Winter Commencement - 5:30PM Ceremony
Friday, December 11, 2020
We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and will keep all health and safety protocols in place that align with federal, state, and local health officials' guidance. Should circumstances warrant, we will certainly make any necessary changes to the Commencement Ceremony that will protect the health and safety of our visitors and the amazing graduates of UMHB.
Please note, all participants and spectators will need to wear a mask while on UMHB campus and practice social distancing.
Watch Live
5:30 PM Ceremony
Commencement Program
5:30 PM Ceremony
View the entire program below or you can also download it by clicking here to download the Commencement Program.
The University
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas as the Female Division of Baylor University. In 1866, it became Baylor Female College, operating under its own charter and board. The school moved in 1886 from Independence to Belton. In 1925, the name was changed to Baylor College for Women and, in 1934, to Mary Hardin-Baylor College in honor of a benefactor.
Once the oldest school for women west of the Mississippi River, Mary Hardin-Baylor College began offering degrees to men in 1968 and, in 1971, became fully coeducational. In 1978, Mary Hardin-Baylor College became the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
The university, with a current student population of almost four thousand, offers eleven bachelor’s degrees with fifty majors, ten master’s degrees with sixteen majors, and three doctorate degrees with five majors.
Mace
Historically, the use of a mace dates back to the Middle Ages. The mace was carried before or placed near a dignitary as a sign of protection. It came to symbolize strength and authority. Over the centuries, the mace was incorporated into processions as a symbolic item. Gradually, universities adopted the use of the mace to show the authority of the university invested in the president by the board of trustees. Today, the university’s mace is carried by the marshal before the president and other dignitaries of the platform party during commencement processions.
Academic Robes and Regalia
The pageantry and color of an academic convocation, such as today’s commencement, come to us from medieval times when academic robes and regalia were adapted from ecclesiastical garb.
Most robes are black to symbolize the democracy of scholarship since they cover any dress or rank of social standing worn beneath. Bachelor gowns are cut with long pointed sleeves, master’s gowns feature closed slit sleeves, and doctoral gowns are full-cut with double-belled sleeves and bars of velvet trim. Some universities have authorized doctoral gowns in a single color representative of the institutions.
The hood, originally a simple cowl attached to the gown, bears the heaviest symbolism of the academic costume. Its lining displays the colors of the university that granted the degree, and the bordering color indicates the field of learning (or faculty) in which the degree was earned.
The square cap, or mortarboard, originated in the 13th century at the University of Paris and came to England in Tudor times. Earlier caps were round and reserved for doctoral degree holders. This velvet cap is still worn by doctors. Doctoral tassels are usually gold, while other degrees are represented by black.
Some of the colors you may see in today’s processional are:
- Arts, Letters, Humanities-White
- Economics-Copper
- Music-Pink
- Social Science-Cream
- Business-Drab
- Education-Light Blue
- Nursing-Apricot
- Social Work-Citron
- Communication-Silver Gray
- Exercise & Sport Science-Sage Green
- Physical Therapy-Teal
- Theology-Scarlet
Hooding Participants
The hood bears heavy symbolism.
Its inner lining is purple, representing Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Coloring found on the outer velvet trim indicates the academic field of learning in which the degree was earned.
MASTER OF
ARTS IN COUNSELING
Hooded by: Dr. Ty Leonard
Hood Color: White
MASTER OF
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Hooded by: Dr. Nancy Bonner
Hood Color: Drab
MASTER OF EDUCATION
Hooded by: Dr. Craig Hammonds
Hood Color: Light Blue
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
ACCOUNTING
Hooded by: Dr. Tiffany DeLuze
Hood Color: Drab
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
Hooded by: Dr. Lem Taylor
Hood Color: Sage
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Hooded by: Dr. Jim King
Hood Color: Drab
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
MANAGEMENT
Hooded by: Dr. Nancy Bonner
Hood Color: Drab
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Hooded by: Dr. Elizabeth Jimenez
Hood Color: Apricot
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPORT
ADMINISTRATION
Hooded by: Dr. Mickey Kerr
Hood Color: Sage
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
Hooded by: Dr. Randy Hendricks
Hood Color: Light Blue
DOCTOR OF
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Hooded by: Dr. Barbara Gresham
Hood Color: Teal
Commencement Program
Friday, December 11, 2020, 5:30 PM
Prelude |
Selections by the Brass Band of Battle Creek |
Invocation |
Dr. Jared McClure |
Welcome and Charge |
Dr. Jim King |
National Anthem: “The Star-Spangled Banner” |
Francis Scott Key |
Presentation of Graduate Studies Awards |
Dr. Lem Taylor |
Hooding and Presentation of Degree Candidates |
Dr. Taylor and Dr. Brian Brabham |
Conferring of Degrees |
Dr. Randy O’Rear ’88, MBA ’97 |
Welcome into the Alumni Association |
Mr. Justin Gaidusek ’04 |
(AUDIENCE: Please stand and join in singing the alma mater.) |
|
“UMHB Alma Mater” |
Todd Blackhurst ’90, John Hollan ’89, Heath Peloquin ’96, and Kori Whatley ’94 |
(AUDIENCE: Please be seated for the benediction.) |
|
Benediction |
Dr. Kris Ward |
(AUDIENCE: You are dismissed. Please practice social distancing as you exit the venue.) |
|
Recessional: “Up With the Purple” |
Rountree ’24 |
Videographer: Mr. David Twilleager |