Roberta Hoey will be this year's Commencement speaker.
BETHLEHEM, PA, April 30, 2026: Today, Moravian University announced that Roberta Hoey, president of the Unity Board of the Worldwide Moravian Unity, will serve as the featured speaker for the university’s 2026 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, in Bethlehem. During the exercises, the university will confer upon Hoey the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of her trailblazing leadership and tireless advocacy for social justice.
At 32, Hoey was elected president of the Unity Board, the highest leadership position within the Worldwide Moravian Unity. She holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever to hold the office, as well as only the second layperson and second woman to lead the global church.
Born and raised in Northern Ireland during a period of intense conflict, Hoey’s formative years instilled in her a profound commitment to cross-community engagement and peace building. After earning an undergraduate law degree from Queen’s University in Belfast and studying American business practice at the Catholic University of America, she completed a master’s degree in human rights and criminal justice. Her professional journey spanned international banking and markets in London and Greece before she transitioned into pivotal leadership roles within the British Province of the Moravian Church.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Roberta Hoey to campus to address the Class of 2026,” said Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University. “Our graduates have much to learn from her ability to transform conflict into collaboration and her dedication to creating inclusive spaces where everyone has a seat at the table. Her life is a testament to the idea that intellect and wisdom, when matched with humility and a sense of humor, can truly change the world.”
Hoey’s leadership extends across the globe, including her service as chair of the British Mission Board with a focus on South Asia and Western Tanzania, and her advocacy for the eradication of violence against women. Her work continues to provide a courageous witness in traditionally male-dominated environments, offering a modern manifestation of the Moravian value, “In all things, love.”
Commencement Weekend Events
Baccalaureate
Friday, May 8, 2026
5:00 p.m.
Central Moravian Church
73 W. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA, 18018
Commencement
Saturday, May 9, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Moravian University, Main Street campus, John Makuvek Field
Across from 221 W. Locust Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
For more information on Moravian University Commencement 2026, please visit moravian.edu/commencement.
Media contact:
Moravian University
Michael Corr
corrm@moravian.edu
610.861.1365
About Moravian University
Moravian University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the nation’s sixth-oldest university and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. For more than 280 years, Moravian University’s education has been preparing each individual for a reflective life, fulfilling careers and transformative leadership in a world of change. Moravian University is a member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), a national consortium of private comprehensive colleges and universities working together to graduate extraordinary professionals for a global workforce and society.
In 2024, Moravian University became part of a World Heritage designation when Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, Gracehill (Northern Ireland, UK), and Herrnhut (Saxony, Germany) joined Christiansfeld (Denmark) as a single World Heritage Site—Moravian Church Settlements. Moravian is just the second university in the United States to be part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and only the eighth university in the world to have this recognition.
Visit moravian.edu to learn more about how Moravian University prepares its students for lifelong success.