Immaculata University will hold its 94th Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 18 at 6:00 p.m. for graduates of the College of Graduate Studies, and Sunday, May 20 at 10 a.m. for graduates of the College of Undergraduate Studies and 3 p.m. for graduates of the College of Adult Professional Studies (formerly the College of LifeLong Learning). This year 639 students are eligible to graduate.
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that the prestigious Immaculata Medal will be bestowed uponPatricia Baldi Holloway, who will also serve as the Commencement speaker during the ceremony for the College of Undergraduate Studies.
In addition, Immaculata will grant an honorary degree posthumously to Al Rinaldi (his wife and son will accept the award on his behalf). Marie Liguori Williams ’77, D.P.M. will also receive an honorary degree.
Patricia Baldi Holloway: The Immaculata Medal*
Patricia Baldi Holloway has spent her career focused on non-profit organizations such as breastcancer.org, St. Edmond’s Home, After School All Stars, Malvern Preparatory School, St. Charles Seminary, and St. Mary Magdalen School. Along with her volunteerism, Holloway is a benefactor to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education program, Unite for Her program, St. Mary Magdalen Church, Camilla Hall, and various local elementary and high schools. She has a special bond with Amigos de Jesus, an orphanage in Honduras that provides for over 120 children.
As an active member of the community, Holloway spent 11 years serving on the board of directors for Main Line Health and chaired the governance committee during her tenure. Currently, she is chair of the Paoli Hospital Foundation board. In recognition of her dedicated service, Holloway has received several awards, including receiving papal honors from Pope Francis and recently being named to the pontifical Order of St. Gregory as a Dame of St. Gregory, the single highest honor the Holy Father can bestow on an individual. In 2008, the Augustinians of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, of the order of St. Augustine, made her a member of the Augustinian Order. She has also received the Blue Torch Award from After School All Stars; the volunteerism award from St. Mary Magdalen; and the St. Augustine Award from Villanova University.
*The Immaculata Medal is bestowed upon men and women who have publicly exercised creative leadership or given evidence of sound scholarship in the arts, letters, sciences, or professions or served the University in an extraordinary manner.
Alfred C. Rinaldi: Doctor of Humane Letters
For over 40 years, Alfred C. Rinaldi was the visionary force and driving inspiration of the Jacobs Music Company, serving as chairman and CEO. As the exclusive regional representative for Steinway & Sons Pianos, Jacobs Music is one of the nation’s largest piano retailers. Although Rinaldi was a very successful businessman, his real achievements came from his long-standing commitment to serve and support regional musical organizations and institutions. Through his leadership, Jacobs Music has provided instruments and technical services while also supporting internationally renowned artists and regional music institutions. In 2014, Rinaldi passed away after a more than 50-year battle with cancer.
Marie Liguori Williams ’77, D.P.M.: Doctor of Humane Letters
As a podiatric surgeon in private practice in Miami, FL, Williams is the first clinical dean at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami Shores, Fla., and she is currently the program director at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura, Fla. A renowned speaker in the field of foot and ankle surgery, Williams has published several articles on the healing of complex wounds and limb salvage in addition to authoring a chapter for Bone Infections in Foot and Ankle Radiology. She was also involved with Barry University’s Yucatan Crippled Children’s Project, a humanitarian effort that helps thousands of Mexico’s disabled and indigent children. She also has lectured on the Truth About Drugsto youth in her community.