Letters

1991 - Graduate Exercises

Ernest L. Boyer, Ph.D. (Speaker): Doctor of Pedagogy
Laura D. Blackburne: Doctor of Laws
J. David Dunn: Doctor of Commercial Science

1991 - Undergraduate Exercises

Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C. (Speaker): Doctor of Humane Letters
Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Cunningham, J.C.L., V.G.: Doctor of Letters
David Midland: Doctor of Fine Arts
Robert G. Wilmers: Doctor of Commercial Science

1990 - Graduate Exercises

Robert J. Dwyer (Speaker): Doctor of Commercial Science
Mary Frances Welch, O.S.F.: Caritas Medal
Reverend Monsignor Vincent J. Ferrando: Doctor of Humane Letters

1990 - Undergraduate Exercises

Peter P. Smith (Speaker): Doctor of Humane Letters
Paul W. Joy: Doctor of Commercial Science
Sister Eileen Kinnarney, D.C.: Doctor of Humane Letters
Reverend Edmund N. Leising, O.M.I.: Doctor of Pedagogy

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