Keynote speaker Billy Hibbs Jr., chairman and CEO of Heartland Security Insurance Group, speaks during the University of Texas at Tyler's commencement ceremony at UT Tyler in Tyler, Texas, on Friday, May 4, 2018. More than 1,200 graduates received degrees. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The University of Texas at Tyler began its celebration of more than 1,200 graduating students with commencement ceremonies on Friday.

Ceremonies for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Arts and Science took place Friday afternoon. The ceremonies were set to continue with the College of Education and Psychology, College of Engineering and the Soules College of Business on Saturday.

“Your work, graduates, is just beginning,” UT Tyler President Michael Tidwell said. “True wisdom comes when you can explore new ideas, think critically and respectfully challenge the conventional wisdom in your life and career.”

Tyler businessman Billy Hibbs Jr. gave the keynote speech at Friday’s ceremonies. Hibbs is the chairman and CEO of Heartland Security Insurance Group and helped create the university’s Hibbs Institute for Business and Economic Research.

Hibbs kept his speech light, sharing success stories of former employees who possessed qualities he hopes to see the graduates strive toward.

He told the graduates that three key factors will help ensure their success — hard work and perseverance, bringing value to the table and seizing their moment.

“Remember these three principles and go forth and make a lot of money,” Hibbs said.

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