Commencement is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum 809 degree candidates participating.  Three have a perfect 4.0 GPA. and about 98 are eligible to graduate with Latin Honors. International graduates include 35 students from 19 countries. Joe Butler, University organist, will play for the processional and Rev. Angela Kaufman will deliver the invocation.
 
The  Commencement Address will be delivered by J. Luther King Jr., outgoing chairman of the TCU Board of Trustees. Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr. will present the sixth annual Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership to Will Stallworth (Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities). This recognition was established in Chancellor Ferrari's name to recognize a faculty or staff member for leadership in finding a solution to a significant problem, managing an important project, designing a creative new initiative, or reaching out to improve the University or surrounding community. Previous winners are Keith Whitworth (sociology), Tara Perez (groundskeeper), Leo Munson (Associate Provost for Academic Support), José Feghali (School of Music) and Ed McNertney (economics).
 

The University is conferring an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree on Susan Jaffe, former American Ballet Theater ballerina and current ABT ballet mistress. As a leading ballerina, Ms. Jaffe performed all the classical ballet repertoire as well as the works of all the 20th century master choreographers. In fall 2008, TCU's School of Classical & Contemporary Dance hosted Ms. Jaffe as choreographer-in-residence.