McNeese State University will hold two ceremonies this Friday, Dec. 8, to confer degrees on the graduates at the university’s 161st commencement in McNeese’s Legacy Center.

The ceremony for the Burton College of Education and colleges of business and liberal arts will be held at 9 a.m. and the colleges of agricultural sciences, nursing and health professions and science, engineering and mathematics will be held at 1:30 p.m.

The Outstanding Graduate Award — sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Office of University Advancement — will be presented during commencement to two McNeese students to recognize them for their academic achievements. One undergraduate student and one graduate student from each of McNeese’s six colleges were nominated for the award.

The summer and fall classes of 2023 include 537 candidates from 36 parishes, 19 states and 19 countries and 545 degrees will be awarded, including 28 associate degrees, 420 bachelor’s degrees, 94 master’s degrees and three doctoral degrees – McNeese’s first doctoral candidates since 1982.

Celebrating this historical milestone, three graduates will receive their Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from the new doctoral program offered by the College of Nursing and Health Professions. This resumption of doctoral degrees symbolizes a revival of academic traditions and a commitment to advancing scholarship in the dynamic landscape of health care. Guests will not be allowed access to the floor at any time before, during or after the
ceremonies. Graduates will not be allowed access to the guest seating areas at any time before, during or after the ceremonies.

Doors will open one and one-half hours before each ceremony. For the safety and security of everyone in attendance, only clear bags not to exceed 12”x 6”x 12” will be allowed inside the Legacy Center and all bags are subject to search. Diaper bags are an exception.

The times, college ceremonies and college guest speakers are as follows:
 9 a.m. – College of Business, Burton College of Education and College of Liberal Arts, Butch Alsandor, award-winning sports broadcaster

 1:30 p.m. – College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions and College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Julie Stokes, University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors member, CPA, former state legislator and entrepreneur

The McNeese commencement ceremonies will be live streamed on McNeese’s YouTube channel for family members and friends unable to attend commencement. For notifications when the events go live, subscribe to our channel here: www.youtube.com/mcneesestateu.

The ceremony will also be broadcast on the Calcasieu Parish Government Channel at a date to be announced.