TCU’s largest graduating class will end its undergraduate career May 12. Chancellor Victor Boschini said this spring will see the largest graduating class in the history of TCU. Because the graduating classes are progressively growing larger, there will be no speakers at the commencement ceremony, he said.

The ceremony will be held in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

To accommodate the large size of the graduating class, the ceremony will be divided into two sections, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Between the two ceremonies, a gathering for parents, students and faculty members will be held on the Alumni and Visitors Center grounds, Boschini said.

Margaret Kelly, executive director for community projects at TCU, said a saxophone quintet will perform the Star Spangled Banner at both the ceremonies.

Kelly said according to the Registrar’s Office, there are 1,387 degree candidates for May commencement and 15 or 16 students who could graduate with 4.0s.

Elise Conner, a senior advertising/public relations major, said she is not thinking much about the ceremony.

She said she was glad the ceremony is coming because it means she has succeeded and she is moving on with her life.

“It’s a nice way to end my four years at TCU and symbolically,” Connor said. “I guess it’s neat because it represents all my hard work to get to this point.”

Boschini said he will address two issues at the ceremony.

“My comments to the graduates will center around two themes: First, thanks for studying at TCU, and second, best wishes in the years ahead of you – remember to be a lifelong learner,” he said.