UIW Celebrates the Class of 2016

SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) will confer degrees to over 1000 graduates at three commencement ceremonies this spring. 

The commencement schedule is as follows:

• Feik School of Pharmacy – Friday, May 6 at 6 p.m., UIW Convocation Center
• Rosenberg School of Optometry and UIW School of Physical Therapy - Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m., UIW Convocation Center
• Undergraduate, Graduate and Ph.D., Commencement – Sunday, May 8 at 2 p.m., Joe & Harry Freeman Coliseum (3201 E. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78219)

The UIW professional programs will graduate in two ceremonies on Friday evening and Saturday morning from the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center located on the university campus.  The professional programs will graduate more than 200 students who will move on to serve communities across the country.

Sunday’s commencement will honor students earning their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.  This year’s Commencement speaker is United States Congressman Henry Cuellar.

The 2016 Alumna of Distinction for Service in Mission is Amy Huber Garza. In 2005, Garza earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education with a minor in Reading and History. She holds TEA Certifications in Elementary Generalist Education, Special Education, ESL and American Sign Language.

This school year, Garza received the distinct honor of representing Bob Hope Elementary as Teacher of the Year, and went on to receive the Southwest Independent School District (SWISD) District Elementary Teacher of the Year award. In addition, she was celebrated as a Distinguished Educator receiving the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

Admission to commencement ceremonies is by ticket only. Commencement will also be broadcast online.  Live coverage of the events will begin 15 minutes prior to the event at http://uiwtv.org/index.php/commencement/.

A Baccalaureate Mass will be held for all graduates Saturday, May 7 at 5 p.m., in the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center on the UIW campus. Processional and recessional music for both events is performed by the San Antonio Pipes and Drums with musical direction provided by UIW Professor William Gokelman.

Parking will be available on the UIW campus with overflow parking at AT&T located between Allensworth & Groveland and at 4100 Broadway. Limited handicapped/ADA parking will be available in the area directly in front of the Barshop Natatorium.

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CONTACT:    Margaret Garcia, associate director communications and marketing, (210) 829-6001, mlgarci2@uiwtx.edu