Misericordia University Announces Spring 2026 Commencement Speakers

Distinguished leaders in service, education and human rights to address graduate and undergraduate ceremonies

DALLAS, Pa. – Misericordia University will celebrate its Spring 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 9, with two ceremonies honoring graduate and undergraduate students and featuring distinguished speakers whose lives exemplify service, leadership and a commitment to making a difference.

The graduate commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by the undergraduate ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Both ceremonies will take place in the Anderson Sports-Health Center on campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania. 

The graduate ceremony will feature keynote addresses by Rabbi Larry Kaplan and Gerri Kaplan, who will also receive honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. 

Rabbi Kaplan has served since 1998 as the spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Wilkes-Barre and as a chaplain at the VA Medical Center. He has also shared his knowledge as an educator at Misericordia University and King’s College.

Gerri Kaplan, an educator and community leader, has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through education and outreach programs. Together, the Kaplans have made a profound impact through their commitment to foster care, opening their home to more than 125 children and creating a large, diverse and loving family.

Their shared life of faith, compassion and service reflects Misericordia University’s mission of mercy, justice and hospitality and offers an inspiring example for graduate students preparing to serve their communities.

The undergraduate ceremony will feature keynote speaker Kevin Hyland, OBE, who will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. 

Hyland is an internationally recognized leader in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, with more than 30 years of public service. He led London’s Human Trafficking Unit and later served as the United Kingdom’s first independent anti-slavery commissioner, advancing national and global strategies to combat exploitation and protect vulnerable populations.

A co-founder of the Santa Marta Group, Hyland has worked extensively with governments, law enforcement and international organizations, including the United Nations, to address modern slavery and support initiatives aimed at eradicating human trafficking and forced labor worldwide.

His dedication to justice, collaboration and human dignity provides a powerful message for undergraduate students as they prepare to enter an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Misericordia University’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies will celebrate the achievements of its graduates while highlighting the impact of individuals whose work reflects the university’s core values of mercy, service, justice and hospitality. 

The Spring Commencement Ceremonies will be broadcasted on Misericordia University's YouTube Channel to watch live. The broadcast of the ceremony will be recorded and made available on our YouTube channel for those that are unable to watch it live. To learn more, click here.