The University of Arkansas at Monticello's graduation ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 13.

   The morning graduation time is a change for UAM. Previously, the event has been held only in the evening. The purpose of the early graduation time is to provide more benefits for students, parents, faculty, etc.   

   Debbie Bryant, assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said, “We think it will be more convenient for more people.”

   With most spring showers occurring in the evening, the new graduation time is expected to prevent a rainy ceremony. Also, the new time will not conflict with any local high school graduations or interfere with any UAM student’s classes and final exam schedules. It will enable opportunities for students, faculty, organizations, etc to have the rest of that day for post-graduation activities if they wish to do so. It will also allow faculty and board members to attend the ceremony.

  Graduation rehearsal will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 on the west side of the football stadium. Even though the 11 a.m. graduation time is expected to prevent a rainy ceremony, graduation will be moved to the Steelman Fieldhouse in the event of inclement weather. There will be four tickets handed out per UAM graduate at rehearsal. These tickets are to be used only at the fieldhouse if it rains, but not at the stadium.