DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas (UNT) is set to confer degrees to nearly 7,000 students during its Spring Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 10-12. The ceremonies will take place across various venues on the UNT campus, including the UNT Coliseum and the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
This year’s commencement will feature 14 different ceremonies, recognizing students who have completed bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In addition to the in-person events, UNT will offer a virtual commencement experience, with live streams and additional information available on the university’s website.
Among the graduates are several students with remarkable stories of perseverance and achievement:
- “Flip” Flippin, who developed a successful specialty coffee business after a transformative journey with coffee, will graduate with a 4.0 GPA in applied sciences. Inspired by his wife, Flip traveled globally to study coffee and plans to continue his education with an M.B.A. at UNT, focusing on sustainable coffee farming.
- Mario Pena, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and first-generation student, overcame a challenging upbringing to earn two bachelor’s degrees in under a year. With degrees in economics and history, Pena is set to pursue an M.B.A. and a teaching certification, aspiring to teach economics.
- Joy Hague-Wert, despite the tragic loss of her son in 2018, completed a doctorate in organ performance. Her journey in music has been a source of resilience and inspiration, leading her to perform across the United States and France.
- Noelle Marsh, a member of the UNT Swimming and Diving team, overcame a severe fall and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis to win the 100-meter freestyle at the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship. She will graduate with a bachelor’s in merchandising and aims to earn a master’s in marketing.
These individual stories highlight the diverse and resilient spirit of UNT’s graduating class, as they prepare to embark on new challenges and opportunities post-graduation.