Speakers for the 2014 fall convocation ceremonies by schools and colleges at The University of Texas at Austin on Dec. 6 and 7 include a state senator, corporate executives and academic scholars.
In honor of graduating students receiving their degrees during the ceremonies, the university’s Tower will be lighted orange with “14” displayed in the windows on Dec. 6 and 7.
The 3,095 graduates this fall semester comprise 2,375 undergraduates, five law students, 238 doctoral students and 477 students receiving their master’s degrees, according to the Office of the Registrar.
Convocations at the university’s colleges and schools recognize students individually. Fall graduation activities do not include a university-wide commencement ceremony.
More information about fall convocations is available online at http://www.events.utexas.edu/commencement/fall.
Parking for commencement activities is free in designated areas on a first come, first served basis. On Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, with the exception of spaces marked “At All Times,” all university parking garages and most surface lots will be available.
In addition to official convocation and graduation ceremonies, the Texas Exes invite all members of the fall class and their families to The Great Texas Exit, a celebration Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Blvd.
Speakers for the fall ceremonies are listed below.
Saturday, Dec. 6
9 a.m. Cockrell School of Engineering, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Dana D. Sellers, chief executive officer of Encore, a Quintiles company.
9 a.m. School of Nursing, Bass Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center. Speaker: Texas state Sen. Kirk Watson.
9 a.m. School of Social Work, LBJ Auditorium. Student speaker: Meghan Graham, bachelor of social work, chosen by her peers.
Noon. College of Communication, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Jeff Hunt, partner and co-founder of PulsePoint Group.
Noon. College of Education, Bass Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center: Victor Sáenz, associate professor in educational administration at The University of Texas at Austin.
1 p.m. Jackson School of Geosciences, McCullough Theatre. Speaker: Scott Anderson, senior policy adviser, U.S. Climate and Energy Program, Environmental Defense Fund.
3 p.m. College of Fine Arts, LBJ Auditorium. Speaker: Michael Tusa, professor of the Butler School of Music and the Grace Hill Milam Centennial Fellow in Fine Arts, The University of Texas at Austin.
3 p.m. College of Liberal Arts, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Jacqueline Jones, the Walter Prescott Webb Chair in History and Ideas, College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin.
3:30 p.m. McCombs School of Business, Bass Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center. Speaker: Rad Weaver, chief executive officer of McCombs Partners, the investment management division of McCombs Enterprises.
Sunday, Dec. 7
2:30 p.m. College of Natural Sciences, Frank Erwin Center. Speaker: Brian Kushner, senior managing director at FTI Consulting.