Commencement at Elms College

James (Jim) W. Keyes is a global business leader, best-selling author, philanthropist, artist, musician, commercial pilot, and modern renaissance man. He is the former CEO of two internally recognized Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven, Inc. and Blockbuster, Inc. His business interests span retail, consumer products, technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, new space, energy, and advanced nuclear. He sits on several public company boards and serves as a board adviser to a venture capital firm and a number of start-up companies.

Keyes’ philanthropic initiatives have an equally broad focus, including serving a three-term seat on the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross, acting as the former Chairman of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and serving on the board of directors for institutions such as UT Southwestern Medical School, Cooper Institute, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dallas Performing Arts Center, SMU Cox School of Business, Columbia Business School, and his alma mater, College of the Holy Cross.

Keyes is a personification of the American Dream, as he comes from humble beginnings. He was inducted in 2005 as a Member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. In 2024, he received the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award presented by Methodist Health System Foundation to recognize demonstrated community leadership.

With a lifelong commitment to education, Keyes is the founding director of the Dallas Education Foundation and the Education Is Freedom Foundation. He is the author of Education is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands, which provides the “what,” “why,” and “how” of learning. It outlines the importance of education for all humanity, the power of education to change our world, and the wisdom to unlock our personal freedom while preserving our democracy.

— Honorary Degree Recipient —

Sr. Annette M. McDermott

Sr. McDermott serves as director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the Sisters of St. Joseph. In this role, she advances initiatives focused on systemic justice, public policy, and ecological responsibility.

She previously served for more than a decade as dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at Mount Holyoke College and as cabinet secretary for Social Concern for the Diocese of Springfield, guiding diocesan policy on housing, labor, immigration, and welfare reform.

— Via Veritatis Medal Recipient —

Regina Hitchery ‘71

A graduate of Elms College, Hitchery earned her degree magna cum laude and went on to complete graduate studies at University College Dublin, Connecticut College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has held leadership roles at global organizations, including Otis Elevator, Carrier Corporation Worldwide, United Technologies Corporation, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Pratt & Whitney.

A dedicated member of the Elms community, Hitchery has served on the College’s Board of Trustees and has supported initiatives such as the Dolores Donlin Noonan ‘39 Experiential Learning Program in honor of her mother. The Experiential Learning Program ensures that all students participate in at least one high-impact experiential learning activity during their time at the College.