Announcements
Apr 25, 2025
April 25, 2025
Marshall, TX – Wiley University is pleased to announce the details of its 136th Commencement Weekend, to be held Friday, May 2, through Saturday, May 3, 2025. This year’s ceremonies will be especially meaningful, marking several historic milestones including the graduation of Wiley’s first master’s degree recipients, a special tribute to the university’s Golden Graduates, and the posthumous conferral of an honorary degree to a beloved trustee.
The weekend will begin with the Baccalaureate Service at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel. The keynote address will be delivered by Bishop Charley Hames, Jr., the 66th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. A respected spiritual leader, community advocate, and author, Bishop Hames has built a national reputation for dynamic service and commitment to justice. A reception dinner will follow the service.
The 136th Commencement Exercises will take place at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, on the Pemberton Soccer Field. The Commencement Address will be delivered by Michelle Gaskill-Hames, Regional President of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii. A nationally recognized leader in healthcare, Gaskill-Hames oversees operations serving over five million members and is known for her dedication to health equity and transformative leadership.
During the ceremony, Wiley University will recognize several notable achievements. The university will hood and confer degrees upon the inaugural class of its new master’s programs, marking a significant academic milestone in the institution’s 150-year history. In addition, Wiley will honor its Golden Graduates—members of the classes of 1970 through 1975—who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation. These alumni will be recognized during the ceremony and honored at a special Golden Graduate Brunch to follow.
Guests are encouraged to park in the Alumni Gym, Thirkield Hall, or Strickland Hall parking lots. Directional signage will be placed throughout the campus to assist with navigation.
For more details about Commencement Weekend, including schedules and logistics, please visit: www.wileyc.edu/academics/wiley-university-commencement. For more information about Wiley University, please contact Catherine G. Sellers, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, and Brand Management, at communications@wileyc.edu or visit www.wileyc.edu.
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About Wiley University:
Wiley University, formerly known as Wiley College, is a premier liberal arts institution related to the United Methodist Church. The university is dedicated to fostering social good and developing leaders who make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
