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Congrats to Our Grads

Class of December 2024 Commencement

By St. Edward's University

December 18^th, 2024

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.

A graduate laughs while standing with fellow graduates waiting for commencement to begin.

A graduate bites a medallion while their twin walks in front of them in the processional.

An attendee holds a sign that reads "Congrats Derek" and has a collage of photos.

A graduate waves as they walk in the processional.

A service dog, wearing a tie and grad cap, sits while graduates walk in the processional.

A graduate makes a toppers up hand sign.

Graduates stand and wait to be seated after the processional.

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

Grace Coldicott '25 sang The National Anthem and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Richard Wilkinson gave the invocation and benediction.

A graduate holds their hand over their heart during the national anthem.

Grace Coldicott '25 sings the national anthem.

Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Richard Wilkinson gives the invocation.

The Recreation and Athletic Center gym during commencement.

Linus N. Akanoh Jr. '06, Chair of the Board of Trustees, shared a message of welcome.

A tassel with a 2024 charm on a grad cap.

Julieta E. Jamie, member of the graduating class of 2024, gave the undergraduate address.

Julieta E. Jamie smiles while approaching the podium.

Lora Ofelia Peña, member of the graduating class of 2024, gave the graduate address.

Lora Ofelia Peña holds a photo while speaking.

Salvador "Hector" Ochoa '81, P '15, PhD, President, Texas A&M University -- San Antonio, received an honorary degree from St. Edward's University. President Fuentes hooded Ochoa and presented him with his honorary degree and the official citation. Ochoa was also the commencement speaker.

President Montserrat Fuentes hoods Salvador "Hector" Ochoa.

President Montserrat Fuentes presents Salvador "Hector" Ochoa with the citation of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.

Family and friends of Salvador "Hector" Ochoa listen to the commencement address.

It was time for the moment everyone was waiting for -- the conferring of degrees and presentation of candidates. Graduates included students from the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, The Bill Munday School of Business, the School of Arts and Humanities, and the School of Natural Sciences.

A graduate smiles and holds their degree as they walk across the stage.

A graduate smiles and sticks their tongue out as they walk across the stage to be hooded.

Catherine Campbell, Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, hoods a graduate.

President Montserrat Fuentes smiles and gives a graduate their degree.

A graduate waves as Catherine Campbell, Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences, hoods them.

Loved ones hold signs of a graduate's face as a child as they cheer for them.

Family members sit and snooze together during commencement proceedings.

A graduate takes a photo with President Montserrat Fuentes.

Alexis Stokes, Dean of The Bill Munday School of Business, shakes a graduate's hand.

A graduate smiles as they walk across the stage.

A graduate and Alexis Stokes, Dean of The Bill Munday School of Business, smile.

A graduate walks past Robert Denton Bryant, Associate Professor of Video Game Development.

A graduate's stoles, cords and medallion.

A graduate shakes hands with Catherine Campbell, Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Family and friends cheer for and take photos of a graduate as they walk across the stage.

A graduate shakes hands with Alexis Stokes, Dean of The Bill Munday School of Business.

A graduate and President Montserrat Fuentes stand together for a photo.

Graduates move their tassels to the other side of their caps.

A grad cap bedazzled with rhinestones depicts the red doors.

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.

Graduates' shoes as they walk across the stage.

A decorated grad cap reads "Échale ganas mijo!"

Graduates' shoes as they wait to walk across the stage.

A graduate's shoes and heart-patterned hose as they wait to walk across the stage.

Decorated grad caps, one of which reads "What, like it's hard?'" and features a photo of Elle Woods.

A graduate holds a flute that features the St. Edward's University logo.

President Montserrat Fuentes, PhD, gave her congratulations and shared closing remarks with the graduates before an apple cider toast concluded the ceremonies.

President Montserrat Fuentes toasts the graduates.

A tray of flutes that feature the St. Edward's University logo.

A graduate holds a flute that features the St. Edward's University logo.

A graduate holds a flute that features the St. Edward's University logo.

Graduates then embarked on the Legacy Walk, the iconic walk through campus and out Main Building's red doors to signify their transition from the hilltop and into the world. Family and friends met their graduates at the end of their walk to cheer them on and take photos together.