Class of 2026 with President Franco Pavoncello and Dean Nicholas Startin
On May 18, 2026, John Cabot University celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Commencement ceremony held at Villa Miani in Rome. With 339 students from 44 countries receiving their Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Associate of Arts degrees, it was JCU’s largest graduating class to date.
Invocation and President Franco Pavoncello’s Address
His Most Eminent Highness Frà John T. Dunlap, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, delivered an ecumenical invocation, praying for graduates to have the courage to follow their dreams, the wisdom to make the right decisions, and hearts eager to serve others.
JCU President Franco Pavoncello congratulated the Class of 2026, highlighting that graduates received an exceptional liberal arts education rooted in critical thinking, creativity, and multicultural exchange. According to President Pavoncello, in a rapidly changing world shaped by technologies like AI, the skills that graduates have gained — such as ethical reasoning, imagination, and collaboration — remain essential and enduring. He read out a list of prestigious US and international universities that will welcome members of the Class of 2026 for graduate studies, as well as the many distinguished organizations and companies that have offered graduates employment.
President Pavoncello, who is stepping down after 21 years at the helm of JCU, shared personal reflections on his time at the university. “This has been a long and meaningful journey for me, first as Dean and then President, full of great inspiring moments and successes, as well as unexpected and daunting challenges. They have taught me important lessons: pursue your dreams, but while you do, remember that obstacles are opportunities for growth and that thoughtful action is always the right choice. Be ready to seize unexpected opportunities and stay true to yourself, understanding that time is the most valuable resource and should be used wisely to build a life you will be proud of.”
Congratulations from Board of Trustees Chair Salvatore Salibello
On behalf of the JCU Board of Trustees, Chair Salvatore Salibello congratulated the Class of 2026 not only on their academic achievements but also for developing character, responsibility, and a commitment to leadership through service. He concluded with a call to act with courage, wisdom, and integrity, reminding graduates to value their education and use it responsibly as they embark on their future.
Commencement Speaker Nobel Laureate Giorgio Parisi, Recipient of Honorary Degree
From left: President Pavoncello and Professor Giorgio Parisi
Born and raised in Rome, Professor Giorgio Parisi, professor of theoretical physics at Sapienza University of Rome, was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics jointly with Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann for their groundbreaking contributions to the theory of complex systems, revealing the hidden order that lies beneath apparent disorder. From the behavior of atoms to the flight of birds to the dynamics of climate, these discoveries have transformed not only theoretical physics but also fields as diverse as biology, neuroscience, economics, and artificial intelligence. Over the course of his career, Professor Parisi has made decisive contributions to particle physics, statistical mechanics, fluid dynamics, condensed matter physics, and the study of complex systems. He is the author of over 600 scientific articles and four books.
President Pavoncello conferred upon Professor Parisi the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa: “Professor Giorgio Parisi, your work on the behavior of complex systems has impacted the fields of physics, biology, mathematics, and computer science, opening new vistas in the scientific world,” said President Pavoncello.
In thanking JCU for the honor, Professor Parisi said: “Receiving the doctorate from a university that has built its identity around liberal arts, critical thinking, and ethical knowledge means a great deal to me.”
In his speech, Professor Parisi reflected on lifelong learning, using scientific metaphors to offer graduates guidance for their future. He began with the example of the flight of starlings, a spectacular sight in the skies above Rome during winter, asking why they never collide with each other. “My colleagues and I discovered that the complex, coordinated movements of starlings arise not from a central leader but from simple local interactions, with each bird responding only to its closest neighbors.” From this, he drew a broader lesson: individuals may not see the full shape of the world, but by acting with honesty, responsibility, and care toward those around them, they collectively shape society. According to Professor Parisi, every aspect of culture and scholarship must contribute to a shared system.
Graduation, Professor Parisi suggested, is not the end of education but the moment when one realizes how much there is still to discover — an invitation to remain curious rather than discouraged. He also reminded graduates that important ideas often emerge in moments of rest and reflection, and that failure is an essential part of scientific progress and of life.
"I have remained a student my entire life. The day you graduate is the day you have built a fire large enough to illuminate a portion of the darkness — the darkness where questions that you never even thought you could ask lie. Now you can ask them and seek answers throughout your lives. Class of 2026 at John Cabot University, may your fire glow even brighter!"
Conferral of Honorary Degree Upon President Franco Pavoncello
From left: Chair Salibello and President Pavoncello
Chair Salvatore Salibello returned to the podium to confer the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa upon President Franco Pavoncello, who has led the University for over two decades with exceptional vision, intellectual leadership, and unwavering dedication. A widely respected scholar of political science, Pavoncello brought both academic rigor and an expansive global perspective to his presidency, beginning in 2006.
Under his leadership, the University has grown and flourished. Enrollment has reached record levels, and the physical campus has been transformed through major milestones, including the Tiber Campus, new student residences, the expansion of the Frohring Library, and the purchase of the Caroline Critelli Guarini Campus, JCU’s first owned property and a lasting symbol of its permanent presence in Rome. At the same time, he oversaw the strengthening of JCU’s academic profile, launching new graduate programs, establishing the Frank J. Guarini School of Business, and achieving the prestigious AACSB accreditation.
Yet, even amid this extraordinary growth, President Pavoncello has remained deeply committed to preserving the University’s defining values: a close-knit academic community, personal mentorship, and a steadfast dedication to liberal arts education and international dialogue. His leadership has helped shape generations of students into thoughtful, responsible global citizens.
“Today, we celebrate not only a visionary president and accomplished scholar, but also a leader whose wisdom, humanity, and integrity have left an enduring mark on John Cabot University and all those whose lives he has touched,” said Chair Salibello.
In his acceptance remarks, President Franco Pavoncello expressed deep gratitude to the Board of Trustees for the honor, emphasizing that the recognition reflects not only his own work but the collective efforts of the entire John Cabot University community. He highlighted the support of his family — his wife, daughters, and granddaughter — as essential to his journey and leadership.
Pavoncello also paid tribute to the dedication of JCU’s faculty and staff, acknowledging their shared commitment to students and to the University’s growth and success. “Indeed, it takes a village. We built a wonderful university, and this honorary degree is an inspiring recognition of the strength of our marvelous community, whose future is so full of promise. Thank you for all your support during the years, and best of luck for the next decades.”
Valedictorian Ekaterina Panferova
Class of 2026 Valedictorian Ekaterina Panferova
Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Ekaterina graduated from John Cabot University summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Political Science.
In her speech, Ekaterina expressed gratitude to the university leadership, faculty, staff, and families who supported the Class of 2026 throughout their journey.
Using the metaphor of an imperfect and unpredictable map, Ekaterina reflected on the student experience as one defined not by a clear, linear path but by detours and uncertainty. She highlighted the lasting impact of friendships, shared experiences, and intellectual growth, urging graduates to remain curious, adaptable, and open-minded. “Class of 2026, may our maps always be a little incomplete. We are not here to follow one perfect route, but to draw our own. Sometimes this will mean facing a wall but remember: we have learned to go around the walls, climb over them, or even walk through those generated by AI. And remember, go slowly so you do not miss the great sights along the way. I hope we stay curious enough to take unfamiliar roads, brave enough to begin again, and humble enough to change our minds.”
Conferral of Degrees
Dean of Academic Affairs Nicholas Startin presented diplomas to the graduates, who received the following degrees:
Master of Arts in Art History, Master of Arts in International Affairs
Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Business Administration, Classical Studies, Communications, Economics and Finance, English Literature, History, Humanistic Studies, International Affairs, International Business, Italian Studies, Marketing, Political Science, and Psychological Science
Associate of Arts in International Affairs, Liberal Arts, and Political Science
Congratulations, Class of 2026, from the entire JCU community!
