The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

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

May 9, 2008

UNM Commencement May 17 at Pit

Frank J. Williams, chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, will deliver the keynote address at the University of New Mexico spring commencement Saturday, May 17, at 9 a.m. in the University Arena, “the Pit.”

Scientific advocate Eugenie C. Scott, civil rights leader Vicente T. Ximenes and acclaimed American Indian artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith will receive honorary degrees at the ceremony.

About 2,421 students are projected to receive degrees, as follows: 1,600 bachelor’s degrees, 477 master’s degrees, 74 doctorates, 90 juris doctorates, 80 medical doctorates, 85 pharmacy doctorates, 5 graduate certificates and 10 education specialists. An official degree count is determined following commencement.

UNM Regents’ President James Koch will greet graduates on behalf of the UNM Board of Regents. Koch and fellow regents, UNM administrators, deans, faculty and staff are among the platform group. UNM President David Schmidly is master of ceremonies and Vivian Valencia, University Secretary, is chief marshal. Schmidly will offer congratulatory remarks, confer degrees and recognize honors graduates.

Ashley Fate, president of the Associated Students of UNM, will greet students.

The University Brass Ensemble, conducted by Eric Rombach-Kendall, will play a selection of music for the ceremony’s prelude and processional. Ceri Gerrish, who is receiving a bachelor’s in music, will sing the national anthem and alma mater.

Golden Graduates, the class of 1958, are honored at commencement for their lifelong connection to UNM.

The UNM Alumni Association will hold an open house for graduating seniors Monday-Friday, May 12-16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Hodgin Hall.

Individual convocation ceremonies are scheduled at various departments and colleges May 16-17. For more information and the convocation schedule, visit graduation.unm.edu.

Keynote Speaker

The Honorable Frank J. Williams is chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He was appointed in 2001 after serving for five years as associate justice of the Superior Court. He was a practicing attorney for more than 25 years.

Williams graduated from Boston University in 1962 and Boston University School of Law in 1970. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army on active duty in Vietnam.

Williams is also one of the nation’s leading authorities on the life and times of Abraham Lincoln and one of the country’s most renowned Lincoln collectors.

Honorary Degree Recipients

Eugenie C. Scott, Doctor of Science

Eugenie C. Scott, a prominent advocate for the scientific method, will receive the Doctor of Science for her work promoting science and science education. She earned her doctorate in biological anthropology from the University of Missouri.

Scott has worked nationwide to communicate the scientific method to the general public and to improve how science as a way of knowing is taught in schools. Since 1987, she has been executive director of the National Center for Science Education, Inc.

An internationally-recognized expert on the creation/evolution controversy, Scott has been both a researcher and activist on the issue for two decades.

Vicente T. Ximenes, Doctor of Humane Letters

Civil rights leader Vicente T. Ximenes will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters
for his lifelong dedication to public service. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNM.

Ximenes was a national leader early in the civil rights movement. Under three U.S. Presidential appointments, he served as the U.S. Commissioner of Equal Employment, chair of the White House Committee on Mexican American Affairs and a member of the White House Fellows Commission.

Ximenes volunteered as an Air Force Cadet in December 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He flew 50 missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Doctor of Letters

Acclaimed American Indian artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith will receive the Doctor of Letters for her leadership in creating and promoting indigenous art. She earned her associate’s degree from Olympic College, bachelor’s degree from Framingham State College and master’s degree from UNM. She is an enrolled Flathead Salish member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Indian Nation.

Smith is internationally known as an artist, curator, lecturer, printmaker and teacher. Her work addresses contemporary tribal politics, human rights and environmental issues. She uses humor and satire to examine myths, stereotypes and the paradox of American Indian life in contrast to the consumerism of American society.