UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Dr. Mike Holtzclaw welcomes dignitaries, faculty, graduates, and their families and friends to the 44th annual Graduation Convocation Friday evening, May 16, 2025, at Duane Smith Auditorium. Sixty-eight students will have earned certificates and degrees this year, with more than 20 attending Friday’s ceremony. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Special guest Frances Chadwick, staff director at Los Alamos National Laboratory, presents an inspirational talk to the graduates. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark delivers the Commencement Address at UNM-LA’s 44th annual Graduation Convocation Friday evening at Duane Smith Auditorium. Clark’s speech centered around the power of kindness. Seated on the stage from left, UNM-LA Advisory Board Chair Kristin Henderson, Advisory Board member David Hampton, LAPS Principal Renee Dunwoody, LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy, Student Degree Speakers Leandra Romero and Joel Christensen, Interim Dean of Instruction Dr. Irina Alvestad, Chancellor Dr. Mike Holtzclaw, LANL Staff Director Frances Chadwick, Sen. Leo Jaramillo, Rep. Christine Chandler, County Council Chair Theresa Cull and Director of Student Affairs Danielle Gonzalez. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Graduate Kelly Vasquez McTeigue received an Associate of Arts in Pre-Business Administration diploma from Dr. Irina Alvestad, Interim Dean of Instruction and Associate Professor of Mathematics. Vasquez McTeigue, along with each of the graduates in attendance Friday evening, was recognized for their academic achievement and received a long-stemmed rose. In closing the ceremony, Chancellor Holtzclaw encouraged each graduate to present their rose to the person most responsible for helping them reach this milestone. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Chancellor Holtzclaw led the procession into the auditorium Friday evening, carrying the UNM-LA mace, a traditional symbol of university scholarship and integrity used by higher education institutions for special ceremonial occasions to signify the importance of the event. The UNM-LA mace was created by former UNM-LA Advisory Board Member Pat Soran, with a UNM-LA symbol produced by Skip Canfield. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Mariachi Estrella of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association performed at the UNM-LA graduation event Friday evening at Duane Smith Auditorium. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com