Commencement weekend to celebrate UNT's graduates and their paths to success

Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:17

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DENTON (UNT), Texas - The University of North Texas expects to confer nearly 7,000 students during Spring Commencement for the completion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

The university will host 14 separate ceremonies May 10-12 (Friday-Sunday) on the UNT campus in the Coliseum, 600 Avenue D, and in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35 East in Denton.

View the schedule of individual college ceremonies and live stream links, along with information regarding UNT's virtual commencement experience.

Here are several narratives related to UNT's Commencement, focusing on the distinct accomplishments and experiences of graduating students.

• "Flip" Flippin, once disliking coffee, now owns a successful specialty coffee company. He will graduate from UNT with a 4.0 GPA in applied sciences, fulfilling a decades-long dream. Inspired by his wife, he delved into coffee, traveling the world to study its intricacies. Next, he plans to pursue an M.B.A. at UNT and further explore the science of coffee - focusing on areas such as coffee processing and sustainable coffee farming methods. His ceremony is at 8 a.m. May 10 (Friday) in the UNT Coliseum.

• U.S. Marine Corps veteran and first-generation student Mario Pena defied the odds by earning two bachelor's degrees in less than a year from UNT - one in economics in August 2023, another in history this spring. His challenging childhood, characterized by homelessness and violent family dynamics, motivates him to pursue an M.B.A. and teaching certification this fall at UNT. He aspires to become an economics instructor, embodying his motto: "Never quit, never surrender." His ceremony is at 12 p.m. May 11 (Saturday) in the UNT Coliseum.

• In 2018, Joy Hague-Wert's son tragically lost his life, a devastating event that deeply affected her. Despite her heartache, her lifelong passion for music persisted, fueled by early morning piano practices in rural Pennsylvania and performances for Pearl S. Buck, the acclaimed author and social justice advocate. Determined to inspire, Joy pursued degrees across the United States and France, earning a doctorate in organ performance, marking not an end, but a new chapter in her journey. Her ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. May 12 (Sunday) in the UNT Coliseum.

• Noelle Marsh transferred to UNT in 2021, because of the support she received from members of the UNT Swimming and Diving team. Despite a mid-season setback due to a fall and a subsequent multiple sclerosis diagnosis, she eventually won the 100-meter freestyle at the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship. Now graduating with a bachelor's in merchandising, she looks forward to pursuing a master's in marketing at UNT, determined to become a fashion trend forecaster. Her ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. May 11 (Saturday) in the UNT Coliseum.

For media: Interview opportunities and parking can be set up with Devynn Case at [email protected] or 214-708-4558.