Commencement speakers announced for local Catholic universities May 13, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, Local News, News College graduation ceremonies for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s four Catholic universities will welcome two business leaders, a local television newscaster and a Norwegian bishop as featured commencement speakers this year. Loyola University Maryland Carrie Fox Baltimore Carrie Fox, a 2001 graduate and a trustee, will speak at Loyola’s 173rd commencement May 16 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore. Fox is the founder and CEO of both Mission Partners, a women-owned communications firm that guides nonprofits, foundations and companies, and Mission ForwardTM, a national education platform for helping leaders learn how to communicate. She will receive a doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, at the ceremony. Mount St. Mary’s University Michael R. Wysong Emmitsburg Michael R. Wysong, CEO of CARE Pharmacies, will speak at the Mount St. Mary’s 218th commencement May 16 at Knott ARCC Arena, Emmitsburg. With more than 30 years in the business, Wysong has expanded CARE’s member-owned network of independent pharmacies to more than 200 locations, growing sales to almost $2 billion. He will be awarded the Mount’s Doctorate of Humane Letters. Notre Dame of Maryland University Denise Koch Baltimore Denise Koch, WJZ-TV news anchor, will speak at Notre Dame’s commencement May 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Koch, an Emmy award-winner, is Baltimore’s longest-serving anchor, having started at the station in 1982 as a lifestyle/entertainment reporter. Koch has served as an advisory board member for NDMU and was a speaker for the Women of the World Festival Baltimore hosted by the university. She also serves as a member of Notre Dame’s president roundtable. She will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. St. Mary’s Seminary and University Bishop Erik Varden Roland Park Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, will give the commencement address May 7 at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. Bishop Varden taught at the Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome. He was elected Abbot Mount St. Bernard Abbey, a Trappist monastery in England in 2015. A speaker and prolific author, Bishop Varden led the 2026 Lenten retreat for Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia this year. While at St. Mary’s, he will offer a day of recollection for bishops and priests. He will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Read More Colleges Sister Kathleen Marie Engers, beloved founder of Baltimore’s Pumpkin Theater, dies at 101 Loyola awarded nearly $1 million to expand forensic science training, research Former Cristo Rey Jesuit High School president named Baltimore County Schools superintendent Notre Dame of Maryland receives $4.9 million state grant to help address teacher shortage Notre Dame of Maryland University launches $100,000 fund to support student research Pope Leo urges Catholic universities to instill passion for the truth found in Christ Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media Print
