President George W. Bush To Deliver Inaugural Commencement Convocation Address Dec. 12

Important information about convocation and graduation parking, road closures and bus routes is provided by Transportation Services.

Texas A&M students, faculty and staff who have tickets for the Commencement Convocation may verify which ticket is assigned to which guest. (Updated 12/8/08)

November 7, 2008

To the Aggie Family:

I am delighted to announce that President George W. Bush has graciously accepted my invitation to be our inaugural Commencement Convocation speaker on Dec. 12. We are highly honored to have President Bush back in Aggieland for the first time since his time as Governor of Texas.

President Bush’s address will launch a new concept for our commencement exercises moving forward for the fall, spring and summer semesters. The plan is to begin commencement ceremonies with a convocation that features one notable speaker—and with all degree candidates having the opportunity to attend this one ceremony along with a limited number of guests. The commencement exercises at which degrees will be conferred will follow in subsequent ceremonies over a two-day period.

In addition to giving all degree candidates the opportunity to hear an address by a nationally or internationally prominent leader, the degree-granting exercises will be shortened, which has been a long-term goal supported by students, faculty, staff and the administration.

The December ceremonies this year will begin with President Bush’s address at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12 in Reed Arena. Students will not be required to wear academic regalia at the 10:30 a.m. ceremony, but will need to do so at the actual degree-granting exercises. Each degree candidate will be given a ticket to attend Commencement Convocation and will also have the option of inviting up to two guests. We anticipate that a limited number of tickets also will be available to the university community. Arrangements for degree candidates to obtain guest tickets, as well as more detailed instructions about the event and related matters, will be announced in coming days. The shortened degree-granting exercises will then follow in much the same manner as has been the tradition in recent years. All the emphasis will be placed on the degree candidates, meaning no commencement address and only a few other activities will occur before the degrees are awarded.

With the addition of Commencement Convocation, it will be necessary to reschedule the previously announced 9 a.m. commencement exercise on Dec. 12. This ceremony has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. that day. The regularly scheduled 2 p.m. ceremony will remain unchanged, as will Saturday’s 9 a.m. ceremony. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Again, this is a great honor for Texas A&M and great news for the entire Aggie Family.

Gig 'em,

Elsa A. Murano
President