Western
New Mexico
University
Fall 2016
Commencement Convocation
Friday, the Ninth of December
3:00 pm at the Fine Arts Center Theatre
Silver City, NM
Mary E. Kipp, Chief Executive Officer
Mary E. Kipp, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for oversight of the Company’s overall operations and also serves on the Company’s Board of Directors. Kipp has been with El Paso Electric since December 31, 2007, and has held various positions and has overseen several departments at the Company, including regulatory and rates, human resources, external affairs, public relations and environmental, health and safety. Kipp has also served as the Company’s President, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.
Before rejoining El Paso Electric, Kipp spent four years as a senior enforcement attorney in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement in Washington, D.C., where she investigated and prosecuted violations of federal energy laws. Before entering government service, Kipp was an attorney at Greenberg Traurig LLP, El Paso Electric Company and at El Paso Natural Gas Company. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Williams College in Massachusetts, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law, and is an alumnus of Exeter College, University of Oxford in England.
Kipp is a native of southern New Mexico. She is active in numerous community organizations, including the Sun Bowl Association Board member, Borderplex Binational Economic Alliance Vice-Chair of the Board and Executive Committee Member, Federal Reserve Bank-El Paso Branch Board member, West Star Bank Board member, member of CREEED (Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development), The Hospitals of Providence Children’s Hospital Governing Board member, Women Corporate Directors Greater New Mexico Chapter member, Association of Women in Energy Board member, Shared Assessments Advisory Board member, member of Executive Women in Energy, and Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Governing Board member.
Amy Page
Master Speaker
Amy Page is earning a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in History and Political Science. Page is a social studies teacher at Moriarty High School and a sponsor for the National Honor Society. She was named the 2014 New Mexico James Madison Memorial scholar, a Patricia H. Behring National History Day Teacher Ambassador and a James Madison Legacy Teacher Mentor.
Jesus Gandara
Baccalaureate Speaker
Jesus Gandara is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Gandara is from Socorro, Texas and is a volunteer with Faces of Mass Incarceration, a non-profit group. Both of Gandara’s parents are WNMU alumni. He plans to further his education and earn a law degree.
Western New Mexico University
Board of Regents
Dr. Dan Salzwedel, President
Sandia Park, New Mexico
Mr. Jerry Walz
Secretary/Treasurer
Cedar Crest, New Mexico
Ms. Janice Baca Argabright, Member
San Antonio, New Mexico
Dr. Carl Foster, Member
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Western New Mexico University
Administration Executive Officers
Joseph D. Shepard, Ph.D.
President
W. Jack Crocker, Ph.D.
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Brenda Findley, Ph.D.
Vice President for Business Affairs
Mr. Isaac Brundage
Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Magdaleno Manzanarez, Ph.D.
Vice President for External Affairs
Faculty Marshal
Dr. Alireza Arasteh, Professor
Order of Exercises
Processional
Pomp and Circumstance by Sir Edward Elgar
Convocation
Dr. Alireza Arasteh, Professor
Faculty Marshal
Invocation
Father Jaroslaw Nowacki
St. Francis Newman Center
Color Guard
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 358
Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem
Katherine Warren
Welcome & Introduction of Guests
Dr. Joseph D. Shepard
Commencement Address
Mary E. Kipp, Chief Executive Officer
Response from Graduates
Amy Page, Master Speaker
Jesus Gandara, Baccalaureate Speaker
Recipient of Honorary Degree
Leonard Pritikin
Presentation of Candidates
James Ortiz
Conferral of Degrees
Dr. Joseph D. Shepard
Alumni Association Induction
Mrs. Amanda Moffett Lane
Director of Alumni Affairs
Benediction
Father Jaroslaw Nowacki
St. Francis Newman Center
Closing
Dr. Alireza Arasteh, Professor
Recessional
Fanfare and Recessional
James Ployhar
To respect the graduates, the audience is to remain seated
throughout the recessional.
Note: Picture takers, please do not block the path of the graduates to or from the stage.
Complimentary pictures of the graduates will be taken while receiving diploma
Thank You.
4
Master Degree Candidates
Master of Arts
Danielle Brianne Aguirre
Interdisciplinary Studies
Silver City, NM
Christopher G. Averett
Interdisciplinary Studies
Yuma, AZ
Susan Margaret Bailey
Interdisciplinary Studies
Miami, FL
Kathryn Bowman
Interdisciplinary Studies
Deming, NM
Madonna Managuit Castro
Interdisciplinary Studies
Gallup, NM
Bonita Marie Chavez
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mayer, AZ
Stephanie Clarke-Mahoney
Interdisciplinary Studies
Charlotte, TN
Vidal Gonzales
Interdisciplinary Studies
Las Vegas, NV
M. Steven Graeter
Interdisciplinary Studies
Old Hickory, TN
Darin Dene Harsh
Interdisciplinary Studies
Buckhorn, NM
Timothy Karo
Interdisciplinary Studies
Albuquerque, NM
Edgar Ambito Leosala
Interdisciplinary Studies
Gallup, NM
Don Kirk Macon
Interdisciplinary Studies
El Paso, TX
Jose Ramon Martinez
Interdisciplinary Studies
Deming, NM
Erin Luanne McCoy
Interdisciplinary Studies
Rocky Mount, NC
Angela Michele Meek
Interdisciplinary Studies
Helena, AL
Cheryl Murphy
Educational Leadership
Rio Rancho, NM
Sara Ann Nolan
Interdisciplinary Studies
Wilcox, AZ
William Nolan
Interdisciplinary Studies
Wilcox, AZ
Brian Odhiambo Onyango
Interdisciplinary Studies
Nairobi, Kenya
Sheryll Cabral Orbase
Educational Leadership
Anchorage, AK
Amy Cornelia Page
Interdisciplinary Studies
Moriarty, NM
Jaclyn Michelle Parslow
Interdisciplinary Studies
Fontana, CA
Maria S. Picone
Interdisciplinary Studies
Leominster, MA
Roberto Alexander Robles
Interdisciplinary Studies
Onterio, CA
Jared Bradley Rogers
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mt Pleasant, TX
Joseph Christian Smith
Interdisciplinary Studies
Hardy, AK
Eric Carl Sonnicksen
Interdisciplinary Studies
Sainte Genevieve, MO
Jake Stokes
Interdisciplinary Studies
Gallup, NM
Joanha M. Strelow
Counseling
Lordsburg, NM
Rita Terrazas
Interdisciplinary Studies
Clinton, NY
Razanna Deloris Thomas
Interdisciplinary Studies
Toranto, Ontario Canada
Alexander Bernard Wathen
Interdisciplinary Studies
Houston, TX
Michael Werner
Interdisciplinary Studies
Taos, NM
Master of Arts in Teaching
Andrea Ashkie
Secondary Education
Window Rock, AZ
Sarah Cabrera
Elementary Education
Deming, NM
Jeny Madrid (Payan)
Elementary Education
Deming, NM
Philip Scott Neilson
Elementary Education
Gallup, NM
Tara Jenette Straubinger
Reading Education
Silver City, NM
Master of Business Administration
Trinity Augesen
Business Administration
Couderay, WI
Zachary Allan Degase
Business Administration
Elephant Butte, NM
Jose A. Jimenez Jr.
Business Administration
Perth Amboy, NJ
Kristian King
Business Administration
Readlands, CA
Nicole Reneé Luna
Business Administration
Pueblo of Laguna, NM
Master of Occupational Therapy
Michelle Beck
Occupational Therapy
El Paso,TX
Jaretta K. Burk
Occupational Therapy
La Luz, NM
Jenifer Jenine Burrell
Occupational Therapy
Tucson, AZ
Karla Jean Clemons-Lucas
Occupational Therapy
El Paso,TX
Sandra L. Curtis
Occupational Therapy
Glendale, AZ
Heidi Delasantos
Occupational Therapy
Tijeras, NM
Lila Denise Fajardo
Occupational Therapy
Silver City, NM
Heather Marie Hall
Occupational Therapy
Great Falls, MT
Elizabeth A Hermosillo
Occupational Therapy
Las Cruces, NM
Stephanie Marie Jones
Occupational Therapy
Rio Rancho, NM
Kelsey Marie Kagugube
Occupational Therapy
Walnut Creek, CA
Rachel E. Kay
Occupational Therapy
Albuquerque, NM
Kim Marie Knutson
Occupational Therapy
Pueblo, CO
Jennifer Joy Logan
Occupational Therapy
Haviland, KS
Hayley Brooks Medina
Occupational Therapy
Parker, CO
Lori Medina
Occupational Therapy
San Antonio, TX
Dawn Chavez Miranda
Occupational Therapy
Silver City, NM
Emily Mitchell Washut
Occupational Therapy
Casper, WY
Michelle Moore
Occupational Therapy
Colorado Spring, CO
Melissa E. Peru
Occupational Therapy
Silver City, NM
Lesley J. Ping
Occupational Therapy
Silver City, NM
Monica L. Torrez
Occupational Therapy
Roswell, NM
Master of Social Work
David J. Adams
Social Work
Columbus, KS
Abdirahiim Ahmed
Social Work
Phoenix, AZ
Christina Ashby
Social Work
San Antonio, TX
Deshanae Benjamin
Social Work
Atlanta,GA
Joyce Delene Best Box
Social Work
Hayden, AL
Victoria Ashley Bryant
Social Work
Oakland, CA
Sharita Davis
Social Work
Albany, GA
Maddie Faye Draper
Social Work
Prescotte, AZ
Michele Suzanne Foss
Social Work
T or C, NM
Patty Ann Gilbert
Social Work
Macon, GA
Jamila Gilliam
Social Work
Dallas, TX
Nakeshia Nicole Harrell
Social Work
Forney, TX
Rebecca Sue Houck
Social Work
Pasco, WA
Cynthia Mendez
Social Work
Hobbs, NM
Keyanna T. Mexicano
Social Work
Biloxi, MS
Brittany Lynn Miera
Social Work
Las Cruces, NM
Jodie M. Nata
Social Work
Brewton, AL
RoShunda Sharp Nelson
Social Work
Belle Chasse, LA
Zoe Justine O'Coyne
Social Work
Clifton, AZ
Hilda Lizeth Moran Olivas
Social Work
Deming, NM
Lynn Evans Piersall
Social Work
Portsmouth, VA
Cynthia D. PoBlano
Social Work
Gallup, NM
Alisha Pulliam
Social Work
Tupelo, MS
Victoria Luisa Sainz
Social Work
Las Cruces, NM
Micah Ashley Sealy
Social Work
Kingman, AZ
Deonae Shackelford
Social Work
Glendora, CA
Shawna Marie Toledo
Social Work
Flagstaff, AZ
Jessica Jo Turner
Social Work
Gallup, NM
Anthony Valazza
Social Work
Gilbert, AZ
Brandy M. Vasquez
Social Work
Las Cruces, NM
Judith Vizcarrondo
Social Work
Philadelphia. PA
Janice Walker
Social Work
Alamogordo, NM
Ford Webb
Social Work
Gila, NM
Terilyn T. Yazzie
Social Work
Navajo, NM
Graduate Certifcate Candidates
Abdirahiim Ahmed
Rural Community SWK Services
Phoenix, AZ
Janelle Anderson
Political Science
San Jose, CA
Penny Benningfield
Elementary Education
Deming, NM
Ralph Cena IV
Elementary Education
Las Cruces, NM
Patty Ann Gilbert
Rural Community SWK Services
Macon, GA
Micheline Hilpert
History
Fort Lauderdale, Fl
Andrew Thomas Joy
Psychology
Silver City, NM
Felicity Jayne Lynchard
SWK Service to Military Families
High Rolls, NM
Keyanna T. Mexicano
Rural Community SWK Services
Biloxi, MS
Jodie M. Nata
Rural Community SWK Services
Brewton, AL
Alisha Pulliam
Rural Community SWK Services
Tupelo, MS
Terilyn T. Yazzie
Rural Community SWK Services
Navajo, NM
Adrian C. Zappala
History
Bayville, NJ
Baccalaureate Degree Candidates
Roxanne S. Abeyta
BAS Criminal Justice
Silver City, NM
Armond Rashad Acree
BSW Social Work
Macon, GA
Holly Adams
BS Psychology
Silver City, NM
Sarah Aldea
BS Psychology
Deming, NM
Michael Steven Arnold
BAS Criminal Justice
Star, ID
Spri A. Aubrey
BIS Interdisciplinary
Silver City, NM
Summer Marie Baker
BAS Criminal Justice
Ganado, AZ
Weston M. Berry
BS Zoology
El Paso,TX
Preston Blincoe
BS Sociology
Imperial,CA
Carlee Burns*
BSW Social Work
Cuba, NM
Jazmin Nikole Carrillo
BS Psychology
Silver City, NM
Julian Cisneros*
BA Rehabilitation Services
Santa Clara, NM
William Cole Coffeen*
BS Kinesiology
Alpine, AZ
Joel Corral
BS Mathematics
Chihuahua, Mexico
Nichole Amber Courtney*
BS Mathematics
Arenas Valley, NM
Melissa Lea Cruz
BA Rehabilitation Services
El Paso, NM
Troy Dial
BBA Marketing & Business Management
Corona, NM
Erica Dominguez
BAS Criminal Justice
Mimbres, NM
TyAnn L. Dowdy
BS Elementary Education
Farmington, NM
Debra G. Dickson-Druce
BIS Interdisciplinary
Elephant Butte, NM
Patrick Orrin Featherman*
BS Psychology
Provo, UT
Mary Elizabeth Flores*
BSN Nursing
El Paso, TX
Donna M. Franzoy
BS Early Childhood Education
Garfield, NM
Heather Marie Gabbert*
BSN Nursing
Safford, AZ
Jesus Gandara Jr.*
BIS Interdisciplinary
Socorro, TX
Edgar Eduardo Gomez
BIS Interdisciplinary
Lordsburg, NM
Leigh Ann Gomez
BIS Interdisciplinary
Lordsburg, NM
Diego R. Gonzalez
BBA Accounting
Phoenix, AZ
Warren Jae Goode*
BAS Forest Wildlife Law Enforcement
Roswell, NM
Erin Rheann Gutierrez
BAS Criminal Justice
Gallup, NM
Benjamin Hammer*
BBA Marketing
Silver City, NM
Cindy Lynn Hanna*
BSW Social Work
Weatherford, TX
Deshawn Hathorn
BS Sociology
Murrieta, CA
Matthew Allen Hayes
BS Forest Wildlife
Pima, AZ
Loren Henry
BS Mathematics
Tucson, AZ
Rahkeem E Holland
BS Kinesiology
Los Angeles, CA
Matthew Hommell
BAS General Business
Suffolk, VA
Jolene Ann Huffman*
BSN Nursing
Silver City, NM
Richelle C. Hufnagel
BS Psychology
Caballo, NM
Leota Elizabeth Jaramillo
BSN Nursing
Albuquerque, NM
Enrique Jimenez Jr.*
BS Kinesiology
El Paso, TX
Judy Ann Jiron-Garcia
BIS Interdisciplinary
Albuquerque, NM
Lisa Shalene Kellar
BIS Interdisciplinary
Reserve, NM
Dylan Kester*
BS Psychology
Kirtland, NM
Dietrich Michael Kuegeler*
BIS Interdisciplinary
Riverton, WY
Colleen Janelle Lara
BIS Interdisciplinary
Cliff, NM
Anita Sophia Luera *
BA Psychology
Alamogordo, NM
Tanya Lynnette Marin
BA English
Bayard, NM
Cherokee Tara Marquez
BS Zoology
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Ruth M. Marquez
BAS General Business
Lordsburg, NM
Javier C. Marrufo
BA History
Silver City, NM
Horace Duke Martinez III
BA Sociology
Silver City, NM
Chris Matthes
BAS General Business
Silver City, NM
Heidi Joy McEwen*
BIS Interdisciplinary
Tucumcari, NM
Amanda McGinnis
BS Environmental Sustainability
Bisbee, AZ
Joshua Keith McIntire
BAS Criminal Justice
San Diego, CA
Jon M. Meadows
BA English
Silver City, NM
Justin James Mehrer
BS Zoology
Sunland, CA
Cheyenne Jessica Molina
BAS Rehabilitation Services
Deming, NM
Diana Rosa Molina*
BS Kinesiology
Santa Clara, NM
Yvette Romero Moncada*
BS Early Childhood Education
Deming, NM
Kevin Montgomery
BBA Marketing & Business Management
Albuquerque, NM
Meagan Montoya
BSN Nursing
Silver City, NM
Ashley N. Moon
BIS Interdisciplinary
Silver City, NM
Diamond L. Morrill*
BIS Interdisciplinary
Carlsbad, NM
Simone Morris
BAS Criminal Justice
Crownpoint, NM
Lisa M. Nelson*
BSW Social Work
Sheep Springs, NM
Lyndsey R. Novacek
BBA Accounting
Silver City, NM
Maria Olivares*
BAS Criminal Justice
Gallup, NM
Serina Lee Pack*
BBA/BS Business Management & Environmental Sustainability
Silver City, NM
Mary Frances Peña
BSW Social Work
Deming, NM
Albert Placencio*
BSW Social Work
Bayard, NM
Beatrice Quintana
BSN Nursing
Bayard, NM
Gabriela Aida Quintero*
BSN Nursing
Austin, TX
Alexis C. Ramirez*
BIS Interdisciplinary
Hagerman, NM
Alexandra Ramirez
BAS Criminal Justice
Rodeo, NM
Katherine Rose Ramos
BIS Interdisciplinary
Bayard, NM
Johnette Reorda-Serazio
BSN Nursing
Santa Fe, NM
Margaret Porter Reza*
BAS Criminal Justice
Deming, NM
Jennifer Rae Rider
BSW Social Work
Silver City, NM
Daniel L. Rollings*
BIS Interdisciplinary
Santa Teresa, NM
Emily Celina Salgado
BS Early Childhood Education
Tucson, AZ
Ninoska G. Slater
BS Elementary Education
Davie, FL
Jill Rae Smith*
BS Sociology
Phoenix, AZ
Chelsi Briana Straubinger*
BA Sociology
Silver City, NM
Juwan Daniel Sumpter
BAS General Business
Fallbrook, CA
Evan James Surek*
BS Forest Wildlife
Apple Valley, CA
Gloria Tarango-Jarrott
BAS Criminal Justice
Lordsburg, NM
Kyle M. Tate*
BS Forest Wildlife
Blanding, UT
John P. Thrasher
BA English
Safford, AZ
Cynthia Tollen*
BS Psychology
El Paso, TX
Natalie Tomecek
BSW Social Work
Tyrone, NM
Louis Gregory Trujillo
BSN Nursing
Albuquerque, NM
Ervin Delgado Uriostegui
BS Biology
Phoenix, AZ
Sunia T. Vaitai
BAS General Business
Waianae, HI
Tammy L. Valencia
BIS Interdisciplinary
T or C, NM
Katherine Theresa Van Gorder*
BSN Nursing
Stonington, CT
Robin Van Zelst