PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 6, 2026) – As Prairie View A&M University begins celebrating its 150th year this August, the institution will mark the milestone with a commencement ceremony featuring one of its most accomplished alumnae.

The Honorable Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and African American in Texas legislative history, will deliver the keynote address during PVAMU’s 115th Summer Commencement Ceremony on Aug. 8.

Texas state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, who earned a Master of Education degree from Prairie View A&M University, has represented District 141, which includes northeast Houston and Humble, in the Texas House of Representatives for more than five decades. Known as the Dean of the Texas House and widely regarded as the “conscience of the Texas House,” she has built a distinguished career advocating justice, education, and opportunity for Texans.

Her legislative accomplishments include authoring or championing landmark measures such as the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act, the Michael Morton Act, Texas’s first alimony law, legislation creating drug courts, protections against racial profiling, expanded rights for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and nationally recognized anti-human trafficking laws. Her work has earned numerous honors, including induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame and recognition among Texas Monthly’s Top 10 Best Legislators.

The ceremony also celebrates another milestone for the University. Prairie View A&M is expected to confer degrees upon 251 candidates, including 139 bachelor’s, 89 master’s, and a record 23 doctoral graduates. Following Summer Commencement, the University will have awarded 87,095 degrees throughout its nearly 150-year history.

The Summer Commencement Ceremony serves as the first major event in Prairie View A&M’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, commemorating a legacy of academic excellence, innovation and service since the University’s founding in August 1876.

The ceremony will be streamed live on the University’s YouTube channel. For additional commencement information, including ceremony details and graduate information, visit the commencement website.