Southern Arkansas University

Fall 2023 Commencement

Southern Arkansas University will come together to honor over 500 fall 2023 graduates during four commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 15, in the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

  • 8:00 a.m. – Department of Nursing pinning ceremony, Grand Hall
  • 9:00 a.m. – College of Education and Human Performance and Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts undergraduate ceremony
  • 11:00 a.m. – Rankin College of Business and College of Science and Engineering undergraduate ceremony
  • 2:00 p.m. –  Rankin College of Business, College of Education and Human Performance, and Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts graduate ceremony
  • 4:00 p.m. – College of Science and Engineering graduate students 

 

SAU’s 2023 honor professor, Dr. Tim Schroeder, will deliver the fall 2023 undergraduate commencement addresses. Tim Schroeder earned his PhD in analytical chemistry in 1999 and began his career at SAU in 2000 as the Director of Institutional Research while also teaching chemistry lecture courses as an adjunct instructor. In 2003, Dr. Schroeder was hired as a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry where he currently serves as associate professor and department chair. At SAU, he has taught a variety of chemistry courses. Students strongly desire the instructional experience provided by his classroom. His ability to effectively teach analytical, organic, and other chemistry courses is well-respected by students, faculty, and area medical and industrial employers.

Dr. Schroeder’s campus impact is also evident in the science facilities at SAU. His work with the administration, architects, and contractors was critical in the construction of the Science Center and the Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC). He served as the first NRRC director from 2010-2012 and has continued to serve as Senior Analyst since 2012, working with the director to train undergraduate researchers on all aspects of instrumentation at the facility.

Beyond the classroom and laboratory, Dr. Schroeder has served the campus community in many ways. He has been elected to the Faculty Senate for 12 years, including two terms as president. He has been the faculty advisor for the Chemistry Club for many years, organizing overnight trips and activities to help chemistry majors form lasting relationships. He has also delivered memorable moments for campus visitors through his fun and exciting chemistry demonstration shows.

In the words of a fellow chemistry colleague, “Dr. Schroeder has represented the best of the SAU faculty for decades, and he continues to have an active impact upon the academic structure and function of this campus.”

The commencement addresses for the graduate ceremonies will be delivered by Mr. DeMarcus Green. DeMarcus Green is from Stephens, Arkansas, and is currently the Human Resources Director at the Texarkana Arkansas School District. Mr. Green received his B.S.E. in early childhood education in 2008 and his M.Ed. in educational administration and supervision in 2011, both from Southern Arkansas University. He is currently working on his doctoral degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

Throughout his time in education, Mr. Green has worked as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and SAU adjunct instructor. As an educator, he was selected as Teacher of the Year twice, and in 2017 he was inducted into the Southern Arkansas University Educational Leadership Hall of Fame. As an administrator, Mr. Green served as the principal of Kilpatrick Elementary School in Texarkana, Arkansas from 2012-2022. During that time, Kilpatrick Elementary was designated as Pearson’s National Model School for America’s Choice and was named School of Distinction for Magnet Schools in America in 2017. Mr. Green was also selected as the Magnet Schools of America Regional Principal of the Year in 2018.

Each ceremony should last approximately 60-90 minutes. There will be no guest limits or tickets required for guests to attend the commencement ceremonies. The commencement ceremonies will be streamed live on the SAU Facebook page for those who wish to attend virtually.

Undergraduates - Rankin College of Business and College of Science and Engineering

Undergraduates - College of Education and Human Performance and Dempsey College of Liberal and Performing Arts

Regalia and Dress Considerations

Graduation regalia (caps and gowns, plus hoods for master’s students) will be available to pick up at the SAU Bookstore during regular business hours beginning at noon on Monday July 24th. Candidates can also pick up their regalia at the check-in area in the Auxiliary Gym the day of the ceremony. If you would prefer to receive your regalia by mail, please contact the bookstore at (870) 235-4050 after the pickup period begins. The cost of shipping is $7.50. The cost of regalia is included in your graduation fee, and it will be yours to keep after the ceremony.

Only University-approved accessories, such as academic cords, stoles, and medallions from within academic disciplines, may be worn over regalia. Decorated caps are not permitted. Candidates will be asked to remove any unauthorized items.

Photography

Grisham Photography will be taking professional pictures during the ceremony. An envelope included in the regalia bag will provide instructions about purchasing these photographs.

Photography order envelopes can also be picked up and dropped off at the check-in table before the ceremony, or orders can be made by contacting Grisham Photography directly at (318) 539-3489 or j.grisham@hotmail.com.

Diplomas

Diplomas for all graduates will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application approximately 60 days after commencement.

If this address is not correct, please send an update to sauregistrar@saumag.edu to prevent any delay in receiving your diploma.

How to Apply for Graduation

Degree-Seeking Students (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s Degrees):

Please use our step-by-step guide on how to submit your graduation application form on CampusConnect, or follow the steps as outlined below:

  1. Log in to mySAU and click on “Campus Connect” tab in the top menu.
  2. Acknowledge Student Accounts message.
  3. Navigate to the “Forms” tab (above your student photo) and click “Apply for Graduation.”
  4. Choose term of expected graduation and click “Display Form.”
  5. Complete all required fields, click “Continue Degree Info” to add your degree information, then click “Submit” to submit form.
  6. Save email verification of your application for your records. If you do not receive a verification email, please contact the Office of the Registrar at sauregistrar@saumag.edu to ensure your application was received.
  7. Contact your advisor to request that they complete an updated degree audit form if they have not already done so (undergraduate students only).

Graduate Certificate (Non-Degree) Students:

  1. Log in to mySAU and click on “Campus Connect” tab in the top menu.
  2. Acknowledge Student Accounts message.
  3. Navigate to the “Forms” tab (above your student photo) and click “Apply for Graduate Certificate.”
  4. Choose the expected graduation term and click “Display Form.”
  5. Complete all required fields, and click “Submit” to submit the form.
  6. Save email verification of application for your records. If you do not receive a verification email, please contact the Office of the Registrar at sauregistrar@saumag.edu to ensure your application was received.

Graduation Application Deadlines and Fees

The deadlines for graduation applications are as follows:

  • Fall (December) graduation: regular deadline July 31st, final deadline (with late fee) August 31st
  • Spring (May) graduation: regular deadline December 31st, final deadline (with late fee) January 31st
  • Summer (July/August) graduation: regular deadline April 30th, final deadline (with late fee) May 31st

All graduation candidates are charged a graduation fee of $120, which covers the cost of regalia (cap and gown), diploma cover, commemorative coin, diploma shipping and handling, engraved brick, and other expenses associated with the commencement ceremony and graduation process. The graduation fee is nonrefundable, but will be carried forward to a future term if a candidate fails to graduate during expected term. Candidates who apply after the regular deadlines listed above are also charged a late fee of $50 in addition to the graduation fee.

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100 E. University, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753-5000 Telephone: (870) 235-4000
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