Student participation in Saturday’s UNM commencement was a record high, said University Secretary Vivian Valencia. More than 1,100 graduates, including 40 golden grads marking one-half century as alumni, took part in the festivities.
President Louis Caldera conferred degrees upon main campus graduates. The class of 2005 earned 1,749 bachelor’s degrees, 552 master’s degrees, five post-master’s, 99 doctorates, 92 juris doctorates, 57 medical doctorates, 70 pharmacy doctorates and one education specialist – a projected total of 2,265 degrees.
Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, United States Army retired, delivered the commencement address. Ranked among the "100 Most Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business magazine, Valenzuela is founder of an educational foundation and oversees several charter schools for at-risk children in San Antonio, Texas. With more than 33 years experience overseeing military forces, he is also a consultant for Fortune 500 companies.
Student speaker Benito Martinez III, who earned a bachelor’s of science in chemical engineering, shared his inspiring story with graduates, their families and friends. A young father and son of Mexican immigrants, Martinez attended UNM full-time, worked and served as a peer mentor. He co-founded the Hermanitos Mentoring Progrom at Highland High School in Albuquerque where he spent time each week fostering those with an interest in engineering. He interned with the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service in Philadelphia, General Motors and Intel Corporation. A peer mentor with El Centro de la Raza’s Amistades Program, Martinez was president of the student Hispanic Engineering and Science Organization.
Author/scientist David Brugge and author Leslie Marmon Silko received honorary degrees. President and Mrs. Caldera and the Alumni Association held a reception at University House following the ceremony.
Contact: Laurie Mellas, (505) 277-5915