Holy Cross College honored its December graduates on Dec. 10, during a warm and joyful Graduates Reception held inside the Atrium of Vincent Hall. Surrounded by faculty, staff, family, and friends, students gathered for food, conversation, and celebration as they marked the completion of their academic journey and prepared for Commencement in May.
Provost Dr. Michael Griffin opened the evening by inviting graduates to return for the May 16, 2026 Commencement ceremony. “Tonight, we celebrate all that you’ve achieved and all of the good you will do in the world,” he told the crowd. “You are now alumni and ambassadors of this College.”
President Dr. Marco Clark spoke to the significance of the moment, praising the graduates’ dedication—especially those finishing early. “More than 50% of students in this country don’t graduate within six years,” he said. “Whether you’re completing your degree in three and a half years or four and a half, you are part of a rare group. It demonstrates a level of commitment and sacrifice that is unusual in today’s world.”
He reminded students that a Holy Cross education forms leaders rooted in ethics and the common good. “It isn’t just a psychology degree or a business degree,” Clark said. “You’ve been shaped to be a different kind of professional—steeped in moral tradition and called to build God’s kingdom. That time is now.”
Alumnus George Sutherland ’18, currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Notre Dame, welcomed graduates into the alumni family. “Your Holy Cross education shapes the whole person,” he said. “Stay connected—to one another, to the faculty, and to the College. Every contribution you make strengthens the mission.”
The evening concluded with prayer and warm applause as graduates stepped confidently into their next chapter—carrying the values of mind, heart, and spirit that define Holy Cross.