Commencement Speakers at Newman Guide Colleges Model Fidelity, Generosity, and Hope
You can tell a lot about a person by the friends they keep. You can also tell a lot about a college by whom it chooses as its commencement speaker or honorary degree recipient.
To become Newman Guide Recommended, we review an institution’s policy on speakers and honors. A Newman Guide Recommended school or college invites speakers, hosts events, and honors individuals to advance its mission of forming young people in truth.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case at every Catholic college, as we have reported on scandalous commencement speaker choices since 1993. This year, Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California, will honor former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as its commencement speaker. This is the same Nancy Pelosi who has been publicly barred from receiving Holy Communion by her own bishop, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, because of her long public record of aggressive support for abortion. And yet a Catholic university in her home diocese plans to hold her up as a model for graduates.
On the other hand, Newman Guide Recommended colleges have chosen outstanding speakers for this year’s commencement ceremonies. Many are witnesses to the Catholic faith and the sort of people graduates should emulate.
Check back to this page regularly, as we will continue to provide updates.
Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, Fla.)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is known for his efforts to protect religious liberty, the sanctity of human life, and school choice efforts, will deliver the commencement address at Ave Maria University. “His dedication to living out his Catholic faith in the public sphere with courage and excellence makes him an inspirational figure for our graduating class,” said Ave Maria University President Mark Middendorf.
Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.)
Peter Cancro, a Catholic founder and chairman of the popular sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at Benedictine College. Cancro grew the national chain to more than $3.3 billion in sales and is known for his “philosophy of giving” to support the community, including generous financial support of Catholic colleges. “His life work represents all of the Benedictine values, but especially community, hospitality, listening, stability, and stewardship,” according to the College.
Catholic International University (Online)
Dr. James S. Gregory, MD, will deliver the commencement address at Catholic International University. Gregory is a Catholic with a 35-year career in academic medicine and is also a Navy veteran. He recently completed his Master of Arts in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic International University and now serves the Church as a director of religious education at St. Columba Parish in Bloomsburg, Penn.
The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.)
Monsignor James Shea, president of Newman Guide Recommended University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., will return to his alma mater, The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree. An outstanding speaker and tremendous leader in the renewal of faithful Catholic education, Msgr. Shea says that Catholic University was where his “love for the Catholic intellectual life was born and nourished.”
Christendom College (Front Royal, Va.)
Anne Carroll, founder of Seton School and Seton Home Study, which are also Newman Guide Recommended, and wife of late Christendom founder Dr. Warren Carroll, will deliver the commencement address at Christendom College. Carroll has been a pioneer in the renewal of faithful Catholic education, helping form students in faith for more than 50 years. She was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Leo XIV for her exceptional contributions to Catholic education.
Franciscan University of Steubenville (Steubenville, Ohio)
Timothy Busch, a Catholic entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Napa Institute and Magis Center, which focuses on the intersection of science, reason, and faith, will deliver the commencement address to science and professional program graduates at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Father Robert Spitzer, SJ., co-founder of the Napa Institute and president of the Magis Center, will deliver the commencement address to graduates in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at the University.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary (Cromwell, Conn.)
Monsignor Cuong M. Pham of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Professor Daniel O’Connor, an author and speaker, will deliver the commencement addresses at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. “In welcoming Monsignor Cuong M. Pham and Professor Daniel O’Connor, we present our graduates with two excellent witnesses—one rooted in pastoral and ecclesial service, the other in intellectual and lay apostolate—who together reflect the fullness of the Church. Their presence will challenge and encourage our students to live their vocations with fidelity, generosity, and hope,” said Fr. Peter Kucer, president-rector of Holy Apostles.
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College (Barry’s Bay, Ontario)
Pro-life advocate Angelica Steenstra will deliver the commencement address at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College. She and her husband, Walter, will also be receiving the Catholic Culture award. Steenstra serves as Canadian National Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, which educates about the spiritual, physical, and emotional harm caused by abortion and about the healing programs that are available for those who have had abortions.
Thomas Aquinas College (Northfield, Mass.)
Dr. Gavin Ashenden, an author, theologian, and Catholic convert, will deliver the commencement address at the East Coast campus of Thomas Aquinas College. Once an Anglican priest and chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II, Dr. Ashenden entered the Roman Catholic Church in 2019. He is “well known for his critique of modern culture and defense of orthodox Christianity,” states Thomas Aquinas College.
Thomas Aquinas College (Santa Paula, Calif.)
United States Ambassador to the Holy See, the Honorable Brian Burch II, will deliver the commencement address at the West Coast campus of Thomas Aquinas College. Burch is a graduate of the University of Dallas who co-founded the pro-life organization CatholicVote. Burch began his role as Ambassador in 2025, with chief duties including “defending religious freedom, protecting the vulnerable, promoting peace, and ensuring that the implementation of new technologies, especially AI, respects the dignity of the human person.”
The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, N.H.)
Dr. Glenn Arbery, the former president of Newman Guide Recommended Wyoming Catholic College and an influential leader in the renewal of faithful Catholic education, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. Arbery and his wife, Virginia, have a long-standing friendship with Thomas More College, dating back to 1986 when Arbery served as professor of literature at the college.
University of Dallas (Irving, Texas)
His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at the University of Dallas. Cardinal Dolan has served as Archbishop of New York since 2009 and served as president of the USCCB from 2010-2013.
University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.)
In addition to providing a commencement address at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Timothy Busch will also deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree from the University of Mary. “Busch is widely recognized for his leadership at the intersection of faith, culture, and public life,” states the University of Mary.
Walsh University (North Canton, Ohio)
Catholic evangelist Chris Stefanick will serve as the commencement speaker and receive an honorary degree from Walsh University. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Stefanick is the founder of Real Life Catholic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the Gospel through events, retreats, youth initiatives, and more.
Wyoming Catholic College (Lander, Wyo.)
Kelsey Reinhardt, a Wyoming native and president and CEO of CatholicVote, will deliver the commencement address at Wyoming Catholic College. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Augustine Institute, Reinhardt spent nearly a decade pursuing a vocation as a religious sister before discerning out of the convent. She has served in leadership roles at EWTN, ACI group, Catholic News Agency, and now CatholicVote.
If you’re seeking a faithful Catholic college experience, take note of the college’s choice of commencement speaker. This choice allows you to glimpse inside the soul of a Catholic college and evaluate if its “Catholic ideals, attitudes, and principles penetrate and inform its activities.”
2025 Catholic college commencement round-up.
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