(Dec. 15, 2017) -- When nearly 2,600 UTSA graduates cross the stage at Commencement this Sunday, they’ll all be dressed in the same navy blue regalia. As the ceremony starts, their creative caps will help their families and friends find them in the crowd.
Decorating mortarboards has become a popular tradition among many Roadrunners. It’s a way for graduates to share a special sentiment or give thanks to their parents, professors and supporters for helping them stay the course and earn their degrees.
Earlier this month, about 60 UTSA graduates came together for a cap decorating party at the Rowdy Campus Store on the UTSA Main Campus. They used flowers, shimmery paper, gems, letter stickers and paint to make their caps unique.
Undergraduate Nathalie Montes is among those who were at the decorating party.
“Mine is going to say, ‘thanks mom,’ because she’s my inspiration for going to college,” said Montes. “I’m getting my environmental science degree so I wanted to incorporate that by adding flowers.”
Priscilla Muniz is a first-generation student from San Antonio earning a business degree in finance.
“My parents are the influence for my mortarboard,” said Muniz. “They weren’t able to go to college, but they motivated me to pursue my degree. It will say, ‘Let the journey begin.’”
Mortarboards offer graduates a way to share their personalities. Students have incorporated Harry Potter references, Selena lyrics and their favorite movies, sports teams or Bible verses. Over the years, UTSA students have even added power to their mortarboards, with flashing lights and digital messages.
UTSA will honor nearly 2,600 graduates at two ceremonies Sunday at the Alamodome. The first Commencement ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and honors graduates from the College of Business, College of Engineering, the College of Public Policy and College of Sciences. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro will deliver the keynote address.
Students who are earning a degree from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Education and Human Development and University College will cross the stage beginning at 4 p.m. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg will address graduates in the second ceremony.
Fall 2017 graduates are advised to arrive two hours prior to their ceremony for check-in, located on the ground level of the Alamodome. Family and friends are also encouraged to attend. The Alamodome has a new clear bag policy. Graduates and guests can find all the details on this policy including a list of the approved bags on the Alamodome website. All Roadrunners and their families and friends can share their Commencement experience on social media using #UTSA and #UTSAgrad17.
Watch the first UTSA 2017 Fall Commencement ceremony.
Watch the second UTSA 2017 Fall Commencement ceremony.
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Día en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza, Main CampusCovidence is a systematic & scoping review tool used to streamline the process of screening and reviewing articles. Using this software, research teams can easily import studies, perform automatic deduplication, and extract data using templates. This workshop will show attendees how to start a review in Covidence, add collaborators, and get started on screening.
Virtual (Zoom)In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Pandas, a Python tool for working with data easily. It makes it simple to organize and analyze information when data is organized and categorized, like spreadsheets or tables.
Group Spot B, John Peace LibraryEach fall and spring semester, students convene at the Main Campus at UTSA with booths, ideas and prototypes. A crowd of judges, local organizations, students, faculty and sponsors walk around and talk to the students about their projects and ask questions. Students get the real-life experience of "pitching" their project with hopes of getting funding or support to move to the next level.
UTSA Convocation Center, Main CampusJoin the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusCelebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the graduates from the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.
AlamodomeThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
