SILVER CITY – Western New Mexico University celebrated the accomplishments of its 2025 spring and summer graduates during a hybrid Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9. A total of 510 students earned degrees or certificates, with 565 credentials awarded overall—many graduates having completed more than one program.
The ceremony combined in-person and virtual components, enabling participation by students on campus and those studying remotely. Of the graduates, 431 chose to take part, with 398 walking across the stage at Ben Altamirano Field and 33 joining virtually.
The university awarded 116 associate degrees, 192 bachelor’s degrees, 143 master’s degrees, 27 graduate certificates, 6 undergraduate certificates, and 26 fast track certificates. An additional five students earned high school equivalency credentials.
Academic excellence was also celebrated, as 158 undergraduate students graduated with honors, achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Three outstanding students—Ariana Medina, Olivia Byers, and Rebekah Stevens—were inducted into the WNMU Student Hall of Fame, recognizing their academic achievements and contributions to the university community.
WNMU faculty were also honored for their commitment to excellence in education. The Faculty Excellence in Teaching Awards went to Associate Professor Becky Brandsberg-Herrera and Assistant Professor Melissa Teller, while Assistant Professor Wenjie Wang received the award for Faculty Excellence in Research. Professor Jennifer Coleman was recognized for Best Online Course Design, and Assistant Professor Sarah Schott for Best Online Course Delivery. The ASWNMU Outstanding Teacher Award was presented to Music Program Coordinator Bryant Chaffino.
Delivering a powerful address in both English and Spanish, Brenda Dominguez Delgadillo, MBA graduate and outgoing ASWNMU President, reflected on the perseverance and sacrifice it took to reach this moment. “Every step you take today,” she told her fellow graduates, “represents your hard work, your determination, and even some caffeine-driven all-nighters. … Each of those moments shaped who we are today: prepared and excited for whatever the future holds. Today, we are not just achieving dreams. We are proving to ourselves and everyone watching that what once seemed impossible is now a reality.”
The Commencement marked a significant milestone in the lives of the graduates and underscored WNMU’s ongoing commitment to student success, academic excellence, and opportunity for all.
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