Spring 2022 Graduation Ceremonies are scheduled for May 12, May 13, and May 14 at the Sam Houston State University Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. The complete schedule is posted below.
Sam Houston State University welcomes three notable keynote speakers for the Spring 2022 commencement ceremonies on May 12-14 at Johnson Coliseum. Mac Woodward, Harrison Keller and Donna Williams will address over 2,500 students who have applied for degrees to be awarded.
Mac Woodward
On May 12, Mac Woodward will address students from the College of Arts & Media and College of Business Administration at 2:30 p.m.
Woodward served as director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum for 27 years. Devoted to public service, Woodward was also a City Council member and elected Mayor of Huntsville in 2011. A fellow Bearkat (’70), Woodward served as project manager on the restoration of three historical cabins on the museum grounds. He also helped initiate the creation of the Sam Houston Republic of Texas Presidential Library to be a clearing house for information and artifacts on the life of Sam Houston.
Harrison Keller
On May 13, Harrison Keller will address students from the College of Criminal Justice at 9:30 a.m. and College of Humanities & Social Sciences at 2:30 p.m.
Keller serves as the sixth Commissioner of Higher Education and chief executive officer for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He is a recognized innovator in policy and programs to improve college readiness and student success, especially for low-income and first-generation students. He is the founder and was principal investigator of the OnRamps dual enrollment initiative that provides college-level courses to high school students across the state.
Donna Williams
On May 14, Donna Williams will address students from the College of Sciences & Engineering Technology and College of Health Sciences (except Nursing) at 9:30 a.m. and College of Education and School of Nursing at 2:30 p.m.
Williams is vice president and program manager for Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. where she manages two program management support contracts, valued over $96 million dollars, with the City of Houston in support of the Houston Airport System. She has served on Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2018, and is currently vice chair. She was a member of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and served as chair for two terms.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 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 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.
There is a clear bag policy in place at the Johnson Coliseum (clear bag no larger than 12x12x6 or purse no larger than 4.5x6.5) and there will be a security bag check prior to entering.
List of Prohibited Items
Umbrellas
Outside Food and Drinks
Airhorns
Large Bags
Strollers
Tripods
Commencement Etiquette
Commencement is a ceremonious occasion honoring important educational accomplishments. Decorum and courtesy are important to you and your family, as well as your fellow degree candidates and their families. Students and guests are expected to maintain a measure of decorum consonant with the occasion.
Out of respect for all degree candidates, once seated, all participants are expected to stay until the conclusion of the ceremony which is marked by the candidate recessional.
Adherence to the university’s alcohol policy is expected.
Improper attire, signs and insignia will be monitored and may be removed.
Cell phones and other electronic equipment should be silenced.
All candidates should plan to meet their guests outside Johnson Coliseum following the ceremony. Guests are not allowed on the arena floor or the stage and will be asked to exit the coliseum quickly to meet your graduate.
Students
Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing beneath their regalia.
Students and guests are expected to refrain from disruptive behavior.
Students are expected to return to their seats after the on-stage presentation and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony.
Sam Houston State University maintains the proud and historic tradition of permitting degree candidates to shake hands with the President as their name is spoken. However, graduates should not feel compelled to shake hands if they are uncomfortable doing so.
Guests
Family members and/or guests are not permitted on the arena floor.
The last degree candidate is equally as important as the first, so please be considerate.
We ask that all guests remain seated for the entire ceremony.
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.
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.
Students can locate the college to which they belong in DegreeWorks. Information regarding specific college ceremonies can be found on the Commencement website.
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 March 28 at noon CST 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
Visit GoBearkats.com and under the Buy Tickets Tab, select Commencement Tickets
Click Register Your Student Account and enter SAM ID
Update your account information and create a password. Your account is now active*
*If prompted for a PIN, contact 936.294.2738 for assistance.
Log in to your account. Click Find Tickets next to Spring 2022 Commencement
Select the number of seats, then click Continue
Select your delivery method: Mobile, Print-at-Home or Will Call. If you select a digital method, your tickets will be sent directly to your SHSU email
Click Add Package
Your account information will be displayed. Ensure your email address is correct and click Place Your Order
You will receive a confirmation email with your ticket information
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.
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.
Yes, SHSU approved regalia can be ordered through Herff Jones prior to the commencement ceremony. To ensure you have regalia in time for the ceremony, purchase your regalia by April 11, 2022.
Every gown is shipping next day air and should arrive no later than Tuesday May 10th.
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.
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.
#SHSU22. 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.
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