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STUDENTS
LOCAL
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Commencement
Schedule
All ceremonies will be held in Texas Hall
at 7001 W. Nedderman Drive.
Friday, Aug.
10
College of Education and School of Nursing — 7 p.m.
Saturday,
Aug. 11
School of Social Work — 9 a.m.
College of Engineering — 12:30 p.m.
College of Business Administration — 4 p.m.
College of Liberal Arts — 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 10
College of Education and School of Nursing — 7 p.m.
No Time Like Today
No matter when it is or what path they took to get here, students are
excited to graduate this summer
The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Robert Rodriguez
Jennifer Rojas, center, graduates with a biology degree this summer.
Rojas is a widow raising four kids, from left, Xavier, Inola, Jenneyda
and Zhané. Rojas balanced going to school full time with working
two jobs.
Associate registrar Robert Gunip said that about 800 undergraduates will
receive their bachelor’s degrees this summer. While that number
seems small compared to the 1,400 who graduated in fall ’06 and
the 1,800 in spring ’07, the moment is no less important to summer
grads.
For many, walking across the stage, flipping that tassel to the other
side and tossing up the cap means more than mere words can express.
Biology senior Jennifer Rojas’ college career was anything but traditional.
Over the course of 11 years, she attended school, gave birth to four children
and lost her husband in a work-related accident. Rojas will be the first
member of her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and will
soon apply to medical school.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, fall or summer. To
me personally, the important thing is having all of my family there to
support me in my achievement,” she said. “It’s a big
deal because despite everything, I’ve achieved my goal.”
Other graduates share her sentiments. Communication senior Bryant Robertson
is happy to graduate during the summer because more of his family can
attend. He is excited that his cousins can come, since they are out of
school for the summer.
“In the back of your mind, it’s a little nontraditional,”
he said.
The Shorthorn: Robert Rodriguez
Communication senior Bryant Robertson graduates this summer and was
active in many aspects of university life, including Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity president, UTA ambassador and Mr. NAACP. Robertson was given
the highest honor a student leader can receive, the Matthew E. Brown
Leadership Award.
In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Matthew E. Brown
Leadership Award. The award is the highest honor a student leader can
receive.
“One thing I’ve learned about UTA over the years is that we
do things a little different than most four-year universities, and that’s
what I like about this school,” Robertson said.
After graduation, Robertson will work in Campus Recreation. He is happy
to graduate but will miss being a student, he said.
“My time here has made me the man I am,” he said. “I’ve
met so many people ... all different kinds of people, and learned so much
about myself here.”
While some students may not want to graduate in the smaller summer ceremony,
those graduating are just happy they get to finally walk that stage.
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THE CANDIDATES FOR THE CLASS OF Summer 2007
Graduate School
Baccalaureate Degrees
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