WACO, TEXAS (June 29, 2021) — Baylor University celebrated more than 7,500 graduates of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 during six in-person commencement ceremonies May 6-8 at McLane Stadium on the banks of the Brazos River.
HOMETOWN, STATE; ZIP CODE, NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR, HONORS (if listed), COLLEGE/SCHOOL, GRAD YEAR
Bettendorf, IA
52722, Caitlin Ann Thom, MM, Performance, Summa Cum Laude, School of Engineering & Computer Science, May 2020
Moline, IL
61265, Michael Charles Lotspeich-Yadao II, Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, , Graduate School, May 2021
President Linda A Livingstone PhD presided over the outdoor ceremonies that honored nearly 2,800 spring 2021 Baylor graduates, as well as more than 4,700 May, August, and December 2020 graduates, whose ceremonies were canceled or held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The commencement ceremonies also were the first held outdoors at Baylor since May 27, 1955, when graduation was held in what was then called Baylor Stadium (later renamed Floyd Casey Stadium).
"Amidst all the change in our students' lives, one thing hasn't changed. They are all Baylor Bears. They are united by that shared experience, and they have something to celebrate together," Livingstone said. "It's a unique time of life, and one worth celebrating our graduates' hard work and accomplishments to the fullest-even if that celebration was delayed for a year."
Provost Nancy Brickhouse PhD and the deans of Baylor's 12 colleges and schools presented degree candidates for the recommendation of undergraduate degrees. More than 60 faculty members served as marshals and ushers during commencement.
As a national Christian research university, Baylor's mission is to educate students for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community. Baylor provides numerous academic and research opportunities across various disciplines through 126 baccalaureate programs in fields as varied as business, engineering, nursing, pre-medicine, music, and computer science, along with 79 Master's programs, 47 doctoral programs (including the JD), the Education Specialist program, and Master of Laws program.
Baylor's Illuminate strategic plan — building on the University's historic strengths and strategically investing in new areas of research and service — has Baylor on the path to R1 recognition as America's preeminent Christian research university while addressing the world's most meaningful challenges.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1, Baylor students interact with outstanding full-time faculty from their first days on campus through graduation. The University's vibrant campus life also includes more than 300 clubs and organizations and varsity athletics competing in the Big 12 Conference. For more information about Baylor University, visit www.baylor.edu.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally-ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually-operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally-recognized academic divisions.
