The presentation of five individual awards honoring the achievements of exceptional faculty members, students and alumni and the conferring of degrees on hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students will highlight 2023 Spring Commencement exercises at the University of Central Missouri. While all students who have completed their degree requirements are not expected to participate, more than 2,000 new graduates are eligible to walk in one of four ceremonies planned the weekend of May 5 and 6 in the Multipurpose Building.

Commencement begins with the graduate ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, honoring students in the College of Health, Science and Technology. This will be followed by the graduate ceremony recognizing students in the College of Education, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies, at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6.

Graduation festivities continue at 1:30 p.m. Saturday for undergraduate students who have earned degrees from the College of Health, Science and Technology, College of Education, the THRIVE certificate program, and General Studies degree program. In the final ceremony of the weekend, at 5 p.m. Saturday, the university will confer degrees upon students who completed graduation requirements in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies; and the Crisis and Disaster Management program.

During the Friday evening ceremony, David Hoffmann, a UCM alumnus, will be honored through the presentation of the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters. Hoffmann also will present the keynote address during this ceremony, and will be the keynote speaker at all Saturday commencement exercises.

Additional awards presented during Saturday commencement exercises will recognize the achievements of UCM faculty members and students. This includes the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education presented to Michelle L. Amos, associate professor of literacy, at 10 a.m.; Byler Distinguished Faculty Award presented to Scott Strohmeyer, professor of nutrition, kinesiology, and health studies, at 1:30 p.m.; and Charno Awards presented to Paige VanBlarcum, candidate for Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, at 1:30 p.m., and Cade Tremain, candidate for a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, at 5 p.m.

Information about the 2023 Spring Commencement, including viewing the weekend schedule and how to access a livestream of each ceremony, can be found here.