UST Traditions: Then and Now

Graduation multiplies in size

Priscilla Bigner

Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Features

<b>UST's first</b> graduation ceremony included 20 students, as opposed to today's 500 students.

Media Credit: Courtesy of Archives

UST's first graduation ceremony included 20 students, as opposed to today's 500 students.

Sixty years ago, UST graduated its first 20 students. Today, an average of 500 students earn their degrees in 30 undergraduate programs. While the location of the ceremonies has jumped around many times, some traditions have remained the same.

Next year, graduate ceremonies will take place in the Reliant Arena, according to UST registrar Rose Sklar.

"We grew out of the George R. Brown Convention center with 5,000 guests and over 500 graduating students," Sklar said. "This year we have moved to the Reliant Arena."

New technology will be used this year, including over-head screens that will display the graduates as they receive their diploma. Sklar said that the committee in charge of graduation ceremonies strives to find the best ways to make the presentation as special as possible.

"We will continue to find new [ways] so that parents can see their graduate close up," Sklar said. "We are always finding better ways to deliver."

The official ceremony is preceded by a Baccalaureate Mass, held the night before of the commencement exercise, with a sermon by one of UST's priests. Last year, it was held in the Chapel of St. Basil, but it will be off campus again this year. Sklar said she is excited about this years Mass, which will be held downtown in the Co-Cathedral that will be finished in early spring.

"The Baccalaureate Mass was held at St. Micheals, but last year, we held it here to showcase the campus," Sklar said. "Next May it will take place in the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart downtown, which will be finished by early spring. It will be overwhelming and very special."

The banquet traditionally includes a principal address and a student response. In 1965, the ceremony was held at Ben Milam hotel. The Rev. William Young, academic dean, read a letter from then president the Rev. John Murphy and a principal address given Fred Taylor, Baylor University College of Medicine followed. Senior class president Jeffrey Bobbitt gave the student response. University awards were then presented to exceptional graduates. The Mass was led by the Rev. Alfred Caird in St. Anne's Church, with a sermon delivered by the Rev. Robert Lamb.

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