Before UNLV was UNLV, when it was still Nevada Southern, its first graduating class (1964) numbered just 29 students. The school has come a long way in the last five decades. More than 2,000 students will graduate during the Winter 2022 commencement ceremonies Dec. 19 for graduate students and Dec. 20 for undergraduates.
Over the years, UNLV has bestowed degrees and honorary degrees on the likes of Frank Sinatra, Guy Fieri, and Jimmy Kimmel. Get your fill of pomp and circumstance through the years in this look back at UNLV commencement history.
Nevada Gov. Grant Sawyer addresses the first graduating class at commencement in 1964, when UNLV was known as Nevada Southern University. 29 students graduated at the first commencement ceremony. (UNLV Special Collections)
Nevada Southern University's first commencement on June 3, 1964. Robert Griffith was named a Distinguished Nevadan. From left: Chairman of the Board of Regents Archie Grant; University of Nevada, Reno President Charles Armstrong; Robert Griffith; and University Marshall Dr. Dandini. (UNLV Special Collections)
Nevada Southern University's second graduation ceremony in 1965 was held in the gym, which is now the UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum. (UNLV Special Collections)
Frank Sinatra receives an honorary doctorate from UNLV President Donald Baepler during the 1976 commencement. (UNLV Special Collections)
UNLV's 1977 commencement held inside the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. (UNLV Special Collections)
The 25th commencement ceremony in 1983 was held at the Riviera Casino & Hotel. (UNLV Photo Services)
UNLV President Neal Smatresk with Ronnie Vannucci, drummer for The Killers on May 14, 2011. Vannucci used to sneak the band into practice facilities on campus while he was a student. When The Killers' suddenly became music superstars, Vannucci took time off from his studies to record albums and tour. He eventually chipped away at the last of his degree requirements, graduating with bachelor's in music. (Geri Kodey/UNLV Photo Services)
The Thomas & Mack Center before the start of the commencement on May 12, 2012. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)
Emily Black, representing entertainment engineering's first graduating class, flies over the crowd during the ceremony on May 12, 2012. (Aaron Mayes/UNLV Photo Services)
Celebrity chef and alumnus Guy Fieri, '90 BS Hotel Administration, received an honorary doctorate at the Dec. 18, 2012, winter commencement ceremony. (Aaron Mayes/UNLV Photo Services)
Jimmy Kimmel was only a student at UNLV from 1985-86, but he finally got his degree in 2013—an honorary doctorate. Kimmel said he worked harder on his speech than he did at any of the homework he had at UNLV.
Grads crowd together during the Spring 2015 ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancelations and delays in acknowledging the hard work of our graduates, UNLV moved Commencement out of the Thomas & Mack to the open air of Sam Boyd Stadium in 2021. The heat didn't damper the enthusiasm graduates felt.
