Commencement Special Edition - 30% More STAC Graduates This Year!

STAC Friends,

We were truly blessed to celebrate the Class of 2026 outdoors on a beautiful day — after waiting one extra day due to weather for the third year in a row! — at our 69th Commencement.

We recognized 362 graduates — a 30% increase since just last year — and awarded an Honorary Degree to Maurice DuBois after he delivered a special Commencement video message last year from Rome while covering the election of Pope Leo XIV. 

To the Class of 2026, thank you for the incredible resilience you have demonstrated these past four years. We will always remember how we navigated these challenging times as engaged members of the College community, while listening and learning from one another to ensure that all voices were heard and respected. As you reflect on your achievements and celebrate your graduation, please remember the words of Pope Leo XIV on the aim of education: 

“To form minds with a critical sense, believing hearts, and citizens committed to the common good."

You have taken the first step by earning a college degree, so it is now time to build your critical sense through the advanced studies, meaningful careers, and fulfilling lives that await you. We ask that you lead your lives with believing hearts and promote the common good. Please remain active and loyal to STAC, proudly represent the College, and carry the “Spartan Torch” wherever you go. 

Our commitment to you is to support you on your future journey. Our doors are always open for career guidance ... grad school assistance ... alumni support ... or simply to discuss how best to support one another and our future students. In closing, please remember that Pope Leo also said:

“We can learn to be builders of bridges and seek opportunities to help others.”

We know that you will build bridges — and help others — because we have felt the impact and indelible mark you have left on the College. Now, upon your graduation, please help create a more caring world for future generations and commit to making an impact in the world — a true “STAC impact.”

Regards,

Please find President Daly’s remarks to the Class of 2026 at the 1 hour 39 minute mark.

PS Congratulations to ECC Coach of the Year Kristen Sullivan and the Women’s Softball team on winning the ECC Championship … and then their first-ever NCAA Regionals. Their incredible 21-game winning streak continues into the Super Regionals, which we will be hosting later this week vs. Assumption University!

St. Thomas Aquinas College's 69th Commencement Exercises were held in person on Friday, May 15 at 2:00 PM at Clover Stadium in Pomona, NY, the baseball home of the New York Boulders — and the Spartans!

362 students were celebrated and awarded master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees across our four Schools. In addition, Academic Achievement Awards were presented to deserving students in all areas of study, while students who completed the Honors Program of Study were officially recognized for their admirable accomplishments. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Allegra Faith Glassman, Salutatorian, and Angelina Kiki Fragias, Valedictorian both addressed the Class of 2026 and were awarded the Francis Cardinal Spellman Award, which is presented annually for highest academic excellence in the undergraduate program. (View their speeches at the 2 hour 31 minute mark.)

Special thank you to Dr. Maurice DuBois, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Former Co-Anchor of The "CBS Evening News" in New York, and keynote speaker for this year's Commencement ceremony. The College was delighted to bestow on Maurice DuBois the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service.

Throughout his career, DuBois has covered numerous breaking news stories — everything from local news to national political conventions and elections, AIDS in South Africa, 9/11, and papal transition at the Vatican — while serving as emcee at the STAC Tribute Dinner and moderator of the seminal STACchat with Martin Luther King III in 2024. Congratulations, Dr. DuBois! (View his Commencement Address at the 1 hour 55 minute mark.)

Immediately following the Commencement Ceremony, we held our After-Party to celebrate this year's graduates. The College community — including our newest alumni! — had a blast and enjoyed music, food trucks, and refreshments. To continue the celebration, the Class of 2026 and guests also enjoyed watching the New York Boulders game, which was a perfect way to close out the night as a Spartan family!

The Class of 2026 enjoyed time together at various events for "Senior Week" leading up to Commencement. Students celebrated together starting with an adventure to New York City experiencing stunning views of the skyline, visited the Warwick Winery & Distillery, and attended Baccalaureate Mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel followed by a Champagne Toast with loved ones on campus. 

Thank you to our Student Engagement team for making the week leading up to Commencement extra memorable!

The Lady Spartans Softball team captured the East Coast Conference tournament championship at Spartan Field and then won their first-ever NCAA Regional Championship with a thrilling 7-5 win in extra innings over host Adelphi. This adds another chapter to one of the most successful seasons in the program's 47-year history and Head Coach Kristen Sullivan's tenure. We will be hosting the Super Regional best of 3 series vs. Assumption University on Thursday and Friday at Spartan Field.

Under the leadership of Coach of the Year Dan Rockhill, the Men's Tennis team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Championship Finals, which begins this Wednesday, May 20. The team heads to the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise, Arizona as the #15 seed and will take on #2 seed University of West Florida.

Our Men’s Track & Field team captured the program’s sixth East Coast Conference (ECC) Outdoor Championship title — and first since 2022 under Coach Ray Kondracki— by defeating three-time defending champion Roberts Wesleyan University193-192 just in time for the groundbreaking of our new Track and Field. This marks another major milestone in the continued expansion of the Spartan Athletic Complex and the College’s ongoing investment in the student experience, athletic excellence, and campus growth. Learn more here.