Posted on May 6, 2016 by Joanna Carver
More than four thousand Roadrunners will toss their caps in celebration after they receive their diplomas at UTSA’s spring commencement ceremonies, scheduled Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 at the Alamodome.
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UTSA’s three commencement ceremonies will include more than 3,400 undergraduate students, more than 800 master’s students and 75 doctoral students - each with a unique personal story of triumph.
One of those Roadrunners, UTSA history major Mary Ledbetter-Gallagher, 57, will receive her bachelor’s degree at UTSA’s May 15 commencement ceremony. A non-traditional student and mother of three, Ledbetter-Gallagher enrolled at UTSA following an unexpected divorce to better support herself. In addition to thriving in her coursework, she’ll graduate from the UTSA Honors College.
“I love UTSA,” Ledbetter-Gallagher said. “I have had the most amazing experiences. I’m a non-traditional student, and I’ve had my challenges. But I hope that my success can help other non-traditional students, especially older women, see that it’s possible.”
Multidisciplinary studies major Charles Chikelu aims to apply his UTSA lessons to a career in service. He is set to join the military after graduation as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Corps, an appointment granted to him by the President of the United States.
“The experiences that I have had at UTSA have changed my perspective on life and helped me become a better leader,” said Chikelu, 26. “I’ve learned to understand the world better and grow into a more mature version of myself. I’m excited to take these lessons with me into my military career.”
The stories of UTSA students are many, varied and impressive in their own way. Some of these stories, including Ledbetter-Gallagher and Chikelu’s, are published on the UTSA Commencement website.
UTSA graduates, friends and family members are also encouraged to share their stories on social media using #UTSA and #UTSAgrad16.
Commencement Ceremony Information
UTSA’s first commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., May 14, for graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, the College of Education and Human Development and the College of Sciences.
The second commencement ceremony will follow at 4 p.m. for graduates from the College of Business, the College of Public Policy and University College.
The final commencement ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., May 15, for the College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the College of Engineering.
UTSA President Ricardo Romo will deliver the keynote address for each ceremony.
Graduates are advised to arrive two hours prior to their ceremony for check-in, located on the ground level of the Alamodome.
— Joanna Carver
