Marian University to hold Commencement Ceremony Saturday, May 4th

Marian University is pleased to announce its featured speaker and student speaker for Commencement on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Marian University is awarding attorney, leader and entrepreneur John Daniels, Jr., the 2024 Magnificat Award in recognition for his outstanding leadership in both the legal and civic spheres and his tireless advocacy for high-quality education for underserved communities.  The Magnificat Award recognizes a person who has a life of selfless service dedicated to social justice and active compassion, for which Marian University stands.

Born in Alabama and raised in Milwaukee, Daniels graduated from Harvard Law School in 1974.  He earned his M.S. from University of Wisconsin, Madison and his B.A. from North Central College in Naperville, IL.  Daniels joined Quarles & Brady, LLP, a full-service law firm in Milwaukee, in 1974 as the firm’s first African American Attorney.  By 1981, he was named a partner.  He later became one of the first African Americans in the country to lead a major law firm, when he was named chairman and managing partner of Quarles in 2007.  Daniels has served on many boards, focusing on the areas of education, financial services, health care, and real estate.  Beyond the boardroom, Daniel’s impact reverberates throughout the community, where he has been a steadfast advocate for education, racial justice, and social change.

The student speaker is Thalia (Kali) Moreno, a Radiologic Technology Major from Peoria, IL.  Moreno’s story is one of resilience – she was a student-athlete, who played on Marian’s Women’s Soccer and Lacrosse teams.  But when she switched her major to Radiologic Technology, she started late and fell behind her cohort.  Discouraged, she dropped out of college her junior year.  But when the Marian faculty and staff kept contacting her, she knew she had to come back. “Not one person gave up on me.  Including myself,” she says.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm on the Herr-Baker Field on the Marian University campus in Fond du Lac. Robing will begin at 11:00 am in the Fieldhouse.  You must already have a ticket to attend the ceremony, but it will be available online to the public at a later date.