2019 Commencement Speaker Announced

Posted on

3/12/19

Divine Mercy University announces that Mr. Daniel A. D’Aniello, Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Carlyle Group, will be the 2019 Honorary Degree recipient and graduation speaker at the University’s 18th Commencement Exercises. Mr. D’Aniello will be recognized for his work in entrepreneurship, philanthropy and dedication to the advancement of higher education and mental health research.

“We are honored to have Dan D’Aniello as our commencement speaker,” said Fr. Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy University.  “His life shows that people of faith can be successful in professional life and the secular world, and his generosity and commitment to the Catholic faith and our culture is exemplary.”

Daniel D’Aniello grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania, raised by a single mother and grandmother.  From a very early age, he was exposed to the hard work and dedication needed to move through difficult circumstances.  He received a scholarship to attend Syracuse University and upon graduation, spent three years as a supply officer in the Navy before heading to Harvard University for an MBA.

Prior to forming Carlyle in 1987, Mr. D’Aniello was a Vice President for Finance and Development at Marriott Corporation where he was responsible for valuation of all major mergers, acquisition, divestitures, debt and equity offerings, and project financings. Before joining Marriott, Mr. D’Aniello was a financial officer at PepsiCo, Inc. and Trans World Airlines. In 2016, D’Aniello received the Lone Sailor Award from the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation.

Mr. D’Aniello’s philanthropic work follows what he calls his “five pillars” of philanthropy: faith-based giving, educational programs, free enterprise, the performing arts, and mental health research. Mr. D’Aniello also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Foundation in Vienna, Virginia, and is Chairman of the Board of the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC.   He and his wife Gayle have been married for  42 years and have two adult children.

The 2019 Commencement Mass & Exercises will take place Saturday, May 11th, 2019 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.

CONTACT: Jessie Tappel; Sr. Director of Communications; 703-416-1441 x 116; communications@divinemercy.edu

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