To close out the 2025-26 school year, Marymount University celebrated its 75th annual commencement ceremonies, honoring the achievements of the Class of 2026 during a series of events held May 16-17 at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
This year a total of 847 students received degrees as part of the Class of 2026, including 378 undergraduate students and 469 graduate students. Among them were 205 doctoral candidates who participated in Marymount’s annual hooding ceremony on Saturday, May 16.
Consecutive undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies were held on May 17, featuring graduates from all three of the University’s Colleges — the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology (BILT), the College of Health and Education (CHE) and the College of Sciences and Humanities (CSH).
Marymount President Irma Becerra opened the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony with a message focused on leadership, adaptability and the enduring value of human connection in a changing world.
“You are departing from Marymount at a time of profound transformation,” Dr. Becerra said. “Technology is evolving rapidly, and artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and changing the way we live and communicate. But one truth remains constant: the world still needs human beings who can think critically, lead ethically, collaborate with each other and solve problems with compassion and creativity, skills you learned here at Marymount.”
President Becerra was joined by Michael J. Hershman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, in conferring an honorary doctorate on Mario Murgado, the founder and CEO of Murgado Automotive Group. A Cuban American entrepreneur who arrived in the United States as a child through the 1966 Freedom Flights, Murgado spoke about the power of gratitude in all aspects of life.
“When I was four years old, my parents placed me on an airplane from Cuba to the United States,” Murgado said. “Today, when I reflect on that moment, I am thankful that my parents made that courageous decision on my behalf…That experience taught me that gratitude is one of the most powerful forces on Earth. If you use the words ‘thank you’ sincerely, and if you truly mean them, they can become one of the most valuable tools you carry throughout your life.”
Throughout the ceremony, several awards were given to students and faculty members who made important contributions to the Marymount community. Mia Clevano, Maryam Hendi and Maha Noor received the Mother Butler Award, the Bishop Ireton Award and the Sister Majella Berg Service Award respectively. Similarly, Dr. Alex Mbazirra, Associate Professor in the School of Technology and Innovation, received the Robert A. Draghi Outstanding Faculty Award, given by students to the faculty member who had the greatest impact on the student body.
Rounding out the ceremony, students heard from alumni speaker Damon Porter ’94, the Global Head of Enterprise Government Affairs at Veralto, who encouraged students to remain connected to the Marymount community after graduation.
“Don’t let today become the final chapter of your Marymount story, let it become the beginning of your next one,” Porter said. “You are called not to just be involved, but to help shape what comes next: the opportunities, connections and education that the next generation of Marymount students will have…Being an alum is not simply about keeping in touch with your class. It means becoming part of something larger than yourself.”
A few hours later, the Graduate commencement ceremony began, seeing nearly 500 students receive Master’s and Doctoral degrees across disciplines. Additionally, five students were recognized with Doctoral Academic Excellence Awards for outstanding scholarship and meaningful contributions to their chosen fields of study.
“These graduates remind us that excellence and servant leadership go hand in hand,” Dr. Becerra said. “No matter what challenges you may face, if you remain grounded in your values and guided by purpose, you will always find your direction.”
Following these remarks, President Becerra and Board of Trustees Member, Terry Thompson, bestowed an honorary degree on keynote speaker Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Virginia’s former Secretary of Education, who spoke on the importance of a Marymount education.
“Marymount is critical to Virginia and the region’s vitality; and each of you is the living testament to that fact,” Guidera said. “You are graduates who will go out into the world and make it a stronger, healthier, safer, more educated place. At Marymount you have learned with purpose and now I challenge you to go out and live with purpose!”
The ceremony ended with an inspiring address by alumni speaker Terri Feely ’96, the Chief People Officer at INOVA Health System, who emphasized the importance of combining technical expertise with the “adaptive skills” they learned at Marymount to become truly empowered leaders.
“Your degree has prepared you with knowledge, but your success will depend on how well you combine that knowledge with the ‘soft skills’ needed to work with others,” Feely explained. “Your ability to collaborate, to listen, to build trust and to be someone others want to work with, that is what will set you apart. Ultimately, that is what defines a meaningful career. Not just what you achieve for yourself— but what you make possible for others.”
Recordings of both the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies are available on Marymount’s YouTube channel.
