For the first time in over a year, UNLV grads will have the opportunity to physically walk the commencement stage and receive their diplomas during a series of in-person commencement ceremonies this week. 

WHEN: 

• Thursday, May 13 at 8 a.m. (2020/2021 Graduate Commencement)
• Friday, May 14 at 8 a.m. (Spring 2021 Undergraduate Commencement)
• Friday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m (Class of 2020 Undergraduate Commencement)
• Saturday, May 15 at 8 a.m. (Spring 2021 Undergraduate Commencement)

WHERE:

Sam Boyd Stadium
7000 E. Russell Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89122

The events can also be streamed live, with links for each ceremony on the UNLV commencement website. 

DETAILS:

UNLV is offering four in-person commencement ceremonies this week to honor both Spring 2021 grads and the entire class of 2020.

All ceremonies will be held outdoors at UNLV’s Sam Boyd Stadium while adhering to public health guidelines.

First up, UNLV will honor both Spring 2021 and all 2020 master’s, specialist, and doctoral graduates on Thursday, May 13 at 8 a.m. 

Next, on Friday, May 14, UNLV will celebrate half of the Spring 2021 undergraduate class in an 8 a.m. ceremony and the other half on Saturday, May 15, also at 8 a.m. All 2020 grads will be honored in a special Friday evening ceremony. 

In total, more than 8,000 students will be celebrated over the course of the four ceremonies. Of those, 3,300 students will join the ranks of UNLV alumni as the Class of 2021.

The Class of 2021 is made up of graduates from 41 states and 56 foreign countries, many are the first in their family to graduate from college, and well over half – 63 percent – are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. This year’s class ranges in age from 19 to 76, with an average age of 27. Since 1964, UNLV has awarded more than 150,000 degrees.

UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield will honor a select group of Spring 2021 outstanding graduates who exemplify the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.

Each ceremony is a ticketed event, and each graduate may bring up to four guests. Everyone will be required to follow social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings, and all attendees will be required to complete a COVID-19 health questionnaire upon arrival.

For those who cannot or choose not to attend, all ceremonies will be streamed live at unlv.edu.

SOCIAL:

Watch the commencement through the event livestream and join in on social media with #UNLVGrad. For full ceremony details, visit the commencement website.

MEDIA:

Media wanting access to the Sam Boyd Stadium field must obtain event-specific credentials before commencement by calling the Office of Media Relations at (702) 895-3102 or emailing mediarelations@unlv.edu.