As UCA prepares to say farewell to many of its students this spring, those students reflect on their time here and celebrate their achievements.

Commencement will start with the graduate ceremony at 5 p.m. May 1 before moving on to the undergraduate ceremonies on May 2, which will be divided into four sections for different colleges, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing through 6 p.m.

Over 1,000 undergraduate students will be given degrees and certificates, along with over 250 graduate students. There will be plenty of students graduating with Latin honors, academic distinctions and service.

Provost Michael Hargis, who will be introducing stage guests and announcing certain awards, said, “Each ceremony will include a mix of formal traditions and personal touches that reflect the spirit of our university.”

His office works closely with others, such as the registrar, the graduate school and the academic colleges to plan and carry out commencement.

Some exemplary achievements being awarded include the Distinguished Faculty Emeritus, which is given to outstanding retired professors. The recipients this year are Michael Rubach and John Murphy.

“The Distinguished Faculty Emeritus title is one of the highest recognitions we bestow, and it reflects the lasting impact these professors have made on UCA,” Hargis said.

Professors aren’t the only ones to receive recognition, though; five students are being awarded the president’s medallion for outstanding student of the university. These students are Phoenix Vu, Jane Nim, Raven Guess, Chaelann Vickers and Nathan Taylor.

Phoenix Vu, SGA president, earned this award through his involvement in the UCA community and in Arkansas as a whole.

“I have worked in two Arkansas legislative sessions, helping and lobbying state lawmakers on bills that tackle child food insecurity, expand maternal healthcare, and improve socioeconomic mobility, to name a few,” Vu said.

His work as the SGA president has helped address student fees, housing concerns and safety and accessibility issues. Due to this, students enjoy a better campus with more outdoor seating, more trees and a stocked food pantry.

Vu said, “We’ve allocated almost $300,000, a record-breaking amount, to dozens of RSOs to help them pay for conferences, events, speakers, professional development, and other things to help them operate.”

These achievements are what earned Vu the president’s medallion, but are just one example of what students can do to thrive at UCA.

“Don’t get involved purely for the sake of getting involved — do something that you genuinely enjoy,” Vu said.

With this, students and faculty alike prepare for commencement, where the graduating students will take their step beyond UCA.

Vu said, “It’s a bittersweet feeling knowing that I have about two weeks left until I graduate, but I’m excited for it.”

Addressing the graduating students, Hargis said, “You’ve done something remarkable. You’ve earned your degree at a time when the world is changing rapidly, and you’ve shown the determination, adaptability, and heart needed to meet those challenges.”

Hargis said, “Congratulations — go forward with confidence and pride.”