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UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

The University of Texas at Tyler to Hold Spring 2017 Commencement

May 3, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler will hold 2017 spring commencement ceremonies May 5 – 6.

One thousand one hundred and thirty four degree candidates will be recognized in the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Dawn Franks, The University of Texas at Tyler alumna and president of Your Philanthropy, will deliver the commencement address for the Colleges of Nursing and Health Sciences and Arts and Sciences on May 5.

Franks serves as both president and CEO of Your Philanthropy, a coaching and consulting firm for the donor and non-profit community. She has 33 years of experience working with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations nationwide. Franks also oversees grant-making activities for five family foundations. Among accolades, she was named one of The University of Texas at Tyler's Distinguished Alumni in 2014. She has also been honored by Leadership Tyler as a 2009 Distinguished Alumni and by the Tyler Small Business Development Center as this year's "Emerging Woman Entrepreneur of the Year."

Bradley W. Brookshire, chairman of the board and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co., will deliver the commencement address for the Colleges of Business and Technology, Education and Psychology and Engineering on May 6.

Brookshire is part of the third generation of the Brookshire family to lead the Brookshire Grocery Co. He has served in various leadership roles within BGC, including store director, director of distribution and executive vice president of corporate development. In addition, he has been actively involved as a board member for numerous professional and philanthropic organizations. Brookshire was instrumental in the development of Brookshire Hall, the home of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, and Brookshire Grocery Co. was named the 2014 "Patriot of the Year" for their support of the university.

The commencement schedule is:

  • College of Nursing and Health Sciences – 3 p.m. May 5
  • College of Arts and Sciences – 6 p.m. May 5
  • College of Business and Technology – 10 a.m. May 6
  • Colleges of Education and Psychology and Engineering – 1 p.m. May 6

President Michael Tidwell will give remarks and confer degrees. The University of Texas at Tyler associate professor of nursing Dr. Melinda Hermanns and Terrence Ates, Northeast Texas Public Health District community outreach director, will give alumni association presentations.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (170 candidates)

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY (335 candidates)

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY (165 candidates)

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (179 candidates)

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES (285 candidates)