University of Houston Commencement Ceremony & Celebrations - University of Houston
Skip to main content

College Graduation Celebrations

Welcome and President’s Address to Graduates

Jeronimo Cortina,
Faculty Senate President

Renu Khator,
President

Regent's Remarks

Tilman J. Fertitta,
Chairman
University of Houston System Board of Regents

PRESENTATION OF PRESIDENT’S MEDALLIONS

President Khator

Regent Durga D. Agrawal
University of Houston System Board of Regents


Regent Jack B. Moore
University of Houston System Board of Regents


William A. Brookshire
2020 President's Medallion Recipient

The John M. O’Quinn Foundation
2020 President's Medallion Recipient

PRESENTATION OF ACADEMIC HONORS & CONFERRAL OF DEGREES HONORIS CAUSA

Paula Myrick Short,
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

President Khator


Marvin E. Odum III
2020 University of Houston Honorary Degree Recipient

Richard G. Rawson
2020 University of Houston Honorary Degree Recipient

Commencement Address

Carl Lewis

During his career Carl Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals over four Olympic Games, earning international respect and a place in history as one of the great athletes of all time.

Giving Back

An activist for family, youth, education, wellness and fitness, Carl Lewis brings his international celebrity to attract awareness for the challenges and opportunities surrounding these issues around the world.

Athlete of the Century

During his career as an Olympic athlete, Carl Lewis was part of five American Olympic Teams, winning 10 medals, nine of them gold. With unsurpassed talent in the long jump and his speed in the sprints, he has gone places where no other track and field athlete has ever visited. His five Olympic appearances are a record for a male athlete, and many of his Olympic performances were in world or Olympic record time. His impressive track and field performances earned him the title of “Athlete of the Century.”

Going the Distance For Those in Need

Since his retirement from active competition in 1997, Carl Lewis has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to charity, founding “The Carl Lewis Foundation,” which serves as an umbrella for the many charities that Lewis supports including the “Best Buddies” organization, The Wendy Marx Foundation (for organ donor awareness), Ronald McDonald House Charities and many youth fitness groups. Carl Lewis is also a United Nations Ambassador for the Food and Agricultural Organization and a coach at the University of Houston.

PRESENTATION OF DEGREE CANDIDATES

Provost Short

Deans of the University Colleges

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REMARKS

Mike Pede, 
Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations

Alumni Messages and Closing Remarks

Distinguished Alumni

Faculty Senate President Cortina

Moores School of Music Concert Chorale

2020 Graduates Photo Montage