UNLV returning to mass commencement ceremony

Debra D. Bass

Monday, May 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

UNLV is dropping its move toward smaller, more intimate commencement ceremonies and going back to mass events.

A few years ago, the university started breaking up the commencement exercises by college, so each student would have the experience of walking across a stage and hearing his or her name and parents and others wouldn't have to sit through a four-hour-long event.

A large universitywide ceremony was held at the Thomas & Mack Center, but attendance was dwindling as students stood up with their colleges to be recognized as a group rather than walking across the stage.

Now the format's changing back to a massive ceremony, and each student will be recognized individually. The event will be broken up into two parts.

The first, set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, will be for students of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, College of Extended Studies, College of Liberal Arts, College of Sciences and Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.

At 1:30 p.m., students from the College of Business, College of Education, Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts and College of Health Sciences will graduate.

Each ceremony is expected to last about two hours. Both are open to the public -- no tickets are required.

About 2,400 students will be receiving baccalaureate degrees this year. Another 700 will receive master's degrees and about 30 doctoral degrees will be conferred -- record highs for UNLV.

Following each ceremony, the colleges will host separate receptions for graduates and their families.

As part of the ceremony, the recipients of the 1997 Distinguished Nevadan Award, honorary doctorate and UNLV President's Medal recipients will be recognized.

Stanley Fulton, founder and president of Anchor Gaming, will receive an honorary doctorate of laws degree.

Former University and Community College System of Nevada Regents Joseph Foley and Carolyn Sparks will be honored with UNLV President's Medals.

The Distinguished Nevadan Awards will be bestowed on community volunteer Donna Jo Andress, Clark County Aviation Director Bob Broadbent, physician Jerry Cade, former Clark County Commissioner Paul Christensen and Las Vegas SUN President and Editor Brian Greenspun.