Office of Communications

Contact: Laura Hanna

Director of Communications

Office: (817) 531-4498

lhanna@txwes.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POMP, CIRCUMSTANCE & POOL: UNDERWATER GRADUATION CEREMONY AT TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY MAY 9

Instead of the traditional cap and gown, a Texas Wesleyan University student will be slipping into a wetsuit and jumping in the pool for an underwater graduation ceremony on Friday, May 9. Brooke McNabb, a chemistry major and scuba minor, will have her ceremony at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the Wesleyan pool, located inside the Sid W. Richardson Center, 1100 S. Collard.

Current and former scuba students will enter the pool and take positions underwater to congratulate the new graduate. Pam Rast, director of the scuba program, and Adam Harrison, the most recent scuba graduate, will enter the pool and take positions by the oath board. McNabb will then enter the pool in full gear, but without fins, and will swim past scuba students to receive congratulations.

During a Finning Ceremony, McNabb will be given her fins by Rast and Harrison. She will receive a pin and will sign an oath to support Texas Wesleyan scuba and underwater programs. After moving her tassel from right to left, she will ascend to the surface. McNabb will be presented with an alumni gift and red and white honor cords to symbolize the colors of the dive flag.

The ceremony will recognize her achievement of advanced scuba certifications. McNabb also plays on the softball team and has completed a summer scuba internship in Grand Cayman.