MAGNOLIA -- Local students were among 698 graduates honored May 5 during spring commencement ceremonies at Southern Arkansas University.
Graduates were recognized in four ceremonies at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
The commencement speaker for the two undergraduate ceremonies was the Honorable Leanne Johnson, a 1983 honor graduate from SAU, and the graduate commencement speaker was Magnolia School District faculty member Larry Dunn.
Johnson graduated with high honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1986 and was appointed in 2013 by Texas Gov. Rick Perry to serve as a justice on the Ninth Court of Appeals. She was elected to the court the following year. Johnson was the first woman to serve on the Ninth Court of Appeals.
Larry Dunn earned degrees from SAU in 2007 and 2010. He was the 2016 recipient of the university's Distinguished Young Alumnus award.
A total of 314 undergraduates, aside from the nursing candidates graduated from SAU's four colleges. Another 359 graduate candidates earned their master's degrees.
Local students to receive their degrees this spring were:
Bonnerdale
Jace Tilley, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from the College of Science and Engineering.
Glenwood
Robert McBryde, Master of Arts in Teaching from the College of Education.
Hot Springs
Tyler Eddings, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, College of Liberal and Performing Arts; Karleigh Reed, Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary from the College of Science and Engineering, Honors College graduate.
Malvern
Hallie Bauer, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the College of Business, magna cum laude.
Pearcy
Alec Young, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of Science and Engineering.
School on 06/14/2017