Sparkill, NY – St. Thomas Aquinas College will honor academic excellence, leadership, and service at its annual Honors Convocation on Tuesday, April 8, recognizing more than 200 students for their achievements and celebrating two longtime academic leaders as they prepare for retirement.
The Convocation will highlight students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, including those named to the prestigious Distinguished Dean’s List and inductees into 14 academic honor societies. Select students will also receive awards for outstanding leadership and community service—pillars of the College’s mission.
“Honors Convocation is a celebration of our vibrant community of scholars,” said President Ken Daly. “We are proud to recognize students for their intellectual growth and perseverance, and to celebrate our faculty who guide and support them every step of the way.”
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Barbara Mistick, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). A respected national leader in higher education, Mistick will also be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service during the ceremony. Since joining NAICU in 2019, she has played a pivotal role in advocating for financial aid and ensuring equitable federal funding for private colleges, including St. Thomas Aquinas College, where 40 percent of students receive Pell Grants.
The College will also honor Dr. Meenakshi Gajira, Dean of the School of Education, and Professor Michael J. Murphy, Dean of the School of Business, who will be named Faculty Emeriti in recognition of their years of service, program innovation, and mentorship of generations of students.
“Deans Gajira and Murphy have each left a lasting imprint on the academic life of our institution,” said Daly. “Their retirement is both a moment of celebration and gratitude.”
Mistick brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in education and business. Prior to leading NAICU, she served as President of Wilson College, President Emerita, and held senior roles at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and in the private sector. Her recent work includes overseeing NAICU’s first national economic impact report, which showed private nonprofit colleges contribute $652 billion to the U.S. economy and support 3.4 million jobs.
The event comes as the College continues to experience significant momentum, with applications and deposits for Fall 2025 up 50%. Prospective students are encouraged to apply by May 1 to be considered for the incoming class.
For more information about the Honors Convocation, contact Christine Smith, Assistant to the Provost, at csmith@stac.edu. For admissions inquiries, reach out to Lorraine Derwin, Associate Director of Admissions, at lderwin@stac.edu.