NMSU-A Commencement Ceremony – News & Notes

The Thirty-Second Annual Graduation Ceremony was held at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 8, 2009 at the New Mexico State University Alamogordo Tays Special Events Center.

Graduates attending the ceremony received their commencement address from Dr. Nathan P. Cote, New Mexico House of Representatives. Ty Trujillo, Executive Director, New Mexico Association of Community Colleges, presented New Mexico All-USA Academic Team member, Israel Riviere with a medallion and certificate. Ann Reeser, who was also an All-USA Academic Team member, was unable to attend the ceremony.

Loretta Diehl, winner of the Roush Teaching Award, was this year’s Faculty Marshal and led the faculty and staff. Sarah Gonzales gave the Charge to the Graduates to the Bachelor of Science Education majors. Charles Franks gave the Charge to the Graduates to the associate degree candidates. Jake Rachinski served as the Student Marshal.

Certificate recipients crossed the stage for the first time at the New Mexico State University Alamogordo Graduation Ceremony. There were 6 certificate recipients who participated in this year’s graduation event.

There were 245 associate degree applicants from New Mexico State University at Alamogordo. Twenty-one of these students applied for dual degrees, with one student applying for three degrees. The graduates who participated in the graduation ceremony received Associate Degrees in Art and Graphic Design, Arts, Business Office Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Education, Electrical Apprenticeship, Electronics Technology, Fire Science, General Studies, Graphic Design, Information Technology, Nursing, Occupational Business, Paralegal Studies, Pre-Business, and Social Services.

There were also 21 students who were candidates for Bachelor Degrees in Elementary Education through the Distance Learning program at New Mexico State University who participated in the graduation ceremony this year. Two students received their Bachelors in Secondary Education. Also, two students were recognized for receiving their Master of Arts in Education degrees.

There were 6 students who received certificates.

There were 94 students in total who participated in this year’s commencement ceremony.

Scholastic Awards were presented by faculty to students:

• Bill Lockhart presented the Behavioral Science Academic Excellence Award to Charles Franks.
• Steve Holmes presented Engineering Technology Outstanding Graduate Awards to Maria Quade and Ron Mitchell, Jr.
• Patty Campbell presented the Zandra Baca Star Teacher Award to Gina Trujillo. Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez translated the presentation into Spanish. Dr. Joyce Hill accepted the award on behalf of Ms. Trujillo.

Awards were also presented for the Outstanding Alumnus, Joe Small, a 1982 graduate, who has served on the NMSU Alamogordo Electronics Technology Advisory Board for over 25 years. Barbara McDonald, past President of the NMSU Alamogordo Foundation, received the “Friend of the College Award.” These awards were presented by Sharon Fischer, Vice President for Student Services, and Dr. Cheri Jimeno, President of NMSU Alamogordo.

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