Eric Joseph Burns of Lacey’s Spring received his bachelor’s degree during fall commencement at the University of Montevallo on Dec. 14.

He was among the more than 200 University of Montevallo students to receive their diplomas at fall commencement.

The commencement speaker was David Gergen, professor of public service and director of the Center of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School in Massachusetts.

Following the address, Dr. John W. Stewart III, UM president, conferred degrees upon some 153 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, 51 candidates for master’s degrees and eight candidates for the educational specialist degree.

After students received their diplomas, Jim Methvin, president of the National Alumni Association, inducted graduates into the 21,000-member organization.