SPC Celebrates 154th Commencement Ceremony
June 2, 2026
St. Philip’s College celebrated its 154th Commencement Ceremony on May 21, 2026, at the Alamodome, recognizing the achievements of more than 2,000 graduates while honoring former Whataburger CEO Thomas E. Dobson with an honorary Associate of Applied Science.
The ceremony marked another milestone in the college’s 128-year history, as students, faculty, staff, family members, and community leaders gathered to celebrate academic achievement and institutional growth.
“This 154th commencement ceremony represents how far we have come since our founding in 1898 as a sewing school for the daughters and granddaughters of emancipated slaves,” said St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston during her welcoming remarks.
A total of 2,832 graduation applications were submitted by 2,010 students for the Spring 2026 commencement, a substantial increase from the college’s first graduation ceremony in June 1902, when only three students graduated.
The ceremony featured student leadership throughout the program. Desaray Reyes, a candidate for an Associate of Applied Science, delivered the invocation. Leah Ramirez, an Associate of Arts candidate, introduced the commencement speaker, while Associate of Science candidate Brianisha Johnson delivered the commencement address. The benediction was provided by Shumandi Solomon Ghebremedhin, a candidate for an Associate of Applied Science.
Among the ceremony’s highlights was the presentation of an honorary Associate of Applied Science to Thomas E. Dobson, chairman of Las Aguilas Enterprises and former CEO of Whataburger.
Dobson was recognized for his longstanding support of St. Philip’s College’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts programs. Dobson also served on the St. Philip’s College President’s Advisory Board, where he helped strengthen relationships between the college and industry partners.
The commencement also highlighted several recent institutional accomplishments. The college earned national recognition in 2025 as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Additionally, the institution received the Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award at the Gold Level for the fourth consecutive year.
Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, and Dr. Clint Kingsbery, Chairman of the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees, joined Dr. Loston in presenting degrees during the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the college alma mater and a recessional led by Faculty Senate Representative David Kisel, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Class of 2026.
