Before graduates crossed the stage, both campuses held separate Nights of Honor and Gratitude. On Friday, May 8, the Lisle community gathered in Goodwin Auditorium at 5 p.m. to recognize supporters and honor outstanding graduates with academic awards. The evening included an Interfaith Convocation and Awards Ceremony celebrating the diverse faiths on campus.

On Tuesday, May 12, the Mesa campus held its Night of Honor and Gratitude in Gillett Hall at 5 p.m., beginning with a Mass in the Catholic and Benedictine tradition.

Then came Commencement. On Saturday, May 9, the Class of 2026 walked across the stage at the Rice Center Arena in Lisle, leaving behind the offsite Rosemont Theater that had hosted previous graduations. The shift brought the celebration back to the heart of the University. Approximately 400 undergraduate students crossed the stage during the morning ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by 150 graduate students at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.

In Mesa, graduates held their Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, at the Mesa Arts Center. An additional 75 graduates were honored in a celebration distinct to their campus community.

After the final cheers, the new alumni stepped off the stage as graduates of a community they called home.

Relive the week through our official photo albums. View the Lisle Campus album and the Mesa Campus album using the links below.

Watch the recorded live streams. View the Lisle Commencement Livestream and the Mesa Commencement Livestream using the links below.

Congratulations to the Benedictine University Class of 2026. Welcome back. And welcome to your beginning.

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Over the years, classmates became educators, doctors, leaders, musicians, and mentors, while staying connected through life’s many changes. During COVID, the group even began weekly Zoom calls, a tradition that continues twice a month today.

The trip brought together 17 friends,  including spouses affectionately called “adoptees”, to laugh, reminisce, and relive memories from their IBC days.

“I never imagined I would form lifetime friendships with so many of my classmates,” Bill Lisowski, ’78, shared. “Sitting in the Aruban sun, enjoying great food, laughing, talking, and reminiscing … it was like we were back on campus again. That’s the great thing about strong friendships. They are always there.”

The reunion also featured an “IBC Memory Test” and commemorative coffee mugs featuring photos from the group’s IBC years and past reunions.

The opening night speech concluded with these words.

“Gathering in Aruba was not so much a reunion as it was a celebration of 52 years of friendship, a bond between us, and a sharing of  love for each other’s presence in our lives.”

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For 27 years, Professor Joel Ostrow, PhD, has led Benedictine University’s Model UN program. This year marked the University’s 59th year participating at NMUN-New York. Dr. Ostrow praised the team’s leadership and work ethic.

The recognition signals that the delegation successfully represented its assigned state, Georgia, delivered informed speeches, and passed detailed resolutions through collaboration with other delegates.

“This award demonstrates that we were able to work together as a team and collaborate with others to get our ideas across,” said third-year delegate Afrah Zahid.

For the students, the honor also represents something larger. Kaylee Ludwig, a second-year delegate, noted the program’s 60-year history Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»­.

“Any sort of recognition for our program does not only benefit us, but it is a key program that has stood within our University for over 60 years now,” Ludwig said. “It shows how Benedictine as an institution throughout challenge and development has maintained this pivotal program in enhancing students’ educational experience.”

A Program Open to Everyone

Students emphasized that BUMUN is a high impact practice open to all majors, not just political science or international relations students. Simal Mansoor, the team’s head delegate, is a Health Science student who will be attending medical school. She said BUMUN is the thing she will remember most from her college years, and she credits the program with helping her develop public speaking, leadership, and advocacy skills.

Samuel McNamara, a three-year participant, reinforced that message.

“Model UN is a very unique class that offers students the opportunity to push themselves both academically and socially, which is really only possible while in college,” McNamara said. “In many ways, people who are outside of the world of politics gain more from the experience as they have to try to understand and communicate a policy or opinion that they may not understand or agree with. When they go into their respective fields, it will seem easy to advocate and understand concepts they are familiar with.”

Ludwig echoed that the program benefits students from any background.

“The class helped me build my confidence, and in doing so I have become not only a better public speaker and collaborator, but a better student able to conduct myself in a manner that I hadn’t before,” she wrote.

Building Skills and Community

Students described how BUMUN transformed their public speaking, research, and collaboration abilities.

Zahid recalled the difficulty of public speaking at first.

“Every single class, I would be praying that I wouldn’t be called up to give a speech. Public speaking on a whim was never my thing,” said Zahid. “Looking back, I don’t think any other class taught me to condense information and research the way BUMUN did.”

Es Ronquillo described a similar breakthrough.

“I was honestly never a good public speaker, and if I was asked before this class to speak in front of hundreds of people, I would’ve refused,” Ronquillo said. “However, when I got to the conference, I spoke in a large committee of at least 300 people at a time. Without this class, I definitely would’ve never gained, or taken much longer to gain, the confidence to speak in front of that many people.”

Rahman Svoboda noted how the program built practical career skills.

“It also helped me improve skills like negotiation, teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking in a way that feels much more real than a normal classroom environment,” Svoboda said.

Beyond skills, students spoke of the deep community BUMUN creates on campus. For some, it was their first real sense of belonging in college.

“I’ve personally been in three different universities so far and never have I thought I’d have so much camaraderie with people,” Ronquillo wrote. “I never really stayed after class to talk to people, never did fun things outside of class with anyone I went to school with, but that changed with this class.”

Svoboda agreed.

“One of the best parts of BUMUN has been the people. Preparing for the conference together, traveling together, and supporting each other throughout the week created a really strong sense of community within our delegation,” said Svoboda.

Exposure to the World

The conference in New York also gave students exposure to peers from across the country and around the world. Umang Jain, an international student, described the experience as transformative.

“New York City has an energy unlike anywhere else, and being there as a delegate, walking into that conference, representing Benedictine University on a national stage was something I could not have imagined when I first started this journey,” Jain said. “It was intense, it was exciting, and honestly it was one of the best weeks of my college experience.”

Svoboda noted the value of meeting other dedicated students.

“One of the most impactful parts of BUMUN was meeting students from universities across the world and seeing the level of passion and professionalism they brought into the committee. It was motivating and, honestly, a bit eye-opening at times,” Svoboda said. “The conference pushed all of us to improve not only academically, but personally as well.”

Why BUMUN Matters

Students hope the Benedictine University community understands the lasting value of the program.

“BUMUN isn’t simply a class or a club, but it consists of every hallmark that Benedictine University offers and hopes to reflect upon students,” said Ludwig. “Its value is that it ensures exactly what most should be hoping for within an institution which is new, exciting, scary, and rewarding experiences that you will remember when you reflect upon your overall college experience.”

Jain addressed alumni and supporters directly.

“To the alumni and supporters, BUMUN is one of those experiences that is hard to fully explain but easy to feel the impact of. It shapes students in ways that go far beyond a resume line. It builds character, and I think that is what makes it so special.”

Sebastian Delatorre put it simply.

“Being a part of multiple different clubs and playing a sport, Model UN is THE event that I look forward to the most,” Delatorre said. “Meeting new people whether they’re in my class or from another country in conference has been an eye-opening experience. These are students that I will never forget because of the bond we had during class and conference.”

Zahid offered a final thought.

“BUMUN will definitely be a core memory,” she wrote. “I want everyone to know that it truly is an experience of a lifetime.”

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Established in 2011, URSA was created to expand opportunities for undergraduates to lead or collaborate on research projects alongside faculty mentors. Now in its fifteenth year, the event has grown into a cornerstone of BenU’s academic calendar, and the 2026 symposium proved to be one of the most vibrant yet.

From noon-4:30 p.m., Goodwin Hall hosted a packed schedule of oral presentations across three rooms (211, 212, and 213) with three concurrent time blocks running from noon until the late afternoon. Topics ranged from police perceptions of community-oriented policing and the role of music in Native American identity to existentialist analyses of eating disorders, echo chambers on social media, CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors, and the racialized lens of medical illustration. The presentations reminded all in attendance that URSA interprets “scholarship” in the broadest possible sense.

Meanwhile, the first-floor lobby transformed into a bustling gallery of discovery during the poster session held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Poster topics ranged from Wolbachia bacteria in arthropods and the neurotoxic effects of microplastics on the brain to AI-driven goose deterrent systems for Lake St. Benedict, the relationship between personality traits and social deduction games, and a winter clothing drive supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Students from the natural sciences presented research findings on large-format posters, while peers from the humanities and arts displayed original creative work, including visual art installations and descriptions of original musical compositions.

Faculty, staff, and students filled the hallways and session rooms, offering thoughtful questions and enthusiastic support. For many presenters, URSA served as a vital “dry-run” for larger regional conferences later this spring. But for all involved, the event was a celebration of what happens when BenU students are given a stage to share their curiosity.

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Gus and Alice is a new comedy that follows a married couple of more than 50 years. Gus and Alice have a comfortable routine built on togetherness and good-natured bickering. Their dynamic changes unexpectedly one night at dinner when Alice suggests they sell their house and move into a retirement community. What follows includes game nights, tea dates between longtime friends, conversations about gluten and cats, some bad singing, and debates over the merits of wearing pants.

Rago, a Chicago native, said he and the cast are excited to bring the show home. BenU is proud to see continued success from one of our alumni, and we celebrate Mike’s creative achievements on stage. When asked what advice he would give to current Benedictine students and alumni interested in creative writing or theater, Rago emphasized persistence and passion.

“Never stop writing,” he said. “Write about anything and everything. And when inspiration hits, write right then and there. 2am, 7am, 4pm, on the train, out for a walk, whatever and wherever. Sometimes it’s like lightning striking and you have to capture it in the moment.”

He also encouraged those pursuing theater to keep acting in all kinds of roles and settings, from community theatre to New York.

“Persistence pays off,” Rago added. “Like anything else, hard work and consistency during the ups and downs are key. And always give yourself grace. There will be good days and hard days. Give yourself grace, take a breath, then go back at it.”

To purchase tickets, visit the Greenhouse Theater box office .

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For BenU students preparing for Commencement, the Grad Fair offered a one-stop experience to get ready for the big day. Students were able to order their regalia, confirm their diploma mailing address, and pick up their Commencement tickets with ease. Several campus departments were on hand to assist, including Alumni and Career Services, Campus Ministry, Graduate Admissions, Ben Central, and the Registrar. Students also had the opportunity to take graduation photos with Grad Images and connect with Herff Jones for class rings, announcements, and diploma frames.

At the same time, students took full advantage of Job-A-Palooza, where a diverse lineup of employers was ready to connect. Students explored opportunities with a wide range of organizations, from corporate partners to public service agencies. The featured employers included Chicagoland Automotive Group, Carmody Construction, GreenState Credit Union, and Sherwin-Williams. Also in attendance were three regional health and hospital systems, 11 area police departments, Argonne National Laboratory, and many more.

The combination of graduation services and career connections made the day a valuable one for students across all class levels. Soon-to-be graduates left with their commencement details in order, while students from every major walked away with new professional contacts and a clearer picture of the opportunities available to them.

A sincere thank you goes to the premium sponsors who supported this event: Chicagoland Automotive Group, Carmody Construction, GreenState Credit Union, and Sherwin-Williams. Their partnership helped make this engaging and productive experience possible for our students.

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President Scott has served as the 12th permanent president of Chicago State University since July 1, 2018, guiding the institution through a period of historic renewal and strategic growth. As the only four-year U.S. Department of Education-designated Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) in Illinois, CSU has flourished under her leadership, embracing a bold new direction as a regional public university powerhouse. A national voice for equity in higher education, President Scott co-founded the National Coalition of Predominantly Black Institutions of Higher Education and helped launch the first-ever Congressional PBI Caucus.

During her visit, President Scott shared insights from her own leadership journey, offering a candid look at the experiences that shaped her approach to guiding an institution through transformation and advocating for equity. Her distinguished legal career has earned her national recognition, and she has been named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ . The discussion provided attendees with a unique opportunity to learn from a leader whose career spans law, public service, and higher education.

A central theme of the talk was practical advice for students looking to excel in their studies and achieve their goals. President Scott emphasized the importance of resilience, intentionality, and building strong support networks. She encouraged students to remain focused on their purpose, to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and to actively seek mentorship throughout their academic and professional careers.

The event underscored Benedictine University’s commitment to fostering leadership development and providing students with access to diverse perspectives. President Scott’s visit left a lasting impression on the audience, offering valuable takeaways for all who attended.

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After an impressive showing in the opening rounds of the national tournament in Texas, the Redhawks secured their place in the Sweet 16 with a thrilling 99–94 Round Two victory. The team’s determination and teamwork carried them through a hard-fought game and earned them a spot among the final teams still competing for a national title.

Earlier today, the BenU Mesa community gathered for a small but heartfelt send-off as the team departed for Kansas City. Students, faculty, and supporters stopped by to wish the Redhawks well and send them off with plenty of encouragement as they continue their postseason run.

The Redhawks will face Faulkner University (AL) in the Sweet 16 matchup on March 19 at 12:00 pm CST. It’s another big moment for the program and an exciting opportunity for the team to keep their national championship hopes alive.

Congratulations to the Redhawks on an outstanding season so far, and best of luck as they take the court in Kansas City.

Read the full game recap .

Go Redhawks!

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Sponsored by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered through the , the Lilly Faculty Fellows Program is designed to nurture faculty leadership, strengthen the integration of faith and learning, and support the development of mission-centered teaching and campus programming. Fellows participate in multi-year cohorts that provide structured mentoring, attendance at national Lilly conferences, collaborative seminars, and resources to design high-impact projects that advance institutional mission, faculty formation, and student learning.

As Lilly Faculty Fellows, Drs. Granic and McCarthy will lead a campus initiative titled “Serving Together: Benedictine Leadership Through Community Action.” The project brings together faculty from the humanities and the sciences on both the Lisle and Mesa campuses to model interdisciplinary leadership grounded in the Rule of St. Benedict and Catholic Social Teaching. Through a series of presentations, roundtable discussions, and collaborative workshops with academic mentors and community partners, the initiative will generate innovative curricular approaches that integrate ethical reflection, service learning, and evidence-based inquiry. Faculty participants will work across disciplines and across Benedictine University’s Lisle and Mesa campuses to develop assignments that encourage students to practice deep listening, hospitality, shared decision-making, and responsible action for the common good.

This recognition is especially meaningful for BenU as a Catholic institution rooted in the Benedictine tradition. The Lilly Faculty Fellows Program directly supports the University’s mission by fostering faculty leadership that integrates intellectual rigor, moral formation, and service to others. Drs. Granic and McCarthy’s project reflects core Benedictine values—Community, Ora et Labora, Respect for Persons, and Stewardship—while strengthening collaboration across disciplines and campuses. Their work will help form students not only as skilled professionals but as ethically-grounded leaders inspired by faith, reason, and a commitment to the common good.

Benedictine University congratulates Drs. Granic and McCarthy on this significant achievement and looks forward to the lasting impact their Lilly Faculty Fellowship will have on faculty, students, and the wider University community.

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The reception provided a meaningful opportunity for University leadership, including President Joseph J. Foy, PhD, to personally express gratitude and share the collective vision for Benedictine’s future. The evening underscored the profound connection between donor generosity and student success, highlighting how this partnership directly fuels opportunity and innovation across campus.

In reflecting on the event, Vice President for University Advancement Mark McHorney emphasized the essential role these partners play.

“The strength and commitment of our Benedictine University family was on full display,” said McHorney. “Our President’s Circle donors are the architects of opportunity here. Their partnership does more than support the University. It actively builds the future for our students and energizes our entire community.”

The President’s Circle recognizes those whose leadership-giving provides the critical resources that advance scholarships, academic programs, and campus facilities. The holiday reception serves as a touchstone each year to celebrate this shared commitment and the tangible impact that resonates across the University every day.

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