SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is set to award over 1,200 degrees during its fall 2024 commencement ceremonies. The events will take place at the Pan American Center, with a ceremony for master's and doctoral degree recipients scheduled for Friday, December 13 at 6 p.m., followed by a separate ceremony for bachelor's degree recipients on Saturday, December 14 at 10 a.m.

Among the graduates is Arath Ronquillo, who will receive a bachelor's degree in nursing. Ronquillo's journey began as a student firefighter with NMSU's Fire Department in 2020. His experience responding to an incident involving a gunshot victim inspired him to pursue a career in nursing. "When we got on the scene, the flight nurse immediately got my attention," Ronquillo said. "Their thought process really caught my eye."

Ronquillo found that his work as a firefighter complemented his studies in nursing. "Working at the fire department was hard but worth it," he noted. He plans to start his career as an intensive care nurse and may later specialize as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Another graduate, Andres Alvarez, will earn a Ph.D. in civil engineering. Alvarez moved from Ciudad Juárez to Indiana two years ago to work as a research visitor at the University of Notre Dame before completing his dissertation while employed by Lochmueller Group. He expressed gratitude for support from friends and family during stressful times: “That’s where my friends and family really supported me.”

Alvarez aims to return to academia after gaining more professional experience: “It’s my goal to return to academia and teach after gaining more professional experience,” he stated.

The ceremonies are open to the public without tickets required, though attendees must adhere to a clear bag policy at the venue. The NMSU Board of Regents will also present an honorary doctoral degree to Gale Harvey during Friday's event.

Both ceremonies will be livestreamed on NMSU’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.