University of Nevada graduates largest class to date

The University of Nevada, Reno through the weekend will be conferring 3,201 degrees, the most degrees ever distributed in one semester.

Due to inclement weather, all ceremonies were moved to the Lawlor Events Center instead of the University’s quad.

The University released the following information:

The University of Nevada, Reno’s 129th Commencement will confer 3,201 degrees, the largest amount of degrees conferred in one semester. The Commencement exercises will take place over four ceremonies in three days – Thursday, May 16; Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 – and will be on the University’s historic Quad, located on the southern part of campus. Each ceremony focuses on particular colleges, and both undergraduate and graduate degrees for each of those colleges will be granted.

4:45 p.m. Thursday, May 16: Reynolds School of Journalism, College of Liberal Arts and Orvis School of Nursing
8 a.m. Friday, May 17: College of Business, Division of Health Sciences (Social Work) and School of Medicine (Speech Pathology)
4:45 p.m. Friday, May 17: College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, School of Community Health Sciences and College of Education
8 a.m. Saturday, May 18: College of Engineering and College of Science
Students receiving dual degrees may participate in more than one ceremony.

During the University’s Commencement ceremonies this year, 2,587 bachelor degrees, 551 advanced degrees (master’s and doctoral degrees) and 63 University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine degrees will be awarded. The University awarded 3,137 total degrees last spring and has seen a 50-percent increase in degrees conferred since 2010 due to increased enrollment and improved graduation rates.

Free public parking is available in the West Stadium Parking Complex and the Green surface lots on the north end of campus. Shuttles will be available two hours before each ceremony. Level three of the West Stadium Parking Complex will be available for ADA accessible parking, with shuttles running starting at 5:30 a.m. for morning ceremonies and 2:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies. Return shuttles will also be provided. A ridesharing drop-off for Uber and Lyft will be available at the corner of Ninth and Center Streets. Due to increased traffic seen around Commencement ceremonies, the public is strongly encouraged to allow extra time and arrive early.

Guest seating for the morning events will open at 6:30 a.m. and will open at 3:15 p.m. for the afternoon events. Additionally, guests are kindly asked to leave balloons, signage and coolers at home so as not to obstruct the view or pathways of others. In case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held in Lawlor Events Center.

The Nevada Wolf Shop inside the Joe Crowley Student Union will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16; 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, May 17 and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18. In addition, during the ceremonies, a satellite location with gifts and floral will be located in front of the Thompson Building across from the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center. The Nevada Wolf Shop in Great Basin Hall will also be open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16; 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, 17 and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Both Nevada Wolf Shop locations will be accepting gown returns.

Several special programs on campus surround the University of Nevada, Reno’s 2019 Spring Commencement:

Cultural Graduate Celebrations honor the diversity of students. Organized through The Center, Every Student. Every Story., these celebrations recognize the cultures students brought with them to the University and shared during their time on campus.
Lavender Graduate Celebration
North African & Middle Eastern Graduate Celebration
American Indian & Alaska Native Graduate Celebration
Latinx Graduate Celebration
Asian American & Pacific Islander Graduate Celebration
Office of International Students and Scholars Graduation Celebration
African Diaspora Graduate Celebration
Honor the Best recognizes top students, faculty and staff. The award ceremony will be from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the Joe Crowley Student Union’s Milt Glick Ballroom.
The Senior Scholars Banquet recognizes outstanding seniors and their faculty mentors at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at the Joe Crowley Student Union, Ballroom C.
The Orvis School of Nursing Convocation, at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 16, in the Joe Crowley Student Union’s Milt Glick Ballroom, is a pinning/hooding and awards ceremony for undergraduate, masters and doctorate of nursing practice nursing students.
The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Academic Hooding Ceremony is at 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. The media contact for this event is Tessa Bowen, 775-682-9254.