We're thrilled to celebrate your graduation weekend with you in 2024. Below, you'll find the schedule of events for your final days on campus, details about our commencement speaker, regalia, and other pertinent information as it becomes available. You're soon to join the ranks of AMU alumni – a momentous achievement!
We're excited to share this milestone event with you.
5:00 p.m., Ave Maria Catholic Church
No ticket required. Doors open at 4:15 p.m. Please observe the RESERVED SEATING signs.
6:30 p.m., Bob Thomas Student Union
Please present ticket at the door. Open seating . Cash bar (wine and beer). Deadline to purchase is APRIL 21, 2024. No tickets will be sold at the door!
7:30 a.m., Ave Maria Catholic Church
10:00 a.m., Golisano Field House
Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Please present ticket at the door.
Featured speaker: Father Mike Schmitz
Highlights, Commencement, 2023
Click to View Gallery
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Father Mike Schmitz is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth as well as the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.The Duluth Newman Center focuses on being fed through the sacraments as well as study and knowledge of the Church, and has thrived under his humble and Spirit-filled guidance. He has preached to thousands locally and nationally. He is the host of the widely popular podcasts Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year produced by Ascension. Father Mike also offers weekly homilies on iTunes, Hallow, and bulldogCatholic.org. He has appeared in programs for youth and young adults through Ascension Press, as well as through regular short video messages on Ascension Presents.
Nicholas Healy | Honorary Degree Recipient
Mr. Nicholas Healy is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and New York University School of Law. He practiced maritime law for seventeen years and taught Admiralty Law at both the New York University School of Law and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, New York. In 1980, Mr. Healy became CEO and Principal Owner of Lamorte, Burns, & Co., Inc., a nationwide marine insurance claims adjusting service.
After becoming a Trustee at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1984, Mr. Healy gained first-hand exposure to many of the challenges facing Catholic higher education. This eventually led him to seek to serve the Church in whatever way God might call him. In 1988, he was appointed Vice President for University Relations at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Later, in 1999, he assumed the presidency of what was then Ave Maria College. Mr. Healy went on to serve as President and CEO Ave Maria University until 2011. Following his time at AMU, Mr. Healy served as President of Newman College Ireland, a new Catholic liberal arts college located in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, from 2017 until 2019.
Mr. Healy and his wife Jane have been married for 60 years, and they have four children, thirteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Healy divide their time between their farm in Munsonville, New Hampshire and Ave Maria, Florida.
5050 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria, FL 34142
