Monday, May 5, 2025
DENTON (UNT), Texas — During Spring 2025 Commencement May 8-11 (Thursday-Sunday),
the University of North Texas expects to recognize the achievements of more than 6,500 students who completed bachelor’s,
master’s and doctoral degrees during the spring and summer semesters.
Ceremonies will be hosted in the UNT Coliseum, 600 Avenue D, and Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35 East, in Denton. A full schedule and additional details are available at commencement.unt.edu.
University of North Texas Spring 2025 Commencement takes place Thursday through Sunday, May 8 –11
In addition to the official ceremonies, UNT will host a Grad Block Party Friday, May 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the University Union South Lawn near Highland Street. The celebration includes free food, photo ops, games and a fireworks show. All Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 graduates, along with their family and friends, are invited to attend.
This spring’s ceremonies also mark a significant milestone for UNT’s ELEVAR program, which supports students with intellectual disabilities in pursuing postsecondary education. The program will celebrate its first graduating cohort, a group of trailblazing students who have spent the last four years immersed in inclusive academic and social experiences across campus. Their graduation reflects UNT’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and empowering all students to achieve their goals. Their ceremony is at 8 a.m. May 9 (Friday) in the UNT Coliseum.
Other notable commencement stories include:
- Kevin Crawford’s path to earning his UNT degree has been anything but ordinary. After serving six
years in the U.S. Army and then protecting campus as a UNT police officer, he returned
to the classroom — motivated by a desire to better support his own children through
college. Now, as a proud UNT police officer, student and UNT parent, he’ll soon graduate
with his bachelor’s degree and add “alumnus” to the list. His ceremony is at 4 p.m. May 10 (Saturday) in the UNT Coliseum.
- After losing everything to Hurricane Katrina, Brenda Hill rebuilt her life in Texas while raising three sons, working full time in healthcare
and putting her education on hold. Years later, as an empty nester, she returned to
the classroom — earning her associate’s degree during the pandemic and enrolling at
UNT to pursue her bachelor’s. Now graduating with a degree in Applied Arts and Sciences,
Brenda says she’s proud to have kept going and plans to return for her master’s, still
guided by her motto: “Aim high and reach beyond the stars!” Her ceremony is at 8 a.m. May 11 (Sunday) in the UNT Coliseum.
- Madeline Blackburn, who overcame the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, survived a shooting and battled
thyroid cancer, to find her passion in Consumer Experience Management at UNT. She
co-founded the Zero Waste Textile Initiative, led UNT’s National Retail Federation
team to earn $20,000 in scholarships and designed sustainable fashion pieces for the
Dallas Food in Fashion Show. Now pursuing a master’s in Merchandising and Consumer
Analytics, Madeline credits her professors’ support in helping her thrive despite
the obstacles. Her ceremony is at 4 p.m. May 10 (Saturday) in the UNT Coliseum.
For media: Interview opportunities and parking can be set up with Devynn Case at Devynn.Case@unt.edu.
From UNT News – General News