Local students earn degrees at Baylor University

WACO, Texas (June 28, 2021) - Baylor University celebrated more than 7,500 graduates of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 during six in-person commencement ceremonies May 6-8 at McLane Stadium on the banks of the Brazos River.

President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., presided over the outdoor ceremonies that honored nearly 2,800 spring 2021 Baylor graduates, as well as more than 4,700 May, August and December 2020 graduates, whose ceremonies were canceled or held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commencement ceremonies also were the first held outdoors at Baylor since May 27, 1955, when graduation was held in what was then called Baylor Stadium (later renamed Floyd Casey Stadium).

"Amidst all the change in our students' lives, one thing hasn't changed. They are all Baylor Bears. They are united by that shared experience, and they have something to celebrate together," Livingstone said. "It's a unique time of life, and one worth celebrating our graduates' hard work and accomplishments to the fullest-even if that celebration was delayed for a year."

Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., and the deans of Baylor's 12 colleges and schools presented degree candidates for the recommendation of undergraduate degrees. More than 60 faculty members served as marshals and ushers during commencement.

HOMETOWN, STATE; ZIP CODE, NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR, HONORS (if listed), COLLEGE/SCHOOL, GRAD YEAR

Lake Forest Park

• Jack Anthony Van Zile, Bachelor of Business Administration / Master of Accountancy, Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, Hankamer School of Business, Dec 2020

Shoreline

• Jacob Alan Arnold, BBA, Supply Chain Management, , Hankamer School of Business, May 2020
• Caitlin Elizabeth Lawrence, PHD, English, , , Aug 2020

Baylor University. is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution. Located in Waco, Texas, the University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas.