More than 5,000 prospective graduates will celebrate with their friends and family at the University of Mississippi’s 171st Commencement ceremonies this weekend.

Morning Convocation will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the Grove.

The program is a campus-wide celebration of graduation that includes university awards and the main Commencement speaker. Students and faculty, dressed in academic regalia, sit in the Grove with the banners of the university’s schools and colleges.

Wright Thompson, an author and ESPN writer, will give the Commencement address on the Grove stage. Thompson is an award-winning writer and longtime Ole Miss sports fan.

More than 3,400 May graduates, 671 December 2023 graduates and more than 920 August 2024 graduates will be among those participating in ceremonies throughout the week.

To avoid blocking the line of sight for others, hand-held signs are not permitted in any Commencement ceremonies.

For more details on the events, visit the university’s Commencement website, which includes travel, parking and schedule information to help graduates and their guests.