The University of New Mexico celebrates its annual Spring Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m. at University Arena, The Pit. Nearly 3,000 students will graduate as part of the institution’s 2024 Spring Commencement.

Commencement is a time for celebration, recognition and reflection. It’s a tradition that marks the intersection of the past and the future. It’s a time for celebration, recognition and reflection. UNM’s commencement ceremony honors all doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degree candidates from all schools, colleges, branch campuses and degree-granting programs.

Approximately 2,991 students are projected to receive degrees from UNM’s Albuquerque and Extended University campuses, as follows: 1,920 bachelor’s degrees, 658 master’s degrees, 63 doctorates, 92 juris doctorates, 78 medical doctorates, 52 pharmacy doctorates, 110 graduate certificates and 18 education specialists. 

At UNM-Gallup, 131 associate degrees and 68 certificates are projected to be awarded; at Los Alamos, 28 associate degrees and 7 certificates; at Taos, 51 associate degrees and 72 certificates; and at Valencia, 40 associate degrees and 38 certificates. An official degree count is determined following commencement.

Additional Commencement information

Parking

  • Attendees should park in the large lot on the west side of University Stadium directly across from The Pit. The lot is accessible from either Avenida Cesar Chavez or University

  • Additional lots surrounding The Pit are also available. Parking information is available here.

Arrival

  • Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The ceremony starts promptly at 9 a.m.

  • Parking and seating are first-come, first-serve. Early arrival is encouraged. You should arrive no later than 8:30 a.m.

Entry

  • Enter through the main entrance on the northeast corner of the building.

  • If you parked with a graduate in the west lot, you cannot enter with them on the west side and must continue around the building to the main entrance.

  • All attendees will have to go through metal detectors upon entry.

What to bring (and what not to bring)

  • Ushers will be enforcing the Athletics program’s Clear Bag Policy. Only compliant bags can be brought in.

The following items are prohibited:

  • Artificial noise-makers such as air horns
  • Signs, banners and poles
  • Any bags that do not comply with the Clear Bag Policy
  • Outside food an beverages other than one 32 oz. or smaller sealed water bottle
  • Glass containers or items
  • Smoking or any tobacco use including vapes, snuff and chewing tobacco
  • Thrown objects
  • Helium balloons
  • Weapons of any kind

UNM will live-stream the commencement ceremony on its Facebook and YouTube pages, and on Graduation.unm.edu.

For the full UNM Spring 2024 convocations schedule, visit departmental convocations.

Event Order
The UNM Brass Choir, under Conductor and Director of Bands Emily Moss, will perform pre-ceremony music and the processional. The National Anthem will be performed by UNM Vocal Performance major Tsvi Harel Bat Asherah, with the Presentation of Colors by the UNM Color Guard led by Cadet Bernadette Deremiah. Following, UNM President Garnett S. Stokes will provide a Welcome to begin the 2024 commencement exercises.

The keynote address will be presented by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. Haaland made history as one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress, and again when she became the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history. Throughout her career in public service, Haaland has broken barriers and opened the doors of opportunity for future generations. Haaland, currently serving as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, received a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1994 and earned her Juris Doctor in Indian law from UNM School of Law in 2006.

Haaland grew up in a military family: Her father was a 30-year combat Marine who was awarded the Silver Star Medal for saving six lives in Vietnam, and her mother was a Navy veteran who served as a federal employee for 25 years at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th-generation New Mexican.

At the age of 28, Haaland enrolled at UNM. As a single mother, Haaland volunteered at her child's preschool to afford early childhood education. Like many parents, she had to rely on food stamps at times as a single parent, lived paycheck to paycheck, and struggled to put herself through college. Her child is now also a UNM alum.

Various groups will also provide greetings as part of the ceremony including (in order):

Board of Regents’ Greeting
Jack Fortner, vice chair, UNM Board of Regents

ASUNM Greeting
Krystah Pacheco, president, Associated Students of The University of New Mexico (ASUNM)

GPSA Greeting
Justin Lauriano, president, Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Keynote Address
Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior

Honorary Degrees
Garnett S. Stokes, UNM president

Douglas M. Brown, UNM Regent Emeritus, Anderson School Dean Emeritus
Fred Harris, former U.S. Senator

Recognition of Graduates with Distinction
Garnett S. Stokes, UNM president

Recognition of Alumni Emeriti

Remarks from Alumni Association
Jaymie Roybal, president, UNM Alumni Association

Conferring Degrees in Course
Recognition of Doctoral and Terminal Degree candidates
Recognition of Master’s Degree candidates
Recognition of Undergraduate Degree candidates

Tassel Ceremony
Garnett S. Stokes, UNM president

Alma Mater
Tsvi Harel Bat Asherah, UNM Vocal Performance major

Recessional
Mariachi Tenampa

For more information on UNM's 2024 Commencement, including the Spring 2024 Graduation Livestream and stories of Inspiring Graduates visit Class of 2024.

Visit graduation.unm.edu/program to view the full program online, including a list of graduates, the history of commencement, and biographies of speakers and performers.