IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12-11-07 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SILVER CITY- Kelly Logan of Albuquerque, N.M. and Yadira Rivera of San Elizario, Texas have been selected as the student response speakers for the Western New Mexico University fall commencement ceremony to be held on Friday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the WNMU Fine Arts Center Theatre. Dr. Howie Morales, Grant County Clerk and WNMU alumnus, will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the baccalaureate students will be Ms. Logan.
She is an honors graduate with a 3.7 grade point average and has just earned
a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with a minor in chemical dependency.
After graduation she plans to attend New Mexico State University to pursue
a master’s degree in criminal justice, in hopes of becoming a prison
treatment facilitator.
While attending WNMU, Logan was involved in the Gamma Psi Sorority, Alpha Phi Sigma (National Criminal Justice Honor Society), Criminal Justice Club, WNMU Honors Program, and worked on campus for almost three years. She was President of both Alpha Phi Sigma and the Criminal Justice Club for two years.
Prior to attending WNMU, Logan graduated from Valley High School in 2004 from Albuquerque. “My decision for attending WNMU was because I was looking for a change and I heard Western had a good Criminal Justice Program with very caring professors,” said Logan.
Logan, who is graduating after just three and a half years, says she knows she made the right choice in choosing to enroll at Western.
“Attending WNMU made me realize who I was and what I wanted to do in life. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my professors.” Logan said, “While attending WNMU, I have made lifelong friends and met some of the greatest people that I could have ever hoped for. I am honored to be chosen to be a graduation response speaker.”
Logan is the daughter of Albuquerque residents, Leni and Doug Logan. She also has two brothers, Ryan and Andrew of Albuquerque.
The graduate response speaker is Ms. Rivera. She just earned a master of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies at WNMU with a 4.0 grade point average. She previously earned a bachelor of art degree in elementary education from WNMU.
Rivera is currently working at the San Elizario Elementary School. Her goal
is to teach Kindergarten. She is also plans to attend the University of New
Mexico in a couple years to obtain a doctorate degree.
Rivera was active in many organizations and events while a student at Western. She participated in the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A.) club and the Society for Education and Politics (SEP).
Rivera chose Western because she always heard that the university had one of the best education programs in the country. She said attending Western changed her life tremendously.
“Western gave me the opportunity to be the first generation in my family to attend college,” Rivera says. She also had the opportunity to go on a few trips. One trip was to Las Vegas for the Modern United Nations competition. The other trip was a two-week class trip to Copper Canyon in Mexico.
“I am very excited to be chosen as a student response speaker and look forward to speaking at graduation.”
Before attending WNMU, Rivera graduated from San Elizario High School in 2001.
She is the daughter of Juan and Martha Rivera of San Elizario and has two brothers, Jorge and Jose, and two sisters, Cindy and Jackie.
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