Father Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of Saint Anselm College, announced that award-winning journalist 
will deliver the address at the college’s 115th commencement exercises Saturday, May 17. Ceremonies will start at 2 p.m.
Ms. Aguirre Ferré is a highly accomplished, bilingual journalist in both print and broadcast, as well a community leader who serves as chair of the Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College, the largest community college in the country.
She is the opinion page editor and columnist of Diario Las Américas, the independent, Spanish-language newspaper that her family owns and that was founded in Miami in 1953. Her Sunday column covers current, national and international affairs.
She also is the moderator of the weekly WPBT public affairs series Issues, reaching audiences from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys, and serves as host for many of the station’s public affairs specials. She has interviewed heads of state, particularly from Latin America, and some of the most important figures in American politics.
Ms. Aguirre Ferré has a strong commitment to community service. She is the first woman to chair the Miami Dade College board, and she was recently named to the board of directors of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in the United States. Her other involvements include serving as president of the Angels of Mercy of Mercy Hospital, a member of the Florida Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, and a national member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Helen Aguirre Ferré holds a B.A. in political science from Barry University and an M.A. in Inter American Studies from the University of Miami, Florida.
Honorary degrees will be awarded to Ms. Aguirre Ferré and:
Denise Askin - a longtime faculty member of the English Department and former executive vice president of Saint Anselm College. Dr. Askin will be retiring from full-time work this year;
Walter Gallo – celebrating his 50th anniversary of graduation from Saint Anselm, Mr. Gallo is the former director of alumni and vice president for development and endowment at the college;
Brother Rene Roy, F.M.S. - religious, missionary, educator, and current president of Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Mass.