Baylor To Confer Degrees On Fall Graduates

by Lori Fogleman (254) 710-6275
Baylor University will confer degrees on more than 700 graduates during commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Ferrell Center on the Baylor campus.

Interim President William D. Underwood will present diplomas to graduates of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Music, Hankamer School of Business, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, School of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and the Graduate School. Underwood will be assisted by Dr. Randall O'Brien, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Greetings will be brought by Will D. Davis, chair of the Baylor board of regents. Dr. James W. Vardaman, professor emeritus of history, will act as bearer of the mace.

During the ceremony, the Baylor Alumni Association will present John F. Baugh of Houston with the Abner V. McCall Religious Liberty Award. The award is given to Baylor alumni or friends who exemplify the dedication and commitment to religious liberty demonstrated by former Baylor president, Judge Abner V. McCall.

The university also will recognize Dr. D. Thomas Hanks Jr., professor of English, and Gerald R. Powell, The Abner V. McCall Professor of Evidence at Baylor Law School, who received the designation of Master Teacher - the highest honor granted to Baylor faculty members.

Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas and affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Baylor is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state and the largest Baptist university in the world.

While remaining true to its heritage, Baylor and its 735-acre campus on the banks of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, is home to nearly 14,000 students, who come from all 50 states and some 70 countries. Its nationally recognized academic divisions provide 146 baccalaureate, 73 master's, and 22 doctoral degree programs through 11 academic units: College of Arts and Sciences, Hankamer School of Business, School of Education, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Honors College, Law School, School of Music, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, School of Social Work, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and Graduate School.

Committed unalterably to character and leadership development with a service orientation, Baylor encourages students to become involved in one or more of the 303 student organizations on campus. Exemplifying Baylor's commitment to lead the way in both learning and living, Baylor's alumni serve as ministers and judges, doctors and teachers, artists and business leaders.

Spring commencement is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2006, in the Ferrell Center for Arts and Sciences and related graduate programs and at 2:30 p.m. for Business, Engineering and Computer Science, Education, Music, Nursing, and related graduate programs.