More than 7,000 people made their way to the Le Moyne campus this weekend to celebrate commencement for the class of 2012. Starting with the graduate ceremony Friday and concluding with yesterday’s undergraduate commencement, the weekend featured perfect weather as family and friends helped graduates mark their special day.

St. Joseph’s Hospital CEO Kathryn Ruscitto ’76 spoke to a crowd of approximately 1,000  Friday night, including graduates of Le Moyne’s MBA program, and those receiving their Master of Science (MS) in Education, MS for Teachers, MS for Nursing, MS for Physician Assistant Studies and Certificate of Advanced Studies.

With more than 6,000 on hand, Sunday’s outdoor ceremony presented diplomas to those receiving a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science under the Division of Arts and Science, and BS degrees from the Madden School of Business. The speaker was Dr. John B. King Jr., New York’s commissioner of education.

Thanks to one of the College’s most generous benefactors, the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne will benefit current and future students by strengthening curricular resources, introducing cutting-edge technology and developing a dedicated space to house the new School. The Madden School of Business at Le Moyne was made possible by a $7 million gift – the second largest single donation in College history – from Mike Madden, a member of the Le Moyne class of 1971. The announcement took place last night at the 26th annual Accounting and Business Administration Alumni Dinner.

Le Moyne students returning for the beginning of the Spring 2012 semester have a brand new shining facility for classes – the 48,000-square-foot science addition. Built for just under $20 million, the structure represents the largest and most expensive single construction project ever undertaken on Le Moyne’s campus.

View building dedication ad that ran in the Syracuse Post-Standard

As part of the Ignatian Colleagues Program (ICP), Dr. Shawn Ward of the psychology department, recently traveled to  San Salvador, El Salvador. Dr. Ward was among 12 individuals -- representing 10 Jesuit institutions -- who took part in the trip.

Cross-cultural dialogue can take many forms. Following intellectual threads across the history and traditions of human thought, Associate Professor William Day of the Philosophy Department models an openness to new intellectual terrain for Le Moyne students and colleagues alike.