Renowned data scientist Christopher H. Wiggins, award-winning journalist Maryalice Demler, and the Honorable Maurizio Bevilacqua are among the featured speakers at Niagara University’s 2025 commencement ceremonies in Lewiston, N.Y., and Vaughan, Ontario.
The celebration will get underway on May 15, when Wiggins will give the keynote address at Niagara University’s graduate commencement ceremonies at Artpark in Lewiston, N.Y. He will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the event.
Wiggins is widely recognized as one of a small group of data scientists who stand at the forefront of digital transformation in the United States. He has been chief data scientist at The New York Times since 2014 and is a founding member of the executive committee of the Data Science Institute at Columbia University and an associate professor in Columbia’s Departments of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics. A pioneer in explaining and exploiting how data science has embraced the effects of rapid change in the way that society consumes information, Wiggins has also written extensively on the power of data-driven methods to improve the health of individuals and the healthcare system itself as an affiliated member of the Health Analytics Center at the Columbia University Medical Center. He is the co–author of “Data Science in Context: Foundations, Challenges, and Opportunities,” and “How Data Happened: A History from the Age of Reason to the Age of Algorithms.”
On May 17, Niagara University alumna and trustee Maryalice Demler will address graduates at both the morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies, which will take place at Artpark.
Demler anchors Channel 2 News “On Your Side” at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. at WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y. Last fall, she launched a new half hour news program called “Buffalo Nightly News” at 7 p.m. to both ratings and critical acclaim. She has also done extensive live reporting, covering such notable world events as World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II in Toronto, and at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope John Paul II and for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. She provided extended coverage of Pope Benedict’s visit to New York City and Pope Francis’ Philadelphia visit. Demler also reported on Western New York athletes at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been recognized for journalistic excellence by the Associated Press, New York Emmy Awards, New York State Broadcasters, and the Edward R. Murrow Awards, to name a few.
Donna DeCarolis, president of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. and a member of Niagara’s Board of Trustees, will receive an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree during the morning event. DeCarolis has managed a number of business areas at National Fuel during her more than 30 years with the company, including investor relations, quality assurance, human resources, corporate communications, government affairs, energy marketing, and consumer business. She held the title of vice president of business development for National Fuel Gas Company before taking over the role of utility president in 2019. She also serves on numerous boards in leadership roles across the communities where she lives and works, and was appointed to serve on the New York State Climate Action Council, a 22-member body which was tasked with developing a scoping plan that serves as an initial framework for how the state will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in response to the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
That afternoon, devoted philanthropist and education advocate Pam Jacobs Vogt will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. She is chair of the Lawrence D. Jacobs M.D. Memorial Foundation, which was named in honor of her late husband, an internationally acclaimed researcher in the treatment of multiple sclerosis; and a founding member of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, for which she serves as a trustee. A former English teacher at Bennett High School in Buffalo, N.Y., an adult education teacher in the Hispanic community, and a tutor for foreign executives in New York City, Jacobs Vogt has served for more than 40 years with many local organizations, including the boards of Niagara University, Holy Angels Academy, Canisius High School, Nichols School, and the Elmwood Franklin School. She has also devoted her time and talents to the Buffalo Council on World Affairs, SABAH, and the Sisters of St. Francis Executive Council, and is currently involved with various charity boards, including Jefferson Awards and Artpark & Company.
The Honorable Mauritzio Bevilacqua will deliver the commencement address for Niagara University in Ontario graduates on May 22 at the Meridian Centre for the Arts.
Bevilacqua served three terms as mayor of the City of Vaughan after serving for 22 years as a member of Parliament in roles including minister of state for finance; minister of state for science, research, and development; and chairman of the House of Commons standing committee on finance. His service to the community includes numerous leadership roles with organizations including the Regional Municipality of York, the Regional Municipality of York Police Services, and the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation. Bevilacqua also served on the Alectra Inc. board and its human resources and compensation committee; was a member of the Global City Leaders advisory board for the World Council on City Data; and chaired the City of Vaughan Smart City task force; the Ready Resilient and Resourceful Committee; the Vaughan Healthcare Precinct Advisory task force; the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre sub-committee; Mackenzie Health Foundation’s $250-million Ultimate Campaign; and the Hospice Vaughan Capital Campaign. He co-chaired the Lou Fruitman Reena Residence Capital Campaign.
Frank Fazzari, managing partner of Fazzari + Partners LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, was also honored at the event with the St. Vincent de Paul Medal. An accomplished professional who spends most of his time assisting entrepreneurs with their private enterprises, Fazzari also has devoted much of his career to assisting charitable organizations. He is a former board member and vice chair of finance of Humber River Hospital and was on its building committee, which oversaw the designing, financing, and building of the new 1.8 million square-foot hospital, now the largest acute care center in the Greater Toronto Area. Fazzari is also a former member of the advisory board of the Vaughan International Commercialization Centre and a founding member of the York Region Cycling Coalition.