Spring 2023 Commencement Schedule:

Spring 2023 Graduation Ceremonies are scheduled for May 11th, 12th & 13th at the Sam Houston State University Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. The complete schedule is posted below.

Important Information & FAQs

Commencement Spotlights

Sam Houston State University graduates have made remarkable strides in their lives to reach commencement day. Here are a few examples of Bearkats graduates, who have demonstrated a “can-do” spirit through challenges and service, and remind us of the many ways Sam Houston State is preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement.

• Summer 2022
  

  Alyssa Fitzgerald

  At the young age of 16, the Houston native earned another associate degree as well as a cosmetology license before attending SHSU.

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  Hagui Fernando Cardona Sanchez

  Hagui Fernando Cardona Sanchez came to the United States with his family at the age of 14 in pursuit of a better life that would ultimately lead him to SHSU. But starting out, he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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  Tiffany Luna

  Passionate about being a teacher in her future, the self-proclaimed “lover of learning” embraced her college life and grew as an SHSU student, both in and outside the classroom.

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  Ashley Ford

  U.S. Army veteran and mother of seven, Ashley Ford is an expert at overcoming hardships. The obstacles in her path never stopped her from finishing school and showing her family and friends that anything is possible.

• Spring 2022
  

  Joshua Rachita

  Sam Houston State University history major, Joshua Rachita, enjoys helping preserve American history. Rachita worked at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum for almost four years, where he gives historical demonstrations as a blacksmith.

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  Deirdre Holloway

  When Deirdre Holloway isn’t helping others pursue their educational dreams, she works on continuing hers. While earning her doctoral degree she has also served as director of student affairs in Fort Bend ISD, where she still works today.

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  Justina E. Benson

  Justina Benson graduated from high school in Nigeria at age 15 before moving to the US to join her family, who had previously left. Starting over in a new country while also beginning college was intimidating.

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  Brandon Fierro

  A first-generation student, Brandon Fierro was raised by a single mom in Carlsbad, New Mexico. With the help of his mother, Fierro decided what to study and what other passions to follow.

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  Y Luong

  Studying abroad can be tricky due to the language barrier. When Y Luong joined the Sam Houston State University community as an international student from Vietnam, hardships during the pandemic made her experience even more challenging. With support from the campus community, she was able to still pursue her academic and career dreams.

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  David Jimenez Gomez Jr.

  In a span of 2.5 years at Sam Houston State, David Gomez will graduate early this May and plans to continue his path in graduate school next.

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  Annette Gutierrez

  An accounting graduate student at Sam Houston State University, Annette Gutierrez plans to give back to the community that gave so much to her when she needed it. After graduating this semester, Gutierrez will begin her career in Houston, Texas as an audit staff at Ernst & Young.

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  Shamika Kelley

  As a research director at The Forensic Center, a doctoral student, and a mother to three children, Shamika Kelley has had to learn the meaning of the word “balance.”

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  Destiny Burton

  Destiny Burton was able to find herself and the type of teacher she wants to be within the different organizations she participated in at SHSU. Burton was the president of College of Education Ambassador, co-president of Texas Association of Future Educators, member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, TRiO SSS, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Truth College Ministry.

• Fall 2021
  

  Courtney Paulson

  Originally from Belize, Courtney Paulson’s dedication to her education at Sam Houston State University and the United States Army is evident in her work ethic. Paulson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

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  Courtney Malecek

  Courtney Malecek didn’t anticipate being a college student and a new mother at the same time. She also didn’t expect to experience such tremendous grief. During that time, she found comfort knowing she wasn’t alone. Within her campus community she met others dealing with loss, hardship and stress.

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  Anne Weathersby

  Mother to a second-grader, graduate student and full-time staff member are all titles that describe Sam Houston State University’s Anne Weathersby. Weathersby will graduate with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling, and she plans to continue working as assistant to the chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

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  Jessica Smotherman

  A criminal justice major at SHSU, Jessica Smotherman has closed a chapter of life that took her over 10 years to write. Despite the struggles, she has earned a bachelor’s degree and dedicated it to her mother.

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  Jeannine Ramirez

  Learning the ropes of college can be tricky for any student, but when Jeannine Ramirez’s life was suddenly interrupted by fears of presumed deportation, it took her stress to a new level. Despite the challenges of uncertainty, she continued on her educational path in pursuing her dream of a career in accounting.

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  Tiffany Taylor-Jordan

  For Tiffany Taylor-Jordan, being a Bearkat graduate has become a family tradition, even if the journey was not a traditional route. Taylor-Jordan, who is graduating this fall with a bachelor’s degree in education, decided to finish her degree 20 years after she started.

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  Carlos Zimmerman

  Carlos Zimmerman has seen plenty of victories celebrated as a play-by-play announcer for 90.5 KSHU radio in Huntsville. This fall, Zimmerman celebrates a victory of his own by crossing the stage at commencement with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Sam Houston State University.

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  Carson Gordon

  Carson Gordon, a third generation Sam Houston State University student, will be continuing her education after graduation by pursuing an MBA at SHSU. Her Bearkat family legacy begins with her grandfather who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree at SHSU. The trend continued as Gordon’s father and mother met here. After her father graduated, he served in the Army for 26 years, carrying Bearkat pride to Afghanistan with an SHSU flag.

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  Vasty Nazario

  A bilingual health care studies major at Sam Houston State University, Vasty Nazario plans to continue helping bridge the language barrier gap, specifically when it comes to medical information and care. Upon graduation this month, Nazario will begin her career as a qualified mental health professional with Marvelous Counseling & Therapy, PLLC in Houston, where she began as a receptionist three years ago.

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  Mikah Boyd

  Mikah Boyd’s passion for journalism led her to Sam Houston State University’s mass communications department as a transfer student. Once she arrived at SHSU, she soon found her sense of belonging, a strong support system, and things began to improve.  

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  Emily McMillen

  Emily McMillen will be using her degree in Human Resource Management with an HR consulting firm, Achilles Group, after graduation. In her new role, she is hoping to improve the lives of employees by working with businesses on bettering employee accommodations. 

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  Kismot Kamal

  As a first-generation student from Lagos, Nigeria, adjusting to college life wasn’t easy for Kismot Kamal. Although finance and transportation difficulties made it hard while working several jobs, that didn’t stop her from fulling her dream of earning a degree in healthcare administration from Sam Houston State University.

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• Summer 2021
  

  Danielle and Quenton White

  “My biggest supporter has definitely been my husband. He was there with me going through the same experiences as a college student, and we encouraged each other not to give up.”

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  Brianne Russell

  “I couldn’t have completed my time at Sam without staying up late studying with my friends, great professors, my internship supervisors and my family’s support.”

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  Joana Rivas

  “I feel that in these short years at Sam that I have grown so much, not only as a student, but as a person.”

• Spring 2021
  

  Rachel Menchaca

  “The School of Music, The College of Education, and Sam Houston State as a whole, have helped me accomplish the soul, the musician, the student, and the educator that I was meant to be.”

  

  Dustin Gaona

  After completing 47 hours of core curriculum through Brazosport College, Gaona continued his educational journey at SHSU in 2019 and just two years later, he is happy to be graduating. While his studies at SHSU may have been brief, he certainly made an impact with the campus community, recently earning the ‘Outstanding Freshman Leader’ Sammy Award.

  

  Ariana Horner Sutherland

  “Coming all the way from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, I was happy to find a family in the School of Music here at Sam. I will never forget the connections and memories I've made here with the incredible faculty and students.”

  

  Jonathan Owens

  As a first-generation student starting out a SHSU, Jonathan Owens was faced with the many challenges of navigating through a brand-new world with little experience. Despite the struggles, he found the support he needed and the spirit of perseverance to pull-through and earn a degree.

  

  Eric Webster

  “Service toward the wellbeing of others is not a switch that can be turned on or off. It is something one must choose to embrace. It is during disastrous times and experiences such as these, that the meaning of, "The measure of a Life is its Service" is truly understood.”

  

  Adrian Lira

  “I was very impressed by the representation and diversity of the faculty in the Counselor Education program. This was instrumental in my decision to apply and attend the graduate program. It was the first time that I was taught and, ultimately, mentored by professors who shared my ethnic and cultural background, and who understood the intricacies of being bilingual and providing services in languages other than English.”

  

  Christian Hockless

  “Learning more about myself has really helped me understand my work ethic and transformation from a kid with ideas, but was too self-conscious and insecure, to someone who speaks up as a leader.”

  

  Jessica Caceres

  “My mother taught me that the adversity can bring perspective, and my grandmother showed me the strength found in humility. After I graduate, I hope to live a life that is worthy of their sacrifices.”

  

  Jordan Johnson

  Jordan Johnson has been the Sam Houston State University student body president since May 2020. During her time at SHSU, she was also a part of the Orange Pride, served as co-executive director of the Center for Diversity & Intercultural Affairs, was the 2020 Miss Piney Woods Pageant winner, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Kappa Psi.

  

  Katie Willard

  Katie Willard currently serves as an inventory specialist with SHSU Facilities Management. She is the recipient of the Wood Matthews Scholarship Fund, the Loretta J Hankins Endowed Scholarship, the John C. and Wilma McAdams Memorial Scholarship, the Joe M. MacKenzie Scholarship, and the Jim Stevens Information Technology Scholarship.

Spring 2023 FAQs

• What should graduates bring or not bring to Commencement?

  What to Bring and What Not to Bring

  • Bring your graduation cap (with tassel), appropriate gown, and appropriate hood (masters and doctoral candidates), and hat (doctoral candidates).
  • Purses and backpacks are not permitted on the coliseum floor. Items left unattended in the line-up rooms of the HKC are not the responsibility of the graduation personnel.
• Where will the Commencement ceremonies be held?

  All ceremonies will be held at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum at Sam Houston State University.

  Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
  1964 Bobby K Marks Drive
  Huntsville, TX 77340

  Open on Google Maps Parking Map

• I am graduating. When should I arrive?

  Graduates should check-in at the Health and Kinesiology Center at least one hour prior to their scheduled ceremony. Signage will be posted in the general area to follow to the check-in location. 

• How do I know which college ceremony to attend?

  Students can locate the college to which they belong in DegreeWorks. Information regarding specific college ceremonies can be found on the Commencement website. 

• Where should guests park? Updated

  Guest may park in several lots at no charge for Commencement. Complimentary shuttles will be available 90 minutes prior to each ceremony for ADA or mobility impaired guests. Vehicles with ADA rearview parking tags should park in the lower lot, east of the Coliseum.

  Commencement Parking Map

• Will tickets be required for guests? Updated

  Tickets are required for Commencement and eligible graduates will receive an initial guest ticket allotment of 8 tickets per graduate. No additional guest tickets will be available at a later time. Graduates may reserve tickets using their SAM ID beginning (date coming soon) at GoBearkats.com. Graduates will not need to claim a ticket for Commencement; however, all guests must present a ticket to gain admittance. A live webcast will be provided for all ceremonies for those who are unable to attend.

  To Claim Guest Tickets

  1. Visit GoBearkats.com and under the Buy Tickets Tab, select Commencement Tickets
  2. Click Register Your Student Account and enter SAM ID
  3. Update your account information and create a password. Your account is now active*
     *For additional help, contact 936.294.1040 or graduationtickets@shsu.edu for assistance.
  4. Log in to your account. Click Find Tickets next to Fall 2022 Commencement
  5. Select the number of seats, then click Continue
  6. Select your delivery method:Print-at-Home. Your tickets will be sent directly to your SHSU email.
  7. Click Add Package
  8. Your account information will be displayed. Ensure your email address is correct and click Place Your Order
  9. You will receive a confirmation email with your ticket information

  Claim Guest Tickets

  Seat Map

• What if I have guests that needs ADA seating? Updated
  • Those guests with disabilities who wish to sit in special sections on the coliseum floor will be directed to those areas by University Police Officers and ushers.
  • Additional information, please visit the Guests with Disabilities page.
• How can I request disability accommodations for the Commencement ceremonies at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum?

  Graduates may request reasonable accommodations through the Office of the Registrar.

• Do guests with disabilities require tickets? Updated
  • All guests will require a ticket to gain entrance to the coliseum.
  • There are not specified tickets for ADA seating, tickets will be reserved with the other allotted tickets.
• Can disabled guests have someone accompany them? Updated
  • Disabled guests are allowed no more than one individual to accompany and sit with them in ADA seating.
• How early should disabled guests arrive? Updated
  • Guests with disabilities should arrive roughly 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
  • Enter the Coliseum through the east tunnel (see parking directions below).
• Do children require a ticket? Updated
  • Children ages 3 and under or capable of sitting on someone’s lap will not require a ticket.
• Do I need to wear regalia to the ceremony? Updated

  Yes, SHSU approved regalia can be ordered through Herff Jones prior to the commencement ceremony. 

  Regalia can also be purchased through the SHSU Bookstore up until Commencement. Deadline to order regalia is November 8th, 2022.

• When should my guests arrive? Updated

  Doors will open an hour and a half in advance of each ceremony. It is recommended to arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour prior to the ceremony to allow time to park, navigate to Johnson Coliseum, have tickets scanned, and find seats.

  Seat Map

• Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?

  Yes, the ceremony will be live and immediately available for on-demand viewing. After the ceremony, the video will be archived on the university’s Commencement website. 

• When will I receive my diploma?

  Actual diplomas will be mailed to the permanent legal address on record (check your permanent legal address) approximately eight weeks after commencement. Students should confirm address information prior to the last day of the term in order to ensure diplomas are mailed to the correct address.

• Are there established social media hashtags?

  #SHSU23. We would love for you to share photos of yourself in your regalia, with your family, making commencement memories. You can share those with us on social media using our hashtag.

• Are noise makers allowed?

  As a courtesy to all graduates, we do not allow noise makers during the graduation ceremonies.