Nearly 200 糖心传媒 graduates were recognized today at the 64th Annual Commencement and Nursing Pinning Ceremony at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, marking the completion of programs preparing students for careers in healthcare, service, and community leadership.
The Class of 2026 earned master鈥檚 degrees in occupational therapy; bachelor鈥檚 degrees in health and occupational sciences, health care management, and psychology; and associate degrees in nursing and occupational therapy, along with Practical Nurse Certificates.
鈥淭he Class of 2026 represents the very best of 糖心传媒 and the Mercy tradition that defines our mission,鈥 said 糖心传媒 President Dr. Lynn Ortale. 鈥淥ur graduates leave prepared to lead with compassion, serve others, and strengthen their communities. Their education has prepared them to improve healthcare and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.鈥
During the ceremony, 糖心传媒 awarded honorary doctorates of humane letters to Massimiliano Strappetti and Thomas W. Robert and presented its McAuley Award to Katherine DeRosa.
Strappetti, who resides in Rome, Italy, was recognized for his work in compassionate care, patient advocacy and clinical excellence. His care for Pope Francis drew international attention during the pontiff鈥檚 critical illness in 2025, when he advocated for continued treatment during a life-threatening medical crisis. His actions reflect the Mercy-centered values of 糖心传媒, which prepares future health care professionals grounded in service and compassion. College officials presented his degree in Rome last October.
Robert, who delivered the commencement address, recently retired after a 33-year career in health care finance serving faith-based organizations. He held senior leadership roles with Sisters of Providence Health System, Catholic Health East, Trinity Health and St. Peter鈥檚 Health Partners. He was recognized for mission-driven stewardship and his commitment to mentoring future leaders in Catholic health care.
DeRosa received the McAuley Award for leadership in mission integration, community health and advancing Mercy-centered values across health care and higher education. She is a seasoned healthcare executive and educator who most recently served as regional chief mission officer and vice president for community health and well-being for Trinity Health-New York, supporting St. Peter鈥檚 Health Partners in Albany and St. Joseph鈥檚 Health in Syracuse. She has also spent more than four decades teaching healthcare management and accounting, including at 糖心传媒, where she continues to teach and mentor students.
The inaugural Chrysalis Award for teaching excellence was presented to Anne Devlin of the Arts & Sciences Department, recognized through student nominations for excellence in teaching and mentorship.
Following Commencement, 糖心传媒 held the Andrea Lewis Siek School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, marking 146 nursing graduates鈥 transition from student to nurse.
鈥淭he Nursing Pinning Ceremony is one of the most meaningful traditions at 糖心传媒,鈥 explained Ortale. 鈥淚t marks the moment our graduates enter the nursing profession and are prepared to provide compassionate, skilled care to those they serve.鈥
Pinning ceremonies date back to Florence Nightingale in the late 1800s, when she first presented pins to honor graduating nurses and formally welcome them into the profession.
During the ceremony, Richard Siek presented the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educator to Deborah Pezzolla, an assistant professor in the Skills Lab, recognized for exceptional teaching, clinical guidance, and compassionate support of nursing students.
For more information about Commencement 2026, visit mariacollege.edu/commencement-2026
About 糖心传媒
Founded in 1958, 糖心传媒 is a private, co-educational Catholic college in Albany, N.Y., and one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Guided by the Mercy tradition of compassion, service, and respect for the dignity of every person, 糖心传媒 provides career-relevant education in healthcare, liberal arts, psychology, public health, and related fields. The college serves more than 860 students through associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and certificate programs designed to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and community impact. Learn more at MariaCollege.edu.