Faculty, staff, and students gather for a night of welcoming the 2026 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 graduating class into a lifelong alumni community.聽
猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during the annual John J. Delaney Graduate Reception, hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement ahead of Commencement ceremonies.
Held in honor of John 鈥淛ack鈥 Delaney 鈥50, the evening recognized graduating students while officially welcoming them into the University鈥檚 global alumni community. Delaney played a leading role in the formal reorganization of the 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 alumni community in 1953, helping establish the strong culture of alumni engagement and lifelong connection that continues today.
鈥淭onight, we celebrate a truly special milestone: the accomplishments of the Class of 2026,鈥 said Cinthia Diaz during her opening remarks on behalf of 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University and the Office of Alumni Engagement. 鈥淵our hard work, resilience, and dedication have brought you to this moment, and we are incredibly proud of all that you have achieved.鈥
The reception highlighted the achievements and diversity of the graduating class, which includes more than 1,000 graduates representing programs across the University, including Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Nursing and Professional Studies. Addressing the graduates, 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University Alumni Board President Eric McCullough reflected on the unique makeup of the Class of 2026 and the impact students have made both inside and outside the classroom.
鈥淵ou are a diverse and dynamic class,鈥 McCullough said. 鈥淢ore than half of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students, and more than 80 percent of you have participated in internships, research, study abroad, or other hands-on learning experiences preparing you not just for your next step but for long-term success.鈥
The evening also included a mission moment and prayer led by Father James Miracky, S.J., vice president for Mission Integration and Ministry, offering a blessing for the graduating class as they prepare to begin the next chapter of their journeys.
猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University President Hubert Benitez congratulated graduates on their accomplishments while encouraging them to carry the University鈥檚 Jesuit values into their futures. 鈥溍ㄟ渖缜 Peter鈥檚 University is grounded in a mission to form leaders committed to service, integrity, and the common good,鈥 Benitez said. 鈥淎s you move forward, I encourage you to carry those values with you into your careers, your communities, and your lives.鈥 During the evening, President Benitez also recognized members of the Class of 2026 selected to receive commencement awards for outstanding academic achievement, leadership and service to the University community.
A highlight of the reception was the presentation of the Class of 2026 Gift of $3,026 by student representatives Christopher Dominguez and Julio Santos. Continuing a longstanding 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 tradition, the graduating class raised funds in support of the General Scholarship Fund, helping make 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 education accessible for future students.
The student representatives also recognized Anne Butler 鈥69 for contributing an additional $1,000 gift in support of the initiative.
The evening concluded with graduates, families, faculty, staff and friends celebrating together with music, food and activities, marking both the culmination of their 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 journey and the beginning of their lifelong connection to the University community.
Wherever your path takes you, 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 will always be part of your story.