SWT prepares for Centennial commencement
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS — A record number of Southwest Texas State University students will walk across the graduation stage this spring at commencement ceremonies which coincide with the university’s Centennial celebration.
SWT President Jerome Supple will be the keynote speaker at three graduation ceremonies, where 2,100 students will receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Ceremonies for the Graduate School will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 14, at Strahan Coliseum. There are 461 candidates for master’s degrees. There are 1,639 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, which will be awarded during two undergraduate commencement ceremonies to be held Saturday, May 15, also at Strahan Coliseum. Graduates from the schools of Education, Fine Arts and Communication, and Liberal Arts will participate in the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Graduates from the schools of Applied Arts and Technology, Business, Health Professions, and Science will attend graduation at 2 p.m.
Supple has been president of SWT for 10 years, joining the university from the State University of New York System. He is a research chemist with a proven record of accomplishment in higher education administration.
During his tenure at SWT:
- The university’s endowment has increased from $15 million to $47 million.
- Private gifts have increased from $583,000 to $8.6 million annually.
- Scholarship funds have tripled from $1 million to $3 million.
- Grant funding has improved from $5.4 million to $19.4 million.
- The average SAT score for entering freshmen has increased by 76 points.
- Minority enrollment has risen from 18.5 percent to 25.6 percent.
Jenny Schneider of San Antonio, who will received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, will deliver the student salutation during the 9:30 a.m. undergraduate ceremony. Christina Schroeder of Mission, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in accounting, will deliver the student salutation during the 2 p.m. ceremony.