April 21, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--The University of West Alabama will honor 285 graduates during spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 3, 2008. The ceremony takes place at 10:30 a.m. in Pruitt Gymnasium on the UWA campus, with the Presidential Reception open to all graduates and their guests beginning at 8 a.m. in the Bell Conference Center.  

The University will confer degrees in the colleges of Business, Education, Liberal Arts, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics; the Division of Nursing; and the School of Graduate Studies.

Andrew G. Linn Jr. of Tuscaloosa, president and chief executive officer of Southland International Trucks, Inc., will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws.

In addition, five longtime professors will be honored for their service to the University. Sylvia Homan will be named Emeritus Professor of Nursing, Dr. Alvin Marson will be honored as Emeritus Professor of Education, Dr. Julia E. Massey earns recognition as Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, James H. Todd receives the distinction of Emeritus Professor of Computer Information Systems and Dr. Billy L. Ward will be named Emeritus Professor of Management.

President Richard Holland will also announce the William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, given annually at commencement to recognize excellence in classroom instruction at UWA, and the Ralph M. Lyon Award, given to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.

Guests must have tickets, which are available from the graduates, to attend the ceremony in Pruitt Gym. Overflow seating to watch the commencement exercises will be available in Bibb Graves Auditorium and the Bell Conference Center. For more information, call 205-652-3752.