More than 140 students from Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources received diplomas at the university's fall commencement ceremonies in December. This semester the academic celebration took place in the form of both an in-person ceremony on Saturday (Dec. 12), followed by a virtual ceremony a week later.

The in-person ceremonies were different from the regular commencement exercises, said Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec. Numerous modifications were made to accommodate social distancing restrictions, including restricted attendance to graduates and a limited number of guests. Despite these changes, university officials still recognized graduates as they walked across the stage, and a photograph was taken.

All December graduates, including those who attend an in-person commencement, were included in the virtual commencement ceremony on Dec. 19. In addition, if circumstances allow, Texas Tech officials plan to have in-person ceremonies for May and August 2020 graduates sometime in 2021.

Separately, Texas Tech officials recognized CASNR highest-ranking fall graduates. They included:
• Sophie Dirks-Martin, an animal science major from Capitan, New Mexico
• Nathan Holtman, an agricultural and applied economics major from Ropesville, Texas
• Jessica Marsh, an animal science major from Liberty Hill, Texas
• Brianne Swailes, a plant and soil science major from Pleasanton, California
• Hannah Van Der Schans, an agricultural communications major from Frisco, Texas
• Campbell Williams, an agricultural communications major from Lindsay, Texas

Graduation undergraduate recipients from individual departments and majors included:
• Agribusiness, 5
• Agricultural & Applied Economics, 28
• Agricultural Communications, 8
• Agricultural Education, 3
• Animal Science, 63
• Conservation Law Enforcement, 1
• Food Science, 2
• Natural Resources Management, 19
• Plant and Soil Science, 13

"Commencement marks the culmination of our students' dedication and commitment to their education, and provides the opportunity to celebrate with them as they enter the next phase of their lives," Schovanec said. "We're proud to have played a role in their professional and personal development, and we look forward to their many contributions."

CONTACT: William Brown, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or william.f.brown@ttu.edu

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