On Saturday, May 21, Fordham University celebrated its 171st Commencement at the Rose Hill Campus. David J. Skorton, MD, the 13^th secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., an accomplished cardiologist and former university president, delivered the keynote address to the Class of 2016.

Honorary doctorates of humane letters were awarded to Dr. Skorton and to Judith Altmann, vice president of the Holocaust Child Survivors of Connecticut; Gregory Boyle, SJ, head of the gang-intervention group Homeboy Industries; Maurice “Mo” Cunniffe, FCRH ’54, a successful businessman and key supporter of Fordham; Patricia David, GABELLI ’81, global head of diversity for JPMorgan Chase; and Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

Honorary doctorates of fine arts were awarded to Robert Battle, artistic director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and to Henry Cobb, founding partner at the architecture firm Pei, Cobb, Freed & Partners and co-designer of Fordham Law School’s new building.

In his commencement address, Dr. Skorton urged the class of 2016 to “leave the campus bothered. Bothered by injustice. Bothered by poverty. Bothered by suffering.”  He added to the graduating class, “Fordham has taught you that education is not only a path to a more satisfying and secure future but as well a tool for the common good and there is plenty for you to help fix.”

Congratulations to all of the graduates, family and friends of the Class of 2016!

Photos by Hana Keiningham and Jess Luszczyk

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