Mount Saint Mary College is proud to announce two distinguished leaders as keynote speakers for its 63rd Annual Commencement ceremonies, celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026.
This year’s ceremonies will feature Maxine E. Lindsay-Shillingford, two-time Mount alumna and veteran leader, and Dr. Donna M. Carroll, a national leader in Catholic higher education.
Friday, May 15: Master’s Degree Ceremony
The weekend’s festivities begin on Friday, May 15, with the Master’s degree ceremony, featuring a keynote address from Maxine E. Lindsay-Shillingford ’98 MSN ’23. A highly decorated U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Chief Nurse Manager within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Lindsay-Shillingford’s career spans nearly 30 years of leadership in both civilian and military healthcare.
After first arriving on campus 34 years ago from the South Bronx through the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1998 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2023. Currently pending her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duke University, she has served in critical roles such as Chief Nurse of a U.S. Military Hospital in the Middle East and Director of Nursing at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center.
“As the product of the Mount and as an immigrant, I stand not only on my ancestors' shoulders, but on the shoulders of those who have believed in me and invested in me,” said Lindsay-Shillingford. “The Dominican Sisters' foundational beliefs, tradition, and values aligned with my life purpose of service.”
Saturday, May 16: Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony
Dr. Donna M. Carroll, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), will address the Mount’s bachelor’s degree candidates on Saturday, May 16. Dr. Carroll is a renowned advocate for underserved students and a trailblazer in higher education administration.
In 1994, Dr. Carroll became the first lay leader and the 10th president of Dominican University in Illinois, a position she held for 28 years. Under her leadership, she became one of the most respected voices in Catholic education, eventually moving to her current national role at the ACCU where she mentors a new generation of lay leaders. Her career is marked by prestigious honors, including the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC Award and the Moral Courage Award from Faith in Public Life.
“My heart belongs to Dominican higher education,” said Dr. Carroll. “It shaped my life and my faith, and so I am delighted to address the 2026 graduates of Mount Saint Mary College – and to talk about the values that we share. I am confident that the Mount's Catholic Dominican education has fortified graduates for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”