Quincy University hosted its 163rd Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Quincy University’s Football & Lacrosse Stadium before moving indoors to Pepsi Arena due to inclement weather. The 2026 spring graduating class is composed of 208 graduates including 186 undergraduate and 22 graduate degree recipients.
The procession was be led by university marshal, Dr. Robert Manning, dean of the school of humanities and professor of philosophy, and assistant marshals Dr. David Kirchhofer and Dr. Scott Luaders, professors of physics and chemistry, respectively. Dr. Brian McGee, university president, confered degrees. Dr. Sarah Vordtriede-Patton, provost and vice president for academic affairs, convened the ceremony. Reverend Robert Barko ’81, MDiv, director of campus ministry, delivered the invocation, and Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, J.D., LL.D., Bishop, provided the benediction. Mia Blaesing ‘26, Raven Sweeney ‘26, Ian Malaney, Adam Meerstein ‘26 performed the National Anthem and the Quincy University Alma Mater.
QU graduates elected senior representative Luisa Andrade to deliver the program’s welcome address. From Brazil, Andrade is a political science/pre-law major with a minor in criminal justice. She has been active with Women in Law, Alpha Phi Sigma, Sigma Phi Eta, and the Residence Life team. Andrade was involved in creating Student Government and starting a chapter for Pi Sigma Alpha at QU (Poli Sci Honors Society). After graduation, Andrade will pursue a law degree.
Sam Banks ’76, retired Director and Board Member at Busey Bank in Champaign, Illinois, delivered the commencement address. He spent over thirty years working with abused, neglected and dependent children from throughout Illinois and was former President and CEO of the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club. He served at Chaddock in Quincy, was President and CEO of Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana, and President and CEO of Glenwood School for Boys and Girls, a residential boarding school for at-risk, low-income students from throughout the Chicago area. Banks was an NCAA Division I basketball official for 20 years, officiated games in the Big Ten, Missouri Valley and other Division I conferences, and worked the NCAA and NIT tournaments. Banks was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as an Official in 2016. Banks served on the Quincy University Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2009. He was re-elected in 2023 and is a current Board member.
The commencement ceremony was livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/bvWcGgTq1KE?feature=share.
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.