Local Family Prepares to Graduate Together at University of the Incarnate Word Ceremony
Father, Mother and Son Will Walk the Stage at UIW Graduation With Hundreds of Fellow Grads
San Antonio – May 7, 2025 – For every family of a soon-to-be college graduate, graduation day is always a special time. A time to reflect on a job well done, an effort well spent, a reward well deserved. But for Jorge, Erica, and Ricardo Jimenez this graduation date will also mean one word… family. The three native San Antonians have inspired each other to be graduates at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) as the father, mother and son will cross the stage together this Saturday, May 10.
“UIW’s staff was very friendly and knowledgeable in answering questions we may have had,” reflects Jorge Jimenez, Jr., the patriarch who has been earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. “From the application process to financial aid questions and veteran services. The instructors at UIW are awesome and were always willing to help if you ran into any issues.”
Erica Jimenez decided to attend UIW after speaking to a close friend who was a graduate of the UIW School of Professional Studies (UIWSPS). It would be the third time Erica attempted to earn her degree and she found that the online and hybrid programs offered by UIWSPS were a perfect fit. She has been earning her Bachelor of Arts in Administration with a minor in Organizational Communication.
“When we realized that we, as a family, could all graduate simultaneously, it was something we had to strive for,” shares Erica. “We encouraged and supported each other to make this goal a reality! Additionally, the guidance and assistance of the UIWSPS staff members played a significant role in making my dream of earning a bachelor’s degree come true!”
What made the Jimenez couple’s academic journey all the more special was that their son, Ricardo Jimenez, was also earning his degree right along with them. Ricardo will be earning his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Like his parents, he too enjoyed the University’s educators, course material and the friendships he formed along the way. But there is also one aspect of his college journey that he says he will treasure the most.
“The most rewarding part of attending UIW is not only finishing but being able to enjoy the last bit of my college journey with my parents,” said Ricardo. “We stayed up long hours together and helped hold each other accountable. We’d get on our laptops and do our homework together at the dinner table, at times while we finished eating. I didn’t know how special the journey was until now. Walking the graduation stage with my parents is going to be something we all will cherish.”
The Jimenez family will cross the stage this Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at the UIW Commencement Ceremony to be held at Freeman Coliseum. There will be a second ceremony at 3 p.m. as hundreds of graduates and thousands of family and friends celebrate this momentous occasion. Congratulations Cardinals!
Photo Caption (L-R): Jorge Jimenez, Jr; Erica Jimenez, Ricardo Jimenez/UIW Graduates
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Media Contact: Michael Valdes, Assistant Director/Media and Public Relations, Office of Communications & Brand Marketing, (210) 829-6001, (210) 422-4052 or michael.valdes@uiwtx.edu
About UIW
With over 140 years of tradition, the University of the Incarnate Word is committed to educational excellence in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. UIW programs constitute a liberal education that fosters a well-grounded intellectual resilience, a disposition toward lifelong learning, and an acceptance of responsibility for the ethical consequences of our ideas and actions. Founded in 1881, UIW is the largest Catholic university in the state and the fourth largest private university in Texas. UIW students can choose from degrees offered at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The University is committed to graduating students with the lowest amount of debt load possible and to help them secure a career that lifts their lives, their families and their communities. With a beautiful main campus in the heart of San Antonio, in 2019, UIW purchased a 10-acre landmark property at 4119 Broadway which increased the footprint of the UIW Broadway Campus by 20%. The building is now known as Founders Hall. UIW has locations throughout San Antonio, two campuses in Mexico and a European Study Center in Strasbourg, France. UIW is a leader in international education, with over 146 “sister schools” in 45 countries and it is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution. The University is a member of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference and is proud to have 25 teams representing 15 different sports. UIW is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.