The University of West Alabama honored nearly 700 graduates during spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 4, during two ceremonies held in Pruitt Gymnasium on the UWA campus, with presidential receptions open to all graduates and their guests held prior to each ceremony.

Along with student awards, an honorary doctorate was presented to Consul General Takashi Shinozuka.

Commencement ceremonies streamed live at www.uwa.edu/live.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, May 15 issue of the Demopolis Times.)