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University Convocation 2026

Program Overview

Opening Remarks

Douglas W. Woods, PhD, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Invocation

Michael Rozier, S.J., PhD, Interim Dean, The Graduate School; Interim Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education; Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives

University Remarks

Mark C. Reed, EdD, President

Finance Update

Wayne Magdziarz (BA '81, MBA '87), Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Academic Affairs Update

Douglas W. Woods, PhD, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Faculty Recognition & Awards

Markeda Newell, PhD, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Douglas W. Woods, PhD, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Faculty Award for Diversity Leadership 

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM Award for Excellence in Advising and Mentoring 

Magis Teaching Award for Part-Time Instructors   

Athanasius Kircher, S.J. Award for Excellence in Research      

Jerónimo Nadal, S.J. Award for Excellence in Teaching     

Promotion, Tenure, Retirement 

New Faculty Recognition

Rev. Martin T. Connell, S.J., PhD (BA '87), Dean, Arrupe College

Peter J. Schraeder, PhD, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Michael Behnam, PhD, Dean, Quinlan School of Business

Virginia McDermott, PhD, Dean, School of Communication

James V. Parenti, EdD, Dean, School of Continuing and Professional Studies

David McIntosh, PhD, Dean, School of Education

Malini Suchak, PhD, Dean, School of Environmental Sustainability 

Elaine Morrato, DrPH, MPH, CPH, Dean, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health

Michael Rozier, S.J., PhD,  Interim Dean, The Graduate School; Interim Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education; Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives  

Michèle Alexandre, JD, Dean, School of Law

Sam J. Marzo (MD'91), Dean, Stritch School of Medicine

Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN, Dean, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing

Patricia Findley, PhD, Dean, School of Social Work

Malik S. Henfield, PhD, Founding Dean, Institute for Racial Justice

Rev. Dempsey Rosales Acosta, STD, Executive Director, Institute of Pastoral Studies  

Jamie Wittenberg.  MSLIS, Wittenberg, Dean, University Libraries  

Staff Recognition & Awards

Janice Parks, Vice President and Chief Human ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø Officer

Kay Egan, Person for Others Award
Megs Langdon, Person for Community Award 
Student Service, Person for Students Award
Team Spirit Award
Rising Star, New Employee Award
New Staff, Promotion, and Years of Service

Recognition of Faculty Member of the Year

W. Keith Jones, PhD, Chair of Faculty Council; Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience; Graduate Program Director of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Director of Pharmacovigilance Programs

Recognition of Staff Member of the Year

Christopher Dickman, PhD, Chair of Staff Council; Senior Instructional Designer; Chair, University Senate

Closing Remarks

Markeda Newell, PhD, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs