More than 500 students are scheduled to graduate during Angelo State University’s fall commencement ceremonies this Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Junell Center/Stephens Arena, 2235 S. Jackson St.
Graduates of the College of Education and College of Health and Human Services will walk the stage during a 10 a.m. ceremony.  Graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business will walk the stage in a 2 p.m. ceremony.  All of ASU’s commencement activities are open free to the public.

During ASU’s commencement, 119 master’s degrees, 414 bachelor’s degrees and two associate degrees are scheduled to be presented.  Graduate students will earn 16 master of arts, eight master of professional accountancy, four master of business administration, 51 master of education, 24 master of science, seven master of science in nursing and nine master of security studies degrees.

Undergraduates will receive 88 bachelor of arts, 63 bachelor of business administration, 10 bachelor of fine arts, four bachelor of security studies, one bachelor of border security, 13 bachelor of interdisciplinary studies, 170 bachelor of science, 65 bachelor of science in nursing and two associate of applied science in nursing degrees.

The commencement speaker will be ASU alum Lt. Gen. Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr.  A 1977 Angelo State graduate, Hawkins is the highest-ranking alumnus of ASU’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 and currently serves as commander of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) headquartered at Fort Meade, Md.

The commencement ceremonies will highlight two days of graduation-related events on the ASU campus.  At 6:30 p.m. Friday, the nursing program will conduct its fall Pinning Ceremony in the Houston Harte University Center.  Pinning ceremonies became a U.S. tradition in the early 1800s to mark students’ completion of nursing education and entry into the profession.

Then on Saturday, the ASU Alumni Association will host a come-and-go celebration for all graduates, alumni, and their families and friends from noon to 5 p.m. in the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center, 1620 University Ave.  Graduates can pick up their official ASU Alumni coins and receive a complimentary year of membership in the Alumni Association.  Light refreshments will be served.

More From 97.5 KGKL