More than 3,100 students will be eligible to take part in 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's commencement ceremonies, set for May 10 on the university campus.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ officials estimate that between 1,600 and 2,000 students actually will walk across stage in the two commencement ceremonies that will take place that day. Students who completed their studies during the summer of 1996, in December 1996, or in May 1997 are eligible to participate.
In a change of format this year, two commencement ceremonies will be held, each at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The first, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., will be for students of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, the College of Extended Studies, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Sciences, and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.
At 1:30 p.m., students from the College of Business, the College of Education, the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Health Sciences will graduate.
Each ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. The ceremonies are open to the public. No tickets are required.
Don Schmiedel, who chairs the university's commencement committee, said of the new format, "We want to bring the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community together for commencement, but at the same time keep the ceremonies to a reasonable length for students and their families." The ceremonies will be student-centered and will feature the reading of each graduate's name as the graduate walks across stage. Additionally, special accomplishments of some students will be noted, he said.
Following each ceremony, the colleges that were part of that ceremony will host separate receptions for graduates and their families.
As part of the ceremonies, the recipients of the 1997 Distinguished Nevadan Award, honorary doctorate, and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ President's Medal will be recognized.
Receiving the Distinguished Nevadan Award will be community volunteer Donna Jo Andress, Clark County Aviation Director Robert Broadbent, physician Jerry Cade, former Clark County Commissioner Paul Christensen, and Las Vegas Sun president and editor Brian Greenspun.
Stanley Fulton, founder and president of Anchor Gaming, will receive an honorary doctorate of laws degree.
Former UCCSN Regents Joseph Foley and Carolyn Sparks will be honored with the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ President's Medal.
For additional information about Commencement 1997, call Schmiedel at (702) 895-3448.
