Quincy University awarded two honorary degrees at its 163rd Spring Commencement ceremony on May 16.
The honorary degrees went to Michael W. Hennessy ’72 and Carole J. Hennessy ’73.
Michael W. Hennessy was awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters. He retired as president and Chief Executive Officer of the Coleman Foundation, a fully endowed, private, charitable foundation established by J.D. and Dorothy Coleman, previous owners of the Fannie May Candy Company. Michael Hennessy began his career with Fannie May by developing internal operating systems and marketing strategies, which were then implemented into all company advertising, marketing and operational responsibilities. He served as a member of the company’s Board of Directors and was Chief Operating Officer of Fannie May. When Fannie May was sold, Michael Hennessy partnered with a colleague to carry out the day-to-day operations of the Coleman Foundation. He assumed the Presidency in 1993 and the CEO position in 1995.
During Hennessy’s 30-year tenure with the Coleman Foundation, the Foundation made over 6,800 grants in the areas of cancer support and treatment, education on self-employment, and vocational training for the developmentally disabled. He expanded the Foundation’s inaugural entrepreneurship education programs by developing additional secondary programs, collegiate entrepreneurship chairs and professorships, and community outreach programs. As a Quincy University alumnus and advocate of entrepreneurship, Michael Hennessy has generously supported the Quincy University Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
Michael Hennessy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a teaching certificate from Quincy University in 1972. He and his wife, Carole, moved to Quincy when he accepted a teaching position in a dropout prevention program with Quincy Public Schools. After earning a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Western Illinois University, Michael Hennessy took an active role in the counseling and guidance programs at Quincy High School before moving to the Chicago area.
Carole J. Hennessy was awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters. She has signature membership in the National Watercolor Society, Watercolor USA Honor Society and Illinois Watercolor Society, and is an associate member of the American Watercolor Society. She serves as President of the Board for the Watercolor USA Honor Society.
While actively engaged in the Chicago art community, Carole Hennessy continues to paint and competitively exhibit her work. Her work has been exhibited in many local, regional, national, and international exhibitions including shows in Italy, Spain and Canada. With a concentration on watercolor for more than 40 years, she has furthered her experience through workshops with nationally known watercolor artists. Carole Hennessy usually works in series and most of her work has dealt with the landscape, especially the rural areas of the Midwest farmland. Her selected group exhibitions include: Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition in eleven of the past thirteen years; Watercolor NOW! in various locations across the nation, eight times; Watercolor USA, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO, six times; and Fabriano in Aquarello watercolor event, Fabriano, Italy, four times.
Carole Hennessy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a teaching certificate from Quincy University in 1973, and she generously supports the Quincy University Art Department. She has taught art at high school and elementary levels in both Illinois and Missouri and started her own framing and arts consulting business.
The 2026 QU spring graduating class was composed of 208 graduates including 186 undergraduate and 22 graduate degree recipients.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design