Commencement Program 2026

Commencement 65TH ANNUAL

May 8, 2026 Revive Wesleyan Church

| A MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT Greetings, On behalf of the Hilbert Alumni Association Board, congratulations to the Hilbert College Class of 2026 on the completion of your academic journey at our beloved alma mater. Today, you officially join a proud and growing community of Hilbert alumni, and we warmly welcome you as our newest members of the Hilbert College Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association serves as a vital link between more than 9,000 living alumni and the College, supporting lifelong connections through career networking, alumni events, reunions, and philanthropic engagement. As you move forward with excitement and purpose after graduation, know that the Hilbert alumni community stands ready to support you and keep you connected to our remarkable campus and to one another.

As you leave Hilbert, we encourage you to share the Hilbert story wherever life takes you. Tell others about the caring and close-knit community you were part of, and the opportunities you experienced at a nationally recognized college. Tell them about learning from dedicated faculty who knew your name, engaging in meaningful research and internships, and developing the skills and values that have prepared you to make a difference. Share this story with gratitude and pride—knowing that Hilbert College helped shape who you are and empowered you to make an impact in the world.

On behalf of the Hilbert Alumni Association Board and alumni across the globe, we look forward to staying connected, celebrating your successes, and learning about your lives beyond Hilbert. Stay in touch, stay engaged, and continue sharing the Hilbert story—it is, after all, your story.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. Welcome to the Hilbert alumni family.

Logan Yotter, ‘20 President Hilbert College Alumni Association

| ORDER OF EXERCISES INTRODUCTION OF ACADEMIC PROCESSION Dr. Amy Smith Interim Dean of Academic Affairs NATIONAL ANTHEM

INVOCATION Deacon Bob Warner Retired Banker, HSBC USA Hilbert College Trustee PRESENTATION OF THE PRESIDENT’S MEDAL Michael R. Cornell Interim President COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy United States Magistrate Judge, Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse STUDENT ADDRESS Thomas Setlik, Criminal Justice

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES

Dr. Amy Smith

CONFERRING OF DEGREES Michael R. Cornell

PRESENTATION OF STUDENT AWARDS Dr. Amy Smith Lambert and Margaret Graham Award

Kimberly Bruch Raczkowski Memorial Alumni Association Award Sister Mary Edwina Bogel Award John W. Kissel Award Saint Catherine Medal PRESIDENT’S REMARKS Michael R. Cornell

BENEDICTION Sister Marcia Ann Fiutko, FSSJ ‘73 General Minister, Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph PRESENTATION OF THE GRADUATING CLASS

Dr. Amy Smith

RECESSIONAL Performed by: Celtic Spirit Pipe Band

| KEYNOTE SPEAKER Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy J​ udge McCarthy was appointed United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of New York on February 26, 2007. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. Following graduation, he served as a VISTA volunteer at Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. in Wausau, Wisconsin from June 1974 - May 1975. He received his law degree from Cornell Law School in 1978, where he served on the Board of Editors of the Cornell International Law Journal and as Vice-President of the Cornell Legal Aid Clinic. ​ fter graduating from Cornell, Judge McCarthy practiced civil litigation in Buffalo at the firms of Moot & Sprague A (1978 - 1990) and Phillips Lytle LLP (1990 - 2007). He is a past president of the Bar Association of Erie County (2005-6), and is a former member of the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association. He has also served on the board of directors of the Volunteer Lawyers Project., Inc. and the board of trustees for Hilbert College. He currently serves on the board of directors of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, as well as the editorial board of the Federal Courts Law Review.

| STUDENT AWARDS Lambert and Margaret Graham Award The Lambert and Margaret Graham Award is bestowed annually upon the adult student who, as a full-time student at Hilbert College, has maintained the highest cumulative quality point average.

Kimberly Bruch Raczkowski Memorial Alumni Association Award The Kimberly Bruch Raczkowski Memorial Alumni Association Award is named in honor of a 1991 graduate, a woman whose zest for life at Hilbert College made her untimely death all the more tragic. This award is bestowed upon a person who personifies integrity and moral character, a person who exhibits leadership qualities and reflects the spirit of Hilbert College.

John W. Kissel Award The John W. Kissel Award, named after a former vice president for Student Life who dedicated himself to enhancing student life at Hilbert College for over 30 years, is bestowed annually upon the graduate whose leadership in activities and programs of Hilbert College renders them outstanding. The student’s character, intellectual progress, and organizational skills are also taken into consideration.

Sister Mary Edwina Bogel Award The Sister Mary Edwina Bogel Award, named after the first president of Hilbert College, is bestowed annually upon the graduate whose devoted service to their fellow students and to the campus community renders them outstanding. The student’s character and intellectual achievement are also taken into consideration.

Saint Catherine Medal The Saint Catherine Medal for Student Achievement is an annual honor awarded at colleges and universities affiliated with Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society. The Saint Catherine Medal is the highest honor given to graduate students at Hilbert College. The Saint Catherine Medal recognizes graduate students who represent the high ideals of a Catholic college education. The recipients are selected on the basis of leadership and service to the college and the greater community. These individuals have performed at the highest levels throughout their studies while maintaining Hilbert’s core values of respect, service, compassion, peace, hope, joy, integrity, and vision.

| SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS Delta Alpha Pi • Blue & Yellow Cord

Student Leadership • Blue & Yellow Stole

Delta Alpha Pi is an International Honor Society that recognizes students with disabilities for their academic accomplishments.

Kappa Gamma Pi • Mahogany & Ivory Cord

Student leaders serving as Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants, Peer Leaders, Leadership Scholars, SGA Officers, and Admissions Ambassadors are recognized for their dedication, leadership, and service to the campus community.

Kappa Gamma Pi exemplifies excellence in leadership, scholarship, faith and service.

Blue & White Society • Blue & White Cords

African American Heritage • Kente Stole

Psi Chi • Navy Blue & Silver Medal

Drama Club • Purple & White Cords

Psi Chi is an International Honor Society whose mission is to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology.

First Generation Students • Light Blue Stole

Sigma Beta Delta • Green & Yellow Cord Sigma Beta Delta is an Honor Society that encourages and recognizes scholarship and accomplishment among students of business, management, and administration.

Higher Education Opportunity Program • Blue & Yellow Stole Honors Program • Yellow Stole International Students • Blue & Green Cord Leadership Scholars Program • White Stole Native American Heritage • Purple & White Stole

Sigma Tau Delta Society • Pin

STEM Club • Kelly Green Cord

Sigma Tau Delta is an International Honor Society that distinguishes students for their high achievement in English language and literature.

Student-Athletes • Blue & Gold Cord Veteran & Military Students • Red, White, & Blue Cord

| DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

| VETERANS & MILITARY ALIGNED STUDENTS

Arts & Letters Division McGrath Award in Digital Media & Communications Nicholas Pulinski Hilbert College Award in Digital Media & Communications Samantha Heppel McGrath Award in English Steven Ball Hilbert College Award in English Jacqueline Alaburda

Rony Caballero Daniel Colangelo Patrick Currie Nicholas Katashuk

Law & Justice Division McGrath Award in Criminal Justice Thomas Setlik Hilbert College Award in Criminal Justice Ryan Gomolka McGrath Award in Crime Scene Investigation Madeleine Cook Hilbert College Award in Crime Scene Investigation Emma Gionta McGrath Award in Intelligence & Data Analysis Robert Zaiser Natural & Behavioral Sciences Division McGrath Award in Biology Emiley Burke Hilbert College Award in Biology Erik Holtz McGrath Award in Forensic Science Rachel Rechichi Hilbert College Award in Forensic Science Chloe Bowles McGrath Award in Human Services Gracie Joyce Hilbert College Award in Human Services Emily Lacki McGrath Award in Psychology Grace Usinski Hilbert College Award in Psychology Rony Caballero Professional Studies Division McGrath Award in Accounting Jacob Donner Hilbert College Award in Accounting Troy Zamrok McGrath Award in Business Management Julia Stutz Hilbert College Award in Business Management Katelyn Bean McGrath Award in Cybersecurity Brooke Kwiecien Hilbert College Award in Cybersecurity Carter Burke McGrath Award in Sports Industry Management Anthony Roche Hilbert College Award in Sports Industry Management Rhiannon Full

Nathalie Ndala Scott Richards Sean Voge Alan Wojciechowicz

| HILBERT COLLEGE GRADUATES OF DISTINCTION Each year Hilbert College recognizes graduating students based on the criteria of scholarship, participation and leadership, citizenship, and living the Hilbert College values of compassion, integrity, respect, vision, service, peace, hope, and joy.

Jacqueline Alaburda Maram Algawani Renee Barnes Katelyn Bean Chloe Bowles Katherine Bradfield Emiley Burke Tia Card Jacob Donner Alexis Drakulich

Jewely Ducharme Emma Gionta Brody Hopkins Gracie Joyce Rachel Kumiega Brooke Kwiecien Emily Lacki Jariah Lee Adyn Migliore Brenna Mulvaney

Avery Pilatzke Cadence Pounds Rachel Rechichi Thomas Setlik Laura Smith Eric Stevenson Julia Stutz Mya Wood Jordan Yale Troy Zamrok

| HILBERT COLLEGE HONORS PROGRAM The Hilbert College Honors Program is a community that provides an intellectual learning experience for Hilbert’s top students in a challenging setting that fosters excellence and a diversity of opinions. Honors students explore new knowledge through advanced coursework, colloquium experiences, and a capstone presentation, while meeting specific GPA and community service requirements.

Maram Algawani Katelyn Bean Chloe Bowles Wyatt Breton Emiley Burke Madeleine Cook Malija Fadden Emma Gionta

Ryan Gomolka Connor Holtz Erik Holtz Sarah Jackson Elizabeth Kondol Hailey Kuder Brooke Kwiecien Madison Matuszak

Brenna Mulvaney Avery Pilatzke Cadence Pounds Rachel Rechichi Isabel Rivera Thomas Setlik Grace Usinski Mya Wood

| HILBERT COLLEGE BLUE AND WHITE SOCIETY Students from the graduating class are selected for membership in Hilbert College’s Blue and White Society, which recognizes those who have excelled both academically and through extracurricular activities. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 while providing extraordinary leadership to the campus through campus activities, service, or academic programs.

Katelyn Bean Katherine Bradfield Emiley Burke Jewely Ducharme Brooke Kwiecien

Brenna Mulvaney Avery Pilatzke Cadence Pounds Thomas Setlik Julia Stutz

Candidates for

GRADUATION | GRADUATION HONORS

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Summa Cum Laude 3.9-4.0 GPA •••• Gold Cord

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The Latin phrases distinguishing the levels of performance recognized by the medieval universities have come to be used to honor the degrees of modern graduates as well. To be eligible for these honors, students must have completed all requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Additionally, they must have earned at least 45 credit hours at Hilbert.

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Magna Cum Laude 3.76-3.89 GPA ••• Red Cord

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Cum Laude 3.6-3.75 GPA •• Purple Cord

Associate Degree Candidates

Master Degree Candidates

Bachelor Degree Candidates

Tavon Brimmage AA Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling

Samantha LeAnne Bridgeman MPA Public Administration Thomas Joseph Burgess, Jr. MS Criminal Justice Administration Gabrielle Adela Custard MS Criminal Justice Administration Tiara Frizzell MPA Public Administration - Health Administration Idaesha Cianna Jackson MS Criminal Justice Administration Kendyl Nicole Kerner MS Criminal Justice Administration Melina Mercedes Lopez MPA Public Administration Abigail G. McCormick MS Criminal Justice Administration Jaime Lynn Metrick MPA Public Administration - Health Administration Makayla Nunley MS Criminal Justice Administration Maddison V. Opeka MS Criminal Justice Administration Mohammad Tahmid Rahman MS Cybersecurity Technology Scott Kenneth Richards MPA Public Administration Kelsey Lyn Schlagenhauf MS Criminal Justice Administration Christopher Arlo Smith MS Criminal Justice Administration Joshua Smith MPA Public Administration Taylor M. Tracy MPA Public Administration - Health Administration Teresa Van Aernam MPA Public Administration

Kooper Edward Aiken BS Political Science Jacqueline E. Alaburda BA English Mashfiq Afroze Alam ••• BS Cybersecurity David Alessi BA Psychology Maram Ahmed Algawani •••• BS Cybersecurity Monika Allen BS Criminal Justice David A. Anderson ••• BA Digital Media & Communication Noble Arterberry BS Sports Industry Management Jack Balcerzak BS Criminal Justice Genevieve Jay Balestrieri BA Biology Steven James Ball ••• BA English Ethan Terry Barlow BS Business Management Renee Elizabeth Barnes BS Crime Scene Investigation Katelyn Bean ••• BS Business Management Melissa Ann Bollinger BS Crime Scene Investigation Chloe Simone Bowles ••• BS Forensic Science Sarah Boyko BS Crime Scene Investigation Katherine Elizabeth Bradfield •• BS Criminal Justice Skylar Jaylee Breinlinger •••• BA Psychology Wyatt Jacob Breton ••• BS Criminal Justice Carter Burke •••• BS Cybersecurity Emiley Burke •••• BA Biology Richard John Caito •• BS Criminal Justice Mireilys Michelle Caraballo BS Criminal Justice

Danielle Elizabeth Brown AAS Business Administration Toni Hilbig AA Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Nathalie Grace Ndala AA Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Debbie Ocasio AA Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Bryce Justin Robinson AA Criminal Justice Ashlee T. Smith AA Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Kay’la Washington AAS Business Administration

Tia Sen Mei Card ••• BS Forensic Science Dillon Anthony Carrow-Sperduti ••• BS Cybersecurity Gregory Castellano BA Digital Media & Communication Omar Chedi BS Cybersecurity Christa Chiborise •••• BS Criminal Justice Emilee Cieszynski •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Shemia A. Clark BS Business Management Andrew Cole BS Business Management Caitlin L.P. Conrad •• BS Criminal Justice Madeleine Cook •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Benicio Alexander Crocker BS Crime Scene Investigation Lizmarie Cruz BS Accounting Patrick James Currie •••• BS Cybersecurity Marissa Nicole Jude Czombel •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Dillon Ronald Dake ••• BS Criminal Justice Nikolas D’Andrea BS Sports Industry Management Brandon Austin Daniels ••• BS Cybersecurity Sharon Lynore Delano •• BS Crime Scene Investigation Brandon Antonio Delio BS Cybersecurity Nathaniel Caleb Dell BA Psychology Avelissa Sol Diaz BS Crime Scene Investigation Jacob E. Donner •••• BS Accounting Alexis Drakulich •• BA Digital Media & Communication Jewely Rayne Ducharme ••• BS Criminal Justice BS Crime Scene Investigation

Hollianne Irisa Dudek •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Elizabeth Dunford BA Digital Media & Communication Jessica A. Dyche •• BS Forensic Science Nevada Xavier Eldridge BS Criminal Justice Alex Mathew Ellison BS Criminal Justice Mackenzie Esskuchen •• BS Criminal Justice Nolan Thomas Evans BS Forensic Science Malija Mary Fadden ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Amanda R. Forsey ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Mehkai Jahvon Francis BA Psychology Rhiannon Full BS Sports Industry Management Garyson Levi Gaud-Detres BS Human Services Emma Nicole Gionta •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Ryan Nicholas Gomolka •••• BS Criminal Justice Molly Elizabeth Griffin BA Psychology Emma Elizabeth Groff ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Harley C. Haley BA Biology Victoria Marion Hanley BS Forensic Science Spencer Suski Harford BS Sports Industry Management Arielle Harvey •• BS Crime Scene Investigation Joseph Haynes •• BS Business Management Zachary J. Heary BA Biology Andrew J. Herrick •••• BA Digital Media & Communication Liberty Raina Himmel •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Brianna Rebecca Hoehn BS Criminal Justice

Connor Christopher Holtz ••• BA Biology Erik Ronald Holtz ••• BA Biology Skyler Lin Holzman BA Psychology Brody Hopkins BS Cybersecurity Olivia Madison Horn BS Criminal Justice Reese Alexandria Horvath BS Business Management Sarah Anne Jackson ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Coral Januchowski BS Human Services Jessee Mabel Jonathan BA Psychology Gracie Isabella Joyce •••• BS Human Services Scott Keen BS Sports Industry Management Megan M. Kelley BS Crime Scene Investigation Kaitlyn Natalie Kempa •••• BA Digital Media & Communication Zachary Kirsch BS Criminal Justice Rebecca Gabrielle Knighton BS Forensic Science Elizabeth Kondol ••• BS Criminal Justice Hailey Patricia Kuder ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Rachel Lindsey Kumiega •• BS Accounting Marissa Catherine Kurucz ••• BA Psychology Brooke Alexandra Kwiecien •••• BS Cybersecurity Justin Andrew Kwoka BA Biology Emily P. Lacki •••• BS Human Services Jariah Michelle Lee •• BA Digital Media & Communication Jason Joseph Lofft ••• BS Cybersecurity Hayden C. Marling •• BS Crime Scene Investigation

Stephanie Lynne Marvel BS Crime Scene Investigation Drew Mascio •• BS Criminal Justice Brianna Massaker BS Crime Scene Investigation Madison Grace Matuszak •• BS Criminal Justice Kalie Mayer BA Biology Kelsey Marie McCartney ••• BS Forensic Science Molly Megan Priscilla McKinnon BA Psychology Molly Alyssa McManus ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Paige Ella Metros BS Crime Scene Investigation Adyn Michael Migliore BA Biology Caleb Thomas Mihill •••• BA Digital Media & Communication Dawn Elizabeth Miller ••• BS Criminal Justice Kailyn M. Minckler •••• BS Criminal Justice Jose Gregorio Montilla Berdugo ••• BS Business Management Dylan Joseph Moorhouse BS Sports Industry Management Blaine Morgan BS Criminal Justice Ronald Robert Mort •• BS Criminal Justice Paige Mullen •• BS Crime Scene Investigation Brenna Shea Mulvaney ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation George C. Muriel BA Digital Media & Communication Kristopher Newman BS Criminal Justice Lisandra Jean O’Hea BS Crime Scene Investigation Thomas Kent Orndorff BS Criminal Justice Matthew Joseph Pankiewicz BA Biology Madison Helene Perrelli ••• BA Psychology

Avery J. Pilatzke ••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Cadence Ashley Pounds •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation BS Human Services Jolei Elizabeth Powell •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Melissa Rose Proctor •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Gabriel Connor Prohaska BS Cybersecurity Nicholas D. Pulinski ••• BA Digital Media & Communication Ashley Ann Putt BS Human Services Angela Ray •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation Rachel Marie Rechichi •••• BS Forensic Science Lindsay Reed •••• BA Psychology Jenna Forsythe Revak •••• BS Crime Scene Investigation McKenna Elizabeth Rice BS Human Services Michaela Catherine Rice BS Human Services Isabel Rivera BS Crime Scene Investigation Taivaughn Roach BS Sports Industry Management Anthony Roche III BS Sports Industry Management Sara Rosenhahn BA Psychology Madison Taylor Scroger BS Sports Industry Management Kimberly Sessanna •• BS Accounting BS Business Management Thomas Andrew Setlik •••• BS Criminal Justice Derek Joseph Smaszcz BS Sports Industry Management Laura Marie Smith ••• BS Forensic Science Haniffa Michelle Solier BS Business Management Eric Stevenson •••• BA Digital Media & Communication

Alexandria Whitney Stoddard •• BS Criminal Justice Julia Nicolette Stutz ••• BS Business Management Joseph P. Suto III BS Cybersecurity Brian David Sylvia Jr. BS Sports Industry Management Samantha Lynn Szefler BS Crime Scene Investigation Zachary Ulrich BA Digital Media & Communication Grace J. Usinski ••• BA Psychology Vanessa Grace Van Slyke •• BS Forensic Science Sean Voge •• BS Cybersecurity Jason James Vullo •••• BS Cybersecurity Patrick D. Waggoner BS Business Management BS Sports Industry Management Amy Renee Welch ••• BS Criminal Justice Trent Joseph White BS Cybersecurity Aloise Helene Wipperman BA Biology Alan Stefan Wojciechowicz ••• BS Cybersecurity Alyssa Rae-Ann Wolfson BS Criminal Justice Mya Mckenzie Wood BS Human Services Noah Glenn Workman BS Cybersecurity Jordan Olivia Yale •• BS Crime Scene Investigation Zhouquan Yu •••• BS Cybersecurity Robert Frederick Zaiser ••• BS Intelligence & Data Analysis Troy J. Zamrok •••• BS Accounting Juliana Elizabeth Zinzola BA Digital Media & Communication

| HILBERT COLLEGE OFFICERS & BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers

Trustees

Michael R. Cornell Interim President

Anthony J. Billittier IV, MD Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Independent Health

Bobbie Bilotta Chief Human Resources Officer for Franciscan Services & Hilbert College Marty Blind Director of Institutional Advancement Scott Briell Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Lauren Gill, ‘19 Chief Officer of Mission & Belonging Katelyn Letizia Interim Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness & Academic Strategy Lisa Ressman, ‘99 Controller Timothy Seil Associate Vice President for Student Life & Director of Athletics Dr. Amy Smith Interim Dean of Academic Affairs Jeremy L. Trumble Chief Information Officer Trustee Officers Laurie Boreanaz Carra, ‘81 Chairperson Senior Deputy Counsel, Independent Health Lamont Williams Vice Chair Entrepreneur Terrance Heard, ‘94 Secretary NCAAP Education Chairman

William D. Brinson, ‘94, ’96 Multicultural Student Support Services Coordinator, Niagara County Community College Shawn Buffum CEO, Orville’s Home Appliances Mindy Cervoni President & CEO, Community Services for Every1 Brian J. Connolly Business Development & Communications Consultant Michael R. Cornell Interim President, Hilbert College Rev. Sean DiMaria Vicar Forane, Southern Erie Diocese of Buffalo

Michael C. Mommertz, MPA, ’06, ’16 Senior VP/Product Owner, M&T Bank Anthony Ogorek President, Ogorek Wealth Management, LLC Louis Petrucci, MPA ‘15 Commissioner of the City of Buffalo Department of Permit & Inspections Services, Support Services Corporation Fr. Nicholas Rokitka, OFM Conv.

Business Manager, St Francis High School Jennifer Seib, LMHC, CASAC, ‘03 Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, BestSelf Behavioral Health Richard C. Suchan Chief Operating Officer, Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo Deacon Robert Warner Retired Banker, HSBC USA

Michael C. Donlon Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC

Honorary Trustees

Rob Drago President, Canalside Advisors

Trustees Emeriti

Rev. Sean Paul Fleming Cathedral Rector, St. Joseph’s Cathedral Honorable Craig Hannah New York State Supreme Court Justice, 8th Judicial District Jennifer Kuhn President/Owner, Hamburg Overhead Door, Inc.

Lisa Beckwith ‘15

G. Gary Berner Sister Andrea Ciszewski, FSSJ ‘66 Robert Drago, Sr. Daniel Gernatt, Jr. Bradley Hafner Carol Kociela Maureen Saab Karen Gaughan Scott Thomas Waring, Jr. Merle Whitehead President Emerita Sister Edmunette Paczesny, FSSJ, Ph.D. 1933-2025

| OUR MISSION

| HILBERT ALMA MATER

Hilbert College is an independent institution of higher learning that embraces its Catholic Franciscan heritage and values.

Students from diverse backgrounds are educated in liberal arts and professional programs to become informed citizens committed to serving and strengthening their communities.

Since nineteen fifty-seven, our Franciscan mission shows, Giving us a moral guide, learning what we need to know.

Our roots run deep like apple trees, through every high and low.

| THE SEAL The cross on the Hilbert College seal is the foundation of Franciscan learning. Education meant to St. Francis of Assisi what it meant to Christ. It is education in its best Christian concept, the educare from the state of ignorance and sin to the state of wisdom and grace. Effective aid and means are found in the mystery of redemption.

The intertwined hands are the symbol of the close union that existed between St. Francis and Christ. The use of educational precepts and programs is affected only through our knowledge, love and imitation of Christ.

So, Hilbert, we will sing with the lessons you’ve taught us.

Service, hope, and virtueWe take into the sky!

Soaring high, the Hilbert Hawks!

Because of you, we shall fly!

In learning paths, we walk as one; Our journey has just begun.

You are our light, our shining beacon bright!

So, Hilbert, we will sing with the lessons you’ve taught us.

Service, hope, and virtueWe take into the sky!

Soaring high, the Hilbert Hawks!

Because of you, we shall fly!

Because of you, we shall fly!

The torch is the symbol of the light of truth.

The 12 stars symbolize the diadem of stars upon the head of “the glorious woman clothed with the sun” and represents Our Lady’s title, the Immaculate Conception. Mary possesses, to the fullest, the harmonious balance of all human endowments that prevailed before the fall in the Garden of Eden. Thus, Mary Immaculate exemplifies in a singular way the ideal perfection that is the goal of Christian education. By reason of her role as the teacher of Christ, the master of teachers and exemplar of St. Francis of Assisi, the Blessed Virgin Mary is eminently qualified to direct the spiritual and intellectual formation of students the Franciscan way.

| THE SECOND LETTER TO AGNES OF PRAGUE What you hold, may you (always) hold, What you do, may you (always) do and never abandon.

But with swift pace, light step, Unswerving feet, So that even your steps stir up no dust, May you go forward Securely, joyfully, and swiftly, On the path of prudent happiness, Not believing anything, Not agreeing with anything That would dissuade you from this resolution Or that would place a stumbling block for you on the way, So that you may offer your vows to the Most High In the pursuit of that perfection To which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.

St. Clare of Assisi, Foundress of the Poor Clares the Second Order of St. Francis

Stay tuned, Commencement photos will be available soon!

Photos taken with President Cornell on stage will be available for purchase through GradImages.

Watch your email for more information!