The University of Nevada, Reno will hold two virtual Commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 5, to recognize 5,092 degrees.

The University’s virtual Commencement exercises include Spring 2020 graduates in a morning ceremony and Summer and Winter graduates in the afternoon. This past spring, the University conferred 3,143 degrees and certificates. With the combination of summer (550) and fall (1,399) degrees, the University will confer 1,949 degrees and certificates.

“We are very proud of our graduates and wish each and every one a future filled with success,” Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services Melisa Choroszy said. “The Class of 2020, in particular, has shown that they can overcome obstacles at every turn. A big thank you to all the faculty and staff who supported these students throughout their journey.”

The University will offer two separate ceremonies

• 10 a.m. ceremony: Spring 2020 graduates
• 1 p.m. ceremony: Summer and Winter 2020 graduates

Program

10 a.m. ceremony: University Past-President Marc Johnson will deliver a welcome message to the Spring 2020 graduates. Former President of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada Anthony Martinez and Former President of the Graduate Student Association Tamara Guinn will deliver student remarks. Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Carman will deliver the presentation of graduates to begin the conferring of degrees. Alumni Council President Scott Walquist and Past Faculty Senate Chair Brian Frost will close the ceremony with remarks to the 2020 graduates.

1 p.m. ceremony: University President Brian Sandoval will deliver a welcome message to the Summer and Winter graduates. President of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada Dominique Hall and President of the Graduate Student Association Will Carrasco will deliver student remarks. Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Carman will deliver the presentation of graduates to begin the conferring of degrees. Alumni Council President Scott Walquist and Faculty Senate Chair Amy Pason will close the ceremony with remarks to the 2020 graduates.​​​​

Each college dean will also present the graduates of their respective college during each ceremony.

Video broadcast 

Given the circumstances around the coronavirus pandemic, Commencement messages and musical arrangements were pre-recorded specifically for the 2020 graduating class and designed to give the event a true live-stream feel. The video broadcast of the event will be available once each ceremony begins. All videos were recorded keeping in-line with state and county COVID-19 guidelines at the time of filming.

The Department of Music offered the talents of Associate Professor of Voice and the Director of Nevada Chamber Opera Albert Lee, who recorded the National Anthem. The University’s Chamber Singers and Symphonic Choir, directed by Paul Torkelson, offered up its talent to record the University’s Alma Mater, and the University’s brass ensemble, the Sierra Brass Quintet led by Trumpet Lecturer Jonathan Bhatia, recorded the processional and recessional for the ceremonies.

“The University could have easily used a recorded performance of a random brass quintet; however, by highlighting our faculty in this performance, the students can leave us with a sense of pride and ownership over the institution they are now alumni of,” Bhatia said.

University graduates and their families are encouraged to join the Commencement conversation online by using the hashtag #NVGrad2020 and #PackPride.

Interesting Commencement facts

• • The University graduated its first students from the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program (summer 2020).
  • This year’s oldest graduate is 77 years old and the youngest graduate is 19 years old.
  • In 1891, the University’s first graduating class consisted of three students.
  • Graduates will join a network of more than 100,000 University alumni.
  • Virtual Commencement recordings were conducted by the University Libraries team and it took more than 500 hours to record the virtual ceremonies with 25 different recording shoots.