Holy Cross College has announced that Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of the Hallow app, will deliver the Commencement Address at the College’s 59th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
A leader at the intersection of faith, technology, and evangelization, Jones leads what has become the largest prayer app of any faith tradition in the world. Since launching Hallow in late 2018, the platform has grown to over 30 million downloads, facilitated more than one billion prayers, and reached users in more than 150 countries. During Lent last year, Hallow reached the No. 1 overall position in the App Store, surpassing TikTok, Amazon, Netflix, Instagram, and Spotify — an unprecedented milestone for a faith-based app.
“Alex Jones represents the kind of thoughtful, faith-filled leadership we hope to cultivate in every Holy Cross graduate,” said Marco J. Clark, president of Holy Cross College. “His story reminds us that vocation often emerges at the intersection of personal conversion and courageous action. Alex has taken his own journey of faith and transformed it into a global ministry that brings hope, prayer, and peace to millions. We are honored to welcome him to Holy Cross as we celebrate the Class of 2026.”
Jones founded Hallow following a personal return to his Catholic faith, initially building the app for his own prayer life. By what he often describes as “the grace of God,” the platform has grown into a global spiritual resource offering more than 15,000 prayer and meditation sessions across eight languages, with contributions from hundreds of faith leaders, artists, and cultural figures. Contributors include Mark Wahlberg, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sister Miriam James Heidland, Jonathan Roumie, Lauren Daigle, Bishop Robert Barron, and prayers from Pope Leo XIV.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Jones earned his undergraduate degree in engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2015 and later received his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He previously worked as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company before co-founding Hallow with Erich Kerekes and Alessandro DiSanto. He now lives in Chicago with his wife and their four children.
Jones has been recognized widely for his leadership and evangelization efforts, including honors from Forbes 30 Under 30, the University of Notre Dame’s Domer Dozen, the Legatus Bowie Kuhn Evangelization Award, the Christifidelis Laici Award, and the Catholic International University Founder’s Award. He has appeared in national and international media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC, and The Free Press.
Holy Cross College’s Commencement weekend will begin with the Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 15, followed by the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16.
More information about the 59th Commencement Ceremony can be found at the Holy Cross Commencement page.