RIGHT: President Dwight J. Fennell confers degrees at the the 2025 Commencement Exercise
To begin the 2025 Commencement Activities, Texas College hosted the 2025 Baccalaureate Service on Friday, May 2, in the Gus F. Taylor Gymnasium. The Baccalaureate Service, a centuries-old tradition in higher education, affords graduates one final opportunity for spiritual development and fellowship before graduation.
Rev. Dr. Valencia Edner, Carter Metropolitan CME Church Pastor in Fort Worth, Texas, served as the Baccalaureate Speaker and delivered a powerful and uplifting message to the Class of 2025. To comprehensively celebrate the occasion, additional remarks were provided from President Dwight J. Fennell, Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Trustee Terrance Washington, Dr. Jan Duncan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cynthia Marshall Biggins, Vice President for Student Affairs, Ms. Millicent Rickenbacker, Vice President for Business and Finance, and Rev. Josef Sorrells, Campus Minister, as well as performances by the Texas College Choir. The soon-to-be graduates were also provided gifts from Texas College.
ABOVE: 2025 Graduates attend the Baccalaureate Service
The day of Commencement finally arrived. For the third year in a row, the annual Commencement Exercise was held on the Texas College campus. Nestled behind Gilmore-Hartley Hall, the scene was beautifully set for the 2025 Commencement Exercise with over 1,000 seats that looked onto a large stage stunningly adorned with the Texas College seal. Respectively positioned on each side of the stage was a massive LED video wall and another stage for the Texas College Choir. With this picturesque backdrop set, the 2025 Commencement Exercise began at the stroke of 10:00 A.M. with a distinctive fanfare building into “War March of the Priests,” the classical musical arrangement traditionally associated with graduation. This shift in ambience to sacred academic formality was evident as the line of procession began, led by faculty, followed by the Class of 2025, the Golden Anniversary Class of 1975, and lastly the Commencement Exercise’s platform. Dr. Hamad Ali, Division Chair for Business and Social Sciences, posted the College’s mace, which signified the official start of Commencement.
ABOVE: 2025 Graduates are inducted into the Texas College Alumni Association at the Commencement Exercise
For the 2025 Commencement Address, the College enlisted Dr. Shirley McKellar, then City of Tyler District 3-Northwest Councilwoman and now City of Tyler mayoral candidate. As a renowned leader within the community and beyond, Dr. McKellar delivered an inspiring and powerful message to the Class of 2025. Providing her invaluable insight and experiences as a leader, Dr. McKellar assured the graduates that their education from Texas College has prepared them for their next step in life.
Following Dr. McKellar’s impartation of wisdom, the graduating students officially crossed over into alumni status as their degree was conferred by President Dwight J. Fennell, signifying the official culmination of their successful academic endeavors. Following the transition of their tassels from the right to left side, the graduates excitedly crossed the stage to greet the President and take a photograph to commemorate the momentous achievement.
ABOVE: Texas College's 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian pose for a photograph after crossing the stage at the Commencement Exercise
Two scholars were additionally recognized for their stellar academic performance: Mr. Andre Reis Meira do Nascimento, Valedictorian; and Miss Ariana Nicole Chapa, Salutatorian. In addition to the associate and baccalaureate degrees conferred, the College respectively awarded two honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to Dr. Shirley McKellar and Dr. Anthony Smoaks. Texas College also celebrated the Golden Anniversary Class of 1975 in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of their graduation from Texas College.
