58 Years of Mercy and one Powerful Message for the Carlow University Class of 2026

Sister Sheila Carney — a native of Pittsburgh, graduate of Our Lady of Mercy Academy and Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) — will return to her alma mater to deliver the 2026 Commencement address and receive an honorary degree.

Just months after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities (ACCU) — one of Catholic higher education’s most prestigious honours — Sister Sheila will stand before Carlow’s graduating class and inspire the next generation of mission-driven leaders.

“Sister Sheila embodies the very best of us,” said Carlow President Kathy Humphrey, PhD. “Her impact on Carlow is both profound and deeply personal. As an alum, a Sister of Mercy, and a trusted member of our leadership community, she has helped define what it means to live our mission each day. As our graduates prepare to take the next step, they will hear from someone who has spent her life putting mercy into action.”

The Carlow University 2026 Commencement Ceremony - featuring keynote address by Sister Sheila Carney, RSM, Special Assistant to the President for Mercy Heritage & Service - will take place on Saturday 9th May at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Sister Sheila will be delivering her speech to the largest graduation class in Carlow’s nearly century-long history.

You can watch the live stream from 5.00pm local time to Pittsburgh, USA here.

A life of putting Mercy into Action

Sister Sheila Carney, RSM, has served the Church, her community, and Carlow University for more than five decades.

Sister Sheila has been a Sister of Mercy of the Americas for 58 years and has served the Church and her community in a wide range of leadership, educational, and ministerial roles at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

She founded the Carlow Food Pantry, serving the campus and surrounding Pittsburgh community

She also established The Braided Community, an intergroup dialogue initiative connecting the Sisters of Mercy, Carlow, and West Oakland neighbours

Sister Sheila co-authored Praying with Catherine McAuley and published widely on spirituality and mission

Sister Sheila is Chair of the Board of Mercy International Association. She also chairs the Board of McAuley Ministries and serves as Vice Postulator for the Cause for the Canonization of Catherine McAuley

She is a recipient of the 2026 ACCU Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2010 Conference for Mercy Higher Education Leadership Medal.

ENDS