The Honors College will conduct its annual banquet from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Abilene Convention Center.

The graduation banquet takes place every semester for graduates who participate in the Honors College. During the event, organizers will recognize the graduates with honors regalia. It is much like traditional graduation but with a more personal touch, said Honors College events coordinator Laura Young.

“I am honestly honored and humbled to help run this event,” Young said. “Knowing a few of our graduates personally, I can say with confidence that they are going to help change the world and being a part of them getting there is something I truly cherish.”

This event is for graduates, their families and professors the graduate may choose to invite.

The top candidates for the awards of Professor of the Year and Mentor of the Year will also be in attendance and announced at the banquet.

The nominees for the Professor of the Year include Dr. Steve Weathers, professor of language and literature, Dr. Vic McCracken, associate professor of theology and ethics, and Dr. Todd Womble, assistant professor of language and literature.

Speakers for the banquet will include Dr. Jason Morris, dean of the Honors College, and graduating senior Madeline Dayton, global studies major from Katy.

The event has been a tradition for at least the previous five years. This event has no outside sponsors. It is orchestrated and run through the hard work and devotion of the faculty and staff in the Honors College.

“This event represents a portion of those students and professors who give everything they have to see others become successful,” Young said. “They carry the name of the university into all the world onto their professional paths in life. It is a celebration of their accomplishment of starting something and finishing out strong.”