A class of 517 undergraduate students and 148 graduate students will cross the stage in Moody Coliseum for May Commencement on Saturday.
There will be two Commencement services. The first ceremony will start at 11 a.m. for graduates of the College of Biblical Studies, College of Business Administration, College of Education and Human Services and the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing. The ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences will begin at 3 p.m.
Outgoing ACU president Dr. Royce Money will give the Commencement address for the first time since becoming president 19 years ago. Money has presented diplomas in the past but never given the actual charge to the graduates.
“It’s going to be a surprise,” Money said. “I’ll give a hint: It will be clever, funny and wise. That’s all I’ll say. I am hoping I can take a unique approach, and as always my remarks will be brief. I don’t want to ruin that reputation.”
Of the 517 undergraduates, 30 are graduating with a 4.0 grade point average, and 501 will participate in the ceremony. The overall size of this year’s graduating class is actually down from a year ago, said Bart Herridge, registrar and director of academic records.
The number of graduate students, however, is up. Greg Kendall-Ball, degree-tracking specialist for the Graduate School, said the 148 graduates represent an approximate 10 percent increase in the number of graduates from last year’s class.
“There has been an intensive effort to market the graduate schools,” Kendall-Ball said. “Part of the 21st Century Vision has been a focus on ACU’s graduate education.”
Two students will graduate with doctoral degrees; Ron Bruner and Sheldon DeVries are receiving their doctor of ministry degrees.
Two students are receiving multiple graduate degrees. Travis Myers will graduate with a master of divinity and a master of the arts in missions. Kara Wolfe has earned a master of the arts in Christian ministry and a master of science in social work.
The College of Education and Human Services has the most students receiving graduate degrees, with 59. The College of Biblical Studies has 20 graduates, and the College of Arts and Sciences has 43. The College of Business Administration has 23 graduates who will receive their master of accounting.
Construction on campus will cause some minor problems. The reception after the ceremony will be outdoors in the campus mall area instead of in the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center like last year.
