The President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, Kerry Alys Robinson, delivered a Commencement Address to the Dominican University New York Class of 2026 with six hopes for the graduates in six minutes. The 72nd Annual Commencement Ceremony took place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. During the uplifting and hopeful speech, Robinson wished the graduates memory, gratitude, inspiration, empathy, joy, and abundance.
Among her advice to the graduates was to let their lives be informed by the example of those who inspire them. She said she recently brought leaders from the Catholic Charities network to meet with Pope Leo. “His words – in a Chicago accent no less – of encouragement, understanding and appreciation for the work we do to care for poor and vulnerable people, to restore human dignity and to provide hope were deeply meaningful to us,” she said. “But it is the example of his life that captures my imagination and makes me want to be a better person. Pope Leo lives with palpable integrity, courage, and consistency, while bearing the weight of the whole world, standing on a global stage he never sought, reminding us of our collective call to peace, mercy, love of God and love of neighbor. Our Pope is the most admired leader in the world right now. It is hard to explain, but we know goodness and authenticity when we see it. Find your moral heroes, name the virtues they exemplify, and emulate them. “
For more than two decades, Robinson has played a leading role in strengthening the Catholic Church. She is the founding Executive Director of Leadership Roundtable, which looks to lay executives to help the Church be more transparent and accountable, and now serves as a member of its Board of Trustees. Robinson consistently stresses the need for Catholics and people of all faiths to help our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. She is the author of the prize-winning book Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and A Spiritual Call to Service. During the Commencement ceremony, Robinson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for her dedication to the Catholic Church and service to those who are in need.
Dominican University President Manuel Martínez, Ph.D., also addressed the graduates telling them that the world is full of possibilities and it needs them – people unwilling to settle for what is easy over what is right. “Define success on your own terms. Don’t let success be defined by how much you make, the number of followers on your social media, or how fast you get promoted. Instead, let success be measured by the lives you touch, the injustices you challenge, how you carry yourself, and the effort and energy you put to achieve your goals,” he said. “Let success be measured in the way you listen to those who don’t have a voice. The way you lead with care and humility. The way you show up — even when there’s no applause.”
Other honorees during Commencement, in addition to Robinson, include:
Margaret R. Kaplen – Kaplen is a nurse, philanthropist, and community leader. An alumna of Dominican University’s nursing program and President of the Kaplen Foundation, Kaplen has made her supporting nurses and nursing education a central focus of her philanthropic mission. She was awarded an honorary degree of Humane Letters for her unwavering generosity in advancing the nursing profession and expanding educational opportunities for countless students.
Mary Bernadette “Molly” O’Donnell ’13 – Since graduating from Dominican University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, O’Donnell has been a model of leadership and service in the Goshen, New York, community. She is currently the Commissioner of Jurors for Orange County, New York, and was the former mayor of the village of Goshen. Her tireless advocacy of small businesses civic engagement, and the arts have earned her numerous honors, including being named a Woman of Distinction by the New York State Assembly. O’Donnell was the recipient of the 2026 Badami Outstanding Alumna Award.
Dr. Carl Procario-Foley – Procario-Foley serves as the Executive Director of the Center at Mariandale, a retreat and conference center which is a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Hope. He guides the center in pursing the Sisters’ commitments to care for the earth, support the marginalized, and inform participants of the transformative power of hope. Under his leadership, Mariandale has begun offering opportunities for students from colleges and universities around the country. Procario-Foley was presented with the 2026 Veritas Medal.
There were 349 Dominican University graduates in 2026 who earned 30 doctoral degrees, 90 master’s degrees, 228 bachelor’s degrees and 1 associates degree.