Spring commencement May 13

Spring commencement May 13

Spring commencement will be held at Henderson State University Friday, May 13, with 470 undergraduate and graduate students receiving their degrees.

The ceremony starts at 9 a.m. at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium. The stadium will open for guests at 7 a.m. Graduates will report to Wells Gym starting at 7:30 a.m.

Radio personality Bobby Bones, a 2002 Henderson graduate, will be the guest speaker. Bones, originally from Hot Springs, has the largest country morning show in the United States and can be heard on nearly 100 country radio stations nationwide by millions of listeners

Bones recently received his second Academy of Country Music award for “National On-Air Personality of the Year.” He is also half of “The Raging Idiots,” a comedy band with his radio producer that plays shows across the U.S. and has raised more than $2 million for charities.

Their new album, The Critics Give it Five Stars, recently made its debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Comedy chart and landed in the Top Five on the Country Album chart.

The faculty charge will be presented by Dr. Claudia Beach, professor of theatre arts. Ashley Bles of Fairfield Bay will give the student response.

The candidates for graduation will be presented by: Dr. Steve Adkison, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Kenneth Taylor, vice provost and dean, graduate school; Dr. Judy Harrison, dean, Teachers College, Henderson; Dr. Louis Dawkins, dean, School of Business; and Dr. John Hardee, dean, Ellis College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Glen Jones, Henderson president, will confer the degrees. Greg Gibson, assistant professor of English, is the official announcer.

The Henderson State University Brass Band will provide prelude music, along with the processional and recessional. Josiah Burns will sing the National Anthem.