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Campus News - May 8, 2000 |
By Frank D. Martinez
John Nichols, author
of such well-known books as “The Milagro Beanfield War”
and “The Sterile Cuckoo,” will receive an Honorary Doctor
of Letters Degree at UNM’s 2000 Spring Commencement Ceremony
set for Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m. in the University Arena (The
Pit).
Nichols is the author of nine novels, all but two written after
he moved to Taos, New Mexico in 1969, and six book-length works
of non-fiction. He has also written dozens of short stories and
magazine articles.
“The Milagro Beanfield War,” for which he is perhaps
best known, and “The Sterile Cuckoo” have been adapted
into successful feature-length movies. His non-fiction work, “A
Fragile Beauty,” was made into a public television documentary.
UNM Press recently released his newest book, “Dancing on
the Stones: Selection Essays,” which is also his first in
almost six years. The book is a collection of his writings—taken
from essays, speeches and articles—that cover a period of
about 35 years.
On two occasions—1992 spring semester and 1993 fall semester—he
held appointments as a Visiting Professor in the UNM Department
of English. Nichols taught courses on the writing of fiction and
non-fiction prose.
Some 2,734 degrees are projected to be conferred upon UNM main
campus graduates at the ceremony. Of the total, the projected
breakdown is as follows: 1,910 bachelor’s degrees; 473 master’s
degrees; four post-master’s professional certificates in
nursing; 122 doctorate degrees; 102 juris doctorate degrees; 75
medical doctorate degrees; 42 pharmacy doctorate degrees; and
six education specialists degrees.
“We’ve updated the ceremony in such a way that we hope
to increase both student and faculty participation and to make
it more interesting for those attending. It also provides a way
for the University to appropriately celebrate the Class of 2000,”
said University Secretary Vivian Valencia.
This year, bachelor degree candidates will wear silver graduation
regalia instead of the cherry-colored caps and gowns they have
worn since 1989 when UNM observed its Centennial Commencement
Ceremony. Additionally, honors graduates will be distinguished
by cherry and silver “honor cords.”
Two large video screens will offer a better view of the ceremony’s
activities to all attending. A faculty “Honor Processional”
will form two parallel lines through which graduates will process
“to further emphasize the academic side of the ceremony,”
Valencia said. “Overall, the changes should make it a ceremony
that is much more interesting and meaningful for the graduates
and their families,” she said.
Following the ceremony, all degree candidates and their guests
are invited to a reception hosted by President and Mrs. William
C. Gordon from 1 - 4 p.m. at University House on main campus at
1901 Roma NE.
Master-of-Ceremonies will be Dr. F. Chris Garcia, former dean
and interim provost and current professor of Political Science.
The Prelude and Processional will be performed by the University
Band, under the direction of conductor Glen Adsit. The National
Anthem will be sung by UNM Voice Performance graduate Shannon
Kaye.
Greetings will then be offered by UNM President William C. Gordon
and UNM Board of Regents President Larry Willard.
The Commencement Address will be given by Chamiza Atencio-Pacheco,
who is receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in two majors, Economics-Philosophy
and Political Science, with departmental honors. Atencio-Pacheco,
whose senior thesis is “Philosophical Perspectives on Poverty,”
is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including a prestigious
1999 Truman Scholarship. At UNM, she is a Regents’ Scholarship
and a winner of the Clauve Outstanding Senior Award, among others.
She has an extensive record of involvement and leadership in
UNM student and community organizations.
Greetings will then be offered by Faculty Senate President John
Geissman and Alumni Association President María Raby-Mondragón.
UNM Provost Brian Foster will then award the $1,000 Tom L. Popejoy
Dissertation Prize to Dr. Mohammad Mojahedi for his dissertation
on “Superluminal Group Velocities and Structural Dispersion.”
Dr. Mojahedi holds a Research Assistant professorship in the
UNM Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
The singing of the Alma Mater will be led by Shannon Kaye and
the Recessional will be performed by a Mariachi group, Los Reyes
de Albuquerque.
This year, 74 members of the UNM Class of 1950 will be participating
in the ceremony. For more information, contact University Secretary
Vivian Valencia, 277-4664. A complete listing of department convocations
is available off the UNM homepage at http://www.unm.edu,
click on News, then Press Releases.
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University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Copyright ©1998 The University of New Mexico. Comments to: paaffair@unm.edu |
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