The HBU Alumni Association was honored to be a part of a monumental graduation in Houston Baptist University’s history. On May 13, 2017, HBU celebrated 50 years of Houston Baptist University graduation ceremonies and awarded HBU’s 20,000th diploma.
It was a time of appreciation of the first alumni, a class of 59 graduates, who paved the way for future Huskies. A representative from the class of 1967 spoke to the graduates at each ceremony. Derry Dunn, Charlie Bonds, and Doug Tipps shared a thoughtful message from their unique perspective as the first graduating class and 50 years as alumni.
Commencement 9 AM
Commencement 11 AM
Commencement 2 PM
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
The Annual Pinning Ceremony was hosted by The School of Nursing and Allied Health where graduates receive their nursing pins, which signify their entry into the profession of nursing. The pins are a 1,000 year old symbol of service to others, and today the pin for the Baccalaureate Degree program bears the University’s seal and has become a distinctive mark of nursing excellence.
Ring Ceremony
This ceremony is a special tradition that recognizes students’ educational and personal achievements during their time at HBU. Dr. Robert B. Sloan and the HBU Alumni Board of Directors had the honor of presenting students with their rings to an audience of family and friends. Bob Powell, class of 1976 shared a reflective testimony of what his ring had witnessed as an alumnus. The students left the ceremony with their ring to symbolize their experiences at HBU.
Honors College Commissioning
The Honors College is an educational community for undergraduate students at HBU that aims to educate students in wisdom and character. Built on the scholarly activities of reading, writing, questioning, thinking and discussing, the Honors College provides an experience perfect for students who want to challenge themselves academically. Because of their commitment to excellence, Honors College students get the most possible out of their college education, and, of course, graduate with a higher level of distinction.
Within the context of Christian faith, students are inspired in the Honors College to develop their moral and intellectual lives. As Winston Churchill said, “The first duty of a university is to teach wisdom, not a trade; character, not technicalities.” There is no better way to get this foundation of wisdom and character than experiencing the challenges and rewards of our Honors College.
The medallions awarded to the graduating Honors Scholars are unique at HBU and bear the motto of the Honors College: Sapere Aude (Dare to be Wise).