TCU graduated 1,370 in two ceremonies Saturday, May 9

Fort Worth, TX

4/24/2009

A total of 1,370 students graduated from TCU during Saturday's split Spring Commencement ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. For the first time in TCU history, the University awarded quadruple degrees to one student (English, French, political science and fashion merchandising) and graduated the first Doctor of Nursing Practice class of 23 students. Downloadable photos are available at www.commencement.tcu.edu.

The morning event consisted of 641 candidates receiving degrees from the Neeley School of Business, College of Education, College of Science & Engineering and the master of liberal arts graduate program. Graduating senior Corrie Donovan led the singing of a hymn and the TCU Alma Mater. The TCU Commencement Band, under the direction of Bobby R. Francis, Brian Youngblood and James McNair, played for both ceremonies. The class of 1959 was in attendance, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation.

The 729 students graduated in the afternoon representing AddRan College of Liberal Arts, College of Communication, College of Fine Arts, and Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Brite Divinity School graduated 26 students during the afternoon ceremony. Graduating senior Jennifer Meyers led the singing of a hymn and the TCU Alma Mater. Dr. Richard L. Enos, professor of English and Lillian Radford Chair of Rhetoric and Composition, was recognized as a Piper Professor of 2009. The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation annually recognizes 15 Texas professors for superior teaching at the college level.

In addition to Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and Provost Nowell Donovan, the platform party for both ceremonies included J. Luther King, chair of the Board of Trustees; Chris Curtis '83, president of the National Alumni Board; Rev. Angela Kaufman, minister to the University; as well as vice chancellors and deans. TCU Board of Trustee member Joan Rogers attended the morning ceremony and Trustees Dani Cartwight and John Wooldridge attended the afternoon ceremony.

Of the total number of degree candidates, 1,074 received bachelor's degrees (15 received double degrees, one received triple degrees and one received quadruple degrees), 246 received master's degrees (including two double degrees) and 50 were Ph.D. candidates. Of those graduating, 384 students received Latin Honors, including 19 with a 4.0 GPA (one of which was also a double degree recipient in math and physics and one with a double degree in Spanish and political science/international). The geographic makeup of the graduating class included 574 from Texas, as well students from 43 other states. There were 79 international students graduating, representing 43 foreign countries.