St. John Fisher University conferred master’s and doctoral degrees upon more than 450 graduates during two ceremonies on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.
The Friday ceremony celebrated graduate degree recipients of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, M.S. in Nursing, and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling. On Saturday, MBA, Doctorate in Executive Leadership, M.S. in Education: Educational Leadership, M.S. in Inclusive Adolescence Education, M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education, M.S. in Library Media, M.S. in Literacy Education, and Doctor of Pharmacy graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas.
The University also bestowed the President’s Medal upon Dr. Peter C. Carpino ’72, former president, United Way of Greater Rochester. He was recognized for his leadership, service, and commitment to non-profits, higher education, and Fisher.
Carpino addressed graduates, offering advice on six lessons he has learned from reflecting on his life and career since his graduation from Fisher, including to listen to their heart, not just their head; actively listen and listen first; stay humble; serve others; strive for wisdom; and take time to celebrate. He left the graduates with his wife’s mantra.
“I’d like to share with you the five simple words that define my wife Mel’s philosophy of life,” he shared. “I strongly encourage you to embrace them as your own. Those five words are: Do Good and Have Fun.”
After graduates received their diplomas, fellow graduates Katerina Nuñez and Danielle Valerino, delivered remarks at their respective ceremonies.
“Graduates, as we enter this next chapter of our lives as professional helpers and healers, we will make an impact. We’ll make our presence known. We’ll empower. Celebrate others who succeed and lend a hand to those who stumble,” said Nuñez. “As graduates in the fields of mental health counseling and nursing, we each hold genuine social power to initiate change. What are we going to do with that power?”
Valerino noted that what really defines success is often overlooked, how you show up.
“The difference between average and exceptional is almost never talent. It’s follow-through. It’s ownership. It’s being the person others can count on when things are busy, messy, or inconvenient,” she said. “Be the person who shows up. Because titles change. Roles change. Seasons change. But reputation follows you. And the world, especially the complicated, fast-moving, high-stakes world you’re leading in now, doesn’t need more people who do the minimum. It needs more people who show up, who take ownership, and who leave things better than they found them.”
Master’s and Doctoral Candidates Earn Degrees2026-05-09T22:30:26-04:00St. John Fisher University conferred master’s and doctoral degrees upon more than 450 graduates during two ceremonies on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.The Friday ceremony celebrated graduate degree recipients of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, M.S. in Nursing, and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling. On Saturday, MBA, Doctorate in Executive Leadership, M.S. in Education: Educational Leadership, M.S. in Inclusive Adolescence Education, M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education, M.S. in Library Media, M.S. in Literacy Education, and Doctor of Pharmacy graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas.
The University also bestowed the President’s Medal upon Dr. Peter C. Carpino ’72, former president, United Way of Greater Rochester. He was recognized for his leadership, service, and commitment to non-profits, higher education, and Fisher.
Carpino addressed graduates, offering advice on six lessons he has learned from reflecting on his life and career since his graduation from Fisher, including to listen to their heart, not just their head; actively listen and listen first; stay humble; serve others; strive for wisdom; and take time to celebrate. He left the graduates with his wife’s mantra.
“I’d like to share with you the five simple words that define my wife Mel’s philosophy of life,” he shared. “I strongly encourage you to embrace them as your own. Those five words are: Do Good and Have Fun.”
After graduates received their diplomas, fellow graduates Katerina Nuñez and Danielle Valerino, delivered remarks at their respective ceremonies.
“Graduates, as we enter this next chapter of our lives as professional helpers and healers, we will make an impact. We’ll make our presence known. We’ll empower. Celebrate others who succeed and lend a hand to those who stumble,” said Nuñez. “As graduates in the fields of mental health counseling and nursing, we each hold genuine social power to initiate change. What are we going to do with that power?”
Valerino noted that what really defines success is often overlooked, how you show up.
“The difference between average and exceptional is almost never talent. It’s follow-through. It’s ownership. It’s being the person others can count on when things are busy, messy, or inconvenient,” she said. “Be the person who shows up. Because titles change. Roles change. Seasons change. But reputation follows you. And the world, especially the complicated, fast-moving, high-stakes world you’re leading in now, doesn’t need more people who do the minimum. It needs more people who show up, who take ownership, and who leave things better than they found them.” /media/news-images/spring-2026/may/Graduate-Header.jpg
