ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ

One University Commencement

Flash Forward | Fall 2017

Dix Stadium was the place to be at 10 a.m. on May 13, 2017, as graduates from all campuses gathered for ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State’s first One University Commencement Ceremony, and their friends and families joined together to celebrate their achievements. 

β€œThis approach enables us to honor all graduates from our eight-campus system in one ceremonyβ€”a tangible manifestation of our β€˜One University’ vision,” says President Beverly Warren. β€œWe aim for this change to make a bold statement that affirms ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State as one of the largest public research universities in the nation, but one of the closest families in the world.” 

"Whatever your next chapter is, define it by being true to your authentic self. Fill it with meaning.” β€”Octavia Spencer, Academy-award-winning actress and author, keynote speaker at ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State’s One University Commencement Ceremony, May 13, 2017

The university-wide ceremony was held in addition to the college ceremonies currently hosted each spring at the regional and ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ campuses. At these college and regional campus ceremonies, students had the opportunity to be personally recognized as they crossed the graduation stage. 

In total, at its Spring 2017 Commencement ceremonies ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State conferred 5,636 degrees, including 992 associate degrees, 3,319 bachelor’s degrees, 1,139 master’s degrees, 181 doctoral degrees and five educational specialist degrees.

Octavia Spencer's Speech:


Back to Flash Forward Fall 2017

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POSTED: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 01:45 PM
Updated: Thursday, December 8, 2022 11:17 PM