UNL to grant about 800 degrees in Aug. 13 ceremony

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will grant about 800 degrees during the summer all-university commencement ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 13 in Pinnacle Bank Arena, 400 Pinnacle Arena Drive.

Melanie Simpson, professor of biochemistry at UNL and a member of the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, will deliver the commencement address. Since joining the UNL faculty in 2002, Simpson has developed an internationally recognized research program focused on understanding prostate cancer progression. Her research has helped define how cells in a tumor can manipulate the normal architecture in their surroundings and remodel it to promote their invasion, spread and continued growth. An equally significant contribution is the discovery of a mechanism that allows prostate tumors to survive hormone therapy, one of the most common treatments for advanced or inoperable prostate cancer. By studying these aspects of aggressive cancer progression, her team has developed and patented new ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. Simpson has also collaborated with LI-COR Biosciences in Lincoln to develop new fluorescent dyes and imaging tools for monitoring cancer in living animal subjects. This method may lead to a similar technique for use in human patients.

Chancellor Ronnie Green will preside over the commencement ceremony.

No tickets are required for the ceremony. The public may sit in any non-reserved seats other than on the main floor, which is set for graduates, faculty and dignitaries. Handicap seating is available on the concourse level in Sections 106, 107, 112, 114, 117 and 118. Beverage stands will be open. Open captioning for people with hearing impairment will be provided through the ribbon screens at the corners of the arena concourse level. For Pinnacle Bank Arena seating charts, click here.

Guest services and first aid will be on Level 3 at Gate 112.

Paid parking, including handicap parking, is available in Haymarket area garages operated by the city of Lincoln and on the street, although those planning to attend the Aug. 13 ceremony should be mindful that the Historic Haymarket Farmers’ Market will be in progress from 6 a.m. to noon in the immediate vicinity of Pinnacle Bank Arena and will affect traffic and parking patterns. Parking in the Red 1 Garage, 555 R St. at $3 per vehicle, can be reserved and paid in advance through the City of Lincoln website here. Pinnacle Bank Arena’s north lobby entrance will not be open for commencement.

A drop-off area for mobility-restricted guests will be available on the south side of the post office building, 700 R St., directly east of Pinnacle Bank Arena, although the area is expected to be highly congested.

Parking maps are available here.

Graduating students are to check in at 8 a.m. and remain for the entire ceremony, which will conclude by about noon. Families also are encouraged to stay for the entire ceremony out of respect for all graduates and their families. The ceremony will be streamed here and carried live on Lincoln Time Warner Cable Education Access Channel 80 (with cable box) or Channel 71.16 (without cable box).