The University of Texas at El Paso celebrated summer and winter graduates during three ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Don Haskins Center. More than 2,500 candidates received their degrees. During the evening ceremony, 850 graduation candidates from Science, Engineering and Health Sciences colleges were celebrated. (Photo: Ivan Pierre Aguirre/UTEP Communications).
“We know that you, our graduates, are the real proof of the quality of this University,” President Natalicio said. “Your future accomplishments will reflect this institution’s level of academic rigor and attainment.”
Francisco Javier Peña became the first member of his family to graduate from college. The Montwood High School graduate did so with two bachelor’s degrees, one in kinesiology and one in rehabilitation sciences.
“I can’t even describe this feeling right now,” Peña said. “It really barely hit me today, you know, that ‘Wow, this is actually happening.’ I’m just really happy and hope my family is happy.”
UTEP recognized more than 1000 graduates from the School of Nursing and the colleges of Education and Business Administration at one of three Winter Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 15 in the Don Haskins Center.
Agatha Orona worked full-time as a high school math teacher while pursuing her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with dual credit credentials.
Receiving her degree not only enables her to teach dual credit pre-calculus at her high school, but it will also allow her to pursue her ultimate dream of earning a doctorate in education so she can one day join the professoriate.
“No matter how difficult it gets pursuing your dreams, just like Dory says, ‘Just keep swimming’ and get through it,” Orona advised.
Nicholas Christian Valles, who received his bachelor’s degree in accounting, felt confident that his UTEP education more than prepared him for what comes next.
“The College of Business Administration provided a competitive environment, our professors expected a lot out of us, and the college provided many opportunities to build professional experience outside of the classroom,” Valles said. “I feel all this gave me a competitive edge for life after college and to accomplish my goals. I loved every minute of my UTEP experience.”
There were 710 summer graduates and winter candidates from the College of Liberal Arts during the morning ceremony.
“Be proud and confident that your preparation at UTEP will enable you to compete with your peers anywhere in the world,” President Natalicio said during the ceremony. “Your UTEP degrees command global attention because we consistently, and with great determination, deliver on our mission of access and excellence.”
Mosi J. Dane’El had earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and graduate degrees from The University of Texas at Houston and UTEP, but this was the first time he attended a university commencement ceremony.
Dane’El received a Ph.D. in psychology. The aspiring epidemiologist was hooded by Psychology Professor Osvaldo F. Morera and Dane’El’s mother, Kathleen Staudt, Ph.D., a retired UTEP political science professor.
“It’s been a long and rigorous process for him,” Staudt said. “He got excellent training in the psychology department. I’m very, very proud of him.”
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