More than 1,500 students are expected to participate in UALR’s Spring Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 18, at the Jack Stephens Center. Among them are graduates like Azure Yarbrough, Bethany Hodges, and Dawn Teer, who attribute hard work and family support as reasons for their success.

Ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Both events will be available for viewing online via the Spring 2013 Ceremony Live Stream.

At the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, the following colleges will confer degrees:

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• College of Education
• College of Professional Studies

For the 3 p.m. ceremony, the following colleges will confer degrees:

• College of Business
• College of Science
• George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology

The UALR William H. Bowen School of Law Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony will also take place on Saturday. It will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. A reception honoring the Class of 2013 will follow immediately after the ceremony in the ballroom foyer.

Persistence pays off for soon-to-be graduate

Azure Yarbrough, 35, knows a thing or two about diligence. After placing her education on hold to care for her two children, who were each diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, Yarbrough continued her education after a 17-year gap and will graduate Saturday with a degree in biology.

Yarbrough’s children, now 15 and 10, will watch as their mother leads her college as a student marshal during the processional, an honor bestowed on outstanding students. Learn more about Yarbrough.

Mother, daughter duo to walk at Commencement

Bethany Hodges, a criminal justice major, will be joined on the floor of the Jack Stephens Center by her mother, 51-year-old Dawn Teer, who is about to complete the requirements for a bachelor of arts in professional and technical writing.

Teer stopped attending college when she got married and started a family several years ago. It was a decision her father–who died unexpectedly at 53 of a massive heart attack– predicted she would later regret.

“I think it’s pretty neat,” said Hodges. “I am extremely proud of her for returning to school to complete her degree. I know what a challenge it has been at times.” Learn more about Hodges and Teer.

Two Commencement Ceremonies

The Stephens Center will open for guests at 8 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 1 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Early arrival is recommended.

At the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, the following colleges will confer degrees:

1. College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

2. College of Education

3. College of Professional Studies

For the 3 p.m. ceremony, the following colleges will confer degrees:

1. College of Business

2. College of Science

3. George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology