Gallery: Three outdoor commencement ceremonies honor 2020-21 graduates

University administrators honored 1,187 graduates and undergraduates with diplomas in three outdoor commencement ceremonies in Wildcat Stadium on Friday and Saturday. Associate Professor of Psychology Rachel Riley was honored as the 2021 Teacher of the Year. Additionally, several graduating seniors were presented the following awards by University President Dr. Phil Schubert:

Mr. ACU – Paul Hiepler
Miss ACU – Abigail Zeller
Honor Man – Bao Catteau
Honor Woman – Allison Brandon
V.W. and Loreta Kelley Scholarship Award – Gloria Atkinson and Daniel Duah
Trustees Award – Griffin Jones, Tyler Kastner, Bianca Pierre-Jacque and Taylor Tinsley
Dean Adams Achievement Award – Kennedy Guerra, Parker LeRoy, Keren Lemus Merida, Jacob Murillo and Autumn Vaught
B Sherrod Scholarship – Emily Colwell, Megan Hertz, Michael Gayden and Jonathan Jasper

: University President Dr. Phil Schubert speaks about the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2021. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A doctoral graduate waves to a friend in the stands. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A graduate turns away from the stage to wave at her family in the stands. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A graduate’s family waves photos of her in the air as she walks onto Anthony Field. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Doctoral graduates march into Wildcat Stadium. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Dr. April Anthony, chair of the Board of Trustees, hands gradutes their diploma tubes. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Craig Fisher, assistant vice president for university and alumni relations, passes a graduate her Purple Line Society pin. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Masters graduates listen to University President Dr. Phil Schubert confer their degrees. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A graduate’s family wears matching t-shirts to celebrate the occasion. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Dr. Ben Ries, associate dean for vocational foramation at ACU Dallas, charges the graduating class of 2021 on Friday night. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A graduate cheers in excitement after receiving his diploma tube. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Family members of doctoral graduates excitedly video gradutes walking across the stage. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Graduates from the class of 2021 listen to Brad E. Cheeves, vice president for development and external affairs at Southern Methodist University, deliver a charge to their class. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Drs. Wayne and Janice Massey celebrate being awarded the Dale and Rita Brown Outlive Your Life Award on Saturday morning. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Daniel Sherman, 2020-21 Student Government Association president, passes the senior Bible to Bekah Jones, 2021-22 Student Government Association president. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Brad E. Cheeves, vice president for development and external affairs at Southern Methodist University, speaks to the class of 2021 about his life after college. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Family members wave excitedly as the gradutes make their way onto Anthony Field. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A graduate’s escort shows off her student. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Seth Crockett poses for a funny photo as his friends walk into Wildcat Stadium before commencement begins. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Provost Dr. Robert Rhodes welcomes the graduates to their commencement ceremony. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Sophomore Bible and ministry major Andrea Ezquerra and graduate student Grant Parker sing “Oh Dear Christian College.” (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Friends and family fill the stands of Wildcat Stadium before commencement. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Graduates march into Wildcat Stadium with their escorts. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: An excited graduate takes a photo with her escort as her friends walk into Wildcat Stadium. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Dr. Royce Money, chancellor, hugs Kate Pennington as she walks away from the stage with her diploma tube. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Kit Myers receives his diploma tube from April Anthony, chair of the Board of Trustees. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Escorts video their graduates walking across the stage to receive their diplomas. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: A graduate’s cap blows off during the windy hooding ceremony. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Graduate student Grant Parker points to his friends in the stands after receiving his diploma. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Graduates stand and sing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” (Photo by Riley Fisher)

: Dr. Chris Riley, associate provost for institutional effectiveness, awards Rachel Riley, associate professor of psychology, the 2021 Teacher of the Year Award. (Photo by Riley Fisher)