Rivier University names William E. Conway, Jr. as 2025 Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient
In recognition of his unparalleled commitment to advancing the nursing workforce, Rivier University will honor transformational philanthropist and Nashua native William E. Conway, Jr. as Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient at its 90th Commencement ceremony on May 11.
A person of global vision, Mr. Conway is the distinguished Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most successful private equity firms. His visionary leadership and strategic acumen have been instrumental in growing the firm to nearly $400 billion in assets. His career is marked by significant achievements, including his tenure as Chief Financial Officer at MCI Communications, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s financial strategy. His dedication to excellence and innovation has earned him a reputation as a leader in global finance and investment.
Mr. Conway has generously supported numerous educational and medical institutions, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins Medicine and as a trustee of The Catholic University of America. He is actively working to address the nursing shortage by supporting student aid, facility development, and faculty recruitment with the goal of donating $1 billion to this critical endeavor. In addition, he has generously supported Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of Washington to provide services and tuition assistance for vulnerable populations.
The Bedford Falls Foundation, established by Mr. Conway and his late wife, Mrs. Joanne Barkett Conway, recently awarded Rivier a $2 million grant to launch the Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship. The largest foundation gift in the University’s history, the grant will increase enrollment of full-time undergraduate nursing students and support the region’s workforce needs. Conway Nursing Scholars have contributed to academic excellence, service to the community, and the fundamental values represented in nursing education.
“Mr. Conway represents the core mission of Rivier University, truly transforming hearts and minds to serve the world through his investment in students aspiring to take their place in nursing practice and leadership,” says Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President. “This targeted vision and commitment embodies the University’s values of recognizing the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Rivier is deeply honored to recognize Mr. Conway’s unwavering commitment to the nursing profession.”
Rivier will award degrees to an estimated 1,129 students at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The University is ranked as the #1 Nursing School in New Hampshire and in the Top 50 Nursing Schools in the United States by Nursing Schools Almanac. Serving on-campus and online learners, Rivier is a Catholic university with a mission of transforming hearts and minds to serve the world.