By Scott Harvey
– Texas A&M University-Commerce and Paris Junior College are among institutions of higher learning conducting graduation ceremonies this weekend.
A&M-Commerce Undgraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and Technology graduate at 8:30 a.m., while undegraduates in the College of Education and Human Services receive diplomas at 11:30 a.m. at the Field House.
Graduates will hear from keynote speaker Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A, a graduate of East Texas State. She'll receive an honorary doctarate during Master's and Doctoral ceremonies, Sautrday at 3 p.m.
Paris Junior College will honor their graduates Friday night, with festivities to begin at 8 p.m. in Noyes Stadium.
The 2011 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award will be presented to Joan Mathis, PJC English instructor. Mathis is one of only 10 college and university instructors to win the award this year, and only the second in PJC history.