Walsh University has celebrated its 2026 commencement ceremonies, honouring nearly 600 graduates from 26 states and 14 countries.

The ceremonies were held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Gaetano M Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex in North Canton, Ohio.

Dr Tim Collins, Walsh University’s seventh president, addressed graduates on the purpose of Catholic education.

“Your formation as men and women of character is the primary end of Catholic education – your Walsh University experience,” he said. “The secondary end is the formation of useful citizens. Your greatest achievement will forever be marked not by what you do – but by what you do for others.”

The university presented an honorary doctorate of applied theology to Dr Chris Stefanick, the Catholic author and evangelist, who delivered the commencement address.

Stefanick told graduates that their deepest identity was found in belonging to God, warning that “if we forget whose we are, then we will forget who we are”.

He encouraged them to share the Gospel boldly, to build a small circle of trusted friends and to “be saints” by doing good when no one was watching, serving the poor and responding generously to Jesus’s call.

He said that life had inherent meaning because God was its author, and that Christ’s Resurrection was the definitive sign that “God wins”. He concluded by telling graduates that the word “God” itself pointed to mission, noting that “two-thirds of ‘God’ is ‘go’.”

The university also conferred an honorary doctorate of applied engineering on Michael E White, a defence technologist and former principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

The degree recognised White’s leadership in advancing hypersonic technologies and missile defence systems over a career of innovation and national service. White, who was keynote speaker at Walsh’s 2025 Science and Business Innovation Summit, told graduates that, in earning a degree from a faith-based institution, they had “a secret weapon” built on Christian values that they could use for the betterment of humanity.

The Distinguished Service Medal was presented to state representative Scott Oelslager, who has served the people of Stark County since 1985 and is due to conclude his final term at the end of this year. Oelslager, who has served in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly, has focused his legislative work on education, workforce development and community investment.

Dr Michael Dunphy, a Walsh alumnus and the university’s vice president for academic affairs, also received the Distinguished Service Medal. Dr Dunphy, who graduated in 1979, has served the university for more than four decades as professor, researcher, division chair, dean and vice president. He is due to retire at the end of June.

The student address was delivered by Hannah Blawas, recipient of the 2026 TOWER of Excellence Award. Blawas, an honours student, teaching assistant, academic support coach and Bible study leader, told graduates that chasing perfection had left her anxious and empty, but that through faith, community and her Walsh education she had discovered that true joy came from childlike passion and steady progress, rather than perfection.

The TOWER of Excellence Award is given to a student who exemplifies academic excellence, faith and service-driven leadership.

This year’s commencement also marked the first time that graduates of Transition U, a programme for students with developmental disabilities, walked across the stage in caps and gowns.

The programme, a collaboration between North Canton City Schools and Walsh University, was founded as an option for students who might not typically be able to attend college after completing high school. Over the past 15 years, it has enabled nearly 45 students to learn life skills in a college setting.

The Most Rev David Bonnar, bishop of Youngstown, presided at the traditional baccalaureate Mass between the ceremonies.

In his homily, Bishop Bonnar encouraged graduates to exercise their faith as they would a muscle. He cited 2026 NFL first-round draft pick Fernando Mendoza, who chose to forgo the publicity of draft night and remain at home with his ailing mother and family, as an example of living out faith in accordance with God’s plan.