Philander Smith College Holds 2019 Commencement Services

Award-winning actor and producer Laz Alonso to serve as special guest presenter

Little Rock, Ark. (May 3, 2019) ---  The 2019 Commencement Services of Philander Smith College will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 4 in the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Award winning actor and producer Laz Alonso will serve as special guest presenter for the 2019 Commencement. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Alonso is a graduate of Howard University. He began his career on Wall Street as an investment banker before embarking upon an acting career. Alonso is recognized for his role playing “Tsu'tey” in the smash hit science fiction film Avatar and the villain “Fenix Calderon” in the film Fast & Furious.  His other film credits include Jarhead, This Christmas, Miracle at St. Anna, Jumping The Broom, Detroit and Traffik. This summer Alonso will be featured in a starring role in the new Amazon comedic superhero series The Boys.

In addition to Alonso’s guest appearance, Philander Smith College will award honorary doctorate degrees to four of its notable alumni. The recipients include: former UA Little Rock Chancellor Charles W. Donaldson of Little Rock; retired military veteran Arthur N. Montgomery of Batesville, Ark.; retired General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church administrator Lynda Byrd of San Antonio, Texas; and recently retired PSC political science professor Raphael Lewis of Little Rock.

Approximately 105 degrees will be conferred upon students graduating from the institution.

Immediately following the graduation ceremony, the college will host a free, congratulatory luncheon on campus grounds for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community to celebrate with the new graduates and their families.