DENTON (UNT), Texas — The first of nine University of North Texas fall commencement ceremonies begins at 8 a.m. Dec. 16 (Friday) in the UNT Coliseum.

The university expects more than 5,000 students to celebrate the completion of bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees during the fall and summer semesters. 

The ceremonies will be hosted on the UNT campus in the Coliseum, 600 Avenue D, and in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35 East, in Denton.

See the complete schedule of Fall 2022 commencement ceremonies. Find links to watch livestreams of the ceremonies in the Coliseum and Murchison here.

For media: Press passes, parking and interview opportunities can be set up with Trista Moxley at Trista.Moxley@unt.edu or 940-369-7912. 

UNT commencement story ideas:

UNT is offering a new virtual commencement experience for students who earned their degree remotely via online learning options or who cannot participate in their college’s in-person ceremony. The experience is available at students’ convenience and will include a customized slide with name, degree and Latin Honors (if applicable) for each graduate who submitted an RSVP, as well as speeches from UNT President Neal Smatresk; Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael McPherson; Vice President for Digital Strategy and Innovation Adam Fein; and Vice President for Advancement Brandon Buzbee.

Rocio Ramirez grew up thinking that a college education wasn’t in the cards for her. After growing up in a very poor neighborhood in Dallas and getting pregnant at 16, followed by an abusive marriage and eventually divorce, Rocio hit rock bottom. She made the conscious and difficult decision to make a change and pursue a college education, making her the only one of her seven siblings to graduate with a college degree. Not only did she earn her degree, showing her children that education is worth the work, but she received a full-time job offer at an accounting firm while still a student.
Rocio’s commencement: UNT Coliseum – 8 a.m. Saturday

Jake Harris will earn his bachelor’s degree after a 16-year journey that included joining the Army, battling PTSD and years of feeling like he should be doing something else with his life. He said the pandemic was the catalyst that convinced him to return to UNT. Soon after, with the encouragement of his girlfriend and family, he filed a claim with the VA — nearly nine years after first becoming eligible — to address issues with his leg, hearing and struggles with PTSD. He says he never felt that he “went through enough” to be considered disabled or like he needed help. But he leans on the knowledge that sharing his experience could help someone else.
Jake’s commencement: UNT Coliseum – 4 p.m. Saturday

Dayani Davilla left her home in Mexico at age 16 to further her education in the United States. After staying with a stream of relatives who were too financially strained to permanently take on the responsibility of another child, she found hope and comfort in the science classes she took at school, especially chemistry. Through STEM programs, she began to see options for a first-generation student like herself to attend college, and she felt like the inclusive community at UNT was a good fit. She found her passion as a public health and geography major, looking at public health from the bottom up, especially in areas like the Mexican village she grew up in. She hopes to continue her studies and research to eventually earn a Ph.D. in environmental health.
Dayani’s commencement: UNT Coliseum – 8 a.m. Friday