SXU Announces 2026 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient
Saint Xavier University (SXU) is pleased to announce the 2026 commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient, who will share their knowledge and expertise while congratulating this year's graduates on achieving their high-quality academic degrees.
On Saturday, May 9, Tasha Henderson, chair of the SXU Board of Trustees, will address nursing, health sciences, and business graduates as the commencement speaker. Sister Barbara Reid will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Theology, honoris causa, at SXU's College of Liberal Arts and Education, natural sciences, and computer science ceremony.
Tasha Henderson, CPA, CGMA, is a highly experienced financial expert and strategic leader, currently serving as the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO) of JLC Infrastructure, where she leads financial management inclusive of audit, tax and financial reporting, administration, investor relations, and day-to-day operations. She was involved with the launch of the organization and also serves as the corporate secretary and is a member of JLC’s valuation committee.
With over 30 years of experience working in financial service corporations, asset managers, and nonprofits, Henderson boasts a strong foundation in finance and accounting and brings a wealth of expertise to her roles. Her commitment to excellence and strategic vision has been a driving force in her impressive career trajectory from startup environments to managing complex global businesses.
Henderson has extensive experience in governance and strategic financial management. She has served on various boards, including as corporate fiduciary board director and audit committee chair for Hearken, Inc, and board director and membership committee chair of the Chicago Finance Exchange, an invite-only association of top Chicago women in finance. As board chair at SXU, she significantly contributes to the institution's governance and financial priorities and, since joining the Board of 2015, previously chaired SXU’s Sustainable Financial Model Committee and Governance Committee. She began her Board service on the Audit and Finance Committees.
Henderson has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Hampton University and holds both a Certified Public Accountant designation and a Chartered Global Management Accountant designation. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois Certified Public Accountants Society, and the National Association of Black Accountants.
Sister Barbara E. Reid, O.P., Ph.D., is a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is President Emerita and Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP, Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union. She holds a Ph.D. in biblical studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a master's degree in religious studies from Aquinas College, and a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Aquinas College.
She taught Spanish and religion at St. Mary Cathedral High School in Saginaw, Michigan, before pursuing doctoral studies. She has taught at Catholic Theological Union since 1988, serving as vice president and academic dean from 2009-2018 and as president from 2021–2025. A highlight during her time as president was attending the consistory in September 2023, at which then Bishop Robert Prevost, OSA, was made a Cardinal, and then attending his installation Mass as Pope Leo XIV in May 2025.
Sister Barbara has led many study tours and retreats in the Holy Lands: Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. She has been privileged to lecture in many countries around the world. She is the author of more than a dozen books and numerous articles.
Commencement will be held in the Shannon Athletic and Convocation center, located at 3700 W. 103rd Street. This event requires tickets for admission. For more information about SXU's 2026 Commencement ceremonies, visit SXU's website or contact commencementFREESXU.