The Human Development and School Services Department will conduct its annual hooding ceremony for 85 graduate students in special education, school psychology, early childhood and educational diagnostician from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg.
In 2007, the University of Texas Pan American started this ceremony when the department wanted to connect families and the community with the graduates’ accomplishments. It soon became a tradition that transitioned to UTRGV.
“We just really like it because our programs are online, and we have students from across the country and across the world, so sometimes this is the first time that faculty would actually meet the students face to face,” said John Lowdermilk, chair of Human Development and School Services.
In 2015, more than 450 people attended the ceremony. Now, 500 to 600 people are expected, including members of student organizations who are invited to the event.
“They bring their kids, so if they see their family getting hooded, it helps them get encouraged to continue their education,” said Johnny Salinas, Human Development and School Services administrative assistant.
The department hopes this will encourage more hooding ceremonies for graduate students across the university. Refreshments will be served at the end of the ceremony. The event is open to the community.
