The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593, michal@unm.edu

December 11, 2008

Commencement Set for Dec. 19 at University Arena

UNM’s fall commencement ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. in the University Arena (The Pit).

About 1,551 students are projected to receive degrees, as follows: 1,140 bachelor’s degrees, 325 master’s degrees, 2 post-master’s, 63 doctorates, 12 juris doctorates, 2 medical doctorates, 6 pharmacy doctorates and 1 education specialist. An official degree count is determined following commencement.

Congressman Joe Baca will be the keynote speaker. Baca has represented the 43rd District of California in Congress since 1999 and currently serves as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He was born in Belen, N.M., in 1947. He served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper from 1966-68 and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University-Los Angeles.

Graduates will be greeted by UNM Regent John “Mel” Eaves, Associated Students of UNM President Ashley Fate and Alumni Association President Judith Zanotti.

UNM President David Schmidly will be the master of ceremonies. He will offer congratulatory remarks, confer degrees and recognize honors graduates.

The University Brass Ensemble with Zane Meek, conductor, will play a selection of music for the ceremony’s prelude and processional. Jessica Taylor, graduate student in music, will sing the national anthem and the alma mater.

Several schools, colleges and departments have scheduled convocations for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19 and 20. For more information, visit http://graduation.unm.edu.