Quincy University to host 162ND Commencement ceremony
Quincy University will host its 162nd Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Quincy University’s Football Stadium, 20th and Sycamore. The 2025 spring graduating class is comprised of 180 graduates including 157 undergraduate and 23 graduate degree recipients.
The procession will be led by University marshal, Robert Mejer, distinguished professor of art, and assistant marshals, Dr. David Kirchhofer and Dr. Scott Luaders, professors of physics and chemistry, respectively. Dr. Sarah Vordtriede-Patton, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will confer degrees. Dr. Kimberly Hale, associate provost, will convene the ceremony. Reverend Daren Zehnle ’00, JCL, director of campus ministry, will deliver the invocation, and Reverend Robert Barko ’81, MDiv, assistant campus ministry, will provide the benediction. Dr. Jonathan Stewart, director of choral activities, will perform the National Anthem, and Rachel Hommert ’25 and Austin Wood ’25 will perform the Quincy University Alma Mater. Both performances will be accompanied by Dr. J. Matthew Ward, assistant professor of history.
QU Graduates elected senior representative Katalina Lopez to deliver the program’s welcome address. Lopez is a sport management major and criminal justice minor. She was an orientation leader, Resident Director, founding member of Sigma Phi Eta, and is in the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice honor society. After graduation, Lopez will return to QU to earn her master’s in counseling and will be a graduate assistant for Student Athlete Development and Engagement in the Student Development department.
Ralph Oakley ’80, chair of the QU Board of Trustees, will deliver the commencement address. Oakley is the retired CEO of Quincy Media, Inc. and has continued the Oakley family tradition of significant involvement in community and industry activities.
William H. Metzinger will be awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Human Letters during the ceremony. Metzinger is employed by Dot Family Holdings LLC. For 24 years, he was Chief Financial Officer of Dot Foods, Inc. After concluding his work at Dot Foods, Inc., Metzinger was instrumental in the formation of Dot Family Holdings LLC, which enabled the diversification of Dot Foods, Inc. by purchasing other distribution companies. He has served as a senior executive of Dot Family Holdings LLC for the past nine years.
During Metzinger’s leadership, the combined annual sales for the Dot organizations grew from $300 million to $14 billion. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of several of the Dot Family Holdings companies. Metzinger’s professional career began as a certified public accountant with the Quincy-area accounting firm of Gray Hunter Stenn LLP. He worked in the healthcare industry as President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary Hospital in Quincy, Illinois, prior to joining Dot Foods, Inc.
Metzinger earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Quincy University in 1974 and earned his Certified Public Accountant license from the University of Illinois in 1976. He has served on the Quincy University Board of Trustees for twenty-two years and has been Vice Chair of the Board since 2018. Metzinger is a member of the Blessing Corporate Services Board of Trustees and has served on the boards of several not-for-profit community organizations. Metzinger was recognized as Quincy University Alumnus of the year in 2010. He and his wife, Sue, have been consistent supporters of and champions for Quincy University.
The commencement ceremony will be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/live/lRKYm8Z4JpY?feature=share.
Additional commencement festivities on May 16 include Champaign Brunch for graduates at 11:00 a.m. in QU’s Main Dining Room and Baccalaureate Mass at 5:00 p.m. in St. Francis Chapel in Francis Hall. QU graduates can also participate in Festival on Friars’ Field with fun activities for graduates and their families on Friars’ Field east of Francis Hall from 1 – 4 p.m.
For media inquiries, contact Chris Brennemann at communityrelations@quincy.edu or 217-228-5219.
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.
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