Denton Ceremonies

Friday, December 12, 2025 | 9 a.m., 12 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 12 p.m.

Kitty Magee Arena of Pioneer Hall | Denton, Texas

Presiding
Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D. 
Chancellor and President, Texas Woman's University

A Message from the Chancellor and President

A portrait of Dr. Feyten

Dear Graduate,

Today’s graduation event marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I congratulate you on behalf of the regents, faculty, and staff at Texas Woman’s University and the alumni who have preceded you.

Your hard work and determination have led you through long nights of studying, writing papers, and juggling classes – not to mention other commitments. Through it all, your family, friends, the faculty and staff, and your peers have provided support and encouragement. They join you today, proud of your achievements and excited for your future.

Wherever your dreams lead, you can be confident your Texas Woman’s education has prepared you for the path ahead. From the academic rigor, co-curricular programming, and leadership opportunities to our diverse campus community, you will benefit from these experiences. The confidence you have built and your eager, lifelong learning will serve you well at home and in our globally connected society.

As you go on to share your knowledge, skills, and talent, I hope you will keep in touch and stay involved with Texas Woman’s through the Office of Alumni Engagement. The doors of this university are always open to you, and we look forward to hearing about your personal and professional achievements.

With a pioneering spirit,
Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

The Ceremony

*Audience standing if able.

The Procession

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

*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 Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key

Anna Merrill

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

Anna Merrill

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

Dr. Feyten

Introduction of the Commencement Speaker

Dr. Feyten

Commencement Address

Friday, Dec. 12, 9 A.M.
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Professional Education
Speaker: The Honorable Dianne Costa
Former Mayor of the City of Highland Village

Friday, Dec. 12, 12 P.M.
College of Arts and Sciences
Speaker: Dr. Claire L. Sahlin
Cornaro Professor, Associate Dean TWU College of Arts & Sciences

Saturday, Dec. 13, 12 P.M.
Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship
College of Health Sciences
Speaker: Dr. Fred Cerise
CEO of Parkland Hospital

Introduction to Degree Awards

Angela Christine Bauer, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Recognition of Academic Distinction

Dr. Bauer

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

Dr. Feyten

Certification of Candidates for Graduate Degrees

Carolyn Kapinus, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School

Conferring of Graduate Degrees

Dr. Feyten

Greetings to New Alumni

Wandaliz Turner, M.A.
Director of Development, Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, TWU Alumna

Concluding Remarks

Dr. Feyten

*To the Texas Woman’s University
by Jane Ward Pool, Class of 1946

Anna Merrill

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 4:01 PM, November 7, 2025