LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College held its 21st annual Winter Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Performing Arts Center in the Robert S. Carey Student Center. Seventy-seven students were awarded degrees or certificates.
The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing conferred 38 degrees. The School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences conferred 27 degrees. The Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government conferred 12 degrees.
Austin K. Raines, a December graduate of the doctor of nurse anesthesia practice program, from Monroeville, received the Award for Academic Excellence in the Major Field of Study.
The graduates were presented by Dr. John T. Delaney, vice president for academic affairs. Rt. Rev. Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., S’84, archabbot of Saint Vincent Seminary and chancellor of the College, delivered the invocation.
Michael Keslar, C’80, divisional chief information officer for the Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BNY), president of BNY Pennsylvania and Saint Vincent College Board of Directors member, delivered the Commencement address. Rev. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, PhD, president of the College, presented Keslar with the Presidential Medal of Honor.
“Saint Vincent College has traditionally reserved its highest award, the Presidential Medal of Honor, for distinguished individuals whose life work represents the values, knowledge and accomplishments that are embodied in the mission of Saint Vincent,” Father Paul said. “We honor an exceptional alumnus who has been a pioneer in technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence to business practice. As well, he is a dedicated member of the Saint Vincent Board of Directors and has greatly aided the College.”
Keslar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Saint Vincent College, then a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business. His career spans four decades, during which time he has held executive leadership roles in engineering, commercial lending and operations.
In addition to sitting on the Technology Committee of the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors, Keslar is an Advisory Board member for the School of Computing and Information at the University of Pittsburgh. Keslar in 2023 was named a Saint Vincent College Alumni of Distinction and was awarded CIO of the Year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. The following year, he was recognized in the 2024 C-Suite Awards by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
“I've learned that most people try to advance in companies by grabbing the spotlight, taking credit and focusing on themselves … Don't crave the spotlight, amplify others. Don't take credit, give it away. Don't focus on yourself, focus on the team and others … do the opposite of what your ego wants. In simple terms, be humble,” Keslar told the graduates.
“As bullish as I am on technology, there are things that AI will never replace: trust and honesty. These are most important to my success; more important than any technical knowledge I've gained,” he continued. “My success was fueled by how I've treated people and how I built trust. Sounds simple, but it often can be hard to be honest when something is your fault, to speak the truth when it's unpopular, to provide people with difficult yet constructive feedback. AI is not going to replace integrity. The integrity you learned on this campus, how you treat people, how you conduct yourself, is your unautomated, irreplaceable superpower. Take it with you. Use AI, ride the wave of technology, but build your career on the foundation of trust … please take Saint Vincent's community with you. I have.”
Rev. Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey, closed the ceremony with a benediction.
