The University of Nevada, Reno's 2014 Spring Commencement will confer 2,251 degrees and certificates. There will be three ceremonies, one for advanced-degree recipients Friday afternoon, May 16, and two for bachelor-degree recipients on the mornings of Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. All three ceremonies will be held on the University's historic Quadrangle, located on the southern part of campus.

Academic programs participating in the first undergraduate ceremony Friday, May 16, will be the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Education and Division of Health Sciences.

Saturday, May 17, the second undergraduate ceremony will include the academic programs of the Reynolds School of Journalism, College of Liberal Arts and College of Science.

Both undergraduate ceremonies will have the same format: graduate check-in begins at 7:15 a.m. on the Jot Travis Lawn, and the ceremony procession will begin at 8:15 a.m. Students receiving dual degrees are welcome to attend both baccalaureate ceremonies. The Herz Gold Medal for Outstanding Scholarship will be awarded to James Bridegum, computer science and engineering major, during Friday morning's ceremony.

The advanced-degree ceremony, for master's and doctoral degrees awarded by all colleges, will be Friday, May 16, with line-up at 4:45 p.m. The approximately one-hour-long ceremony includes the presentation of the Distinguished Nevadan awards.

During the University's Commencement ceremonies this year, 1,739 bachelor degrees and 512 advanced-degree certificates (master's and doctoral degrees and education specialist certificates), will be awarded. The University has seen a 23 percent increase in graduates since 2007 due to increased enrollment and improved graduation rates.

Last year, the University changed from one to two undergraduate ceremonies to better accommodate the dramatically larger crowds that have resulted from increased enrollment and improving graduation rates. The decision to host an additional undergraduate ceremony follows considerable input from faculty, staff, students and guests at these events.

Free public parking is available in the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex and the West Stadium Parking Complex, both accessible off Virginia Street. The Nevada Wolf Shop inside the Joe Crowley Student Union will be open from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 16 and 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, May 17.

Several highlights and special programs on campus surround the University of Nevada, Reno's 2014 Spring Commencement:

• Five cultural graduate celebrations are being held in honor of the diversity of students represented on campus. Organized through the Center for Student Cultural Diversity at the University, these celebrations are designed to recognize the culture students have brought with them to the University and shared during their time on campus.
• Honor the Bestrecognizes top students, faculty and staff. The award ceremony will be 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, May 13 in the Joe Crowley Student Union, Milt Glick Ballroom.
• The Senior Scholars Banquet will recognize outstanding seniors and their faculty mentors at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 14 at the Joe Crowley Student Union Ballroom C.
• The Orvis School of Nursing Convocation, at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 15 in the Joe Crowley Student Union, Milt Glick Ballroom, is a pinning/hooding and awards ceremony for undergraduate, masters and doctorate of nursing practice nursing students.
• The Class of 1964 returns to campus for their 50th reunion during the Golden Reunion Reception and Campus Tour at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 15 at Morrill Hall.
• The School of Social Work Convocation is at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 15 in Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building.
• The University of Nevada School of Medicine Academic Hooding Ceremony is at 1 p.m., Friday, May 16 at Lawlor Events Center. Contact Anne McMillin, 775-682-9254.

This year, the University will live-stream the two undergraduate ceremonies and the advanced degree ceremony. Live streaming will be mobile-friendly. Closed captioning on mobile devices for the hearing impaired will also be available and can be accessed through a QR code provided at the event.

University graduates and their families are encouraged to join the conversation online by using the hashtag #PackPride when posting to social media. A live-stream of social media posts across platforms will also be available for viewing on the University's website.