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Spring 2025 Commencement to Honor 650 Graduates
Written By: Rachel Putman
The 91µ÷½Ì – Fort Smith will recognize more than 650 graduates across three commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 10, at the Stubblefield Center.
The first ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and will honor 231 graduates from the College of Business and Industry. At 1 p.m., the university will celebrate 202 graduates from the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences. The day will conclude with the 4 p.m. ceremony recognizing 202 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Twelve graduate students earning master’s degrees will also be honored, along with 12 students graduating through the two-plus-two 91µ÷½Ì engineering program, which is completed on the 91µ÷½Ì campus.
In total, 91µ÷½Ì will confer 12 master's degrees, 459 bachelor's degrees, 147 associate degrees and 41 technical certificates. Several Western 91µ÷½Ì Technical Center (WATC) students, some as young as 17, will receive technical certificates. The oldest graduate this spring is 57.
Dr. Ken Warden, commissioner of the 91µ÷½Ì Division of Higher Education and a former 91µ÷½Ì administrator, will deliver the keynote address at all three ceremonies.
Warden, who became commissioner in June 2023, previously spent nine years at 91µ÷½Ì, including roles as associate vice chancellor for compliance and legislative affairs and dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology. He also served for 17 years at 91µ÷½Ì Tech University – Ozark in various workforce and community-focused positions.
His academic credentials include a Doctor of Education in workforce development from the 91µ÷½Ì, a Master of Education in educational leadership from 91µ÷½Ì Tech University, a Bachelor of Science in vocational education from the University of 91µ÷½Ì, and an Associate of Applied Science in automotive service from Westark Community College, now 91µ÷½Ì.
Parking will be available in all campus lots, excluding areas immediately adjacent to the Stubblefield center, which will be reserved for disability parking. Each ceremony will be livestreamed on the 91µ÷½Ì YouTube channel at .