Mechanical engineering senior Aaron Millan said although the transition from University of Texas at Brownsville to UTRGV was chaotic for him, his overall experience in the university was “enriching and educational.”
“It was a little chaotic because I came right in the transition that was happening between UTB and [Texas Southmost College] and then I went to the period of us just being UTB and then again UTRGV,” Millan said. “In that sense, it was a lot of confusion around the university. I was the first generation to experience it. So, it was very up in the air to see how my degree is going to look like. … As an academic experience, I had excellent teachers.”
This semester, 2,753 students will graduate during one commencement on the Brownsville campus and three in the McAllen Convention Center.
Patrick Gonzales, associate vice president for University Marketing and Communications, said student success is the top priority for the institution.
“This is a special graduation for UTRGV, because we are going to surpass the 10,000 mark,” Gonzales said. “So, since our inaugural class in Fall 2015, UTRGV has graduated after the weekend of May 12 and 13, more than 10,000 students. That is just a great testament to UTRGV and the hard work of all faculty, staff and students. Student success is our top priority and to have 10,000 graduates within the first two years of the university existence is such a great accomplishment.”
He stated in an email that 581 students will receive a master’s degree and 24 a doctoral degree.
The Brownsville ceremony for all colleges will start at 6 p.m. May 12 on the Student Union lawn.
At the McAllen Convention Center, the commencements will start at 9 a.m. for the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Sciences; 1 p.m. for the College of Health Affairs and the College of Education and P-16 Integration; and 5 p.m. for the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Fine Arts.
No guests of honor will attend the ceremonies, he said.“However, UTRGV President Guy Bailey will give remarks at each of the ceremonies.”
Maricruz Lopez, a biology senior, said throughout her years of college she gained experience and knowledge in her field.
“I can say that it was tough because there were hard times where I had to combine school and work and there were a lot of endless nights where I had to study all night,” Lopez said. “But, on the other hand, it was also fun because I got to meet [new] people. … I also learned what I want to do after I graduate. I got a lot of experience and knowledge throughout the years of college. I also got help in my overall life, like guidance, whenever I needed help.”
Registrar Sofia Montes said the University Bell will ring in all ceremonies.
“One of the things that we are looking forward to this spring [semester] that we didn’t have last spring, is the ringing of the bell in Edinburg,” Montes said. “We are really happy to bring that over to the Edinburg [campus] … so that students can enjoy it at all ceremonies. Every ceremony has designated bell ringers and so, at the conclusion of every commencement ceremonies, the students will be able to ring the bell signifying the conclusion of the commencement ceremonies.”
Gonzales said eight students will be chosen to ring the University Bell at all ceremonies.
“So, two students who have been selected for their outstanding contribution academically and outside of school, will be chosen to ring the bell at all four ceremonies,” he said. “So, eight different students, two each at each of the four ceremonies will be honored to ring the bell near the end of the ceremony.”
Kristin Croyle, vice president for Student Success, said the new UTRGV class ring established a new tradition for the university.
“I think it’s beautiful,” Croyle said about the class ring that was unveiled March 23. “I think [the ring] is really an exceptional opportunity for our jewelry design students who had an opportunity to work on it. … They really did some beautiful work. I think it’s also really special that [the ring] has unique features for each college.”
Gonzales said the ceremonies will present past traditions with the addition of new ones.
“It’s been pretty neat how these traditions have developed,” he said. “For example, I think the bell previously was only done at the Brownsville ceremony. Now, we have included it at every ceremony. It’s pretty neat to see how these traditions have developed from the ceremonies that we had previously. This year’s ceremony will have all the past traditions regarding the pomp and circumstance. We are very excited about that. We think students will enjoy it.”
Asked what traditions are going to be part of the ceremonies, Gonzales replied: “Some of the traditions that have developed through the first commencement exercise have been the students playing music before the event and the students playing music for the processional and the recessional. In El Gran Salón, the banners that represent each of the colleges will be brought into the ceremonies and will be carried by students. The national anthem will be sung by a student from the School of Music.”
Millan offered advice for the future generations of the university.
“I would encourage future generations to give themselves a lot of grace during their first couple of years as they are figuring out, especially for students who don’t know exactly what they want to do,” she said. “I would recommend future generations to be aware that grades are very important, but they are not everything. I would encourage any major to get internship experience because that is really what employers are going to be looking for. Talk to your department’s head if there is a problem with your classes because you are not the only one. … So, make your voice heard at the university. Let them know that you have a problem.”
Croyle said graduating students will have the chance to switch the site of their commencement.
“Once in awhile, we’ll find that students are attending classes in Brownsville and actually live in Mission and they find it more convenient to attend the McAllen ceremony,” she said. “If a student needs to switch the commencement ceremony, they can do that. They can request it through U Central.”
Tickets will be required for entrance into the ceremonies at the McAllen Convention Center. Five tickets will be given to each student. For the Brownsville ceremony, tickets are not required.
Montes said graduating students should be proud and grateful for their accomplishment.
“The advice I would have for graduates, on a personal note, is to be very proud of their accomplishment and to be very thankful for the people who supported them, whether they are family, friends, faculty, advisers, deans,” she said. “I think that is something that in the busyness of day-to-day life and the chaos that comes with jobs, school and family, we kind of forget sometimes to take a moment and celebrate and be thankful,” she said. “On the more logistic note, I would say be prepared for commencement ceremonies.”
Ana Zapata, a Spanish senior, offered advice for students at the university.
“My advice is to not get discouraged,” Zapata said in Spanish. “In your life, you are going to get discouraged from every little thing and I think it is an essential part of getting older. … This is how you are going to get experience and be stronger as you reach adulthood and have real problems to face.”
Croyle said she encourages graduating students to attend commencement.
“I know some students don’t feel like it’s that big a deal,” she said. “Some students do really think it’s a really big deal, of course. … But, it’s a great symbol of the achievement. … I’ve often found that students who don’t attend, later regret that they didn’t go and celebrate with their friends and kind of experience that important moment in their life. Being a college graduate is still a rare achievement and every student who’s graduating should have the opportunity to celebrate that.”
In the case of inclement weather on the Brownsville campus, the ceremony will be moved to 6 p.m. May 12 in the McAllen Convention Center. Students will be notified 24 to 48 hours prior to a change of location.
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