The University of Nevada, Reno's Spring Commencement will take place during two ceremonies, one for advanced degree recipients on Friday, May 15 and one for baccalaureate degree recipients on Saturday, May 16. Both ceremonies take place on the University's historic quadrangle, located on the south end of campus.

The University will award a total of 1,402 bachelor's degree candidates and 441 advanced degree candidates (for the master's and doctoral degrees and the education specialist certificate) during its 119th commencement exercises.

The 2009 Herz Gold Medal winner will also be announced during the May 16 event. The medal, the University's oldest and most prestigious student award, has been presented to the graduating senior with the highest grade-point average since 1910.

This year also marks the Golden Reunion for the class of 1959. More than 35 graduates will celebrate the 50 years since their undergraduate commencement. Included in this year's Golden Reunion class are Jim Santini, a former U.S. congressman from Nevada and Richard Bryan, former Nevada attorney general, governor, and state and U.S. senator.

The procession for advanced degree candidates, held Friday, May 15, begins at 4:45 p.m. The approximately one-hour-long ceremony concludes with the recessional. The baccalaureate ceremony, held Saturday, May 16, begins at 8:15 a.m. It will conclude with the recessional around noon. University President Milton Glick will welcome attendees at both ceremonies.

Students and faculty leaders will assemble for the baccalaureate Commencement at 8 a.m. Public parking is available in the West Stadium parking complex.

The University awarded 1,826 degrees during Spring 2008 commencement ceremonies.