Victor Cristales/Reporter-News Families wave to McMurry University graduates at the start of commencement at Kimbrell Arena Saturday, May 14, 2011.
Victor Cristales/Reporter-News McMurry University graduates hold on to their mortar boards as the wind picks up while they walk to Kimbrell Arena for commencement on Saturday, May 14, 2011.
Victor Cristales/Reporter-News Kinesiology professor Pug Parris (center) carries the McMurry University mace – the first woman to do so – as she leads graduates to Kimbrell Arena for commencement on Saturday.
The McMurry University class of 2011 may be the first to graduate as War Hawks, but at least one of 175 who walked Saturday morning at Kimbrell Arena expressed some ambivalence over the new mascot.
“I’m not that excited,” confessed Jesse Hernandez of Abilene, who received a bachelor of science degree from the School of Education in all levels of physical education.
It was during “my third sophomore year,” Hernandez joked, that the NCAA forced McMurry to give up its Indians mascot.
This spring, McMurry adopted the War Hawks, saving this class from going through its entire academic stay without a mascot.
In his opening remarks, McMurry President Dr. John Russell said this was the first graduating class of War Hawks and introduced commencement speaker and local banker Chris Montoya, class of 2000, as a “real War Hawk.”
However, Hernandez would just as soon be an Indian. In fact, he’ll go on record that he believes one day, McMurry will be known again as the Indians.
“I really believe we’re going to all get together and show that we never degraded anyone with that nickname,” he said. “It meant to show respect.”
Of course, of more immediate concern to Hernandez and the rest of the graduates was to find a job.
Montoya, who manages $2.4 billion in investments as a vice president for First Financial Bank, told the graduates that their degree from McMurry prepared them for life.
“In the coming days and weeks as you look for a job, you may wonder what your degree from McMurry is worth and if it prepares you for a dynamic business world,” he said. “From my personal experience, my answer is an emphatic yes.”
Even the uncertain funding of public schools in Texas wasn’t dampening Hernandez’s day.
“You know, even the cutbacks don’t worry me,” said Hernandez, who plans to attend a barber school.
His parents don’t need to worry, however.
He still wants to use his degree to become a coach, but he wants to have a trade to fall back on so he can afford to be an educator and coach.
Political science professor Dr. Tina Bertrand was named winner of the Gordon R. and Lola J. Bennett Award — which honors academic achievement — but was not present at graduation. That prompted Dr. Paul Fabrizio to remark, “I know she’s grading papers.”
Mike Swanson, who is retiring after 45 years in the math department, was recognized as were four graduates.
Zach Kerzee of Copperas Cove was given the Harry Soloday award for outstanding graduate, Lindsey Lowry of Temple was awarded the Jenny Carlson Award for female students, Joshua Neaves of Stephenville won the J.W. Hunt Award for male students and Heather Whitehead of Merkel was honored as a nontraditional graduate.
Montoya, who recently finished his tenure as president of the McMurry Alumni Association board of directors, said he was nervous about his speech until he realized he couldn’t remember anything said by the commencement speaker at his graduation.
“When I realized that, Dr. Russell, all of the pressure dropped away,” he joked.
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