Religious Leader to Give Principal Address at Scranton’s 2012 Undergraduate Commencement
Sister Patricia Eck, C.B.S., chairperson of Bon Secours, Inc./Bon Secours Ministries Board of Directors, will serve as the principal speaker and receive an honorary degree at The University of Scranton’s 2012 undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 27.
Through more than four decades of service, Sister Patricia Eck, C.B.S., has touched thousands of lives in a ministry dedicated to caring for the sick and dying, especially those who are poor and marginalized. A quintessential servant leader, her compassion and commitment are at the core of her work. This May, she will offer her unique insights to graduates and their guests as the principal speaker at The University of Scranton’s 2012 undergraduate commencement.
As congregation leader of the Sisters of Bon Secours, Sr. Eck directs the international Congregation of Bon Secours in Europe, the Americas and Africa. As the chairperson of Bon Secours, Inc./Bon Secours Ministries Board of Directors, she leads a $3.3 billion, not-for-profit Catholic health system that owns, co-owns or manages 18 acute care hospitals and several other health facilities, programs and services in six states.
Sr. Eck is a champion of lay collaboration. Under her leadership, the sponsoring organization for Bon Secours Health System included, for the first time, laypeople working side by side with the sisters. Through her service on countless committees and boards, she has made immeasurable contributions to Catholic communities and U.S. health care.
Sr. Eck has been recognized nationally for her leadership in creating alignment between sponsorship and governance. She received the Sister Mary Concilia Moran Award from the Catholic Health Association (CHA) for visionary leadership and commitment to Catholic health care. Her ministry received worldwide acclaim when, in 2011, she was presented the Papal award, Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, the highest honor given to a member of a religious community by the Vatican.
Currently a member of the Catholic Medical Mission Board, Sr. Eck has also served as chairperson of the CHA and the Corporate Members of Mercy Housing.
Sr. Eck will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at The University of Scranton’s 2012 undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be held at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, May 27, at noon.
