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Members of the freshman class process to Convocation.

Attorney Marguerite R. Roy ’82 embodies the tenets that Misericordia holds so dear. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees have led Attorney Roy to humanitarian missions in war-torn countries and for international aid agencies. The head of office for the United Nations in Afghanistan shared her life experiences and advice with 385 members of the incoming freshman class during Convocation on Friday. Convocation signals the beginning of a new academic year for the record freshman class.

“Misericordia’s tradition of asking an accomplished member of its alumni body to address the incoming freshman class has been met with wide approval by the students themselves, the number of family members who attend the ceremony and the entire University community,’’ said Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University. “Attorney Roy’s many accomplishments in serving others is a time-honored commitment of all associated with Misericordia. We are fortunate to have a passionate and understanding person playing a vital role in helping troubled areas of the globe.’’ Attorney Roy received her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, magna cum laude, from Misericordia University, and certifications in French Alliance and Paris Chamber of Commerce from the Centre International D’Etudes Francaises in Angers, France. She also earned a master’s degree in international relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, and was in the top 20 percent of her class while at the St. Louis University School of Law.

In May 2007, she received her Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Mo., where she was also recognized with the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award. Her areas of study included international criminal law, international human rights law, immigration law, alternative dispute resolution and corporations.

Attorney Roy has been the head of office in Mazar e Sharif, since October 2007, where she plans, coordinates and manages programs, projects and activities of the regional office and incorporates an integrated approach that includes a rights-based dimension, conflict prevention and a gender perspective throughout the office’s activities. Attorney Roy also identifies emerging issues at the regional level pertaining to the U.N. mandate and analyzes their implications and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures. Her other responsibilities include proposing plans of action for immediate and long-range solutions to political problems in the region.

In Afghanistan, Attorney Roy’s office also fosters dialogue to build understanding and cooperation between parties and establishes and strengthens the legitimate authority of the nation in the region. Through her leadership, she also helps build a civil society and formulates programs to aid in the reintegration and reconciliation of all segments of the country’s society and provides support for good governance and national dialogue.

Attorney Roy’s service has not been limited to her mission in Afghanistan. She has also served as head of institutional donor development for Save the Children in London, England in 2003, regional administrator for the U.N. Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo from 1999-2002, worked with UNICEF and the Peace Corps, and has provided support in Sierra Leone, Albania, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Haiti and Ethiopia.

For 84 years, Misericordia University has provided the challenging academics and personal attention that students need to succeed both personally and professionally while also providing them a myriad of opportunities to help people on the local, national and international levels.

Attorney Roy received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Misericordia University during Convocation. She lives in Lincoln, Mo.