DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas will celebrate Spring 2021 graduates with a mix of in-person and virtual events April 30-May 1 (Friday and Saturday).  

More than 5,500 UNT students are expected to earn their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees this semester.

There will be four in-person commencement ceremonies at Apogee Stadium, including remarks from UNT administration and UNT System leadership as well as 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 Spring 2021 graduates by hosting virtual college recognition ceremonies, when each graduate's name will be read out loud and displayed on the screen, along with degree granted and Latin Honors, if applicable.

In-person commencement ceremonies

When: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 30 (Friday) and May 1 (Saturday)

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

Details: Graduates will wear regalia and process to their seats on the field. Ticketing will be strictly enforced and seating will be preassigned to maintain social distancing. Face coverings are required at all times 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 April 30-May 1

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.

UNT graduate story ideas:

• Moneerah Alayar is earning her doctorate in art education and will become the first Kuwaiti woman to teach metal arts in her homeland this fall as assistant professor at The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait. She wants to inspire other Kuwaiti female artists, especially in the field of metal arts, which is a very uncommon field for women to enter.

        Moneerah’s commencement: College of Visual Arts and Design – 10 a.m. Friday

• Ian Taylor Schlitz is earning his bachelor’s degree in integrative studies at age 15. As an avid gamer and tournament participant, he founded Kidlamity Gaming, an organization dedicated to hosting esports tournaments for kids ages 8 to 16. Ian plans to continue his education by pursing a M.B.A.

        Ian’s commencement: College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences – 7 p.m. Friday

• Marquita Foster is earning her doctorate in curriculum and instruction. As a former teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal in area school districts, including Lewisville, Duncanville and Lancaster, she’s seen firsthand the damage deceptively innocuous policies like dress code can do when inconsistently or aggressively applied to Black students. Now that she’s completed her dissertation, the next step is looking at teacher preparation programs and what academia is doing — or not doing — to address on a deeper level issues of systemic racism that are found in schools across the country.

        Marquita’s commencement: College of Education – 10 a.m. Saturday

• Kathy and Emma Earhart are mother and daughter and both earning their bachelor’s degrees in biology – bringing them one step closer to their dreams of becoming doctors. Not your typical high school student, Emma took the SAT by the time she was 12 and at age 14, the Denton native enrolled in North Central Texas College, earning both her Associate of Science and high school diploma in one year. Inspired by her daughter’s success, Kathy enrolled with Emma at NCTC and graduated alongside her daughter with her own Associate of Science degree. In their two short years at UNT, they have each excelled and earned many honors. They have plans to earn master’s degrees while preparing to take their Medical College Admission Tests.

        Earharts’ commencement: College of Science – 10 a.m. Saturday

• Lazayvion Hammick will earn his bachelor’s degree in business computer information systems. During his time at UNT, he has been deeply involved on campus as a member of the Black Student Experience, Progressive Black Student Organization, Student Government Association and NT40. MARTIAL Eagles, a UNT community designed to promote academic success and leadership among African American freshmen males, was one of the most impactful organizations for Lazayvion. Following his time in the program, he remained involved as a student assistant.

        Lazayvion’s commencement: G. Brint Ryan College of Business – 7 p.m. Saturday

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

• Media wishing to cover in-person commencements April 30-May 1 must RSVP 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 WHITE lot (Lot 83).  
• The WHITE lot (Lot 83) is located off Bonnie Brae Street just north of the football practice field.
• Please note that media will have to walk from the WHITE 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.
• Media will need to be positioned on the field no later than 30 minutes prior to event start time. 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 guests will be seated.
• Unfortunately, we will not have mult box access for media.
• The commencements are 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.