Undergraduate ceremony begins at 10 a.m., graduate ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.

The University of West Alabama will honor a record number of nearly 1,000 graduates during fall commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 14. The undergraduate ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Pruitt Gymnasium on the UWA campus. The graduate ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m., also at Pruitt Gymnasium. Presidential Receptions will be held prior to each ceremony and are open to all graduates and their guests at 8 a.m. and noon in the Bell Conference Center.

Guests must have tickets, which are available from the graduates, to attend each ceremony in Pruitt Gymnasium. Overflow seating to watch the commencement exercises will be available in Bibb Graves Auditorium. Ceremonies will also be streamed live online at www.uwa.edu/live.

The University will confer degrees in the colleges of liberal arts, natural sciences and mathematics, business, and education during the morning ceremony, and the school of graduate studies during the afternoon ceremony.

The University will recognize students graduating from the UWA Honors Program and those graduating with honors. The undergraduate with the highest GPA will be awarded the 2019 Ralph M. Lyon Award. In addition to honoring students for their academic achievements, the University will also recognize faculty recipients of the Nellie McCrory Service Excellence Award, the McIlwain Bell Trustee Professor Award and the William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching.

The University will also induct four individuals into the Society of the Golden Key, a prestigious organization established to honor University alumni, faculty, and staff who have brought distinction to their alma mater through exceptional service in their fields. The four inductees are Harvey B. Kuykendall of Cumming, Ga.; Alton Scott Lewis of Thomasville, Ala.; Telfair James Mashburn, III, of Fairhope, Ala.; and Scott Stadthagen of Hartselle, Ala.

Director of Choral Activities Christopher Shelt and Professor of Piano Dr. Paul Lee will lead the UWA Choral Union in a special performance honoring graduates. Thomas Fletcher of Livingston First Baptist Church will give the invocation and benediction.

For more information on UWA Commencement Exercises, contact Dr. Tina N. Jones, commencement chairperson, at tnj@uwa.edu or 205-652-3833.