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Celebrating our Graduates

Class of May 2024

By St. Edward's University

May 14^th, 2024

The Recreation and Athletic Center gym was packed on a mild May day for both morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies. The morning commencement honored graduates in The Bill Munday School of Business and the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the afternoon commencement honored graduates in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Arts and Humanities and School of Natural Sciences.

Family and friends came to celebrate hundreds of students as they achieved the peak academic milestone of graduation. The commencement ceremonies 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 looks through the window on a door before commencement begins.

Graduate Kaitlyn Nguyen holds her medallion to show her pin of Main Building.

Family and friends cheer and take photos of the graduates.

Professor of Mathematics Jason Callahan holds the sceptre during the processional.

Graduates wave as they walk in the processional.

Family members cheer and hold photos of a graduate.

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

Juan Diego Chaparro '24 led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang The National Anthem.

Graduate Juan Diego Chaparro sings The National Anthem.

Graduates stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Father Richard Wilkinson gives the invocation.

President Montserrat Fuentes and her daughter Veronica Patterson shared a welcome message via video with attendees to celebrate Hilltopper graduates while they were at The University of Iowa celebrating Veronica's graduation.

A screen capture of President Montserrat Fuentes and her daughter Veronica Patterson.

A graduate's hat reads "Oops! I did it again!"

Evan Autin, graduating Class of 2024 member, gave the morning Undergraduate Address.

Zach Falkenbury, graduating Class of 2024 member, gave the morning Graduate Address.

Aaliyah Gutierrez-Cano, graduating Class of 2024 member, gave the afternoon Undergraduate Address.

Tasia Aina, graduating Class of 2024 member, gave the afternoon Graduate Address.

An aerial view of the Recreation and Athletic Center during commencement.

Simone Talma-Flowers '91, MBA '02, Executive Director of iACT, Austin, TX, was the commencement speaker. In her commencement address, the fellow alumna shared advice and a few laughs with the newly-minted graduates as they embark on their post-grad journey.

Simone Talma-Flowers gives the Commencement Address.

Topper is bejeweled on a graduate's cap.

Commencement wouldn't be complete without decorated grad caps! Graduates showcased a number of vibrant, personalized designs to share meaningful messages, honor their loved ones and to simply have a little fun.

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

Martin Rose, Chair of St. Edward's University Board of Trustees, and Linus N. Akanoh, Jr. '06, Vice-Chair of St. Edward's Board of Trustees conferred the degrees upon the graduates. It was now the time everyone was waiting for -- watching their graduates cross the stage to receive their diplomas.

Martin Rose and Linus Akanoh laugh and embrace after conferring the degrees.

A graduate watches the presentation of candidates.

A graduate receives their diploma from Martin Rose.

Friends and family cheer on the graduates.

A graduate shakes hands with Dean Catherine Campbell.

A graduate shakes hands with Dean Sharon Nell.

Graduates clap during the presentation of candidates.

SEU is reflected in a prism as a graduate walks the stage.

Graduate Cameron Crowder shakes Dean Catherine Campbell's hand.

A graduate smiles before walking the stage.

Graduate Vince Martinez smiles as he shakes Catherine Campbell's hand.

A graduate walks to shake hands with Dean Alexis Stokes.

Graduate Mimi Currah smiles as she walks the stage.

Graduate Tito Colon smiles with his diploma for a photo with Linus Akanoh.

Graduate Izzy Smith smiles as they hold up their diploma.

Graduates embrace after receiving their diplomas.

President Montserrat Fuentes shared a video message to toast the graduates. The new graduates raised their glasses and cheersed one another before departing in the recessional.

A screen capture of President Montserrat Fuentes giving a toast to the graduates.

A graduate holds their glass of cider and waves.

A graduate holds up their glass of cider.

Graduate Emmanuel Epau smiles and holds his diploma.

A graduate holds their glass of cider and diploma in front of a balloon backdrop.

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.