May 27, 2026 — Marist Italy celebrated the Class of 2026 during a commencement ceremony at the historic Istituto degli Innocenti in Florence, honoring the largest graduating class in the history of the 20-year partnership of Marist Italy and Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici.

The ceremony brought together 26 graduates and more than 240 in-person attendees, while family members, friends, and supporters from around the world also joined the celebration through the ceremony’s first global livestream on the Marist University commencement page.

Marist Italy graduates during Commencement in Florence. Photo by Simone Stanislai.

Graduating students represented five different countries across three continents. Students from the United States came from nine different states and completed majors across eight different disciplines, with several graduates completing more than one major.

Through Marist Italy’s partnership with Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici, students complete their degrees while living and studying in Florence within an immersive international environment that combines liberal arts education with hands-on cultural and creative experiences. Throughout their four years abroad, students developed as global citizens while building skills in creativity, adaptability, collaboration, and cross-cultural communication.

“Community does not happen accidentally. Belonging is built deliberately by students willing to invest in one another,” said Brad Miller, Interim Director of Marist Italy, during his opening remarks. “You built that community here.”

Miller described the graduating class as “forged” through their experience living and studying abroad, highlighting the resilience, leadership, and close-knit community that students built during their four years in Florence.

Lorenzo de’ Medici President Carla Guarducci speaking to Class of 2026. Photo by Simone Stanislai.

Lorenzo de’ Medici President Carla Guarducci reflected on the transformative nature of studying abroad and encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty and creativity.

“Study abroad also means this: leaving behind what feels familiar, allowing yourself to be challenged by new places, people, and ideas, and accepting the uncertainty that comes with transformation,” Guarducci said. “We’re usually thought to seek comfort and certainty, but creativity rarely begins there. It often begins when we are upset, not having complete answers. Only then can we truly create and learn.”

President Weinman celebrating with Marist Italy graduates with cake and beverages. Photo by Simone Stanislai.

Marist University President Kevin Weinman congratulated graduates on helping shape a historic chapter for the institution as Marist transitioned from a college to a university.

“You came to Marist College. You now graduate from Marist University,” Weinman said. “Few American colleges of Marist’s size have accredited branch campuses outside of the United States. One of the main reasons Marist could even dream of becoming a university is because of this program and because of all of you.”

Throughout the ceremony, students honored the faculty and staff members who played meaningful roles in their educational journeys. Each graduate nominated a professor or mentor who had a significant impact on their experience at Marist Italy-LDM, and 20 faculty and staff members took the stage to share personal reflections about the students who nominated them.

For the first time in program history, the ceremony also featured two graduating student speakers, Jordan Rainey '26 and Theodore Lance '26, representing the Class of 2026.

Reflecting on the friendships, cultural exchange, and shared experiences that shaped the close-knit group in Florence, Jordan spoke about the bonds students built throughout their four years abroad. She emphasized how those connections grew through differences, challenges, and the experience of navigating life in a foreign country together.

Jordan Rainey '26 speaking at Marist Italy Commencement. Photo by Simone Stanislai.

“Our friendships haven’t been built on similarities, but instead out of appreciation for our differences,” said Jordan. “Attending University in a foreign country, and sticking to it, sets us apart. We were always going to be extraordinary. Florence just made sure we knew it.”

Theodore Lance '26 speaking at Marist Italy Commencement. Photo by Simone Stanislai.

Theodore reflected on arriving in Florence as an 18-year-old who did not speak Italian or know what the Duomo was. He spoke about the personal growth and global perspective students gained during their time abroad, and how the experience prepared them to confidently embrace the future. 

“We are the most prepared to succeed at this new adventure, this new world,” Theodore said. “A world that now feels smaller than it was, more approachable. We are uniquely prepared to make a difference in the world.”

The ceremony concluded with the conferral of degrees and a celebration honoring the graduates and their families.

The Marist Italy campus in Florence offers a total of 9 different bachelor’s degree programs. While some students choose to earn their full degrees in Florence, others opt for a study abroad experience at the sister campus in Poughkeepsie, or in other locations like Korea, Japan, France, and many more destinations, which can last a year, a semester, or even a few weeks.

Watch the full ceremonies here.