111 years ago, the University of New Mexico held its first commencement in Grant's Opera House in downtown Albuquerque. The Class of 1894 totaled six graduates, all receiving a bachelor of pedagogy degree from the Normal (teacher education) Department. Today the University awards some 4,500 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 200 academic programs each year. UNM salutes the vision, energy and spirit of all the 120,000 living alumni who have helped to make this institution one of the nation’s leading public research universities in 2004.

Commencement 2005 is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14th, at University Arena (the Pit) in Albuquerque. For some graduates the day will mark the end of a long and arduous road, but none will have journeyed there alone. A University of New Mexico education is a community enterprise that involves the encouragement of family and friends, the understanding of co-workers and colleagues, the financial support of alumni and other friends of the university, and of course the collaboration of classmates and the guidance of faculty who accompany students each step of the way. UNM takes this occasion to thank all those who have played a part in the accomplishments of her graduates.

Together, like the spectators in the arenas of ancient Greece, we are privileged to be a “great cloud of witnesses” to the success of UNM’s degree recipients. When we recognize each of them on May 14th at our own arena, we will not only be reflecting on the past, but looking forward to the future they will build for themselves, their communities, and their world. UNM proudly welcomes the Class of 2005 into the company of its distinguished alumni. Go Lobos!