Students Honored During Summer 2009 Commencement

More than 1,250 students will receive diplomas at Texas Tech University’s undergraduate commencement ceremonies 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 at the United Spirit Arena, 1701 Indiana Ave. in Lubbock.

The ceremony includes students from the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Education, Honors, Human Sciences, Mass Communications, Outreach and Distance Education, Visual and Performing Arts, the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering and the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business.

• For more graduation information visit the Texas Tech University Commencement Web site.
• Watch the graduation ceremony online.

Commencement Speaker–Donald Powell

Donald E. Powell, who served as the former federal coordinator of Gulf Coast rebuilding and chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., will speak at the ceremony.

In March 2008, Powell became a Class I director of Stone Energy Corporation, an independent oil and gas sector out of Lafayette, La. Powell was named by President George W. Bush as the federal coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding on Nov. 1, 2005. He was tasked with developing a long-term rebuilding plan for the region in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, coordinating the federal efforts and helping state and local officials reach consensus on their vision for the region.

Prior to his appointment, Powell served from August 2001 until November 2005 as the 18th chairman of the FDIC.

Banner Bearers

Outstanding students will carry banners representing their respective colleges. Administrators selected the banner bearers based on all-around achievement. The Banner Bearers are:

• Mallory Dawn Dyess, an agricultural communications major from Slaton, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
• Claire M. Tranter, an architecture major from Georgetown, College of Architecture
• Ashley Nichole Wilhelm, an anthropology major from Wellington, College of Arts and Sciences
• Torrie Taylor, a marketing major from Glen Rose, Jerry S. Rawls College of Business
• Allison Michelle Brown, a multidisciplinary studies major from Forney, College of Education
• Forrest Alexander Jones, an electrical engineering major from Albuquerque, N.M., Whitacre College of Engineering
• Matthew Lowrie, a biochemistry major from Fort Worth, Honors College
• Nhi M. Ha, an apparel design and manufacturing major from Houston, College of Human Sciences
• Travis Dailey Fuller, an advertising major from Wylie, College of Mass Communications
• Sydney Anne McIlhaney, a general studies major from Lubbock, College of Outreach and Distance Education
• Micayla Vera, a studio art major from Plainview, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Daniel Poulsen, a doctoral student in family and consumer science and education from North Tonawanda, N.Y., is the banner bearer for the Graduate School

Highest Ranking August Graduates for each College

Also recognized during commencement exercises are bachelor’s degree candidates with the highest grade-point-averages in their respective colleges.

• College of Arts and Sciences: Ashley Nichole Wilhelm, an anthropology major from Wellington
• Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration: Adam Britten, an accounting major from Groom
• Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering: Forrest Alexander Jones, an electrical engineering major from Albuquerque, N.M.
• College of Human Sciences: Tarrah Michele Moreno, a family and consumer sciences major from Lubbock
• College of Visual and Performing Arts: Katy Renae Baker, a theater arts major from White Settlement