Mesalands held their commencement ceremony last Friday

May 14, 2013

Williamson accepts her Associate of Arts Degree in Pre-Medicine from J. Bronson Moore, Mesalands Board of Trustees Chair.

Mesalands Community College held their commencement ceremony on May 10, 2013, at the Tucumcari Convention Center. For the first time at Mesalands, the College had one commencement ceremony for students graduating with an Associate’s Degree, a Certificate, or a General Education Development (GED®) diploma.

Donald C. Schutte, Attorney at Law in Tucumcari delivered the commencement speech and commended the graduates for their achievements.

“We are here because of the students. We are here to celebrate their desire, their accomplishment of their goals. We are here to celebrate with you as you receive your diplomas, your certificates, and your GED®. Never underestimate desire,” Schutte said. “I’m aware of two tremendous examples of that commitment and that desire. Above all other things that desire was there. Tara Jimenez and Nikki (Dolores) Vasquez, are two such examples of tremendous commitment and desire to overcome obstacles. It has not been an easy road for you, but you had the desire and you made the commitment to achieve the results we have here today.”

Donald C. Schutte, Attorney at Law in Tucumcari, delivered the commencement speech.

Graduate Megan Williamson gave the student graduation address. Williamson had the opportunity to graduate with her Mother, Julie Keck on Friday. Both received their Associate of Arts Degree. Earlier this year, Keck and Williamson were also both selected to the 2013 All-State New Mexico Academic Team. Williamson shared the importance of these milestones in her heart-felt speech.

“It’s not very often that a mom and daughter get to graduate together. But I think that’s what makes this such an honor today. Thank you Julie Keck for the constant challenges that you have always set up for me. Thank you for all of the love and encouragement that you bestowed upon me. The greatest honor I think of while being here at Mesalands was having you by my side and graduating with you today. I’m truly proud of you,” Williamson said. “To all of you that sit before me congratulations! You have completed what you have come here to do, whether it was a GED®, a certificate, or an Associate’s Degree. It’s yours and no one else can ever change that. Congratulations!”

Music was provided by the Tucumcari High School Band. A reception in honor of the graduates and their guests followed commencement.

Mesalands Community College Graduating Class of 2013

Associate of Arts Degree

Kelbee Cheeney **
Julie Keck **+
Justin Kurtz
Sandi Missildine
Shelby Rita **
Jeanie Sohn
Leo Stanfill **
April Stone ***
Megan Williamson **+

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Jamie Alderete Tara Jimenez
Andres Calbert ***+ Cody Lensman *
Janna Callison ** Tessa Lindsey *+
Travis Callison April Martinez *+
Bryan Cassidy ***+ Melnesha Murphy
Benjamin Catron *** KC Peterson
Kody Decker ** Wilson Pike
Tel Honeycutt * Thomas Smith
Perfy Jasper *** Leo Stanfill **

Certificates

Olga Acosta Tel Honeycutt *
Samuel Adams Perfy Jasper
Dillon Archuleta Lacy Kimbrell
John Armijo Steven Kimbrell
Gabriel Baca Jimmy Jay Kirlin
Clarissa Barreras Adriano Long
Heather Bason Michael Lovato
Dennis Benavidez Justin Marshall
Andre Benitez April Martinez *+
Trey Blackmore Esteban Martinez III
David Bradford Alfred McIntosh
Johnnie Bryant David Miller
Tracy Carpenter Joshua Montoya
David Chavez Floyd Mosier
Jake Chavez Kaitlin Mowles
Troy Chavkin Justin Nicovich **
Spencer Childress Alerico Padilla
Kevin Dalluge Wyatt Payne
Craig Douglass Shawn Pinto
Jordan Elofson ** Terrence Porter
KC Fitzwater Paul Rodgers
PJ Fitzwater David Rodriguez
Twila Fluhman ** Dustin Romero
Joylu Frasher-Gabbert Samantha Sanchez
Michael Galik Nickolas Schilla
Eric Garcia Tramae Skinner
Noah Garcia Mindy Tweedie
Mark Graham Dolores Vazquez
Douglas Green James Welch
William Grenfell * A.J. Williams
Duane Harb Jason Witterman **
Karl Henckel Evan Wrons
Jared Holmann Garrett Yingst *

***Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.80 or higher)
**Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.50 – 3.79)
*Cum Laude (GPA 3.25 – 3.49)
+Member Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
^Twelve Week Wind Program

General Education Diploma

Sara Amaro Jennifer Hebel
Lance Bender Mindy Hinders
Matthew Carrera Samitra Hurd
Michael Even Jacqulin Hyslop
Christopher Madrid Jacob Johnson
Saray Marquez Marcelina Lopez
Hanna Norton Rudy Lopez
Joe Rivali-Cordova Morgan Mc Vay
Kevin Blackmon  Amber Meguire
David Brown Charlie Morgan
Kaitlyn Callis Geanie Poling
Samantha Carabajal Jonathan Riggs
Joshua Chavez Jordan Roberts
Rebeca Cordova Antonio Sandoval
Mike Cryer Pricilla Sena
John Cunningham Charles Stines
Dallas Day Arthur Tixier
Ashley Ely Jennifer Urioste
Sanda Garrett Jessica Warren
Farah Garcia Dorothy Wilkerson