May 2018 Commencement

The University of Memphis awarded 2,576 degrees at its spring Commencement Saturday, May 5, at FedExForum – the largest graduating class in the University's history. The degrees, conferred in three ceremonies, included 1,811 bachelor's, 511 master's, 93 law, 63 doctoral and 98 graduate certificates.

At the 9:00 a.m. Commencement ceremony, degrees were presented to students in the Herff College of Engineering, School of Public Health, College of Communication and Fine Arts, Loewenberg College of Nursing and University College.

At 1:00 p.m. Commencement ceremony, students in the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders received degrees.

At the 5:00 p.m. Commencement ceremony, degrees were awarded to students in the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, College of Education, School of Health Studies and Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management.

The spring Commencement continued the tradition of student speakers. Madison Slover, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and minor in Hospitality and Resort Management, spoke at the 9 a.m. ceremony. She has served as a Student Government Association senator, campus tour guide and president of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

Ashli B. Martin, a Biology major graduated with a double minor in Spanish and Sociology, and spoke at the 1 p.m. session. Martin, who plans to become a physician, has held multiple leadership positions, including student ambassador for the TRIO STEM support program. Through TRIO, she served on a lead panelist on behalf of the Southern region of the U.S. while advocating for the quality of underrepresented students.

B. Jack Wyatt, executive director of the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition, spoke at the 5 p.m. graduation. President of the Adult Student Association and Phi Alpha Honor Society, he graduated with a master's degree in Social Work. Wyatt is an advocate for individuals with substance use disorders.