Baylor University, Truett Seminary to Host Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremonies

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-6275
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by Jessie Jilovec, student newswriter, Baylor University Media and Public Relations

WACO, Texas (May 16, 2019) – Baylor University will celebrate its spring 2019 graduating class with commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, at the Ferrell Center, 1900 S. University Parks Drive. More than 2,900 students are expected to receive their degrees.

Carillon recital in honor of graduates

University Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will play a recital in honor of all May graduates at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, May 16, on the McLane Carillon. The best place to listen to the 25-minute recital is on Founders Mall or the covered walkway along Draper. There is no admission charge, and guests are welcome to bring a lawn chair for seating, have a picnic or walk around and enjoy a spring day with music.

Baylor Commencement Ceremonies

The first ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, for graduates in the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Louise Herrington School of Nursing and select academic disciplines in the College of Arts & Sciences, along with all related graduate programs.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, degrees will be conferred upon graduates in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, School of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Music and select academic disciplines in the College of Arts & Sciences, along with all related graduate programs.

A second ceremony will follow at 2:30 p.m. for graduates in the Hankamer School of Business, School of Education, all related graduate programs and military degrees.

Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., will give the message at the ceremonies. The president and the deans of each college and school then will confer degrees upon the graduates.

The distinguished Bearer of the Mace at each ceremony will be Rita S. Patteson, Associate Professor Emeritus for University Libraries (1966-2016), at 2:30 p.m.; Naymond H. Keathley, Ph.D., Professor of Religion (1981-2018), at 9 a.m.; and Jon Engelhardt, Ph.D., Dean, School of Education (2007-2015), at 2:30 p.m.

George W. Truett Theological Seminary Commencement Ceremony

Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary will hold its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 17, at First Baptist Church, 500 Webster Ave.

Parking

Parking will be available at the Ferrell Center and is accessible from both University Parks Drive and LaSalle Avenue. Graduates and their families are encouraged to give themselves extra travel time to the Ferrell Center as construction work on Interstate 35 continues and a clear bag policy will be in place for all three ceremonies.

Handicapped parking is accessible from the Daughtrey Street entrance off University Parks Drive. A circle drive is located at the main entrance of the Ferrell Center for guest drop-off.

Guests may be diverted to park in the East Campus garage on Daughtrey Avenue. Baylor DPS officers and parking assistants will direct guests to the garages, and a free shuttle service to the Ferrell Center will be provided.

Seating

Seating is first come, first served. Doors will open 90 minutes before the ceremony begins. Graduates are encouraged to bring no more than 10 guests to allow all families of graduates to attend. Guests are allowed to hold seats for friends and family to join up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Guests who have wheelchairs, walkers or need additional time will want to arrive early to avoid heavy crowds in the concourse.

Streaming

Each ceremony will be recorded and posted on the website for viewing. Live streaming of the ceremonies will begin 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.

Photography

Flash Photography will be the official photographer for the commencement ceremonies and will photograph each graduate receiving a degree. Proof sheets and rates will be mailed to the graduate's permanent mailing address and emailed to the student's Baylor email by Flash Photography. Contact Flash at 800-410-8070.

Personal cameras are allowed for the commencement ceremonies, but guests are not allowed on the floor where graduates are seated.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 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 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.