AUSTIN - St. Edward's University officials will recognize the contributions of Dr. Oscar Arias Sānchez, former president of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize winner, with an honorary degree during the university's 116th commencement exercises at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Frank Erwin Center.

When Arias took office in 1986, civil wars were erupting throughout Central America and threatening the stability of neighboring countries. Arias was awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on an accord that eventually helped restore peace to the region. The following year, he used the monetary award to establish the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, which continues to promote peace, conflict resolution, equal rights and philanthropy in Central America.

St. Edward's University officials will confer approximately 470 degrees this spring. Degree distribution is as follows:

Trish Flowers of Dripping Springs will deliver the valedictory address. Flowers, who will receive a bachelor of arts, will graduate summa cum laude and has been consistently named to the Dean's List since enrolling in 1998. An art major, she also has excelled in athletics during her undergraduate tenure at St. Edward's.

St. Edward's University is an independent Catholic liberal arts university of 4,100 students in Austin. It was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross from which it acquired distinguishing characteristics: the courage to take risks, an international perspective and the commitment to provide educational opportunities for students of varied cultural, religious, educational and economic backgrounds.

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