Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – Aug. 9, 2025 – Approximately 1,100 students received their degrees during the Arkansas State University Summer Commencement ceremony, held Saturday morning at First National Bank Arena. 
 
A-State Chancellor Todd Shields and Calvin White Jr., provost and executive vice chancellor, conferred the degrees to candidates.
 
“Commencement is a special time of accomplishment. I have no doubt that all of you worked extraordinarily hard to get here today – overcoming life’s challenges while balancing your studies with other responsibilities,” Shields said. 
 
Graduates represented all eight university colleges: College of Agriculture, Neil Griffin College of Business, College of Education and Behavioral Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts and Communication, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics, and University College. 
 
White encouraged graduates to lead with a servant mindset.
 
“It is my hope that you will give of your time and talents in service to others and to the communities in which you will live and serve,” White said. 
 
A total of 102 students graduated with honors distinction: six received Summa Cum Laude honors with a GPA of 4.0, 37 achieved Magna Cum Laude honors with a GPA between 3.8 to 3.99, and 59 graduated Cum Laude with GPAs of 3.60 to 3.79. 
 
Sydney Keton served as the student speaker at the Summer Commencement. The Swifton native earned her Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree with an emphasis in mammography and breast sonography on Saturday. 

“We have all changed and grown into the people we are through college. However, I want to challenge us not to stop our growth here. Continue to change. Continue to grow. Continue to educate ourselves. Please never limit yourself because I expect nothing less than for us to be the ones who will go on to change the world,” Keton said. 
 
Following graduation, Keton plans to remain in the region, as she accepted a position in the healthcare field as a radiologic technologist in X-ray and mammography. 
 
“I grew up with the most amazing and supportive community, and I would love nothing more than to give back to them by providing the best patient care I can,” she said. 
 
Those who missed the ceremony can view it online.