Update Sunday 3:30 p.m. University officials say that the commencement fireworks ceremony has been rescheduled for 10 p.m. tonight (Sunday), weather-permitting. Check back here for updates.
The University of Texas at Austin has cancelled the outdoor commencement ceremony planned for 8 p.m. Saturday due to inclement weather. UT said just before 5 p.m. that lightning had impeded the set-up for the outdoor event and that the threat of continuing inclement weather led the university "regretfully" to cancel the ceremony.
UT said convocations at individual colleges and school proceeded as planned Saturday. UT Austin President Bill Powers said in a written statement, “We share in the deep disappointment that cancellation will cause our graduates and their families. We made every effort to stage the 2015 commencement as planned. We are very disappointed that we cannot proceed under this evening’s severe weather conditions. I want to personally convey my congratulations to all of this year’s graduates, and my thanks to our commencement speaker, Darren Walker,” Powers said.
The university said it was hoped that fireworks planned for 10 p.m. Saturday would continue as planned.
