Graduation 2009

Texas Lutheran University's Spring Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9, on the Chapel Lawn of the TLU campus. There will be plenty of available seating, so there is no limit on the number of guests each graduate may invite. Guest seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates will process from the Tostengard Activity Center along the walkway to the Chapel Lawn, and then up the center of the lawn to the graduate seating area. Women are encouraged not to wear shoes with high heels, as the ground may be soft.The commencement speaker will be none other than head coach and TLU alum, D.W. Rutledge.

According to the TLU web site, D.W. Rutledge was one of the most successful coaches in Texas High School Football history. His teams advanced to seven 5A state championship games, winning four in 1988, 1992, 1993 and 1995. Rutledge served as an assistant coach from 1975-1983. In 17 seasons at Converse Judson as Head Coach he compiled a 198-31-5 record, won 12 district championships, 10 City Championships, 10 Regional Championships, and advanced the Rockets to the playoffs 16 times.

Because public health officials are generally concerned about close contact among people in crowded indoor environments, TLU is cancelling the baccalaureate service scheduled for Jackson Auditorium at 10 a.m. Saturday. Some elements of the baccalaureate service will be incorporated in the commencement ceremony.

There will be live streaming video of the commencement ceremony on the TLU Web site, www.tlu.edu, for those who cannot or do not wish to attend in person.

TLU asks those planning to attend the commencement ceremony to not do so if they, anyone in their household, or anyone they have recently come in close contact with exhibit any flu-like symptoms or otherwise feel ill.

TLU advises those most susceptible to viral illness - infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems - to not attend the commencement ceremony. Hand sanitizer will be available on site.