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Dec.10, 2003 UNM COMMENCEMENT SET FOR DEC. 19 AT 'THE PIT' Some 1,626 students are projected to receive degrees at the University of New Mexico's 2003 Fall Commencement Ceremony set for Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. in the University Arena ("The PIT"). Of the total degrees, the projected breakdown is as follows: 1,165 bachelor's degrees; 333 master's degrees; 96 doctorate degrees; five education specialist degrees; 11 juris doctorate degrees; 11 pharmacy doctorate degrees; and five medical doctorate degrees. Richard W. Holder, deputy provost and professor of chemistry, will be the master of ceremonies. The UNM Brass Choir with Michael Pollock, conductor, will play a selection of music for the ceremony's prelude and processional. Cristina T. Duran, who will be receiving a bachelor of music in vocal performance, will sing the national anthem. Duran is a mezzo-soprano who began her college training in Rome. UNM President Louis Caldera will then offer greetings. William A. Dodge, who is receiving a doctor of philosophy, will give the commencement address. His dissertation, "The Meaning of Place at Blackrock: Change and Identity on the Zuni Indian Reservation," is an ethnohistory of a New Mexico community and examines how people create a sense of place through their cultural landscapes. While completing his dissertation, Dodge was awarded the Center for Southwest Studies' Joel M. Jones Fellowship and the Dean's Dissertation Fellowship. He currently serves as vice chair of the City of Albuquerque's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission. Dodge plans to work in the field of historic preservation while continuing to explore the meaning of place in American society. The platform group will include UNM Board of Regents President James H. Koch and Regents Maria Griego-Raby, Douglas Brown and John "Mel" Eaves. The conferring of degrees in course by President Caldera will be followed by Regent Koch offering congratulatory remarks. Duran will then lead the singing of the alma mater and Los Reyes de Albuquerque will perform the processional. The UNM Alumni Association and President's Office will host a reception for graduates on the east concourse of the arena following the ceremony. In conjunction with commencement, several schools and colleges scheduled convocations for Saturday, Dec. 20. They are: - College of Fine Arts: Pamela Michaelis, publisher of the Wingspread Collectors Guide, will speak Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. in Keller Hall. - Anderson School of Management: Eric Pillmore, senior VP of corporate governance for Tyco National Ltd., will speak at 2 p.m., Johnson Center. - College of Education: Doctoral candidate Veronica C. Garcia, New Mexico's first Secretary of Education, will speak, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. in Johnson Center. - School of Engineering: Mark Howard, Sandia National Labs employee, and Paul Shirely, CEO Qynergy Corporation, will speak, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. in the SUB Ballroom. - College of Nursing: Dec. 20, 10 a.m. in the east complex, Albuquerque Convention Center. - University Honors Program: Dec. 18, 7 p.m. in the SUB Ballroom (Rooms B&C). Several other UNM departments will have convocation speakers the week of Dec. 20. For information, students should contact their individual departments or visit the UNM Office of the Secretary Web site at http://commence.unm.edu/. ###

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