Congrats, Grads!

Class of December 2023 Commencement

By St. Edward's University

December 15^th, 2023

The Recreation and Athletic Center gym was packed with family and friends celebrating hundreds of students as they achieved the peak academic milestone of graduation. Commencement ceremonies honored St. Edward's doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students, and concluded with a cider toast for the new graduates, who join an alumni community of over 35,000 strong, spread across all 50 states and 13 countries.

Provost Marianne Ward-Peradoza was the convener of commencement and presided over the order of exercises.

Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Richard Wilkinson gave the invocation and benediction.

Lillian Harlow '24 sang The National Anthem and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Montserrat Fuentes shared a welcome message with attendees and reflected on graduates' experience through their years on the hilltop.

Morgan Garrison, graduating Class of 2023 member, gave the Undergraduate Address.

Lance Bennett, graduating Class of 2023 member, gave the Graduate Address.

Regalia Traditions

The resemblance of academic regalia to the robes of religious orders is no coincidence; the caps, gowns and hoods worn today have their origins in the Middle Ages. U.S. colleges and universities adopted their own uniform code of academic dress in 1895.

The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves, while the gown for the master’s degree has an oblong sleeve. The doctoral gown is trimmed down the front with velvet and has three velvet bars on the bell-shaped sleeves. These may be black or may be the color distinctive to the discipline to which the degree pertains.

The hood is the most distinctive feature of American regalia. Hoods are worn for the master’s degree and all doctoral degrees. The doctoral hood is longer and marked by a wider velvet binding. The color of the velvet edging of the hood indicates the degree; the color of the lining represents the university that confers the degree.

The Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Higher Education is the first doctoral degree at St. Edward’s University. The light blue color signifies the field of education. Finally, the doctoral candidates have the choice of a traditional cap or a beret.

Commencement wouldn't be complete without some decorated grad caps!

Graduates showcased a number of vibrant, personalized designs.

Like decorated grad caps, shoes also showcase Hilltoppers' unique style.

Gregory Kozmetsky, President and Chairman of KMS Ventures, Inc., received an honorary degree from St. Edward's University. President Fuentes hooded Kozmetsky and presented him with his honorary degree.

Kozmetsky has been a part of the hilltop family since he studied Business at St. Edward's until 1970. In 1981, he began service on the university’s Board of Trustees, a tenure that would extend more than 20 years. He was named Trustee Emeritus in 2008.

Jason Kelley, GM, Managing Partner, Strategic Partners and Ecosystems, IBM Consulting, was the commencement speaker. In his commencement address, Kelley shared insights, advice and a few laughs with the newly-minted graduates as they prepare to embark on their post-grad journey.

Candidates for Graduation included a doctoral degree in Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Higher Education; master's degrees in Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis, Master of Science in Leadership and Change, Master of Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting Analytics, Master of Science in Business Analytics and Master of Science in Digital Marketing and Analytics; baccalaureate degrees from the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the School of Arts and Humanities, The Bill Munday School of Business and the School of Natural Sciences.

An apple cider toast concluded the ceremonies, with graduates raising their glasses and cheersing one another before departing in the recessional.

While the traditional Legacy Walk was cancelled due to rain, many graduates still chose to take the iconic walk through campus and out Main Building's iconic red doors to signify their transition from the hilltop and into the world.