A KU Endowment Meritorious Scholar, Ryan Rowan will graduate with bachelor's degrees in political science and African and African-American studies. He is also one of 10 graduating seniors honored with Chancellor's Awards.

Dighton senior Nick Weiser will graduate at the top of his class with a bachelor's degree in classical piano performance and carry the School of Fine Arts banner at commencement May 18.

Karen Acosta earned her master's degree in teaching English as a second language in the classroom and in the community, from starting Bilingual Story Time at the library to translating documents into Spanish for non-profits and government agencies.

Betty Amos (back left) earned her bachelor's in special education in 1970 from KU and went on to a 30-year career in education. Flash forward 40 years, and Amos has reached the Mount Everest of academia: the doctoral degree.

23-year-old teaching assistant Shannon Portillo, soon to be an assistant professor, will earn her doctorate in public administration from KU. She is headed to George Mason University to take a tenure-track position on the faculty of the Administration of Justice Department.

Years of hard work will pay off for thousands of KU students at commencement on Sunday, May 18. After a weekend of activities, the ceremony starts with a 2:30 p.m. procession down Mount Oread into Memorial Stadium. Tickets are not required. A free shuttle bus is available.

Before she translated Arabic for national security purposes. But now Jennifer Garrison is earning a bachelor's degree in linguistics and focusing on a career as a speech-language pathologist.

Going homeless for two days on the streets of Washington, D.C. taught Max Stettner to look past stereotypes regarding homelessness and to appreciate the things in life that are often taken for granted. And it stoked his passion for helping people.