UTSA commencement celebrates the accomplishments of 4,300 students May 14 & 15

Three commencement ceremonies will take place May 14 & 15

By Jesus Chavez
Public Affairs Specialist

(April 21, 2016) -- More than four thousand Roadrunners will toss their caps in celebration after they receive their diplomas at UTSA’s spring commencement ceremonies, scheduled Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 at the Alamodome.

UTSA’s three commencement ceremonies will include more than 3,400 undergraduate students, more than 800 master’s students and 75 doctoral students – each with a unique personal story of triumph.

One of those Roadrunners, UTSA history major Mary Ledbetter-Gallagher, 57, will receive her bachelor’s degree at UTSA’s May 15 commencement ceremony. A non-traditional student and mother of three, Ledbetter-Gallagher enrolled at UTSA following an unexpected divorce to better support herself. In addition to thriving in her course work, she’ll graduate from the UTSA Honors College.

“I love UTSA,” Ledbetter-Gallagher said. “I have had the most amazing experiences. I’m a non-traditional student, and I’ve had my challenges. But I hope that my success can help other non-traditional students, especially older women, see that it’s possible."

Multidisciplinary studies major Charles Chikelu aims to apply his UTSA lessons to a career in service. He is set to join the military after graduation as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Corps, an appointment granted to him by the President of the United States.

“The experiences that I have had at UTSA have changed my perspective on life and helped me become a better leader,” said Chikelu, 26. “I’ve learned to understand the world better and grow into a more mature version of myself. I’m excited to take these lessons with me into my military career.”

The stories of UTSA students are many, varied and impressive in their own way. Some of these stories, including Ledbetter-Gallagher and Chikelu’s, are published on the UTSA Commencement web site.

UTSA graduates, friends and family members are also encouraged to share their stories on social media using #UTSA and #UTSAgrad16.

Commencement Ceremony Information

UTSA’s first commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., May 14, for graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, the College of Education and Human Development and the College of Sciences.

The second commencement ceremony will follow at 4 p.m. for graduates from the College of Business, the College of Public Policy and University College.

The final commencement ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., May 15, for the College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the College of Engineering.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo will deliver keynote address for each ceremony.

Graduates are advised to arrive two hours prior to their ceremony for check-in, located on the ground level of the Alamodome.

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For detailed information, visit the UTSA Commencement website.

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Events

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholars' Spring Celebration

This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main Campus

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Thursday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Walk

Roadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Friday, May 17, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement: Ceremony Two

Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

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Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.