Winter commencement is Dec. 4

The University of Nevada, Reno's Winter Commencement is Dec. 4 at Lawlor Events Center, on the University's main campus in Reno. Graduates and faculty members will assemble for Commencement at 8 a.m. and the formal processional will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Richard Tapia, the first Hispanic elected to the National Academy of Engineering, will deliver the Commencement address. Tapia is a nationally known advocate for advancing the quality of science, technology, engineering and math education and growing student interest and enrollment in these studies, particularly among Hispanic youth. A mathematician and professor at Rice University in Houston, Texas, Tapia will be awarded one of two honorary doctorate degrees from the University.

From the research perspective, Tapia is internationally known for his work in the computational and mathematical sciences. In 1996, President Clinton appointed him to the National Science Board where he served until 2002, and from 2001 to 2004 he chaired the National Research Council's Board on Higher Education and the Workforce. Tapia is recognized as a national leader in diversity and has delivered numerous addresses at national and international mathematics conferences.

A second honorary doctorate degree will be awarded to Procter R. Hug Jr., a native of Reno. Hug graduated from the University of Nevada in 1953 where he served as student body president, was captain of the track team and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi. Following graduation he served two years as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He went on to earn his law degree from Stanford Law School, where he served on the Law Review, then returned to Reno and went into private practice, becoming a partner in the firm Springer, McKissick and Hug until 1963. Hug was elected to the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada System three times, serving from 1962 to 1972, and serving as chairman of the Board from 1969 to 1972. He was given the Distinguished Nevadan Award by the University of Nevada in 1982 and the Alumnus of the Year Award in 1988.