Dear UNT students,
This semester doesn't look as any of us expected, but you continue to thrive and march toward graduation. Some of you are within two months of the finish line and have found yourselves running a much harder race than you anticipated, given COVID-19's impact on the world. Thanks to your tenacious spirit and can-do attitude, you continue to overcome obstacles and inch toward achieving your goals.
Our students make me so proud, and I look forward to celebrating our fall graduates during in-person commencement ceremonies Sunday, Nov. 22, at Apogee Stadium. While we cannot offer traditional ceremonies this fall, hosting socially distanced commencement ceremonies with limited attendance is one way we can honor your achievements while keeping the safety of our UNT community the highest priority. The commencement ceremonies at Apogee Stadium will include remarks from the administration and the ceremonial conferral of undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees. College 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.
Here's what you need to know about the Nov. 22 commencement ceremonies at Apogee Stadium:
- Two commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with graduates divided by college to adhere to stadium capacity requirements
- Graduates must RSVP (beginning late October) to participate and claim tickets
- Graduates will be offered two additional guest tickets
- Ticketing will be strictly enforced and seating will be preassigned to maintain social distancing
- A livestream will be available for those unable to attend
- Face coverings are required on campus including at Apogee Stadium
- Graduates must wear regalia
- Tickets will not be available for faculty and staff
Fall 2020 commencement will celebrate students who applied for graduation. All future communications regarding Fall 2020 commencement ceremonies, including instructions to RSVP and claim graduate and guest tickets, will be sent directly to graduation candidates.
Class of 2020, we wish things were different so we could host traditional ceremonies where you cross the stage. With in-person commencement ceremonies and College Recognition Ceremonies, we aim to keep our UNT family safe while offering the pomp and circumstance you deserve. Your UNT family could not be more proud of you, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments.
UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
UNT President