Outside Lawlor Events Center, rain fell in sheets and a dark sky threatened to never ease its grip on Saturday morning.

Inside Lawlor Events Center, however, the scene was much different for the University of Nevada, Reno's 2016 Winter Commencement Exercises.

Amid a buoyant, festive atmosphere that included words of wisdom from University President Marc Johnson, two student government leaders, Nevada System of Higher Education Regent Kevin Melcher and the morning's guest speaker, Nevada State Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, the Winter Commencement Class of 2016 was reminded on numerous occasions why their journey to commencement had been worth it.

Johnson's message to the graduates centered on the notion of service, as he put it, "The value of any college education is not just how it benefits you, but how it provides significant opportunities to bring out the potential in others around you as well. It provides you the opportunity to serve as an example for others, as your professors and teacher did for you."

Kieckhefer, who grew up in the state of Illinois and who graduated from the Illinois-based universities of DePaul and Northwestern, jokingly began his remarks by noting that "you are all graduating in a year where we have seen dramatic and dynamic change. We as a nation have just experienced one of the most unforeseen moments in our history. ... Of course, I'm talking about the fact that the Chicago Cubs have finally won the World Series."

More seriously, Kieckhefer told the graduates to use the 2016 elections as a positive springboard to actively engage others who don't necessarily share similar political viewpoints, or whose ideas seem or sound different. He suggested that the best course is to welcome diversity of opinion, and to respect the other person who presents a divergent point of view.

"Having the same conversations with people of the same belief structure over and over and over again leads a person to believe in their absolute rightness," he said. "Having no one to challenge your thoughts leads you to believe that no one can credibly challenge your thoughts."

Melcher, a University graduate himself and in his final official duty as a member of the Board or Regents following a distinguished six-year tenure on the board, encouraged the graduates to, "... use this crowning achievement throughout your life. Use this success as a stepping stone to even greater things. We are at an important time in the history of our state. Now, more than ever before, is a time of opportunity for you. Go out and become the leaders our state in all areas, from the arts to industry, from education to medicine and everything in between. Involve yourself in the worthy causes of our time. Let your wealth be your wisdom and let your wisdom provide the broadest possible benefit to our state and our society."

Melcher presented longtime Newmont Mining executive Mary Korpi with the Distinguished Nevadan award.

Other speakers included Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno president Brandon Boone and Graduate Student Association (GSA) president Sandesh Kannan.

Boone reminded the graduates to not only look to the future, but to remember important lessons learned, and memories that were made, while they were students at the University.

"You have invested yourself in this University and this University has invested in you," he said. "Move on from here and continue to do bigger and better things every day. As you do, I encourage you to frequently reminisce on your time here, face every challenge that comes your way as a learning opportunity, acknowledge that there is always room for improvement, and above all else, take pride in the fact that you are a graduate of THE University of Nevada."

Kannan, a native of India who earlier this year became the first international student in GSA's 50-year history to be selected president, summed up well the excitement of the morning.

Even with rain falling outside, the moment inside Lawlor and what it represented to the graduates was pure joy - a personal chapter completed, with a new one soon commence.

"After this long journey that shaped us to who we are today, we have come here together to celebrate our success, a milestone that we have achieved for which we all many times have sacrificed things that mean a lot to us," he said. "At the end it was all worth it. "We failed at times, we learned, we grew up ... but we never gave up."