The University of Central Arkansas conferred more than 1,500 degrees as part of its 2022 spring commencement ceremonies.
The university awarded 1,227 undergraduate degrees and 282 graduate degrees across four different commencement events, all held within the Farris Center on the UCA campus. The celebrations began on Friday, May 6 with a ceremony for graduate students before continuing on Saturday, May 7 with three ceremonies for undergraduates representing the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; and College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Anna Sophia Jones performed the “The Star-Spangled Banner” accompanied by the university’s wind ensemble under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Michael Hancock.
A series of speakers addressed graduates in pre-recorded messages. Mya Hall, 2021-22 executive vice president of the Student Government Association, spoke on behalf of undergraduate students while Jose Luna Armenta delivered a message on behalf of graduate students.
Kristin Dooley, 2022-23 Faculty Senate president, and Nadia Eslinger, 2021-22 Staff Senate president, spoke to graduates on behalf of faculty and staff, respectively. Aaron Knight, UCA Alumni Association board president, represented UCA alumni. One student from each of the university’s five colleges received the President’s Medallion for Outstanding Student. The recipients were:
- Hanna Bender from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences;
- Daisy Martinez Carranza from the College of Business;
- Drew M. McDonnough from the College of Education;
- Alyssa Theroux from the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences;
- Alec R. Filson from College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
President Houston Davis gave special recognition to the Cox family in the Saturday morning ceremony.
“What a weekend for the Cox family,” Davis said. “Katherine Cox graduated Friday night with a master’s degree in education with her family cheering her on. On Saturday morning, Cox attended another commencement ceremony to cheer on her sons, Tyler and Sklyer Cox, who both earned bachelors’ degrees from the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences.”
The Farris Center arena, which seats 5,500 people, was at or near capacity during the ceremonies. Each graduate was allowed 10 guest tickets to distribute to family and friends.
“We’re honored to have all of you here in celebration of our graduates,” Davis said. “I want you to know that I appreciate you for your resilience, for your positive attitudes and your accomplishments. During these last two years, when distractions became all too common, you remained focused on earning this degree and all that the degree means to you, your future and your family. You all join us in pulling together as a community to ensure that you could finish this chapter. We’re proud of, and proud for, you and congratulate you all for a job well done.”
President Davis urged the graduates to “stay in college mode“ by making personal development a priority, testing assumptions and valuing the role of mentors in their lives.
“All that you’ve demonstrated to us in your learning and growth at UCA is the same adaptation and approach that will carry you into, through, and beyond the next opportunities and challenges in your life,” Davis said. “In your families, your workplace and your communities, take these blessings and the capabilities that you have been provided and be encouraging. Leave all of those things better than you found them. Be proud of the legacies that you have left to your university and know that you are forever a part of this UCA family.”