UCM to Celebrate 2025 Spring Commencement May 9-10

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) will welcome thousands of visitors as it hosts the 2025 Spring Commencement exercises Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.

The celebration will bring families, friends and students together for five ceremonies honoring almost 2,000 individuals who have met undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Spring and summer graduates are invited to participate in the ceremonies, along with a number of early and late walkers who are also eligible.

Anyone who cannot attend but would like to view the ceremonies can do so virtually by visiting the UCM Commencement Livestream page.

Commencement exercises begin with the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, May 9, where master’s degrees will be conferred upon candidates in the Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity. The 6 p.m. ceremony will include master’s degree candidates from the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies (HCBPS) and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). The graduate ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10 will honor master’s degree candidates from the College of Education (COE) and College of Health, Science, and Technology (CHST).

Undergraduate ceremonies are planned for Saturday afternoon and begin at 1:30 p.m. with the recognition of baccalaureate degree candidates from CHST and COE, along with the THRIVE program. At 5 p.m., degrees will be conferred upon students who completed bachelor’s degrees in CAHSS and HCBPS, as well as General Studies and Crisis and Disaster Management programs.

UCM President Roger Best will confer degrees upon graduates in each ceremony. In addition to his comments, there will be remarks at each graduation event presented by a member of the Board of Governors, a member of the UCM Alumni Foundation, an academic leader and a graduating student. UCM music faculty and students will engage in the weekend festivities as participants in the Brass Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and UCM Concert Choir.

Saturday's commencement exercises will include recognizing the achievements of UCM faculty members and students. The Byler Distinguished Faculty Award will be presented to Yuankun Yao, Ph.D., professor of Educational Foundations and Literacy, at 10 a.m. and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education will be presented to Natalie Tye, Ph.D., associate professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, at 1:30 p.m. Charno Awards will be presented to Alyssa Robertson, candidate for Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science, at 1:30 p.m. and to Marie Hall, candidate for Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, at 5 p.m.

Other events planned during commencement weekend include the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday in Hendricks Hall and the Graduate Student Reception for the Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, HCBPS and CAHSS from noon to 2 p.m. Friday in the Elliott Student Union. On Saturday, the School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. in Hendricks Hall, along with a Graduate Student Reception for COE and CHST from noon to 2 p.m. in the Union.

For more information, visit the 2025 Spring Commencement website.