UTA grads take the stage in landmark year
The University of Texas at Arlington anticipates conferring more than 5,800 degrees during its spring 2025 commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9, inside Globe Life Field in Arlington.
The event takes place during UT Arlington’s 130th anniversary, a year that marks well more than a century of academic excellence and community impact. The degrees to be conferred include more than 3,600 bachelor’s degrees, over 2,100 master’s degrees and approximately 113 doctoral degrees—further strengthening the regional, state, and national workforce.
“As UTA celebrates its 130th anniversary, our newest graduates are joining the generations of the more than 280,000 Mavericks who came before us—trailblazers who pushed boundaries and left their mark on the world,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Our students have gained the knowledge, skills and experience not only to succeed but to lead. They’re going to make a marked impact across our region and state.”
The College of Nursing and Health Innovation, UTA’s largest college, is expected to confer over 1,700 degrees. These graduates will help address a critical workforce need, as communities across Texas and beyond continue to experience shortages in health care providers.
Related: UTA excels in access and earnings rankings
This semester’s graduates range in age from 19 to 81, highlighting UTA’s commitment to serving learners of all ages and at every stage of their academic journey—even beyond graduation.
“A graduate’s academic journey with UTA doesn’t have to end when they cross the stage at commencement,” said Tamara L. Brown, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Our doors remain open for continued professional development and advanced degree opportunities. Additionally, UTA provides access to the Coursera Career Academy for all students, faculty, staff and alumni. We invite members of our community to take advantage of a wide range of no-cost learning opportunities designed to support ongoing personal and professional growth.”
Related: UTA grad programs show strength in national rankings
Equipped with degrees from UTA, graduates will gain access to a broad array of industries, including health care, engineering, business, technology and finance. UTA's location in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth region—one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. and home to 24 Fortune 500 companies—enables a significant percentage of alumni to remain in North Texas, contributing to UTA’s total annual economic impact of $28.8 billion to the state.
Related: Wall Street Journal: UTA again the best in North Texas
UTA's commitment to academic and research excellence is reflected in its national rankings and recognitions. It recently retained its prestigious Carnegie R1 designation, placing it among the top 5% of research institutions nationwide. Additionally, UTA is among the top 10 public universities in Texas for graduate earnings and ranks No. 1 for access within the University of Texas System. It also holds the No. 1 spot in North Texas and No. 36 nationally for advancing social mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report.
- Graduate at 60: UTA helps vet rewrite his story: At age 60 Navy veteran John Shirley will become a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in real estate. His path hasn’t been easy—he’s overcome homelessness, survived colon cancer, and restarted his education later in life. Now thriving and career-bound, Shirley wants others to know it’s never too late. “If I can make it, they can make it,” he says. His story is one of perseverance, purpose, and personal transformation.
- Architecture graduate and mentor share milestone moment [VIDEO with captions] [VIDEO without captions]: While earning her master’s in architecture, Aurora Ruvalcaba ('23 B.S., Architecture) was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She continued her studies throughout treatment, supported by trusted advisor Ana Peredo-Manor. Now, both women prepare for a meaningful commencement: Ruvalcaba will receive her degree, and Peredo-Manor—retiring after 25 years and more than 70 ceremonies—will attend her last. Their connection speaks to the power of mentorship and resilience.
- Scholarship recipient turns support into purpose: Ana Gonzalez will become the first Univision Tu Futuro Scholar to graduate from UT Arlington since the scholarship’s launch in 2021. The award, which fully funds a bachelor’s degree, helped Gonzalez pursue management and marketing while navigating college as a first-generation student. With graduation in sight, she’s setting her sights on giving back to the communities that lifted her—continuing the cycle of support that helped shape her future.
- Art history advocate brings education to life: Ben Gervasi has done it all—campus tour guide, The College Tour presenter, Seacrest Studios intern and even a stint as “Blaze,” UTA’s mascot. But his proudest work may be his children’s podcast created for patients at Children’s Health, where he shares stories about art and culture to spark imagination. Now graduating with a degree in art history, Gervasi plans to pursue graduate school and a career in educational media, using storytelling to help others connect with art and history.
- Engineer finds purpose through hands-on discovery: Mechanical engineering senior Connor Berberek turned a class assignment into cutting-edge research at the UT Arlington Research Institute, fabricating advanced carbon-fiber composites used in aerospace and defense. As an undergrad, he joined elite research programs, coauthored academic papers and helped refine next-generation materials. Now graduating and continuing toward a Ph.D., Berberek exemplifies how UTA empowers students to shape innovation.
COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, MAY 9, AT GLOBE LIFE FIELD
- 9 a.m.: College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs; College of Business; College of Liberal Arts; Division of Student Success
- 2 p.m.: College of Nursing and Health Innovation; School of Social Work; College of Education
- 7 p.m.: College of Engineering; College of Science
For ADA guest accommodation, call Globe Life Field at 817-533-1972.
Media interested in covering any of the commencement ceremonies should contact Jeff Caplan, director of Media Relations, at jeff.caplan@uta.edu or 817-272-7286.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.