Speakers Announced for UNC's Spring Commencement Ceremonies May 5-6
April 13, 2017
April 30, 2017 — The University of Northern Colorado will hold ceremonies marking the 127th spring commencement May 5-6. UNC alumni will serve as keynote speakers for both the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies.
Renowned music educator Bruce Pearson will be the keynote speaker for the Graduate School ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, in Bank of Colorado Arena in the Butler-Hancock Athletic Center, south of the intersection of 14th Avenue and 20th Street.
Pearson, who earned his master's degree from UNC in 1969 and was named a 2017 UNC Honored Alumnus, has been an international leader in band music education for more than 30 years. He's published numerous books on music teaching methods, and his Standards of Excellence teaching materials are used by most school band programs in the United States to teach new musicians.
Alumnus Raymond Pierson will speak at the undergraduate commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at Nottingham Field, intersection of 17th Avenue and Reservoir Road.
Now a retired petroleum geologist, after receiving his bachelor's degree in geology from UNC in 1980, Pierson turned a class project into a study that led to the discovery of oil and gas in the Codell sandstone layer of the Wattenberg Gas Field in Weld and neighboring counties. His discovery is still producing gas and oil today.
About 300 spring graduates will receive specialist, master's or doctoral degrees on Friday. Approximately 280 graduate students expected to complete advanced degree requirements this summer will be eligible to participate in the spring ceremony. UNC doesn't offer a summer commencement ceremony.
About 1,000 spring graduates will receive their undergraduate degrees Saturday morning. An additional 300 students expected to complete degree requirements this summer will be eligible to participate in the spring ceremony because UNC doesn't offer a summer commencement ceremony.
Distinguished faculty and student leadership awards will also be presented during the ceremonies.
Tickets are not required to attend the ceremonies and seating is available on a first-come basis.
Parking is free in UNC lots.
