Due to the high probability of inclement weather, UMHB's Spring Commencement ceremony has been moved to the Cadence Bank Center (formerly the Bell County Expo Center), located at 301 W. Loop 121 in Belton. The ceremony will begin today at 7:30p.m. Doors open at 6:30p.m. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the Class of 2024!
Students, please arrive at the Cadence Bank Center at 6:30 p.m. for check in in the main concourse to check in for your seat information.
View the entire program below or you can also download it by clicking here to download the Commencement Program.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas as the Female Division of Baylor University. In 1866, it became Baylor Female College, operating under its own charter and board. The school moved in 1886 from Independence to Belton. In 1925, the name was changed to Baylor College for Women and, in 1934, to Mary Hardin-Baylor College in honor of a benefactor.
Once the oldest school for women west of the Mississippi River, Mary Hardin-Baylor College began offering degrees to men in 1968 and, in 1971, became fully coeducational. In 1978, Mary Hardin-Baylor College became the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
The university, with a current student population of almost four thousand, offers eleven bachelor’s degrees with fifty majors, ten master’s degrees with sixteen majors, and three doctorate degrees with five majors.
Historically, the use of a mace dates back to the Middle Ages. The mace was carried before or placed near a dignitary as a sign of protection. It came to symbolize strength and authority. Over the centuries, the mace was incorporated into processions as a symbolic item. Gradually, universities adopted the use of the mace to show the authority of the university invested in the president by the board of trustees. Today, the university’s mace is carried by the marshal before the president and other dignitaries of the platform party during commencement processions.
The pageantry and color of an academic convocation, such as today’s commencement, come to us from medieval times when academic robes and regalia were adapted from ecclesiastical garb.
Most robes are black to symbolize the democracy of scholarship since they cover any dress or rank of social standing worn beneath. Bachelor gowns are cut with long pointed sleeves, master’s gowns feature closed slit sleeves, and doctoral gowns are full-cut with double-belled sleeves and bars of velvet trim. Some universities have authorized doctoral gowns in a single color representative of the institutions.
The hood, originally a simple cowl attached to the gown, bears the heaviest symbolism of the academic costume. Its lining displays the colors of the university that granted the degree, and the bordering color indicates the field of learning (or faculty) in which the degree was earned.
The square cap, or mortarboard, originated in the 13th century at the University of Paris and came to England in Tudor times. Earlier caps were round and reserved for doctoral degree holders. This velvet cap is still worn by doctors. Doctoral tassels are usually gold, while other degrees are represented by black.
Some of the colors you may see in today’s processional are:
Dr. Wallace E. Davis, retired president of Wayland Baptist University, has been a long-time friend and supporter of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He’s been selected to receive the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree during today’s ceremony.
Dr. Davis earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Baylor University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Texas. After serving in the United States Army in Korea, he moved to Corpus Christi to teach elementary school. He went on to serve as a school principal, the director of elementary education, and the assistant superintendent for instruction for Corpus Christi ISD. In 1973, he became one of the first four educators employed by the newly founded Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi). He served as dean of the College of Education, academic vice president, and interim president there. In 1993, he was named the university’s academic vice president emeritus.
In 1991, Dr. Davis became the president of Wayland Baptist University, where he served for more than nine years before being named the university’s first chancellor. In 1998, he was named “Man of the Year” for the city of Plainview and, upon his retirement in 2002, was named chancellor emeritus of the Wayland Baptist University System.
Throughout his professional career, Dr. Davis has consulted with K-12 schools, universities, and churches in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, and teacher effectiveness. Since his retirement, he has continued to serve as a consultant in these areas.
After moving to Salado, Dr. Davis and his wife, the late Patsy Lewis Mayfield, became involved with First Baptist Belton and connected with UMHB. Dr. Davis’ passion for Christian higher education led to a friendship with the university, and he served as a consultant on several strategic planning initiatives.
Dr. Davis is incredibly generous and has been a faithful donor to UMHB for the past 17 years. In 2011, Wallace and Patsy established the Dr. Wallace and Patsy Davis Endowed Scholarship at UMHB. As graduates of Baptist universities, lifelong educators, and supporters of Christian education, Wallace and Patsy wanted to support students attending a university where Christ serves as the cornerstone, truth is honored, teaching is valued, and our Christian faith is proclaimed. Additionally, they wanted to show their deep admiration for those who have contributed to making the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor a star in the crown of Christian higher education.