There are moments during Commencement when the scale of the day gives way to something more personal. As names were called and graduates crossed the stage at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, one family stood out in the crowd, holding a sign with a larger-than-life photo of their daughter. When Nursing graduate Lilli Hope’s name was announced, the sign went up, the cheers followed, and the moment belonged entirely to them. Her father, Paul Hope, summed it up simply: “This is what every father wishes for.”
Rows of graduates waited for their turn, scanning the crowd, pointing, smiling as they spotted familiar faces. As the calling of names and degrees began, family and friends had crowded up near the front of the stage as if anticipating an arena concert headliner. Each name carried its own reaction. Most drew a burst of loud applause; others a sustained cheer that echoed across the huge convention hall before the next graduate stepped forward.
The People Behind the Moment
Early in the ceremony, Carlow President Kathy W. Humphrey, PhD, paused to recognize the people who helped make all of this possible. “The journey to this day rarely involves traveling alone,” she said. “Behind nearly every one of our graduates stands someone who has provided motivation, or words of encouragement, or support in times of need.”
At her request, graduates stood and turned toward the audience. Across the Convention Center, families rose to their feet in response. Some waved. Others held up phones, trying to capture the moment as it unfolded.
Later, when first-generation students were asked to stand, the reaction came quickly. Around the room, graduates stood for themselves and for the families whose paths they were helping to change. “My favorite part of commencement is when the first generation students stand up,” said Sarah Shotland, chair of Carlow’s Department of Art, Communication, and English. “It shows what a difference this institution is making in people’s lives and families.”
The Stories That Led Here
Physical Therapy doctoral graduate Yousef Tamimi stepped to the podium and looked out across the room before beginning his remarks. “Hardship does not define your future,” he said. “Your response to it does.”
As he spoke, the room quieted. His words reflected a journey from war torn Iraq to the United States, marked by profound loss and responsibility at a young age. But they also resonated beyond his own story. Around him were classmates who understood what it meant to adapt, to persevere, and to continue forward even when the path was uncertain.
For Alora Borovich, a graduating English major, the past year brought its own challenges as she balanced coursework while preparing for the arrival of her first child. “This past year was a lesson in resilience,” she said.
She credited faculty with helping her stay on track, particularly Dr. Sigrid King. “They showed me what Carlow’s mission really means,” Alora said. “They were merciful, definitely.”
Across the hall, Briana Fitzgerald waited for the ceremony to begin. This time, she was returning to the stage to receive an MEd in Early Childhood Education, having previously graduated from Carlow as an undergraduate. “I’m excited to walk across the stage for the second time,” she said. “I can’t wait to get out and serve the kids in my community.”
What You Carry Forward
When Sister Sheila Carney took the podium for her keynote address, she began with a story.
She spoke about two groups of travelers setting out under very different conditions; one weighed down by what they chose to bring, the other guided by a clear sense of purpose. The story moved between past and present, eventually returning to the graduates seated in front of her.
As she described what was worth carrying forward, the room remained still. “As you move on now to the next chapter of your life story, it’s so very important to pack thoughtfully,” she told graduates.
Following her remarks, Dr. Humphrey returned to close the ceremony: “We hope you will take this education, which was inspired by Mercy values, and play a significant role first in your own families, and then in your community… and endeavor to create a more just and merciful world.”
After the closing festivities, Carlow’s largest graduating class ever stood one by one, turned their tassels, and began to make their way out of the hall, greeted by the same cheers that had followed them across the stage. “Class of 2026,” Sister Sheila had said, just moments earlier, “you are cleared for takeoff.”
