News & Events

Distance Graduates Get a Ceremony All Their Own

By Joshua Blount, Senior Editor

After the very last assignments are submitted and the final exams are completed, students look forward to one special celebration - their graduation ceremony. The graduation ceremony is memorable for more than just the cap and gown, applauding audience or the filling dinner meals that follow. The ceremony recognizes the accomplishments that students achieved during their journey and rewards them with praise for their efforts. All students deserve a celebration for their success, and Texas Tech University's regional sites have taken steps to ensure that distance education students can participate in a ceremony of their very own.

TTU, traditionally, only holds commencement at the main campus in Lubbock, thus making it difficult for distance education students to experience the ceremony they earn. Some regional sites, like Texas Tech University at Waco, have already implemented a localized graduation ceremony for students that are unable to travel to the main campus for a ceremony.

Lewis Snell, director at TTU at Waco, said they hosted a reception for their students each fall, spring and summer. "The students are recognized by their peers and we celebrate with friends and family," Snell said. "During the reception, we often hear stories from the students about their favorite classes, what they will remember about their Texas Tech experience and what they plan to do with their degree."

Despite whether distance graduates choose to attend their ceremony in Lubbock or at their regional site, they can expect a few differences between the two experiences. The primary difference is the convenience of attending their ceremony a short distance away. It benefits the graduates, their friends and family to celebrate the day together without traveling excessive miles to participate. Another notable difference between the two ceremonies is the atmosphere. While the ceremonies at TTU main campus are large and celebrate a multitude of students, the regional sites, typically, can host smaller and more intimate ceremonies that focus more on each individual student's success.

A student's commencement is an important event in their academic career and should be made as accessible to them as possible. TTU's regional sites have done a great job meeting that need and strive to continue to serve students daily.