DENTON (UNT), Texas — Commencement ceremonies honoring the accomplishments of about 2,800 students will be held Dec. 18 and 19 (Friday and Saturday) on the University of North Texas campus. This fall, 2,256 undergraduate students applied for December graduation, in addition to 478 master's students and 59 doctoral students.

While the students walking across the stage this December may look similar to students from previous years, there will be one notable difference: some of this year’s students will be wearing biodegradable gowns.

Offered through the UNT Bookstore, the Jostens Elements Collection graduation gowns will decompose in soil in one year. The acetate fabric fiber of the gowns is made from natural wood sourced from renewable forests. In addition, the zipper is made from fully recycled polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic typically used for consumer goods like soft drink bottles. The packaging of the gowns also contains materials from ECM BioFilms, which makes it easier for the bag to decompose.

The weekend begins with a ceremony dedicated to master’s degree recipients at 4 p.m. Dec. 18 (Friday) in the UNT Coliseum, located on the southeast corner of North Texas Boulevard and Highland Street.

During the ceremony, each master's graduate will receive a lapel pin embossed with the UNT seal from Michael Monticino, dean of UNT’s Toulouse School of Graduate Studies. Master of Fine Arts candidates will wear tams and brown cords to distinguish them as MFA candidates and recipients of a terminal degree.

The doctoral commencement ceremony will follow at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 (Friday) in the UNT Murchison Performing Arts Center, located along the north side of Interstate 35E at North Texas Boulevard.

During the ceremony, Gayle Strange, Regent Emeritus, will deliver the keynote address. After the address, each doctoral candidate will receive a medallion with the university seal from UNT President Gretchen M. Bataille.

Strange was appointed to the UNT System Board of Regents by Gov. George W. Bush in 1997. She was reappointed to the board in 2003 by Gov. Rick Perry.  In 2007, she was elected by the board to serve as chair. Her term with the board expired this May; however, Strange remains active with the UNT community. She and her husband, Virgil, live in Denton and are generous supporters of UNT’s students and academic programs. In addition, both are members of the UNT President’s Council.

She is also president of Axiom Commercial Company, a construction company in Denton. Her civic affiliations include the Texas State Historical Association, the Denton Chamber of Commerce, the Denton Benefit League and the Greater Denton Arts Council. In addition, she is a writer, researcher, land developer and rancher. She has also been a member of the Denton Christian Preschool Board; the Denton Historical Commission; the Salvation Army, Denton Corps Board; and the Texas Bank Women's Board.

Strange received her bachelor of arts degree in English from UNT and her bachelor of science degree in journalism, summa cum laude, from Texas Woman’s University.

Baccalaureate commencement ceremonies for UNT’s 10 colleges and schools will be held at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 19 (Saturday) in the UNT Coliseum.

Baccalaureate commencement ceremonies on Dec. 19 (Saturday)

9 a.m.

College of Arts and Sciences

1 p.m.

College of Engineering

College of Information

College of Business

College of Visual Arts and Design

School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management

College of Music

Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism

5 p.m.

College of Education

College of Public Affairs and Community Service 

 Master's and baccalaureate commencement ceremonies will be held in the UNT Coliseum, located on the southeast corner of Highland Street and North Texas Boulevard.  

Doctoral commencement and hooding ceremony will be held in the UNT Murchison Performing Arts Center, located along the north side of Interstate 35E at North Texas Boulevard.

Receptions for master's and doctoral graduates and their guests will be held immediately following each commencement on Dec. 18 (Friday) in the ballroom of UNT's Gateway Center, which is located on North Texas Boulevard between Eagle Drive and Highland Street and adjacent to the coliseum. The reception for undergraduate candidates and their guests will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 19 (Saturday) in the Gateway Center Ballroom.