Eastern New Mexico University

Spring 2021 Commencement

May 15, 2021

Eastern New Mexico UniversityGreyhound Stadium

Portales, New Mexico

10 a.m. Commencement Ceremony

One Hundred FortiethCOMMENCEMENTOverture and ProcessionalEastern New Mexico University Brass QuintetThe audience is asked to remain standing throughout the processional.

Presentation of ColorsHonor Guard, Cannon Air Force Base

National Anthem and Alma MaterDevin Crockett, directorLarissa AragonCameron Colson

Anna GonzalesJanessa Cruz

Introductions and CommentsDr. Patrice Caldwell, ENMU System, chancellor

Commencement SpeakersVincent Goodman, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, graduate Raven Lente, College of Fine Arts, graduateLeah Fraze, College of Education and Technology, graduateTanner Carter, College of Business, graduate

Commencement Keynote SpeakerLieutenant Governor Howie Morales

Presentation of GraduatesDr. Jamie Laurenz, vice president for Academic Affairs

Graduate SchoolDr. John Montgomery, dean

College of Liberal Arts and SciencesDr. Mary Fanelli Ayala, dean

College of BusinessDr. Herbert Snyder, dean

College of Fine ArtsDr. Jeff Gentry, dean

College of Education and TechnologyDr. Lee Hurren, dean

Conferring of DegreesDr. Patrice Caldwell, ENMU System, chancellor

Presentation of DiplomasBoard of Regents

Final CommentsDr. Patrice Caldwell, ENMU System, chancellor

CommencementOFFICIALSDr. Stephanie Beinlich, mace bearer

Dr. James Constantopoulos, student marshal

Dr. Kathie Good, student marshal

Dr. Robert Schneider, student marshal

Dr. Anne Beck, student marshal

Geni Flores, announcer

DeLynn Bargas, registrar

Board ofREGENTSDr. Dan Patterson, president

Lance Pyle, vice president

Chandlar Head, student regent

Trish Ruiz, member

Phillip Bustos, member

Eastern New Mexico UniversityFOUNDATION Stephen Doerr, president

GraduationWITH HONORSEastern students can earn the following academic honors, which are listed after recipients’ names in the program and indicated by honor cords worn with the graduation robe.

Summa cum laude Students with a cumulative grade point average between 3.85 and 4.00 wear a gold cord.

Magna cum laude Students with a cumulative grade point average between 3.70 and 3.849 wear a silver cord.

Cum laudeStudents with a cumulative grade point average between 3.50 and 3.699 wear a white cord.

Rho LambdaBurgundy and Old Gold Cords: these cords are worn by graduates who have been honored by Rho Lambda, the National Leadership Recognition Society for Sorority Women. Rho Lambda honors women whose academics, leadership roles and service activities have been exemplary.

Cumulative grade point averages are calculated after the last grading period prior to the student’s final enrollment. Students whose final enrollment grades change their graduation status will have diplomas reordered to reflect their new honor status.

Candidates for Master DegreeCollege of BusinessMaster of Business AdministrationTanner Daniel AdamsAnthony Ethan AirhartRobert Marcel AnayaSenaido Anthony CabralJessica Danielle CamachoGerrit W CooperAndrew Nicholas GrahamRobert S HansenScott Ryan JanusMichelle Anne JaymotIan Raul JohnsonDavid KinuthiaKeerthi KommanaNicole Evamarie MarsicoM’zondwase MumbaMorgen NationsOmolara Abiodun OkusanyaAshley Renae OrtegaMeghan K. OthartRajiv RamanHolly R SingletaryJason L SmithEmikel TooteAngelica Maria ValdezHector Omar VieraZant S Zamora

College of Education and TechnologyMaster of ArtsScott S FarmerGerianne D. OntiverosJennifer Nicole Roberts

Master of EducationEric Joshua AdamsKimberly L. AnguianoIrena BolenKelly Ann BowlesJill Kathryn BrameJoseph Oliver CameronSharon A. CatheyBrook Patricia ChavezMarycruz Celeste ClaroRichard Lee CruceChristine Marie EisenmannDonna Jo Ella EverettJohanna FrancoMelody Anne GallagherMatthew J. GarciaMayla GarciaBethany Christine GrantAlexis Anne GriffeeAlison Marie HaneyNorman Carlton HopperKendra Kaye Janway

Mary A. KnightSandy LawrenceBlue Aria MacHardyTonya May McCulloughLynne A. McDonaldNallely Mendoza De LeónAlexis Lela MetzgerDaniel Ismael Francisco MontanoGina Maria MontesLisa J. MoraVanessa Michelle MuncyShirley Ann MuncyCarly Lynn NeunTonia M PadillaIrene PallardyBilly J PraterCourtney Elaine RichardsonAlexandria Elizabeth SalazarCory James SaxonSarah I. SolisAndie SowdenSarah I StanleyBrian P TelloMaria VillanuevaIrene Carola WackScott A WesselinkSamantha M. WestStephenie R. WilkersonChrystie L Wojcik

Master of ScienceChris L BrowningNatalie Annelee DeLongeJesse C. DiazIan R. ForsterJohn Kaz FosterJosephine MatlickRobert E. RigginsSusie Thiessen

Master of Special EducationKenzie M AguirreMercedes D BacaJennifer Diane CaldwellCarl Michael CarlsonDelana Joy FarleyRenee Nicole GriffinDonn HalliburtonKathryn MontielBrandi Sholos RukovenaAmy J Stewart

College of Fine ArtsMaster of ArtsYvonne Michelle BairdShaun L. BantherJohn G BlaneyDe’John De’Troy BurnsDaniel Josiah CapehartLucia Franco

Melanie Therese JohnsonKeri Jean OlsonDavid M. SilvaHarold W WhiteGregory Thomas Windsor

College of Liberal Arts and SciencesMaster of ArtsChristina Connie AvalosAlexandria Victoria Makayla CrowsonAndrea Ivannah LaceyMichael E RohrerGabrielle December Rucker

Master of ScienceStephanie BaptisteCourtney BennettClayton Thomas BowenRebecca Jean CopeKimberly Gayle DeGrawAngeline Esther DorvilAlivia R Fabro LujanGabriela Rosana FelixAmy FrancoCarley Madison GrahamDanielle Fisher HallDesirae M HaysNatalie Sara JaramilloChelsea J KohliKimberley Anne LingoldAlicia LopezMonique M MartinezKatarina MogaOluwafisayo OlatejuAlice PhamHailey Alexandria PohlmannMarissa E. PontiRichard Michael RaymondiSara Ann RicklefsMaria F RuizMadeleine Ann SarnerMegan E SeaweardTaneshia SmithMelissa SotoMelissa Amelia TapiaKaitlynn Vausch WallaceNicholas Anthony WenzelCarolina YanezHeidi M. Zamora

Master of Science in NursingTyree Jean BoydKelly Erin CookTaron Renee CrossCassandra Beatrice FiggsKodi L. KutlerSrishti Chandra LiuAndrew James Pacheco

Candidates for Bachelor DegreeCollege of BusinessBachelor of Applied Arts and SciencesBilly AndrewsJesse Raymond Davis James Desso Eaton Jr. Trevor Eric Griffith Matthew James McLean Meradeth Montoya Hector Abmiel Navarrete Olivo Ernesto Juan Ortiz William David Torres II, cum laudeHannah McRee Vigil, summa cum laudeStephenie Wilson, summa cum laudeJames E. Woody

Bachelor of Business AdministrationMatthew Rene Arce Lauren Lee BagwellChristopher Brandon Blue Joaquin Borruel Martin-HidalgoJustin D. Bromley Tanner Carter, summa cum laudeAna Paulina Castañón Matthew Anthony Chavez Jr.Kendra Jo CordovaKasyn L’Rae Creighton, magna cum laude Tommaso Favro, cum laudeGregory Franusic, magna cum laude LuCinda Bianca Evans Emmery M. GayAubrie Taylor Gershon Berenice Gomez-Castaneda, cum laude Marshall Douglas GrahamLeo Gary Griego Sara Marie Hankins, summa cum laudeChristopher Harris, cum laudeChelsea De’Ane HunterSarah Genevieve JamesDiego Jimenez, cum laudeLily Sarah Jessica Johnson, summa cum laudeElizabeth Ariana LazarusRuben Fernando Lebron, cum laudeKaren T Lee Michelle Lynn LeivasDaniel Eliahu Madmony-Ziegler, summa cum laudeChristina Martinez Monica Martinez Ivo Damian Mendoza Gonzalez Lydia Elizabeth Mitchell Kelsey Brooke Montiel Alexis Marie Moore, magna cum laudeFatima Aide Lopez Muniz, cum laude Hannah Rae PolingBrianna Alyssa Remedios, cum laude Isabelita C Reyes Parr Misha A. Riley Susana Rodriguez, cum laudeBriana Chacon Rodriguez

Ana Silvia Rodriguez Kathryn M Ross, summa cum laudeJulie Elizabeth Rossner, magna cum laudeSantana Sena Katie Sexton, magna cum laudeParth Vinodray SheladiaHaley D Tapia, magna cum laude Quannah L Saiz, cum laudeAngela Marie Sanchez Andrew Simms, cum laudeVictoria Ellen Stone, cum laudeMorgan D Wade Myrna De Lara Van Orden Sarah Elizabeth Villalobos Rachael M Wolfe

College of Education and TechnologyBachelor of Applied Arts and SciencesShelby L Gowen Jessica Ann Morris, cum laudeMichael R Reddin, cum laude

Bachelor of Career and Technical EducationJulia Maren Azih, summa cum laudeAngela G James Seth Ward

Bachelor of ScienceCierra Danielle AsburayJean B Bazile JrGiovanna Lynn Calderara, summa cum laudeKylee N DavenportRaelynn O Dusenbery, cum laude Leah Michelle Fraze, summa cum laudeJorie Lynne Harwell Steven D. JordanMichael Sean Lee Alivia May Lewis, cum laudeLyle C Logemann, cum laudeJustin Anthony ManyweatherTara Faye Mayes Sydney Shea Mayhew Makenzie I MendezCrystal Molina Desiree Cynthia MorgasLeticia Ortega Nicole M Romero Sybil Renee Rottman Mercy Jebiwott Rotich Jacob Ryan Rowland Garrett Salisbury, summa cum laudeJesse E SanchezJonathan J Soto, cum laudeCynthia Brenée Stroud Katherine Renee Sundstrom, cum laudeBrent Ernest TrujilloVictoria Lynne VillaMorgan D Wade

Bachelor of Science in EducationMaitland M Brooker

Bachelor of University StudiesBailey T. Ellis Adair Juan Aviles Melissa Dawn-Lynn Barlow-Douglas Mohini Arvind Bhakta Christina Marie Cannon Jill Wyvonne Chandler Cameron K Compton Christy Deann Daugherty Raquel E. Dingus, cum laudeAbelina Flores Jessica D.E. Franklin Michael R Gardner Daniel Ryan Hunt Kylie Sage Hutchison Matthew Ryan Langehennig David Anthony Lee Jeanette Lynn Lindsey Andrew T. Manzanares Fabiola Martinez Isaiah Ruben Mejia Kelsey Elizabeth Milson Yesenia Shantiel Morales Candelaria M. Moralez Jeremy D Riley Andrea J. Rodriguez Keanu Rylee Soto Theresa M Steinke April Diana Stone, magna cum laudeJoEllen Vaughan-Mayfield Alexandria L Victor

College of Fine ArtsBachelor of Fine ArtsCharles W Christensen Mary R Elswick, summa cum laudeRaven Gabrielle Lente, summa cum laudeIsaac Antonio Martinez, magna cum laudeIvory Lynn Meyer-DeBusk Celine J. Mickelson-Begic Gerardo Rodriguez-Sariñana, summa cum laudeDevon T. Segura

Bachelor of MusicLarissa Kara Aragon, magna cum laudeEric D. Benton, magna cum laudeBrianna Nicole Gilligan, summa cum laudeAnna R Gonzales, magna cum laudeCynthia Kay Kuemmerle, magna cum laudeHerman Alfonso Montoya III

Bachelor of Music EducationCameron Tyler Abeyta, cum laudeEric D. Benton, magna cum laudeHaley Meredith Brown Devin R Crockett Brianna Nicole Gilligan, summa cum laude

Orlando J. Jimenez Herman Alfonso Montoya III Maegan Shelby Stegemoeller, summa cum laude

Bachelor of ScienceLauren Michelle Bell, cum laudeAmanda Grace Brown, summa cum laudeSamuel W CarltonRein Anevay Carrasco, summa cum laudeSpencer R. Courtney Janessa E Cruz, cum laudeMatthew R Dale, magna cum laudeRebecca Marie Darrup, summa cum laudeNathan Alexander Gandara Ariana Zlata Gasparlin Stephanie M HaggertonSarah Elizabeth KossJohn Anderson Linzie, summa cum laudeAshlee Margaret Mather Randy L McCoy Clare E Moots, summa cum laude Caleb Daniel Ramsell, magna cum laudeManuel RiveraNicholas Alexander Singer, cum laudeGabrielle Paige Smith, magna cum laude

College of Liberal Arts and SciencesBachelor of Applied Arts and SciencesLory Jen’e Adams, summa cum laudeMarco Antonio Bencomo, magna cum laudeJames Charles Blackwell Jr.Kacie Elise BrownGeorge S. Davis, cum laudeJacob Thomas DosterMark Russell Edens Monica Kathryn Erwin, magna cum laudeBernard Fowler Abigail Suzann Garcia Justyne Danielle Garza Vanessa Lynn Jaramillo Genevieve Genine Juarros-IbarraRandy Xavier JonesJustin Dale Keller, magna cum laude Ana Alicia Macias Melissa A MagerJames Kerry McIIhaney Paul D Meyer, summa cum laudeLuis Enrique Midence James M. Parish Kelsie Alejandra Parra Leslie Anne Rodgers, magna cum laudeAustin Scott Runner Joshua Reid Terry, magna cum laudeNickalos Trout

Bachelor of ArtsSandra Almanza, cum laudeMercedes Marie BeachumAngelica Michelle CasteelCarolee Janell Edwards, magna cum laudeVictor Eduardo Hernandez, cum laudeBrenda Denise LarreaBeatriz Adriana Lopez Isaac Santana Montes, cum laude Christina Celeste Martinez Veronica Mae Morgan, cum laude Erika Irene Solano, magna cum laudeTimothy Lawrence David Weems

Bachelor of ScienceWyatt Z Allen, magna cum laudeLeslie M AndersonCaroline E Bachman, summa cum laudeClarice Marie Banovich, magna cum laudeTaylor Leigh Bash, summa cum laudeJameshia Amane Anastasia BattleMichelle Lynn Ben, cum laudeRosa Michelle BerglundZachary William Bevins Hannah E Blaeser, magna cum laudeHarley Miami Rae Bendzus-Mendoza, cum laudeMarlou Charlot Blankvoort, cum laudeTristan Jesse BowdenJacob Price Bulloch, magna cum laudeBrittany N Burkhalter Veronica Guadalupe Burrola, summa cum laude

Joslynn Elijah CarrilloVictor Edward Castillo, cum laudeNyah CateAlejandra Verano Chavez-GallegosCharles Ryan ChristensenAubrey R CourtneySean W Davis Troy DeBoltJoshua C Delos Santos, magna cum laudeJordyn Taylor DempseyKierra Alexus Diaz Anika Mae Donatelli Sarah Jessica Elias Jaxon Lee Fastnacht, summa cum laudeAllison G Ferdinando, summa cum laudeMaureen L. FerreiraJerome Edward Foreman IVPatricia Frazier, cum laudeQuinton R Flores Daisha M GainesBrooke Leigh Gambil Isabel L Garcia Carmen Garcia, cum laude Sabrina L GarzaTimothy M. GettleAbraham Gomez, cum laudeDiana L Marmolejo GomezJoe Gomez IVAndrew John Goodmann, cum laudeVincent Alan Goodman, summa cum laudeLisa Gordon, cum laudeNadia Rose Green, magna cum laudeMarissa GuerraDaniel T GugliottaAlyssa Monique Navarrete GutierrezMackenzie Marie Haakma, summa cum laudeLacey Beth Harrell, cum laudePaula Alicia Hernandez, summa cum laudeLacey L. HarlessCatherine E Hisel, cum laudeJarod Viliamu Hudson Jr.Sarah Alice Jackson, magna cum laudeDesiree Chantel JarrellRobin Reneé JohnsonAllison Kaitlyn Jung Emmanuel Sarfo Kantanka, summa cum laudeTrinity J’leen KizerKhamari La MorenaKamelia Morgan Lamm, magna cum laudeAllissa R Lane, magna cum laudeBiatriz Adriana LarezJuan German Lavalle ArambulaJonathan Robert LewisChristine Lisotto, summa cum laudeJonathan Arnoldo Lopez MunozAlicia LuceroVanessa Lynn LuceroAlisha Anadyana ManeryHelen Jacqueline MarinezJose Manuel Loya Marquez Sean M McLaughlin

Jena Marie Mehlbrech, magna cum laudeCharis Elizabeth MoteBrayan Navarro, magna cum laudeTreyton Matthew NeeceVictoria Michelle Nunez, summa cum laudeChristian Chukwunwike Okpala, summa cum laudeJose Isaac Ortiz-HerreraJacob Thomas Padilla Halie R PerkinsBrittany Nicole Perry Delaney Kate Pollard, summa cum laudeBaylei Marie PollaroKara A. Price, cum laude Daynnely Denisse Plascencia, cum laudeDaniel Salvatore PorrovecchioJeffery Lee Robertson Valeria Rodriguez Jakob Isaac ReyesMagaly Anaya RuizJose Javier Ruiz RiveroLiam Charles Sabiston, cum laudeKaniya Sandoval Kelly D Shank, cum laude Caitlyn Nicole Schmidt, summa cum laudeRussell Scott SmartAbigail Joy Snow, cum laudeKatelynn Marie SticeChase L. Sturdevant Jason Abel TapiaCecilia Gisel Torres, summa cum laudeKathryn Andrea Conception Trujillo Janae L. Tulk, summa cum laudeVictor Ulises UrbinaMaria Vang Brandi Jade Ashlee Vasquez Ahsha Mariposa Irene VigilM’Lee Maureen Vinson Shelbi L Walker, summa cum laudeFanoy Marie Walters Laura Lynn WareDaniel Lynnfield WebsterMikala Nicole Womack Clayne Timothy Williams, magna cum laude Lenay Loni Willie Mattlyn Renae Wells, magna cum laude Zachary Quinn WilliamsAnna L. Winslow Hannah Marie Wright Davrie Davene Zengerly Hayden Brooke Zuniga

Bachelor of Science in NursingValerye A Beckham Kylee Brook Coburn, magna cum laudeAbigail Christina Conlon, cum laudeKaren Marie Cooper Lindsey Clara Lois Fletcher, magna cum laude Heather Garza Pamela Beth Lancaster, cum laudeRene Mascarenas Raena Eufemia Schneiderman, cum laude

Tammy Nicole Schriefer Mattie Marie Sotres

Bachelor of Social WorkGalilee J Bagwell, magna cum laudeBriann Arlen Balderrama, magna cum laudeShania Lynn Callaway MacKenzie B Clark Amanda Nicole Comelli Marianne E Connors Debany Corral-Ozaeta, summa cum laudeTamara Jo De Los Santos Pamela Marie Gagnon Elizabeth N Garcia Adrian Ray Hernandez Feather Karilee Lee Elijah Matteson Legassie Trystan Kay Messer Carolyn Michelle Montague Michelle R Morales Kirsten R. Ramirez, cum laudeOlivia Nicole Rush ONR, magna cum laudeBrittany Ann Suniga Keyara Alyssa Zuniga

Candidates for Associate DegreeCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesAssociate of ArtsJason BaileyAntonia BakerMary BarelaShana E. BarnettJohnny Chase BarosLydia BarronMiguel Angel BarronSierra BeverlyHope BilbreyNicholas BlountCrystal BrutonSarah Marie BumgarnerStefanie Miranda BustosZayda ButlerCatherine CampbellElias CardenasRain CarverErika ChavezLisa Michelle CohoeSean CollinsLisa Marie CrawfordValeria De AngelChase DelaneZachary DowdingChase EarleAutumn ElamGlory EnemchukwuEthan EsquibelEmily EvansKayla Marie FarmerChloe FellMax FeltNathaniel FloresCheyanne FloresKarina FordCassidy FoxYara G Franco GonzalezDavid GallegosNatalie GallegosMarivel GalvanMarisela GarciaGabriella A GarciaKatie GardnerLuis GarzaGabriela GasparKristian GoebelBraden GoebelDenisse G GonzalezBaley GoodsonBailey GradyMegan GuaderramaCadyn HartsfieldChelsea HatfieldScott HauseTrystan HennessyRoman Hernandez

Deidre HowardRaymond HydeAraceli Jimenez-AvelarBrittney JuanchoMorgan JuarezCheyenne KarlinJonas KerstenSara KinardWilliam A KluepfelMomiji KoharaMatthew KubeSamuel LeonardKaidin LimingLeona LopezGiselle LoyaLuke LuerasMadison LundCarmen Alena Maese-YbarraTyler MansellNicolas MartinezRichard MastersonKaitlyn MatakasLilianna MauldinBrandon McafeeGahbrielle Sharai McbrideKenneth MckelroyAudrey MeeksKevin MendiolaArien MendozaIliana MendozaGrace MesarchikShannon MillerAlicia MontanoLeslie MorrellDesiree NettlesFelipe NevarezLyndsi ObergLogan O’BrienAlexis OlmosCierra OrtegaTaylor Rae OstranderIsabelle OviedoJuanita PerezJaylena Pino Van EttenJessica Erin PipkinBradley RamirezDustin RobertsKimbeerly RodriguezRocky L. Rodriquez Jr.Rebeca Rojas GuerreroDaniel RomoKerstyn RossMonique RoybalDanielle RuizAlexandra RussellFernando SalamancaHannah SalazarErick SalomonNichayla SanchezMeleeniee A Sanchez BárcenasEmma Sandlin

Amber SandovalRichard SandovalPayton SantillanesBrianna SchillingGracie SchumacherJessica SeguraTristan SenaRyan Sheppard-PeerySierra ShoemakerIsaac SmithEvan SmithBaylee SoursAshley SteenJames ThomasTrisha TilburyIsabelle TorresTristan TurleyGema VallesKatie Van RuitenJasmine Nicole V’esther McClellandVanessa VillanuevaMackenzie VolkerSydney WallerMegan Wyss

Associate of ScienceAdrian AlvaradoPatrick Michael Carr

Graduate THESESChristina AvalosAnxiety, Alienation and Destabilized Masculinity in T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” “Gerontion” and “The Waste Land”Advisor: Dr. Micah Donohue

Shaun BantherUrgency in Crisis: An Examination of Immediacy in Social Media Crisis Communication and Public Comments as Intensifying Factors in Attribution of BlameAdvisor: Dr. Josh Bramlett

Alexandria CrowsonA Whirlwind of Change: Stitchings of Gender Performity, Trauma, and Identity in Chicanx Novels “Bless Me, Ultima” and “So Far From God”Advisor: Dr. Micah Donohue

Andrea LaceyAbsence ImpressiveAdvisor: Dr. Mike Rizza

Keri OlsonParental Role Modification During COVID-19Advisor: Dr. Josh Bramlett

Richard RaymondiEffects of Reservoir Releases on Fish Spawning Activities in the Middle Pecos River, New MexicoAdvisor: Dr. Jesse Filbrun

Sara RicklefsIdentifying Early Life Stages of Fishes and Crayfishes and Their Responses to Environmental GradientsAdvisor: Dr. Jesse Filbrun

Robert RigginsBaseball Bat Attack Angles and their In-Game CorrelationsAdvisor: Dr. Youngmin Yoon

Nicholas WenzelAnalysis of Methylxanthines as Antibacterials and Antibiotic Modulators of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistant S. aureusAdvisor: Dr. Manny Varela

Gregory WindsorRethinking Inner Speech as Secondary Feedback in the Communication ModelAdvisor: Dr. Janet Birkey

HonorsSPEAKER BIOSCollege of Education and TechnologyLeah Michelle Fraze is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Dairy Science with an emphasis in production and management. She enrolled at ENMU in the fall of 2017 after graduating from Goddard High School in Roswell, New Mexico. A member of the Pre-Vet Club, she earned a place on the dean’s list each semester she attended Eastern. Leah loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies and playing volleyball. As a life-long Christian, she enjoys reading her Bible to learn about God and further her relationship with Jesus. She works at the Prairie Lake Veterinary Clinic in Clovis, New Mexico, where she gets to put her studies to good use. Leah is married to Braden Fraze, and they look forward to building their family in the future. They plan to live in Portales until they feel God leading them elsewhere. Says Leah, “I have a great job doing what I love, both of our families and siblings are close, and we are happy here. I plan to continue working at Prairie Lake because it allows me to use a lot of aspects of my degree and what I learned at ENMU and because it is something I really love.”

College of Fine ArtsRaven Lente is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in visual arts. After graduating from St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she enrolled at ENMU in the fall of 2017. Raven joined the ACE+D Art & Design Community and was a member of the University Singers. Raven earned a place on the Greyhound Connection Honor Roll her first semester and was on the dean’s list every semester she attended ENMU. She also won several awards during her time at ENMU, including the Emerging Artist Award, first and third place in the El Portal Art Division, honorable mentions in both the CCC Juried Student Art Exhibition and the K through ENMU Community Juried Art Exhibition, first place in the College of Fine Arts Student Research and Creativity Conference and first place in the 2021 ENMU University Juried Art Show.Raven loves to watch animated movies, read graphic novels and play video games, stating that these visual narratives drive her passion to create. She’s inspired by fantasy, historical fiction and cyberpunk dystopian stories, which fuels her creative endeavors and allows her to craft wonderful characters and stories with her friends. Raven is also a member of the Society of Creative Anachronism, which is a worldwide community pursuing the research and recreation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat and culture. She is grateful for the unending support of her significant other, parents, brother and grandmothers. After graduation, Raven will continue to work on her first graphic novel and self-publish within the next two years. She is also on a development team for a future tabletop role-playing game, where she will be the lead artist. Over the summer, Raven and her significant other plan to move to Seattle, Washington, where they will pursue their careers, creating a studio to produce books and animated series.

College of BusinessTanner Carter is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in applied economics and finance. He came to ENMU in the fall of 2017 after graduating from Eldorado High School in Chandler, Arizona. He played on the ENMU men’s basketball team from 2017–2020 and earned places on both the dean’s list every semester and the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll each semester from 2017–2019. Tanner was also the Business Strategy Game Champion in 2021. In his free time, Tanner enjoys playing basketball, hunting and hiking. After graduation, he plans on pursuing an MBA at Arizona State University.

College of Liberal Arts and SciencesVincent Goodman is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine and a minor in sociology. He enrolled in ENMU in the fall of 2017 after graduating from Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A current member of the Caduceus Society and a former staff member of Portales City Sports, Portales City Swimming Pool and the Portales Recreation Center, Vincent maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his ENMU career, earning multiple scholarships, grants and a place on the dean’s list every semester. Vincent enjoys playing video games, walking his dog and watching tv. He also likes listening to music, finding good spots to eat, watching sports and hanging out with his friends. After graduation, Vincent will be attending the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He plans to travel with his girlfriend of five years, get married, buy a house and start a family. He states, “I am at a point where I could not be happier with the path I am on!”.

KeynoteSPEAKER BIOLieutenant Governor Howie MoralesLieutenant Governor Howie Morales, raised in Silver City, New Mexico, has spent his whole life working to improve people’s lives in New Mexico. He served in the New Mexico Legislature on the Legislative Finance Committee for 11 years. A classroom teacher and advocate for seniors and public education, he has fought to protect our most vulnerable communities and local schools, and to build a fair economy that works for all of us. The first in his family to go to college, the Lieutenant Governor built on his bachelor’s degree from Western New Mexico University, earning a PhD in education from NMSU. He went home to Silver City to teach students in special education in the Silver City and Cobre School Districts, coached local high school baseball teams to state championships, and is one of the longest-serving volunteers of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in New Mexico. Appointed state senator in 2008 and reelected in 2012, he joined Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019 to win the New Mexico gubernatorial election. Soon after taking office in January 2019, the Governor asked Lieutenant Governor Morales to take charge of the State Public Education Department (PED). He did that until a permanent Secretary could be named. His commitment to education and its role in New Mexico’s future complements other initiatives of importance to him, including health care, rural and tribal economic development, veterans’ and senior services across the state, and mental health programs. Eastern New Mexico University is deeply honored to welcome Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales as our spring 2021 keynote speaker.

AcademicREGALIAAcademic costumes worn during commencement trace their origin to the Middle Ages. Each European college or university had a set of garments that indicated the wearers’ status. In the U.S., an intercollegiate system of academic costumes has been in use since 1895.

The tradition of wearing academic costumes places scholarship above personal preference and current fashion. The academic procession symbolizes the continuity of the tradition of learning and the search for truth throughout the centuries.

Master’s degree recipients wear hoods draped down the back of the robe. The colorful edging identifies the field of study.

Doctoral robes are the most elaborate, with bell-shaped sleeves and velvet on the front facings and sleeve stripes.

The colors used on academic regalia represent disciplines as indicated below.

Agriculture: maize

Arts, Letters, and Humanities: white

Business: drab

Economics: copper

Education: blue

Engineering: orange

Fine Arts: brown

Forestry: russet

Journalism: crimson

Law: purple

Library Science: lemon

Medicine: green

Music: pink

Nursing: apricot

Speech: silver gray

Philosophy: dark blue

Physical Education: sage green

Science: golden yellow

Social Work: citron

Theology: scarlet

Veterinary Science: gray

TheMACEAcademic maces — staffs of wood, metal or gems — descended from war clubs carried in medieval times by the bodyguards of civil officers. Maces have their roots even earlier in the Roman Empire. Carried before a consul, maces were used to restore order and implement court-ordered rulings.

An academic mace symbolizes the authority invested in the president by a university’s governing body. When the authority is present, the mace is present. This is why the mace is an integral part of commencement exercises, where students are invested with degrees by the lawful authority of the university.

Eastern New Mexico University’s mace was designed and crafted by Art Professor Greg Senn in spring 2007.

ALMA MATERThere’s a song in my heart and a feeling I would share

for the school of the Silver and Green.

For the mem-ries I cherish and friends that I knew there

in the days of fellowship keen.

There are thoughts that can’t be spoken in my memories of you

so I’m singing the praises of Eastern University, Alma Mater true.

Eastern New Mexico UniversityFIGHT SONGO Hail ENMU to You

May we ever be loyal and true.

Loudly our praises we sing

Through the ages, may they ring.

And all through our lives we will recall

the school that we love best of all.

Hail E-N-M-U to you

The Green and Silver, Green and Silver

reign forever.

Welcome to the ENMU Alumni Association!

As a graduate of ENMU, you are now a member of the Alumni Association!

We are so proud to welcome you and look forward to seeing your success continue!

Please be sure to stay connected with us – you can update your contact information

anytime at enmu.edu/InfoUpdate.

You will receive the Green & Silver Magazine as well as exclusive event invites!

Explore.Experience.Excel.