Houston Program
A Message from the Houston Campus President
Dear Graduates,
Today marks a profound milestone in your lives and in the life of our Texas Woman’s University community. This graduation is far more than a ceremonial occasion—it is the culmination of years of perseverance, discovery, growth, and achievement. It represents the fulfillment of academic goals and the beginning of new and exciting chapters ahead.
On behalf of the Board of Regents, our esteemed faculty, dedicated staff, and our global alumni network, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of our graduates. You have demonstrated resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to excellence that have brought you to this proud moment.
To the families, friends, mentors, and peers who have supported our graduates along the way—thank you. Your encouragement, sacrifices, and steadfast belief have made a lasting impact. Today’s celebration belongs to you as well.
To our graduates—both undergraduate and graduate—your time here has equipped you with much more than academic proficiency. You have developed the confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills necessary to navigate a complex world. You are well-prepared not only to pursue your personal and professional aspirations but also to continue as lifelong learners and thoughtful global citizens.
As you step forward into your future, do so with the knowledge that you carry the strength of your education and the support of a proud university community behind you. We invite you to remain connected as alumni—whether through mentoring, volunteering, or engaging with the Office of Alumni Engagement—your journey with us does not end today.
Congratulations again on your remarkable achievement. We are Pioneer Proud of you, we celebrate you, and we look forward to all that you will accomplish.
With warmest regards and best wishes,
Monica G. Williams, Ph.D.
President, Texas Woman’s University – Houston
The Ceremony
*Audience standing if able.
*Student Processional
Marshall Maxwell, Pianist
Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar
“La Morisque” from The Danserye by Tielman Susato
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
*The Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key
Rebecca Heath
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
Rebecca Heath
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
Monica G. Williams, Ph.D.
President - Houston
Introduction of the Commencement Speaker
Monica G. Williams, Ph.D.
Commencement Address
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
Monica G. Williams, Ph.D.
With names read by Dr. Brenda Moore, PhD
Certification of Candidates for Graduate Degrees
Carolyn Kapinus, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School
Conferring of Graduate Degrees
Monica G. Williams, Ph.D.
With names read by Dr. Brenda Moore, PhD
Greetings to New Alumni
Wandaliz Turner, M.A.
Director of Development, Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership, TWU Alumna
Concluding Remarks
Monica G. Williams, Ph.D.
*To the Texas Woman’s University
by Jane Ward Pool, Class of 1946
Rebecca Heath
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 Wind Symphony
Conducted by Gary Evans, Ph.D.
Page last updated 4:02 PM, March 12, 2026