AUSTIN – St. Edward's University conferred approximately 431 degrees and awarded the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, with an honorary degree during spring commencement. The university's 115th commencement exercises weld held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 12, at the Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River in Austin.

Father Hesburgh, president emeritus of Notre Dame University, is recognized for his involvement in the advancement of civil rights movement, world peace, and higher education. Because of his valuable leadership abilities, Father Hesburgh has been the subject of 15 presidential appointments and has served four popes. He recently received the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest honor for contributions to the nation. Father Hesburgh is only the 122nd person in our nation's history to receive the award.

St. Edward's University conferred approximately 431 degrees this spring. Degree distribution is as follows:

• Traditional undergraduates 235
• New College undergraduates 109
• MBA 69
• MAHS 18
  Total 431

St. Edward's University is an independent Catholic liberal arts university of 3,800 students in Austin. It was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.

(Attachments: 2001 spring graduates, listed by their respective degrees and hometowns.)