PHILADELPHIA (May 14, 2026)—As Moore College of Art & Design celebrates the achievements of the Class of 2026 at its 177th Commencement, two influential voices in the arts, Cecilia Fitzgibbon and Dr. Sheena C. Howard, will take the stage to speak to a new generation of artists stepping into their careers. Both keynote speakers will receive honorary doctorate of fine arts degrees at the ceremony at 11 am on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Academy of Music. The College will also present celebrated hospitality designer Kate Rohrer ’05 with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Moore will confer degrees on 133 students—124 bachelor of fine arts (BFA) and 9 master of arts—marking the second largest class in more than two decades. Students in programs including Animation & Game Arts, Art Education, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design and Photography will complete their studies prepared to enter professional practice across creative industries.
“Commencement is one of the most meaningful moments in our year because it brings our entire community together and connects our past, present and future. Our graduates are stepping forward into their next chapter, and our alumni honorees return as examples of what a Moore education makes possible,” said Cathy Young, president, Moore College of Art & Design. “We are proud to celebrate this year’s students for their creativity and ambition while also recognizing an accomplished alumna and distinguished arts leaders whose work continues to shape the creative community. Together, they reflect the enduring strength of Moore’s legacy and the momentum of its future.”
Fitzgibbon served as 10th president of Moore College of Art & Design from 2012 until her retirement in June 2022, when she was named president emerita in recognition of her distinguished leadership. As president she guided Moore through significant institutional growth, strengthened financial resources, advanced academic and leadership initiatives, and stewarded the community through the COVID-19 pandemic. Fitzgibbon’s nationally recognized career in arts leadership and higher education includes prior senior roles at Drexel University, the Delaware Division of the Arts, the New England Foundation for the Arts and The Pew Charitable Trusts. She is a frequent national and international speaker on arts leadership and cultural policy.
Howard is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and professor of communication at Rider University who explores storytelling, culture and representation. In 2014, she became the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award for her groundbreaking book Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation. She is author and editor of critically acclaimed books, including the award-winning Encyclopedia of Black Comics and Why Wakanda Matters, and has also written for Marvel and DC Comics. She directed the documentary Remixing Colorblind, examining how education shapes perceptions of race. Across scholarship, film and popular culture, her work challenges dominant narratives and expands the possibilities of storytelling.
Rohrer began her career at Daroff Design after earning a BFA in Interior Design at Moore. She later launched ROHE Creative, one of the first boutique hospitality design studios in the Philadelphia area. She has led the female-owned and operated studio through award-winning projects, creating compelling restaurant and hotel experiences locally and beyond for brands including Starwood Capital Group, BR Guest Restaurants, Mina Group, MGM, Starr Restaurants, LDV Hospitality, Ritz-Carlton Clubs, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. She was named 2017’s Best Restaurant Designer by Philadelphia Magazine, received the 2019 Wave of the Future Award from Hospitality Design Magazine, and has been featured in Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, Elle Décor, Wallpaper, Architectural Digest, Forbes and elsewhere.
To learn more about Moore’s 177th Commencement ceremony, click here.
About Moore College of Art & Design
Moore College of Art & Design prepares students for successful, high-impact careers. Our dynamic programs and uniquely inclusive environment foster creative excellence and amplify artistic potential, preparing our graduates to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of art and design. For more information about Moore, visit www.moore.edu and follow us on social media @moorecollegeart.
For press inquires, contact:
Gabi Stevenson
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gstevenson@moore.edu | 215.965.4009
Juliana Rosati
Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Moore College
jrosati@moore.edu | 215.965.4065
