Approximately 1,100 students are expected to participate in UNLV's winter commencement on Dec. 17. Several local business and civic leaders will be among those honored during the event.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at 4 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. Students participating in the graduation ceremony should report by 3 p.m. to the Cox Pavilion Arena, which can be accessed three ways: through the Thomas and Mack Center concourse, from the stairs on the east side of the building, or from the stairs on the west side of the building.

Because of extra security measures, guests attending the ceremony are advised to arrive at the Thomas & Mack center at least one hour prior to the event's starting time. No tickets are required.

Guests with disabilities are asked to use the main Thomas & Mack Center entrance, located near the box office on the ground floor. They should bring only one guest with them to this entrance. Ushers at the entrance will escort them to the special reserved section.

During the ceremony, Dr. Anthony Marlon, president and CEO of Sierra Health Services, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree. Marlon has been an associate professor of medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medical Sciences since 1975 and currently serves on the board of directors of the American Association of Health Plans, the Nevada Development Authority, and the UNLV Foundation.

Also being honored during the ceremony will be Michael and Sonja Saltman and the Nevada Development Authority (NDA). They will receive President's Medals for their contributions to the campus and the community.

The Saltmans are the co-founders of The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law and have sponsored the Vista Group Award to the Outstanding Graduating Senior in the College of Liberal Arts since 1986. Michael Saltman has been a local real estate developer with the Vista Group since 1975; Sonja Saltman, a UNLV alumna, is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

The NDA will be represented at the ceremony by Ken Ladd, president of U.S. Bank Nevada and chairman of the NDA, and Somer Hollingsworth, president and CEO of the NDA. The NDA and its members played an important role in securing legislative funding for the UNLV Science, Engineering and Technology Building during the past legislative session.

A reception will be held for all graduates and their guests on the concourse of the Thomas & Mack Center following the ceremony.

For additional information, call the commencement hotline at 895-3229.