---

Fall 2007 Graduation Ceremony Dec. 15:
Speakers include English graduate Erika Shanks and Rep. Lloyd Doggett

Erika Shanks, Student Commencement Speaker

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Commencement Speaker

December 2007—Graduate and undergraduate students in Liberal Arts will receive degrees during the College of Liberal Arts Commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. in Strahan Coliseum.  Erika Shanks, graduating with a B.A. in English with teacher certification, will be the student Commencement speaker (see below). U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, representing the 25th District of Texas, will give the main commencement address.  No tickets are required for admission to the ceremony. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Candidates for graduation in Liberal Arts are asked to arrive at Strahan Coliseum by 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in order to receive their candidate cards and to line up for the processional. Graduating students should report to Jowers Gym 102. The Commencement schedule, instructions for graduating students, and information on speakers, parking, handicapped accessibility, and more is available by visiting Texas State’s Commencement web site.

About Erika Shanks:

Ms. Shanks, from Austin, will graduate with a B.A. in English and a minor in Psychology, with teacher certification. She hopes to teach English in high school or middle school.  From September to December, she was a student teacher at Lehman High School in Kyle, teaching senior English.  She has also worked in child development at Texas State, as a substitute teacher in Hays CISD, as a day camp counselor at Spicewood School in Austin, and as an infant teacher at the Children's Courtyard in Austin.  "I have a passion for teaching and love the challenge of helping all of my students to succeed. My future plans also include earning a master’s degree in English or Education," she said.

Ms. Shanks is the recipient of numerous honors.  In addition to being selected as Student Commencement Speaker for the College of Liberal Arts ceremony, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA at Texas State and has been named to the Dean's List.  She is the recipient of a Texas State Alumni Scholarship, a Liberal Arts Academic Excellence Award, and has been named a Texas State Brightest Star. She was also named to the Dean's List at Texas Christian University, where she attended from Fall 2003-Fall 2005.

Ms. Shanks has been a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, Chi Omega Sorority, and Campus Crusade for Christ, and she represented Texas Christian University at the 2004 Best Buddies National Conference.  She is married and lives in San Marcos. In her free time, she enjoys reading (especially creative nonfiction, cooking, and going out dancing.