Mercyhurst University will honor the accomplishments of its 608 graduates in the Class of 2026 on Friday, May 15.<\/p>\n
The traditional commencement will celebrate 436 students, among them 383 baccalaureate degree recipients and 53 associate degree candidates. The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. in the Erie Insurance Arena.<\/p>\n
The graduate ceremony will be held earlier that day at 11 a.m., recognizing 172 master\u2019s degree recipients.<\/p>\n
The Class of 2026 includes 40 international students representing 16 countries and 141 student-athletes.<\/p>\n
Top commencement honors go to\u202fBrice Hansen, recipient of the Carpe Diem Award, presented to the student who has made the most positive impact on the university and best exemplifies the Mercyhurst motto of Carpe Diem.<\/p>\n
Anna Clarke\u202freceives the Bishop’s Award for Academic Excellence, presented by the Catholic Diocese of Erie to the graduating senior judged to have the most superior academic record in the class.<\/p>\n
Other top senior awards go to\u202fJohn White\u202f(the Frank Barry Leadership Award);\u202fMichael Brafi\u202f(the Sister Carolyn Herrmann Service Award); and\u202fAlyssa Grace Jameson (the Mother Borgia Egan Honors Award). Two adult undergraduate students also earned top awards:\u202fLauren Steen, the Catherine McAuley Adult Student Award; and\u202fDestany Silvas, the President’s Award for Adult Excellence.<\/p>\n
Graduating seniors chosen to receive the President’s Award for Excellence by Mercyhurst’s schools are\u202fAinsley Dunning\u202f(School of the Arts);\u202fQuinn Borroni\u202f(School of Business and Applied Business);\u202fAllison Lyon\u202f(School of Health Professions); and\u202fGabriella Piccirilli\u202f(School of the Humanities); Jenna Van Schaik\u202f(School of Intelligence, Computing, and Global Politics);\u202fKiersten Brown\u202f(School of the Natural Sciences); and\u202fAubrey Martin\u202f(School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).<\/p>\n
Recognized as Female Student-Athlete of the Year is\u202fBrice Hansen, and Male Student-Athlete of the Year, John White.<\/p>\n
The McAuley Award for Excellence at the associate degree level goes to\u202fKaitlyn Watson\u202f(School of Health Professions); and\u202fBlake Taylor\u202f(School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).<\/p>\n
Following are recipients of the Sister Eustace Taylor Award for outstanding graduate student:\u202fJonathan Rilling\u202f(School of Business and Applied Business);\u202fMckenzie Smith\u202f(School of Intelligence, Computing, and Global Politics);\u202fSamantha Myers\u202f(School of Natural Sciences);\u202fAshley Felber\u202f(School of Health Professions); and\u202fGina Sarama\u202f(School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).<\/p>\n