Saturday’s Commencement exercises were significant on many levels; the greatest of course, was the accomplishment of the 254 cap and gown-clad candidates for degrees who walked before capacity crowds at Behrens Auditorium.

The number of graduate degrees conferred was the largest ever by this university. The 87 masters and doctorate degree recipients included 30 doctors of physical therapy, the largest doctoral class since the degree was first offered.

Dr. Jesse Fletcher, HSU president emeritus, conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree on Rosa Lee Prichard, long-time supporter, trustee, and benefactor of the university during the morning session. Her humble remarks bespoke a great love for Hardin-Simmons.

Dr. Rosa Lee Prichard

State Representative Bob Hunter, in what was undoubtedly one of his last public addresses in a long and distinguished career as a public servant, delivered the charge to the graduates during afternoon ceremonies.

Two sets of twins, Leslie and Kelsi Horne, and Adriene and Abby Baggett received degrees, along with the older Bagget sibling, Aaron, who received a masters degree.

Justin Morais, of Karnataka, India, received a doctor of physical therapy degree, and Ricardo Silva, of Joao Pessoa, Brazil, received a master of divinity degree.

Mohamed Adel Sarhani, a 46 year-old Muslim émigré from the Kingdom of Morocco, received a bachelor degree with a Corrections major and Sociology minor. Mohamed served in the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces for 12 years. An assignment to the United States had shown him the culture of America, one that he was finally able to embrace once released from the Moroccan military. A correctional officer in the United States since 1993, he advanced to the rank of lieutenant and worked the 12-hour night shift at the Robertson Unit while attending classes at HSU during the day. Often sleeping in his car during classes as he struggled to complete his degree, he completed requirements for graduation at the end of the Summer session. He chose to walk in Saturday’s Commencement to show his children and members of the audience that “no matter what obstacles and barriers a person encounters in life, it is never too late to learn.�

Everyone had a story that day. Jennifer Kennedy, bachelor of music recipient (with honors) and scheduled to perform during both ceremonies, had literally lost her voice 3 days prior to Commencement. Although she still had no speaking voice on Saturday, her moving vocal performance of “Be Thou My Vision� soared above all.

Children of faculty graduated, as Adam Stafford, Carrie Stiver, and David Williford received degrees.

As Chris Norwood, who received a bachelor of arts from the School of Music and Fine Arts, crossed the stage, a chorus of air horns bid the former Cowboy Band president good luck and farewell. Not exactly decorous, but spirited.

Even Shine sports a mortar board this day

After the ceremonies, grads gathered for refreshments and photographs at the new Alumni Wall, where the temporary plaque (soon to be replaced by a permanent brass version) already bore the names of the newest alumni.

Rebekah Hagan, a new Doctor of Physical Therapy, finds her name on the Alumni Wall

By 5:00 p.m., when everyone had finally left, you could almost hear the university grounds and buildings breathe a collective sigh of satisfaction that another class had matriculated in an environment of excellence guided by faith. Wish you could have been there, it was a very good day.

It was a good year, too. We’ll pick up when we all get back in January. Since the blog started as a Cowboy Band blog, we’ll leave you with a glimpse into the mysteries of that hallowed institution.

The trumpet section in deep thought...