Commencement

The University

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas as the Female Division of Baylor University. In 1866, it became Baylor Female College, operating under its own charter and board. The school moved in 1886 from Independence to Belton. In 1925, the name was changed to Baylor College for Women and, in 1934, to Mary Hardin-Baylor College in honor of a benefactor.

Once the oldest school for women west of the Mississippi River, Mary Hardin-Baylor College began offering degrees to men in 1968 and, in 1971, became fully coeducational. In 1978, Mary Hardin-Baylor College became the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

The university, with a current student population of almost four thousand, offers eleven bachelor’s degrees with fifty majors, ten master’s degrees with sixteen majors, and three doctorate degrees with five majors.

Mace

Historically, the use of a mace dates back to the Middle Ages. The mace was carried before or placed near a dignitary as a sign of protection. It came to symbolize strength and authority. Over the centuries, the mace was incorporated into processions as a symbolic item. Gradually, universities adopted the use of the mace to show the authority of the university invested in the president by the board of trustees. Today, the university’s mace is carried by the marshal before the president and other dignitaries of the platform party during commencement processions.

Academic Robes and Regalia

The pageantry and color of an academic convocation, such as today’s commencement, come to us from medieval times when academic robes and regalia were adapted from ecclesiastical garb.

Most robes are black to symbolize the democracy of scholarship since they cover any dress or rank of social standing worn beneath. Bachelor gowns are cut with long pointed sleeves, master’s gowns feature closed slit sleeves, and doctoral gowns are full-cut with double-belled sleeves and bars of velvet trim. Some universities have authorized doctoral gowns in a single color representative of the institutions.

The hood, originally a simple cowl attached to the gown, bears the heaviest symbolism of the academic costume. Its lining displays the colors of the university that granted the degree, and the bordering color indicates the field of learning (or faculty) in which the degree was earned.

The square cap, or mortarboard, originated in the 13th century at the University of Paris and came to England in Tudor times. Earlier caps were round and reserved for doctoral degree holders. This velvet cap is still worn by doctors. Doctoral tassels are usually gold, while other degrees are represented by black.

Some of the colors you may see in today’s processional are:

• Arts, Letters, Humanities-White
• Economics-Copper
• Music-Pink
  
• Social Science-Cream
• Business-Drab
• Education-Light Blue
• Nursing-Apricot
• Social Work-Citron
• Communication-Silver Gray
• Exercise & Sport Science-Sage Green
• Physical Therapy-Teal
• Theology-Scarlet

Kim Fikes

Mrs. Kim Fikes, an amazing person and a generous
philanthropist, has been a long-time friend and supporter of
the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She’s been selected
to receive the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree,
the highest award the university can present to someone,
during today’s ceremony.
In 1952, Clarence Edison Fikes, Kim’s father-in-law, opened
a single Texaco filling station in his hometown of Cameron,
Texas. He had an enormous vision, a tireless passion for
success, and a tenacious drive to make his customers happy.
Kim learned a lot from her father-in-law. She worked in the
business for 42 years, starting as a clerk and working her
way up. Over the years, Kim and her late husband, James
Fikes, wore many hats. They cleaned the floors, loaded barrels of oil, and did whatever needed to be
done. Kim and James took over the business following Clarence’s passing in 1988. Their philosophy
was to hire the best people and learn from them. They also maintained Clarence’s mantra that no one
was too good to do what needed to be done. Eventually, the business grew to more than 200 CEFCO
convenience stores in four states and expanded to over 3,500 employees. Kim has loved being a
partner in growing the business and being part of the company’s day-to-day operations and growth.
In addition to her work, Kim is passionate about helping young people, both medically and
educationally, so they have the opportunity to grow and pursue their dreams. As a result, many in
our community have benefited from Kim and James’ generosity. UMHB has been blessed with the
beautiful Fikes Chamber Hall, the innovative Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation, and
a generous endowment for student scholarships. Kim is a tremendous champion of UMHB and
Christian education and a great friend of our university.

COMMENCEMENT

Saturday, May 10, 2025, 7:30 p.m.

AWARDS, HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS

McLANE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

MAYBORN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

MAYBORN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

Academic Honor Societies

• Academic Honors: Gold Sash
• Alpha Chi Honor Society: Gold Medallion
  
• Alpha Mu Alpha American Marketing Association Honor Society: Navy Cords
• Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Xi Omicron Chapter: Royal Blue and College Gold Cords
• Alpha Psi Omega Performance Honor Society: Blue and Gold Cords
  
• Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society: Red and Green Cords
• Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International: White Stole with Blue Letter X∑I
• Eta Beta Rho National Hebrew Honor Society
• Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society: Gold and Black Cords
• Iota Tau Alpha Athletic Training Education Honor Society, Omicron Chapter: Blue, Red and Gold Cords
• Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Alpha Eta Gamma Chapter: Purple and Green Cords
• Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society: Gold Shield with Pink and Silver
• Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Society: Gold and Blue Cords
  
• Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society: Red and Blue Cords
• Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honor Society: Blue and White Cords
• Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society
• Sigma Delta Pi Spanish and Advanced Literature Honor Society: Red and Spanish Gold Stole
• Sigma Iota Epsilon Professional Management Honor Society: Gold Stole with Burgundy Letter SIE
• Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society: Cardinal and Black Cords and/or Cardinal Ribbon with Medallion
• Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, Tau Epsilon Chapter: White and Purple Cords