Nearly 930 students received their degrees this past weekend during Marymount University’s 73rd annual commencement ceremonies, held at Converse Family Field on the institution’s main campus in Arlington.
Celebrating the Class of 2024, commencement ceremonies organized by each of Marymount’s three colleges were held from May 10-12 for students who qualified for graduation from the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 semesters, as well as students who graduated in Summer 2023 but were not eligible to participate in last year’s ceremonies.
Also held during the weekend were the annual Nursing Pinning Ceremony and two hooding ceremonies for students earning their doctorates in cybersecurity, business intelligence, education, nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
The first main ceremony was held on Friday for the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology (BILT), with 300 degrees conferred to students studying in fields that include business, design, art, technology and innovation. Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University, congratulated the institution’s newest alumni and spoke on how artificial intelligence will play an increasingly prominent role in their lives and careers. She advised the Class of 2024 to ensure that innovation is implemented ethically and accompanied by integrity and compassion.
“Remember that true leadership is not just about embracing change and navigating challenges but doing so in a way that uplifts and empowers others,” President Becerra explained. “It’s important to recognize that AI-powered tools can compromise the value you bring as bright, creative thinkers. AI undoubtedly offers tremendous potential, yet it’s essential to remain vigilant and ensure that ethical principles guide our use of these technologies.”
During his welcoming remarks to graduates, Marymount University Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Hesham El-Rewini encouraged them to always maintain a broader perspective while pursuing personal achievements.
“So often, we talk about the value of a college degree in material terms – how much money you’ll make and what jobs you can get,” Dr. El-Rewini said. “But just as your Marymount education has given you the tools for career success, I hope we’ve also helped you sharpen your sense of humanity, ethics and justice to develop a greater sense of connectedness and care for others.”
Serving as guest speaker for the College of BILT ceremony was Christopher Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton since 2007. Before his current role, he led Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. as President and CEO following roles as Executive Vice President and COO. He also co-founded a real estate investment and advisory firm, and spent seven years as Chief Development Officer at one of the largest commercial real estate companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“As you can imagine, I am asked all the time what characteristics I look for in new graduates. At the top of the list, right up there with honesty and integrity, are resilience and adaptability,” Nassetta told Marymount graduates. “As you’ve learned, resilience is manifested in many different ways and in many different situations. But there’s one type that’s perhaps most important, and that’s the resilience of spirit driven by an authentic purpose – it’s something that motivates you, that’s true to who you are.”
On Saturday, 234 students received degrees during the commencement ceremony for the College of Sciences and Humanities, consisting of Saints who studied interdisciplinary studies, science, mathematics, engineering and social and behavioral sciences. Inspiring these graduates was guest speaker Raul Fernandez – an entrepreneur, investor, executive and board member with more than three decades of experience scaling innovative and rapidly growing technology companies. Currently the President and CEO of DXC Technology and Vice Chairman and Co-Owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, he is also an active philanthropist passionate about making higher education more accessible.
“Like many of you, my parents sacrificed to give my sister and me a chance to have a better life, focusing on a solid education so we had the fundamentals to compete and create a better future for ourselves and our families,” Fernandez told the Class of 2024. “Today, I encourage you to celebrate your learning journey and don’t forget how to learn. The pace of change will only increase in the future.”
The final main commencement ceremony of the weekend was for the College of Health and Education, as 394 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students earned degrees on Sunday in fields such as nursing, health sciences, counseling and education. Marlene Malek – a community activist, health care advocate and patron of the arts – gave these new graduates her words of wisdom as the guest speaker for the ceremony. She is currently the Chair of Friends of Cancer Research and is on the boards of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Duke University’s Cancer Institute. She is also a 1979 Marymount Nursing graduate, and serves as Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.
“I think the two most important things I learned here at Marymount are the importance of being involved in your community and giving back,” Malek said during her speech. “In the years ahead, you’ll be busy building your lives while working to earn a living. But however busy you are, always remember the importance of giving back in some way.”
At each of Marymount’s three main commencement events, a distinguished alumnus served as a guest speaker as well. They included William Cueto ‘91, President of Asset Health, for the College of BILT ceremony; Ian Hopper ‘96, Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, for the College of Sciences and Humanities ceremony; and Yinka Adepoju ‘08, CEO at Salus Health and Bravo Ventures, for the College of Health and Education ceremony.
To watch videos of all the 2024 commencement-related events, click here.
