Texas Southern University announces December commencement speaker

Texas Southern University has announced that Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, president of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, will be the speaker for the 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15 commencement exercises.

According to a press release, "Dr. Wheelan is the first African American and the first woman to serve as SACS President. Her career spans over 30 years and includes roles as faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president and Secretary of Education. In several of those roles she was also the first African American and/or woman to serve in those capacities."

Other ceremony events include the conferring of an honorary degree to TSU alumnus Gerald B. Smith.

Texas Southern University is at 3100 Cleburne St., Houston.

For more information, call 713-313-4205 or visit www.tsu.edu.