Dallas Program
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 3 p.m.
Kitty Magee Arena at Pioneer Hall | Denton, Texas
Presiding
Christopher Johnson
Dallas Campus Interim President, Texas Woman’s University
A Message from the Dallas Campus President
Dear Graduates, Families, and Friends,
It is a special privilege to celebrate commencement with you this spring. Today we celebrate the perseverance and purpose that have brought each of you to this milestone.
More than two hundred ninety-seven graduates from TWU Dallas join the 120,000 living alumni of Texas Woman’s University. Each of you arrives here with your own story of determination—supported by faculty mentors, classmates, families, and friends who believed in you along the way.
Our campus sits in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District, one of the most dynamic centers for health and education in the country. The work you are preparing to do matters. Every day across Dallas–Fort Worth, TWU Dallas graduates strengthen the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through their knowledge, compassion, and leadership.
Today you join that tradition. As you cross the stage, you carry forward the mission of Texas Woman’s—to use your education not only for personal success, but in service to others.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of TWU Dallas, congratulations. We are proud of you, and we look forward to the many ways you will help shape the future of the communities you serve.
With Pioneer Pride,
Christopher E. Johnson
Interim Dallas Campus President
The Ceremony
*Audience standing if able.
The Procession
*Student Processional
Carter Biggers, D.M.A., Director
TWU Commencement Band
Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar
“La Morisque” from The Danserye by Tielman Susato
The Banner Bearers
The Mace Bearer
The Presidential Party
Members of the Board of Regents
The Officers of the Administration
The Deans of the Colleges
The Marshals
The Faculty
The Candidates for Degrees
*The Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key
Ashley Bird
2026 graduating senior
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
*Alma Mater
by Mamie Walker, Class of 1917
Ashley Bird
Hail Alma Mater! Hail! Joyous we sing;
Voices atune with love shall loudly ring.
Thy students sing today praises to thee,
Hail! Texas Woman's University.
On broad and rolling plains, 'neath Texas skies,
There, crowned with majesty, thy buildings rise.
Thou hast with purpose new lighted our way.
Hail! Alma Mater! Hear our songs today.
Welcome
Christopher Johnson
Interim President - Dallas
Introduction of the Commencement Speaker
Christopher Johnson
Commencement Address
TBD
Introduction to Degree Awards
Angela Christine Bauer, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Recognition of Academic Distinction
Angela Christine Bauer, Ph.D.
Certification of Candidates for Baccalaureate Degrees
Deans of the Colleges
Juliet Spencer, Ph.D., Interim Dean
College of Arts and Sciences
Catrine Tudor-Locke, Ph.D., Dean
College of Health Sciences
Brigitte Vittrup, Ph.D., Dean
College of Professional Education
Stephanie Woods, Ph.D., Dean
College of Nursing
Rama Yelkur, D.B.A., Dean
Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees
Christopher Johnson
With names read by Holly Hansen-Thomas, Ph.D.
Certification of Candidates for Graduate Degrees
Carolyn Kapinus, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School
Conferring of Graduate Degrees
Christopher Johnson
With names read by Holly Hansen-Thomas, Ph.D.
Greetings to New Alumni
Wandaliz Turner, M.A.
Director of Development, Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, TWU Alumna
Concluding Remarks
Christopher Johnson
*To the Texas Woman’s University
by Jane Ward Pool, Class of 1946
Ashley Bird
To the Texas Woman’s University
forever to be true;
for everything you stand for,
maroon and white to you.
The friends we’ve made while learning here
will last our whole lives through.
To the students and our school
we pledge ourselves anew.
*Recessional
Daughters of Texas March
by John Philip Sousa
Performed by the TWU Commencement Band
Conducted by Dr. Biggers
Page last updated 2:42 PM, March 12, 2026