On Sunday, Dec. 16, 1,287 students are slated to become MSU Denver’s newest alumni. This is another record-setting number of fall graduates for the University.

Sending graduates into the world will be Associate Professor of Human Services Shawn Worthy, who will deliver the Commencement address.

An MSU Denver faculty member for 17 years, Worthy has served as the chair of the Human Services Department, as well as the Interim Vice President of Student Services. He is also known for engaging students in real-world experiences, such as READY, a job preparation and mentoring program for at-risk youth.

Among the students Worthy will be addressing are 318 candidates of color, 96 students who are graduating with honors and 51 veterans. The youngest student to receive a degree is 20 and the oldest is 67. Jessica Ghawi, the MSU Denver student who perished in the Aurora theater shooting, will be awarded a posthumous honorary Bachelor of Arts degree. Her mother, Sandy Phillips, will attend the ceremony to receive the honor.

Commencement is held at the Colorado Convention Center, Halls A and B at 2 p.m.