Baylor University to Hold Spring Commencement Ceremonies May 11-12

May 10, 2012
Baylor Commencement

Baylor graduates celebrate earning their degrees during commencement ceremonies at the Ferrell Center. (Robert Rogers/Baylor Marketing & Communications)

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Contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275

WACO, Texas (May 10, 2012) - Baylor University will confer degrees upon 2,130 graduates - one of the largest graduating classes in university history - during spring commencement exercises Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, on the Baylor campus.

Friday's ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Ferrell Center for graduates of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School.

Two ceremonies will be held on Saturday in the Ferrell Center. Graduates of the School of Social Work, School of Music, Honors College, College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School will walk across the stage at 9:30 a.m., while graduates of the Hankamer School of Business, School of Education and the Graduate School will receive their diplomas at 2:30 p.m.

Baylor will provide live streaming of all three ceremonies, so families and friends of graduates who are unable to travel to Waco can watch their student receive a Baylor diploma. Links to the live stream will be available 10 minutes prior to the start of each ceremony at: https://www.baylor.edu/commencement/index.php?id=63725.

Baylor President Ken Starr will preside over the commencement ceremonies. Dr. John Reimers, BA '72, DDS '75, a member of the Baylor Board of Regents, will bring greetings at the Friday ceremony, while Neal T. "Buddy" Jones, BA '73, JD '75, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents, will bring greetings at both Saturday ceremonies.

Bearer of the Mace honors will go to three emeritus faculty members: F. Eugene Tidmore, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, 1963-1965, 1971-2004; Andy J. Moore, Professor Emeritus of English, 1962-2003; and Richard B. Couey, Professor Emeritus of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, 1970-2007.

In addition to the conferral of degrees upon students, the ceremonies will honor Outstanding Professors for 2011-2012:
• Teaching: William A. Booth, senior lecturer, computer science; C. Stephen Evans, University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities; Gregory J. Hamerly, associate professor, computer science; Jeffrey S. Olafsen, associate professor, physics; Mike Stroope, associate professor of Christian missions and holder of The M.C. Shook Chair of Christian Missions; James Wren, professor of law.
• Scholarship: Jay R. Dittmann, associate professor, physics; Lynne Gackle, associate professor, vocal ensembles; Todd D. Still, professor of Christian Scriptures and holder of The William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures.
• Contributions to the Academic Community: Lyn Prater, senior lecturer, nursing.

Also recognized will be the Collins Outstanding Professor for 2011-2012, Blair W. Browning, associate professor in the Department of Communications Studies, who was selected by the senior class as this year's recipient.

Baylor's summer commencement is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Winter commencement will be held Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at the Ferrell Center.

For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/commencement.

About Baylor University

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.