PHOTO GALLERY | Virginia Union University awarded degrees to 43 student-athletes at the school's 2018 Commencement, held on Saturday, May 12, at Historic Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.

The degrees were conferred by VUU President Dr. Hakim Lucas while guest speaker actress Keshia Knight Pulliam addressed the graduates.

Pulliam revealed that this was her first commencement address.

The VUU student-athletes receiving their degrees incluced CIAA women's basketball Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Alexis Johnson along with cross-country All-CIAA Team member Arthur Casey.

The 43 total graduating student-athletes was the second-highest number of graduates in the last 10 years, with only the total of 50 in 2015 exceeding 2018's total.