Josiah Gray ’24 Presented With Diploma Before Nationals Game

Washington Nationals Pitcher Josiah Gray, who graduated summa cum laude this year but was unable to make the commencement ceremony on May 19, was presented with his diploma and stole at a surprise on-field ceremony prior to the Nationals home game on Saturday, June 8.

After three years at Le Moyne, Gray was drafted in 2018 by the Cincinnati Reds. He worked toward his degree while playing professional baseball, and he finished it in January ahead of his fourth Major League season with the Nationals. Read more about Gray and the ceremony here, including a video with congratulatory messages from Renee Downey Hart and Dennis O’Connor from Madden, who both taught Gray at Le Moyne, as well as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who attended Le Moyne.

Presenting him with the diploma was Jim Joseph ’83 Ed.D. ’23, vice president for advancement and innovation and dean of the Madden School of Business and Economics. Shown in photo above from left are his brothers Jayson and John, Dean Joseph, his mother Monica, Josiah and his girlfriend Riley ’19 G ’20, who played soccer at Le Moyne.