May 17, 2013

DALLAS (SMU) - On Saturday, over 50 SMU student-athletes will walk across the stage on the Historic Main Quadrangle in what will be a defining moment of their college careers. It won't be a game-winning goal or a long touchdown pass, but rather the simple handoff of a piece of paper - a college diploma. It will mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of the rest of their lives, and will also mark the end of another successful academic year for Mustang student-athletes. This year, 29 SMU student-athletes earned the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal, each of whom have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better, while 186 SMU student-athletes were named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

On Saturday morning, the all-University May Commencement Convocation will assemble degree candidates from all of SMU's schools and professional programs. The ceremony will take place on the Historic Main Quadrangle, which is transformed by the pageantry. Students and faculty, dressed in academic regalia, march to the ceremony to grand, processional music.

Commencement speaker Kay Bailey Hutchison, a former U.S. Senator, will impart knowledge unto our newest class of candidates and President Turner will confer degrees. At the conclusion of the ceremony, "Varsity" will be played and a prayer will be said for the recently appointed alumni.

For guests who are unable to attend the 9 a.m. ceremony, it will be simulcast live at http://smu.edu/live.