Congratulations to the Class of 2026! They went out in style at Commencement on June 6, with Diego’s valedictory address and an inspiring commencement address from Dr. Lisa Daniel-Olimene ’89, while David Honor ’67 received our highest alumni award, the Richard L. Duchossois ’40 Integrity and Values Alumni Award.
Our graduating seniors earned more than $11 million in scholarship offers — more than $475,000 per student — and gained admission at a host of top national universities and liberal arts schools.
This year’s acceptances include Northwestern, Michigan, UC Davis, Illinois, Boston U., Oberlin, Loyola Chicago, Northeastern, Syracuse, DePaul, Butler, Morehouse, Spelman, Ohio State, Maryland, Minnesota, Howard, Clark Atlanta, Brandeis, UIC, Bradley, Hampton, Penn State, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Marquette, LSU, Drake, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Drexel, Temple, Illinois Tech, Xavier University of Louisiana, and many more awesome schools.
We couldn’t be prouder to see the nation’s top schools recognize the character, accomplishments, and future potential of MPA graduates!
Visit our photo site at SmugMug.com to see the full gallery of photos from Commencement 2026.
Commencement Address
A physician at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, and at Advocate Trinity Hospital, Dr. Lisa Daniel-Olimene ’89 is a “lifer” graduate of the Academy and a long-serving member of our Board of Trustees who has been inducted into the MPA Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions to our school. Learn more here.
Richard L. Duchossois ’40 Integrity and Values Alumni Award
A veteran Chicago photographer, David Honor ’67 has been a creative force in the Midwest for over five decades, with a professional career that has spanned photojournalism, advertising, packaging, and fine art.
At Morgan Park Academy, Honor has spent the past 18 years documenting the school, students, and staff, creating a lasting archive of personalities, individuals, and campus life. This journey within MPA has become his true passion: to photograph students as they progress through their time on campus. Not posed, not directed, but images that illustrate them as they really are.
The award is named for Richard L. Duchossois ’40, the late founder of The Duchossois Group, Inc., and is given annually as the Academy’s highest alumni honor in recognition of his lifetime achievements, professional success, and service to the school, his community, and society. Learn more here.
Valedictory Address
Passionate about academics, athletics, service, and leadership, Diego graduates as an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the Cum Laude Society and the National Honor Society. He received senior awards for science and social studies. He plans to study biological sciences on a pre-med track at Northwestern University. View his address here.
