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Three Ceremonies Highlight UCM’s Fall 2018 Commencement Dec. 7-8
By Jeff Murphy, December 5, 2018
WARRENSBURG, MO – A highlight in the lives of more than 1,000 students who are preparing
for professional careers, the University of Central Missouri will conduct its fall
2018 Commencement exercises Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8 at the Multipurpose Building.
Commencement weekend features three separate ceremonies beginning with the graduate commencement at 6
p.m. Friday. The next ceremony is at 10 a.m. Saturday and is for graduates of the
Adrian and Margaret Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies and the College
of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. At 2 p.m. the university will recognize
graduates of the College of Health, Science, and Technology and the College of Education.
University President Roger Best will present the commencement address in all three
ceremonies. At least 306 individuals have met degree requirements and are eligible
to participate in the graduate commencement. Some 705 students have met requirements
for undergraduate degrees, according to the Office of the Registrar.
Special recognition is planned for the 10 a.m. ceremony on Saturday. At this time,
the university will bestow Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees upon three UCM alumni.
This includes a posthumous award to be accepted by the family of Sentwali Talib Minka
Aiyetoro. He resided in Texas at the time passed away Feb. 22, 2017. Other honorary
degree recipients are Kenneth Kamau J. King, Lithonia, Ga., and Burnele Venable Powell,
Lexington, S.C.
The honorary doctorate is bestowed by the authority of the university’s Board of Governors
upon individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and
exemplary achievements within their fields of endeavor. Each award recipient attended
the university in the mid- to late-1960s. While attending the university and during
their professional careers, these men devoted their lives to the pursuit of justice.
They enjoyed successful careers in law and community service while also pursuing matters
related to the equitable treatment of all people, including those who feel disenfranchised.
Other commencement activities are planned beyond the conferring of degrees. This includes
the ROTC Commissioning Ceremony and Reception conducted by Military Science and Leadership
faculty at 9 a.m. Friday in the Alumni Chapel. On Saturday, the Nursing Recognition
Ceremony will be conducted by the College of Health, Science and Technology at 11
a.m. in Hendricks Hall. The Honors College Reception is planned for 11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. in Elliott Student Union 237.
View the entire 2018 Fall Commencement schedule.
