Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) will hold its Fall Commencement Exercises at 10 a.m. in Tex Turner Arena on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Presiding over the last commencement ceremony before his retirement, President Clayton Hess will confer two associate, 89 baccalaureate, 120 graduate, 19 educational specialist and 49 professional degrees during the ceremony. Additionally, the University will host two other graduation ceremonies later in the week. LMU will celebrate Caylor School of Nursing graduates at the LMU-Tampa location on Wednesday, December 13 and Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies graduates from the School of Medical Sciences on Saturday, December 16, at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Dr. Sandra Weems, the 2023 recipient of LMU’s Houston Award for Teaching Excellence, will deliver the commencement address. Weems has served on the faculty of the Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences since 2016 and serves as associate professor of English and director of the Honors Scholars Program. With teaching expertise in British literature, medical humanities, expository/argumentative writing, writing across the disciplines and business writing, Weems is an integral member of the English department at LMU. She has been instrumental in the Honors Scholars Program growth, impacting students across the university by promoting undergraduate research and fostering collaboration across disciplines. Prior to her academic career, Weems had a long corporate career in sales and marketing and pharmaceutical research. During those years she was a first-generation college student working her way towards an associate degree, part-time, in night classes at St. Petersburg College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English from the University of Florida (UF), where she taught writing and literature classes as a graduate assistant and adjunct lecturer. She holds a PhD in English from UF, with an interdisciplinary concentration in medical humanities. Weems had the privilege of studying British literature at Cambridge University on scholarship.
A clear bag policy will be in effect for the ceremony. The 2023 Fall Commencement Exercises will be streamed live on LMU’s website and can be viewed on demand for anyone who can not attend in person. LMU will provide professional photography to graduates following the ceremony. However degree candidates must opt-in to receive the photos. Complete this form to receive photo updates following the ceremony.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@lmunet.edu.
