I invite you to join us for the Fall Commencement at The University of Texas at Austin. In a weekend full of celebration, our graduating students unite with classmates, family and friends to commemorate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2012.

As a university, cultivating the mind is our mission, duty, and honor. Our motto – “A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy” – reminds us of this responsibility to society. To cultivate minds is to help students think in subtle and complex ways, to teach them the scientific method, to spark their interest in the lessons of history, and to make them conversant in our own culture and that of others. It means forming the habit of investigation and discovery and practicing skills required for effective communication and leadership. Most importantly, a cultivated mind is one inspired to lifelong learning.

For our graduates, commencement marks a milestone in the development of a cultivated mind. As they begin new lives of accomplishment, we celebrate our graduates’ success and the unlimited possibilities before them.

I congratulate our graduates and offer my sincere appreciation to parents, friends and family members for their roles in shaping the lives of these extraordinary students. 

Bill Powers, President
The University of Texas at Austin

Bill Powers, President
The University of Texas at Austin