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More than 4,000 students and 40,000 guests have RSVP'd for the University of Arizona's 151st commencement ceremony Saturday.
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Kasey Urquidez said this will likely be the biggest commencement ceremony in the university’s history.
"We have so many students that want to be a part of this commencement now," Urquidez said. "It’s actually doubled from what it used to be."
Last year’s ceremony was marred by extreme heat and water shortages – which Urquidez said will not happen again. Every graduate will get a box of water as they enter the stadium; cooler temperatures are also helping.
"It’s very nice that it’s not pushing a hundred already," Urquidez said. "We’ve been able to set up in a much faster time frame because our crew is able to handle it. And for families of course we’re happy that it’ll be a cooler environment."
This year, in fact, she’s worried about rain.
"I’m worried about everything of course – just because you are when you do such a large-scale event."
But rain or shine, Urquidez said it’ll be a special day for grads.
"We’re looking forward to a very successful event with our students leaving here feeling like Wildcats for life."
In addition to students graduating this semester, the event is open to people who completed their degrees last December and those who will finish their studies after the summer term.
9,435 graduate and undergraduates earned their degrees in the 2014-2015 academic year.
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