May. 6, 2014
St. Edward's University Commencement 2014 Presents 1,089 Degrees, Live Video Viewing and Hilltop Send-Off
St. Edward’s University will hold its 128th commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River Street, where 1,089 graduation candidates will receive their degrees. A total of 621 Spring 2014 graduation candidates, 215 Summer 2014 candidates and 253 Fall 2013 graduates will be honored at the ceremony.
This year’s event features the current president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, David L. Warren, PhD, delivering the keynote address, a live online video viewing of the commencement ceremony, and a graduation-eve celebration on campus.
President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to Serve as 2014 Commencement Speaker
David L. Warren, PhD, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), will serve as the 2014 commencement speaker. Warren will also be awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa honorary degree.
As president of NAICU, Warren has dedicated his career to improving those chances for others in the arena of higher education. With more than 40 years of experience in the field, he has been called “one of [its] most gifted leaders and creative thinkers” and “a trusted and valued resource on educational policy issues for leaders in higher education, Congress and the White House."
A Glimpse of the May 2014 Spring Graduates
St. Edward’s University officials will confer approximately 674 degrees to Spring 2014 graduates. Degree distribution is as follows:
Traditional Undergraduate: 508
New College Undergraduate: 65
Graduate: 101
Total: 674
Alyssa Haney ’14 will deliver the valedictory address. A Sociology and Spanish double major, Haney has consistently earned her place on the Dean’s List. An Honors student with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Haney has received recognition as Student of the Year by the Sociology, Modern Languages and Humanities programs. She is a member of the International Sociology Honorary Society, Alpha Kappa Delta, as well as Alpha Chi Omega and Alpha Mu Gamma.
Haney participated in LeaderShape and the Multicultural Awareness Conference on Leadership (M.A.C. Lead) to develop her leadership skills, which she has put to use as president of the Pangea chapter, leading volunteers as reading tutors at a local bilingual elementary school. She has also served as the community outreach coordinator for the Social Work Student Association and completed internships with the Global Understanding Living Learning Community, the Children’s Defense Fund, and the Capital Area Food Bank.
Hannah Marie Fonder ’14, commencement vocalist, will lead the audience in the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Fonder is graduating with a BFA in performance and a minor in psychology. After graduation, Fonder plans to move to New York to further her career as a performer and would like to return to school one day to earn a Masters in Dance Movement Therapy.
Hilltop Send-Off: A Celebration for 2014 Graduates, Friday, May 9, 2014
On the eve of graduation, St. Edward’s University invites all December 2013, May 2014 and August 2014 graduates, and their families and friends, to participate in the Hilltop Send-Off. This special event held on campus recognizes the achievements of our graduating seniors and welcomes them as new alumni.
The Hilltop Send-Off will begin with Baccalaureate Mass to be celebrated in the Recreation and Convocation Center at 6:30 p.m. St. Edward’s is honored to have Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, DD, STL, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, preside. Graduates & Faculty members should arrive at the Recreation and Convocation Center at 6:15 p.m. in cap & gown (do not wear your hood) for procession into Mass.
Following Baccalaureate Mass, graduates will participate in a Legacy Walk at 7:45 p.m. The Legacy Walk will take them through the heart of campus and the historic red doors of Main Building, symbolizing the completion of their academic careers and entry into the St. Edward’s alumni community. Family and friends are invited to await the graduates’ arrival as they exit the red doors of Main Building.
The Hilltop Send-Off culminates with the Red Doors Revelry at 8:00 p.m. — a festive outdoor reception on Trustee Hall lawn. Participants will enjoy a Champagne toast and the downtown night skyline. Graduates will receive a special gift from the Alumni Office and have the opportunity to connect with their classmates and professors.
Graduates are welcome to participate in all events or just the ones of their choosing. If participating in only the Legacy Walk, please come to the Recreation and Convocation Center parking lot by 7:30 p.m. in cap and gown (do not wear your hood).
Important Parking Information
Traffic will be congested and parking will be more challenging that morning due to the U.I.L. State Track and Field meet at Mike A. Meyers Stadium, which is one half-mile north of the Erwin Center. Graduates should be at the Frank Erwin Center by 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Doors open at 9 a.m. There will be a $12 per vehicle fee in parking lots. The City of Austin charges for meter parking on Saturdays. Credit cards accepted.
Graduation Day Information for Students and Parents
Graduates should plan to meet at the Frank Erwin Center in the Lone Star Room at 9 a.m. Use the Red River Street entrance and follow the signs to the Lone Star Room for lining up. Ushers will be available to direct the graduates. At 9 a.m., graduates will start assembling into ranks.
The Red River Street entrance is available only to graduates, faculty members and mobility-impaired guests. All other guests should enter the Frank Erwin Center through the public entrances, which can be accessed by taking the northwest ramp or the southwest ramp from the street level. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Only graduates and faculty members will be seated in the chairs on the floor. Guests in wheelchairs should enter through the Red River Street entrance where ushers will direct them to the elevator which will take them to mobility-impaired seating located on the back row of the Arena Level.
After the ceremony, graduates should arrange to meet with their family and friends outside the Frank Erwin Center on the north end by the flagpoles.
Parking map for graduates and their guests (PDF)
Live Video Streaming of the May 2014 Commencement
A live video of the St. Edward’s University 128th Commencement will be available online. Family and friends of the 2014 graduates may begin viewing the live video at 9:45 a.m. CDT on Saturday, May 10, 2013 at this link: View Live Video of Commencement
There will be no charge for viewing, and no registration is required. Simply click on “watch” to view the video. For your convenience, the commencement video will be archived and available for future viewing.
Please visit the graduation webpage for additional information pertinent to graduation and graduation activities.