This year's commencement speakers at local Catholic colleges emphasized the value of education in preparing students to create a better future for all and in grounding their intellectual pursuits in faith and reason.

Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles celebrated the achievements of more than 500 graduates May 12 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City,

Commencement speaker Anita L. DeFrantz, an Olympic medalist, community activist, and the first woman in the history of the International Olympic Committee to serve as its vice president, told graduates to have a positive presence in the world.

"Is it really possible that those of you in this commencement ceremony today will be change agents for a better future for all of us?" she asked graduates. "The answer is a resounding, 'Yes.' You can change the world to be a better place, so long as you accept the responsibility to do that. For us, it is a part of being Americans. It is a part of believing in this American dream. At the center of this dream is the responsibility to do good for others."

DeFrantz was awarded an honorary degree for her inspirational leadership, especially with young women and people of color. The College also recognized Bishop Sylvester Ryan of Monterey, retired, with the Carondelet Medal, MSMC's highest honor.

Religious of the Sacred Heart Sister Margaret "Peg" Mary Dolan --- who retired in 2006 after serving Loyola Marymount University 33 years as resident chaplain and 21 years as director of Campus Ministry --- delivered the undergraduate commencement address to more than 1,200 students during LMU's 96th annual ceremony May 10 in Westchester.

"You are entering a culture that emphasizes competition over cooperation, personal advancement over concern for others, addiction versus freedom, individualism versus community, materialism versus inner peace and accommodation versus integrity," said Sister Dolan, who continues to serve as LMU alumni chaplain and retreat director.

"Your LMU education and experience has challenged you to become men and women for and with others," she said. "I invite you to continue serving those most in need wherever you may go with the integrity and concern that offers another the freedom to advance one's self to grow and become fully alive."

More than 1,900 bachelor's, master's and law degrees were awarded this spring during three separate ceremonies at LMU.

Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia presided over commencement ceremonies May 10 at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, which awarded diplomas to 80 graduates from 22 states and five countries. It was the largest graduating class in the college's 37-year history.

"Students at Thomas Aquinas College have an unusual advantage from their direct engagement for four years with the profound thinkers who have shaped our Western civilization," said Cardinal Pell. "They have followed the traditional Socratic method of questioning and dialogue, continued their search for meaning and truth in a learning institution which is committed to the Catholic faith. Faith and reason are offered for their acceptance or rejection as they rigorously examine the intellectual claims of these great authors, religious or otherwise."

Cardinal Pell was awarded the Saint Thomas Aquinas Medallion, the college's highest honor, for his "exemplary loyalty and devotion to the Holy Father and the magisterium of the Church" by resolution of the college's Board of Governors.