Clarke to Honor BVM Congregation at Commencement, May 10

Clarke College is pleased to announce that in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Congregation, the college will present an honorary doctor of humane letters degree to the congregation at this year’s 165th Commencement ceremony. Joellen McCarthy, BVM, president of the congregation, will accept the degree and give the Commencement address.

McCarthy has a variety of teaching and service experience and has served as president of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary since 2000. She has held other leadership positions for the congregation, serving as its vice president and as a member of the congregation’s formation team.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry/math and a master of arts degree in religious studies from Mundelein College in Chicago, Ill., a master of science degree in chemistry from Purdue College, and a master of theology degree from Maryknoll School of Theology in Maryknoll, NY.

This year’s Commencement exercises begin with a baccalaureate liturgy at 10 a.m. in Clarke’s Robert and Ruth Kehl Center, at which graduates will receive their academic hoods. At 2 p.m., the official Commencement ceremony begins, at which graduates will receive their diplomas and special awards and honors will be bestowed.

At this year’s Commencement, degrees will be conferred upon approximately 325 undergraduate and graduate students. To accommodate additional guests, the liturgy and ceremony will be simulcast on televisions in Clarke’s Student Activity Center, which is connected to the Kehl Center.