Hardin-Simmons University holds its Spring Commencement Saturday, May 10 in Behrens Chapel on the HSU campus. More than 223 degrees will be conferred with 191 bachelors, and 32 masters candidates.

The 10:00 a.m. ceremony confers degrees from the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts, the Holland School of Sciences and Mathematics, the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing and the Logsdon School of Theology. The 2:00 p.m. commencement confers degrees from the Kelly College of Business, the Irvin School of Education, and the School of Music and Fine Arts.

Dr. Bill Ellis, university provost, delivers the morning address and encourages candidates to "burn the ships." Taking a hint from Paul's admonition to put on the "whole armor of God," he uses a military metaphor to suggest how graduates might live their lives and advises them to pick their battles wisely, pack and prepare well for the campaigns of life, and commit completely to the cause.

Dr. Michael Whitehorn, senior vice president for student development, challenges the afternoon graduating class to "be true to yourself." How? "By knowing yourself, by knowing the principles by which you plans to live, and by having the awareness that while you cannot always control events, you can always control the reaction to events." Using the example of the ragged knight in Don Quixote, he encourages candidates to develop the capacity to love unconditionally and embrace life as a gift from God.

Compassionate healer and academic visionary, Rex L. Nutt receives the Honorary Doctor of Science during morning ceremonies. The founder of Disability Resources , Inc., advocate of physical therapy for the disabled, and private practitioner was the driving force behind the formation of the Hardin-Simmons University physical therapy program.

The graduating senior selected for the honor of presenting special music is clarinetist, Jeremiah McCurdy, student of Dr. Charles Coltman, assistant professor of clarinet and saxophone. He is accompanied by Shirley Anderson, adjunct instructor in piano.

A highlight Commencement at HSU is the recognition of top students whose academic record and service to the community are of special note. This spring the university honors the top graduate student with the Hemphill Graduate Honor Award, and the top undergraduates with the George Skiles Anderson Award, the Minnie L. Anderson Award, and the Olsen Medal.