DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas will recognize Fall 2020 graduates with a combination of in-person and virtual ceremonies in the coming weeks.

Ceremonies begin Nov. 22 with an in-person commencement ceremony at Apogee Stadium, including remarks from the administration and the ceremonial conferral of undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees. Graduates and guests will remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. Deans will celebrate the Fall 2020 graduates by hosting virtual college recognition ceremonies Dec. 11-12, when each graduate's name will be read out loud and displayed on the screen, along with degree granted and Latin Honors, if applicable.

More than 3,100 UNT students are expected to earn their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees this semester.

“While we cannot offer traditional ceremonies this fall, hosting a socially distanced commencement ceremony with limited attendance and virtual college recognition ceremonies are a few ways we can honor the achievements of our fall graduates while keeping the safety of our UNT community the highest priority,” President Neal Smatresk said. “We are proud of the tenacious spirit and can-do attitude these students have shown as they continue to thrive even while facing unexpected obstacles this year with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In-person commencement ceremony

When: 1 p.m. Nov. 22

Where: Apogee Stadium, 1251 S. Bonnie Brae St., Denton

Details: Rain or shine, graduates will wear regalia and be seated by college while adhering to stadium capacity requirements. Graduates had to RSVP for the event and were offered two guest tickets. Ticketing will be strictly enforced and seating will be preassigned to maintain social distancing. Face coverings are required on campus including at Apogee Stadium. A livestream will be available on the commencement website for those unable to attend.

Virtual college recognition ceremonies

When: various times Dec. 11-12

How to attend virtually: Check commencement.unt.edu for ceremony start times. Links to watch ceremonies will be made available on the commencement website prior to the events.

Details: College deans will offer remarks, and each graduate's name will be read out loud and displayed, along with degree granted and Latin Honors, if applicable.

Information for media planning to attend the UNT in-person commencement at Apogee Stadium:

• Media wishing to cover the in-person commencement should RSVP no later than 3 p.m. Nov. 21(Saturday) by emailing Kris.Muller@unt.edu
• All media will need to wear masks and observe a six-foot distance between themselves and attendees.
• Media with a reserved spot should arrive and park in the YELLOW lot (Lot 74) by noon on the day of commencement, Nov. 22 (Sunday).
• The YELLOW lot (Lot 74) is located off Bonnie Brae Street adjacent to the UNT Mean Green Soccer Stadium: https://goo.gl/maps/feA8nQnpiKzDnnsk8.
• Please note that media will have to walk from the YELLOW lot to the southwest corner of the stadium to meet their escort at the Apogee Loading Dock. The media contact on the day of commencement is Kris Muller who can be reached by text or phone at 281-704-7739.
• Please refer to the Apogee Stadium Map to see the location of media parking in relationship to the stadium and the southwest corner entrance: https://meangreensports.com/sports/2018/7/31/gamedayparking.aspx
• Media will need to be positioned on the field no later than 12:30. The entrance to the loading dock will be unavailable for media after that time.
• During commencement, media will be accompanied by a UNT representative to ensure safe social distancing between media and attendees.
• Media will have access to the sidelines of the football field and can move freely there with their UNT escort.
• In order to maintain safe social distancing, media will not have access to stands or midfield where graduates and families will be seated.
• Unfortunately, we will not have mult box access for media.
• The commencement is being recorded for streaming access and so media are asked to be aware of production cameras that will be recording the event.
• In order to provide a socially distant, safe and comfortable environment of our students and their families, media will be unable to interview students or families inside Apogee stadium. Media are welcome to approach students and family members for interviews after the commencement has concluded and once the students and families are outside of the stadium. We, of course, want you to have the opportunity to talk with students who are willing to participate in an interview about their experience. We just ask that all media wear masks and conduct media interviews at a safe social distance of six feet.