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May 27, 2003

Special Graduation Ceremony for ULM Senior Athletes

A special graduation ceremony was held recently for senior student athletes at the University of Louisiana at Monroe who were unable to attend the University Commencement held Sat., May 17 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULM President James Cofer, along with Provost Stephen Richters and several academic Deans, handed out diplomas and shook hands just as it happened at Saturday's ceremony. Only this time, it was on a Tuesday and there were only 6 graduates receiving their degrees. The graduates were athletes who were unable to attend Saturday's event because they were participating in team athletic competitions.

Receiving their degrees on Tues., May 20 at 2 p.m. in the Media Room on the 6th floor of the ULM Library, were: Dorothy Miller, bachelor of arts in criminal justice; Rhonda Sherrer, bachelor of arts in exercise science; Andrew Chance, bachelor of business administration in Management; Michael Durham, bachelor of arts in criminal justice; Alexander Hayward, Jr., bachelor of science in construction, and Jack Skaggs, bachelor of science in construction. There were approximately 50 in attendance.

"We had several that missed graduation. It's a milestone in these people's lives and its important that we do all this, they would not have missed it for any other reason. It was a wonderful event. It was an incredible gesture on the part of the administration," said Traci Murphy, Senior Woman Administrator.

Sherrer, in San Marcos, Texas, the day of graduation, won second-place in the women's 10,000 meters at the Southland Conference Track and Field Championships. Miller also competed in this meet. Chance, Durham, Hayward, and Skaggs all were playing baseball in San Antonio, Texas, on the day of graduation.

Family members and ULM Administration, coaches and other faculty and staff were on hand.

Photos of this event are available through the Office of Public Affairs.

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