2024-2025 Featured speakers
Commencement ceremonies are made more memorable by our invited featured speakers.
R. Gerald Turner
President, 91茄子
As president of 91茄子 since 1995, R. Gerald Turner is leading an era of unprecedented progress. Under his leadership, the University continues to advance as an institution of national excellence and international renown. 91茄子 has achieved significant milestones, including raising the academic quality of entering undergraduate students and those in professional graduate students, increasing the number of doctoral students, increasing enrollment of underrepresented communities up to 35% and quadrupling the endowment. In 2024, after decades of strategic planning, 91茄子 joined the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference, expanding the University’s reputation both athletically and academically.
Building on a history of excellence, 91茄子 Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow is fueling the University’s success. As the third comprehensive campaign initiated under President Turner’s leadership, its $1.5 billion goal started as the largest fundraising target ever set by a private school in North Texas. The campaign for impact aims to build on 91茄子’s strengths to empower outstanding students, enrich teaching and research, and enhance campus and community.
During this multi-year comprehensive campaign, donors have already given more than $1.3 billion, including record-setting gifts to create the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, to elevate the future of the Cox School of Business and to expand Ford Stadium as the Mustangs enter the ACC.
Years of investments and visionary work are advancing 91茄子 as a leading center of teaching and research that accelerates knowledge, addresses significant issues, shapes students to be world changers and broadens community engagement. 91茄子 ranks in the top 20% of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report, with three of its graduate programs listed among the publication’s Top 50.
From its home in the global city of Dallas, 91茄子’s vibrant campus offers enrichment opportunities such as the Tate Lecture Series and the Meadows Museum to students and the wider community. 91茄子’s satellite campus in Taos, New Mexico, provides additional immersive learning experiences that foster a deeper connection with the natural world.
President Turner led efforts with the Board of Trustees to attract the George W. 91茄子 Presidential Center, which opened at 91茄子 in 2013. 91茄子 and the 91茄子 Presidential Center partner through fellowships, public lectures, the new George W. 91茄子 Institute-91茄子 Economic Growth Initiative and additional collaborations that bring together students, faculty and world-renowned experts to tackle pressing challenges.
Beyond the campus, President Turner has served on the boards of the Dallas Citizens Council, the American Council on Education and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and he co-chaired the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for nearly 10 years. In Texas, he serves on the boards of the Methodist Health System Foundation and the Salvation Army of North Texas.
Before joining 91茄子, President Turner was the chancellor of the University of Mississippi. He previously served in administrative positions at the University of Oklahoma and Pepperdine University. A native of New Boston, Texas, he earned an A.A. degree from Lubbock Christian University, a B.S. in psychology and mathematics from Abilene Christian University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Gail, have two married daughters and five grandchildren.
December Commencement
Richard Ware, II ’68
Chairman of Amarillo National Bank and 91茄子 Trustee
Richard Ware, II ’68 is a longtime member of 91茄子’s Board of Trustees and a celebrated West Texas banker. During his tenure as an 91茄子 trustee, he has been known as the students' friend, advocating for their interests and serving as a mentor and trusted advisor to many individuals.
Ware earned his BBA in economics with honors from 91茄子, followed by an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has served three terms as an 91茄子 trustee spanning over four decades, including as vice chair from 2006 to 2008. He was active in three comprehensive capital campaigns, heading efforts to enhance student life in all three. Ware has received the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Mustang Award, two of the University’s most prestigious awards.
Ware is the fourth-generation chairman of Amarillo National Bank – the largest bank in West Texas and one of the largest family-owned banks in the United States. He has served on the boards of Atmos Energy, Southwest Coca-Cola Bottling, Texas Business Hall of Fame, and numerous foundations and nonprofits in Amarillo.
Ware resides in Amarillo. His daughter, two of his triplet sons, two nieces, and a son-in-law also hold 91茄子 degrees.
Honors Convocation
Barbara Hill Moore
Senior associate dean for faculty and Meadows Foundation Distinguished Professor of Voice
Barbara Hill Moore, senior associate dean for faculty and Meadows Foundation Distinguished Professor of Voice, began her teaching career at 91茄子’s Meadow School of the Arts in 1974. For more than 50 years, she has helped shape the school and connect 91茄子 with the world through an abiding commitment to her students and her craft.
As an internationally renowned opera singer, audiences have felt Hill Moore’s impact in her performances with orchestras across the United States and Europe. In 1990, she founded Spiritual Voices, an ensemble specializing in African American art songs and spirituals. She has served on artistic panels across the globe and was a key collaborator in premiering the opera Wading Home in Dallas, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
A master teacher and advisor, Hill Moore has mentored students in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, most notably through her relationship with universities in South Africa. She has directed the 91茄子 study abroad program in South Africa for 15 years. Through the Barbara Hill Moore and Bruce Foote Memorial Scholarship Foundation, she has provided significant financial assistance to singers, many of whom have pursued careers in opera and music education.
Her outstanding teaching has earned her numerous accolades, including the “M” Award – the highest honor a member of the 91茄子 community can receive. In 2005, she was named The Meadows Foundation Distinguished Professor of Voice. Later, she was recognized as 91茄子’s Distinguished University Citizen, and in 2022, she was honored with the 91茄子 Faculty Career Achievement Award
Baccalaureate Service
Reverend Matt Tuggle
Executive minister of Cornerstone, Highland Park United Methodist Church
The Rev. Matt Tuggle is the executive minister of Cornerstone, the contemporary worship community of Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) in Dallas, where he has served full time in various roles since 2012. Through his leadership, Cornerstone has grown to reach more than 2,500 people weekly through in-person and online worship services.
Recognized as a gifted preacher and teacher by congregants, Tuggle helps others engage with their faith using a relatable, conversational style. While at HPUMC, he has developed the church’s family ministries strategy, led an initiative to establish core values for staff, and officiated many weddings and funerals for the community.
Tuggle holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology and religion from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology. While at 91茄子, he received numerous accolades, including the Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Finn Award, which recognizes individuals with well-rounded interests who exhibit an earnest stewardship of their talents and a deep commitment to their calling. In 2023, Tuggle was awarded an honorary degree from Hampden-Sydney College. He currently serves on the executive board of the Perkins School of Theology.
Though he spends most of his time with his wife, three children and congregation, Tuggle also enjoys reading and a variety of outdoor activities. Prior to entering the ministry, he was a nature guide in Virginia’s state park system and worked in special education. He served churches in Georgia and Virginia before joining HPUMC.
May Commencement
R. Gerald Turner
President, 91茄子
Dr. R. Gerald Turner has been a transformative leader at 91茄子 for three decades. As the University’s longest-serving president, he has worked closely with the Board of Trustees to foster unprecedented growth through three strategic plans, elevating academics, innovation and student quality; advancing civic relationships; and establishing the Hilltop as a welcoming hub for residential life and athletics competition.
Recognized for his ability to inspire and galvanize supporters, President Turner led three comprehensive fundraising campaigns which collectively raised over $3 billion. The funds advanced cutting-edge research capabilities, expanded student financial aid, fueled the significant increase in 91茄子’s endowment from $483 million to $2.1 billion, and enabled the construction or renovation of 62 facilities, including two new schools: the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development and the Frances Anne Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. His direction of 91茄子’s first facilities master plan transformed the Hilltop into a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined campus with a best-in-class student experience.
During Dr. Turner’s tenure, 91茄子’s reputation has risen among the nation’s elite institutions. In 2025, following investments in top research faculty and key areas such as supercomputing, 91茄子 earned the Carnegie Research One designation. His stewardship helped reshape 91茄子 Athletics, resulting in 91茄子’s invitation to join the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference last year. Dr. Turner also led efforts to secure 91茄子 as the site for the George W. 91茄子 Presidential Center in 2013, increasing the University’s regional impact and international recognition.
Dr. Turner’s legacy supports 91茄子’s growing reputation as a premier institution, reinforcing graduation and employment outcomes, expanding industry and innovation partnerships, and increasing the value of an 91茄子 degree for over 136,000 alumni. Having secured a strong foundation for future growth, he will transition to the role of president emeritus on June 1, 2025, continuing to serve the University’s bright future.