University of Texas Class of 2024 celebrates commencement, praised for perseverance

The University of Texas' Class of 2024 celebrated universitywide commencement Saturday night with about 10,000 graduates at Royal-Memorial Stadium, concluding with fireworks and the first drone show at a UT commencement.

The ceremony was held despite concerns nationally about protests interrupting graduations, prompting some institutions to cancel their universitywide events. There was a pro-Palestinian protest after Saturday's commencement, with some students walking out during it, but the ceremony itself was not interrupted.

UT President Jay Hartzell opened the ceremony by commending the graduates for persevering through the COVID-19 pandemic and sharing a few student stories.

"Regardless of your immediate plans, we already know that you can do hard things because you already have," Hartzell said. "You overcame circumstances that nearly brought the world to a halt, and you have earned a degree from one of the world's great universities."

Hartzell said he wanted this graduation to be "extra memorable" because many students did not have a traditional high school graduation due to the pandemic.

There were 10,739 total graduates this year, Hartzell said. Many decorated their caps and posed for photos with friends and relatives before and after the ceremony.

More: UT graduates describe 'hectic' end to year after pro-Palestinian protests, DEI ban

'Sometimes you need to make them tell you no'

The commencement's keynote speaker, retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, the first female fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, delivered her advice through a football metaphor, encouraging graduates to have courage on offense, persistence and optimism on defense and mutual support on special teams.

Leavitt spoke about her choice to ask for a fighter aircraft position even though it was not an option yet for women. Though she was initially denied, when the Air Force changed its policy a few months later, it honored her first-choice assignment, and she achieved her dream.

"The takeaway I have from this experience is that sometimes you need to make them tell you no," Leavitt said. "When you see an opportunity, take the shot. Maybe it will work, and maybe it won't, but you will never know unless you try."

Student Government President Helen Getachew spoke about the ways the class has used its voices to bring change, pointing to challenges such as Senate Bill 17, a state law that went into effect in January and bars universities from having diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programs.

"We've tackled critical issues from supporting medical accessibility and housing affordability to recovering from the impact of SB 17 and its profound effect on student support programs and centers," Getachew said of Student Government. "Despite these challenges, we've proven the strength of our Longhorn community to come together and support one another.

Getachew said the university is the "perfect space" to have critical debates and conversations, and to exercise free speech ― a note that sparked a resounding cheer from the crowd.

"We have grown stronger through these experiences, and I encourage every student to continue to advocate for what you believe in," Getachew said. "Graduates and Longhorns, we are united by our shared experience and commitment to making a difference."

The UT Tower lit up in different colors as each college and school certified its graduates. The ceremony was concluded by a special fireworks and drone show congratulating graduates as "The Eyes of Texas" played.

Meet some of the graduates: John Peyton, 64

John Peyton served in the U.S. Air Force. He's played the drums and harmonica at most major Austin venues, launched a landscaping company, and worked in radio advertising for more than 20 years. When he retired, he thought back to his unfinished time at UT in the 1990s and knew it was time to finish what he started at the Moody College of Communication.

"I started this (degree) years ago, and I ended up going into business, raising a family," Peyton said. "I have four grown children, and they all have degrees. I wanted it for them first, and then now that I'm retired, I said it's perfect time to go back."

He said he went to class the first day with pencil and paper, "and my kids said, 'You got to have an iPad, Dad.’ ”

Despite being an untraditional student for his three semesters, Peyton always felt welcomed and supported because of UT's diversity, he said. He was an undergraduate learning assistant and made the dean's list last semester.

Approaching graduation, he felt so happy to have finished what he started, and he encourages others who are interested to try too, he said.

"I didn't do it to get a better job or for GPA — that ship has sailed. I did it for personal reasons. It's a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, and it's out there for many, many others," Peyton said. "No matter what your situation is, there's a way to make it happen and to get your degree."

Peyton walked across the stage at the Moody College of Communication's graduation Friday, with his family there celebrating. He was offered a position teaching Intro to Music Business at Moody next fall, and he might pursue a graduate degree later.

"There's so much to know, so much more to know and so much more to learn," he said. "I have a newfound passion and love for education."

Meet some of the graduates: Emily Rangel, 21

Emily Rangel, another Moody College of Communication student who studied speech, language and hearing sciences, graduated this weekend. She found out she had been accepted into UT in the summer of 2021 while her daughter was in the neonatal intensive care unit for feeding problems, she said.

"I was already thinking about speech, language, hearing sciences, but that experience kind of confirmed that that's what I wanted to do," Rangel said of being in the NICU with her daughter.

After taking online classes the first year, Rangel would leave her home every day at 5 a.m. to commute to campus in time for her 8 a.m. class. She worked as a research assistant and undergraduate learning assistant at UT, and often she got back home after her daughter was asleep.

But despite the difficulties she faced, she loved UT, she said. She made friends in student organizations related to her major and found support and belonging at Moody, she said.

"As I got older, I became more comfortable disclosing to some of the professors and my friends that I was a student parent, and everyone was really supportive," Rangel said. "I felt belonging."

Rangel's family came to her college graduation to support her. Her daughter is now almost 3 years old and was very excited about commencement.

"She wants her own graduation," Rangel said fondly.

Rangel said she feels proud and ready to graduate. She said she would tell other student parents that it is possible to complete an education and find community.

"Believe in yourself," she said. "You can do it, and when there's times whenever it might not feel that way, it's possible to continue it."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: University of Texas Class of 2024 celebrates commencement