Walsh University honors graduates and distinguished guests at 2026 commencement ceremony
Walsh University celebrated its 2026 Commencement Ceremonies on May 2, honoring nearly 600 graduates from 26 states and 14 countries during two ceremonies at the Gaetano M. Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex.
The event recognized academic achievements as well as leadership, faith, and service among students and honorees. The university’s president, Dr. Timothy J. Collins, addressed the graduates saying, “Your formation as men and women of character is the primary end of Catholic education – your Walsh University experience. The secondary end is the formation of useful citizens. Your greatest achievement will forever be marked not by what you do – but by what you do for others.”
Among those honored was Dr. Chris Stefanick, a nationally recognized Catholic evangelist who received an Honorary Doctorate of Applied Theology and delivered the commencement address. Stefanick told graduates to remember their deepest identity in belonging to God: “if we forget whose we are, then we will forget who we are.” He encouraged them to share the Gospel boldly, build strong friendships for support, and “be saints” through acts of kindness when no one is watching.
Michael E. White received an Honorary Doctorate of Applied Engineering for his contributions to hypersonic technologies in national defense. White said that earning a degree from a faith-based institution gives graduates “a secret weapon” based on Christian values for improving society.
State Representative Scott Oelslager was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his long service to Stark County since 1985 in both chambers of Ohio’s General Assembly with a focus on education and community investment; he shared a poem about perseverance with attendees. Dr. Michael Dunphy also received this medal upon retiring after more than four decades at Walsh University in various roles including professor and vice president.
This year’s student address came from Hannah Blawas, recipient of the T.O.W.E.R. of Excellence Award given to students exemplifying academic excellence, faith, and service-driven leadership.
For the first time since its inception fifteen years ago, graduates from Walsh University’s Transition U program—designed for students with developmental disabilities—walked across stage in cap and gown alongside other graduates.
Bishop David Bonnar presided over Baccalaureate Holy Mass between ceremonies encouraging students to exercise their faith like a muscle while referencing NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza’s decision to prioritize family over media attention as an example of living out one’s beliefs.
Walsh University promotes a community dedicated to academic excellence and personal growth according to the official website. The university maintains a modern campus spanning 143 acres per its official site, was founded under affiliation with Brothers of Christian Instruction according to school information, offers more than seventy undergraduate majors plus seven graduate programs as listed online, focuses on preparing students for leadership through service-oriented ethical development according to university materials, and provides offerings across arts, sciences, business, nursing, education and health sciences as noted online.
