A long procession of graduates, administrators and faculty in gowns took to the quad on a windy evening for the 117th Advanced Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 18.
The graduates and those who have made great contributions to the University and the community were celebrated and congratulated on their accomplishments.
The procession began with President Milton Glick's address. He congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and emphasized their responsibility to use the knowledge and experience they garnered to improve the world.
 "With great achievement comes great responsibility," Glick said. "With this degree comes the obligation to serve."
Glick ended his address with a piece of advice everyone could take from his speech.
"Don't be afraid to live your life," Glick said. "Hold your loved ones close, go into the world and do good."
Following Glick's address, Regent Bret Whipple greeted the graduates and reflected on the path that led them to graduation.
"It is my honor to congratulate the graduates on a great milestone of success," Whipple said. "This was both a challenging and rewarding course of study."
Honorary Degrees were conferred to the late dean of the University's Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism Cole Campbell and to Debbie Reynolds, an award-winning actress and hotel casino owner.
Provost John Frederick sang Campbell's praises for his hard work and his dedication to molding journalism into a tool to serve and better the community.
"Cole Campbell was a force of nature and a thunderstorm of civic dialogue," Frederick said.
Campbell's wife Catherine Werner and son Clarke Campbell received the degree on his behalf.
Professor Howard Rosenberg of the art department conferred the second Honorary Degree on Debbie Reynolds, who has been proponent of the film studies course at the University.
"With her help, 12,000 students received what I hope is a first-rate education," Rosenberg said. "She created the celebrity dialogue series as well as funded many classroom needs."
Reynolds accepted the degree with grace and appreciation.
"I received a wonderful award and I am very honored," Reynolds said.
The Distinguished Nevadans Awards were also bestowed on three Nevadan citizens who greatly contributed to the local community.
Drs. Nazir and Mary Ansari, a well known name on campus, dedicated themselves to teaching and philanthropic acts at the University and were honored for their contributions by Regent Jason Geddes.
"Together, they have lived and served Nevada since 1967," Geddes said. "They sought to improve many people's lives."
Frank Curry Stokes, a third generation physician, was also commended for his devotion to his work and to the improvement of the lives of many northern Nevadans.
"He had a high priority to service his whole life," Rosenberg said.