St. John’s Commencement 2026 Honorees Announced

St. John’s University will hold its Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 17, at 10 a.m. on the Great Lawn. The Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, S.T.D., D.D. ’86SJC, ’88M.A., Archbishop of Boston, MA, will serve as this year’s Commencement speaker and will be conferred an honorary degree during the ceremony.

St. John’s is honored to welcome Archbishop Henning, the 10th Bishop and seventh Archbishop of Boston. A double alumnus of the University and a dedicated scholar of Sacred Scripture with a doctorate from the Angelicum in Rome, Italy, he brings a deep pastoral focus to his ministry. Known for his commitment to “being a listener” and his fluency in multiple languages, he often speaks on the themes of reconciliation, the dignity of the human person, and the renewal of parish life.

In addition, the following individuals will be conferred honorary degrees:

Valerie Ackerman, Commissioner, BIG EAST Conference

Sr. Joanne Callahan, O.S.U. ’72ED,’89M.S.Ed., Ursuline Sisters Province Office

Mario J. Gabelli, C.F.A., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GAMCO Investors, Inc.

James J. Shannon ’87CBA, Chief Executive Officer, Indus Capital Partners, LLC, and Chair-Elect, Board of Trustees, St. John’s University.

St. John’s will hold its Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 15, and the School of Law on Sunday, May 17. The invited speakers for each of these ceremonies are as follows:
 
Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies
Friday, May 15
10 a.m., Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus

Ceremony Speaker:
Lucille T. Accetta, R.Ph., M.P.H., M.B.A. ’86CPHS
Senior Vice President, Chief Pharmacy Officer, and Head of CVS Specialty Operations, CVS Health

Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for
The School of Education
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Friday, May 15
4 p.m., Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus

Ceremony Speaker:
Robert J. Adams ’84CBA, ’88M.B.A.
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Operations & Services Group, Fidelity Investments, and Member, Board of Trustees, St. John’s University

School of Law Commencement Exercises
Sunday, May 17
5 p.m., Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus

Ceremony Speaker:
John P. “Jack” Clarke ’55CBA, ’57J.D., ’24HON
Visiting Professor, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business

Please visit the Commencement Schedule of Events webpage for a complete list of ceremonies.