These honorees exemplify lives of faithful service, leadership, and dedication to the common good — reflecting Holy Cross College’s mission to form scholars, citizens, leaders, and disciples.

Honorary degrees will be awarded to:

  • Daniel Florin – Granger, Indiana
  • Jacqueline Kronk – South Bend, Indiana
  • Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. – Rome, Italy

Br. Bednarczyk, who is Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, will also deliver the 2025 Commencement Address.

“We are honored to welcome these extraordinary leaders to celebrate with our graduates this May,” said Holy Cross College President Dr. Marco J. Clark. “Each of them exemplifies what we hope for in our students— they discerned their call, lead with zeal, serve with humility, and bring hope and unity to communities across South Bend, Indiana, and the world.”

About the Honorees

Daniel Florin currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, overseeing more than 20 programs focused on Stability Services, Mental Health Counseling, Pregnancy & Parenting Support, and Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Legal Services. A seasoned executive in the medical device industry, Florin previously held leadership roles at Biomet Inc., Zimmer Biomet Inc., and Boston Scientific Corporation. He currently sits on the board of Pulmonx Corporation. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Boston University, Florin and his wife, Kelly, are active members of St. Pius X Parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They have seven children and fourteen grandchildren.

Jacqueline Kronk was recently named the Chief Strategy Officer for the Office of the Indiana Secretary of Education. She previously served as CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor, where she oversaw transformational growth—expanding the organization from five to 38 locations across six counties. Under her leadership, the Club launched key initiatives focused on academic enrichment, STEM education, career readiness, and mental health support. She also spearheaded the opening of a new teen center in downtown South Bend and helped launch a new school at the flagship club site. A collaborative and visionary leader, Kronk is known for building strong partnerships across sectors to serve youth and strengthen communities.

Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., the 14th and current Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, brings a lifelong commitment to education, religious life, and global ministry. He is the first brother to hold this role in the Congregation’s history and the first brother to lead a clerical religious institute in the Catholic Church.

A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Br. Paul entered formation with the Congregation in 1975 and professed his final vows in 1985. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stonehill College and a master’s in religion and religious education from Fordham University. His ministry has spanned education, vocation promotion, and international leadership, including 14 years as Executive Director of the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC), where he launched the National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations.

Elected as Superior General in 2022, Br. Paul now oversees the spiritual and administrative life of Holy Cross religious across the globe.

The celebration will begin on Friday, May 16, with the Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades at St. Joseph Chapel on the Holy Cross College campus.

For more information about the 58th Commencement Ceremony, please visit www.hcc-nd.edu/commencement.