Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2018
FLAGSTAFF — So many graduates crowded the stage that parents and well-wishers had to scramble to the back of the Ardrey Auditorium at Northern Arizona University in order to take the entire group photo.
So it was at the record-setting 25th annual NAU Hispanic Convocation held May 11 at NAU.
“The Hispanic Convocation recognizes and celebrates the achievements of our Latino, Chicano, and Hispanic students,” university officials reported. “The Hispanic Convocation is an event to celebrate their commitment to this path. Our students will be officially recognized by the University for their leadership, successes, and academic achievements.”
Hundreds of names were listed on the event program.
The Hispanic Convocation, along with the Native American, Black, Rainbow and Veterans Convocations, was held prior to NAU’s four commencement ceremonies from May 12-13 to honor the graduating class of spring 2017. This year’s class of 5,600 students is the largest graduating class NAU has had in a decade, officials reported.
The Hispanic Convocation included opening remarks by Valeria Chase of the NAU Institute for Human Development; Dulce Soto from NAU’s Inclusion and Multicultural Student Services; the traditional invocation by Father Patrick Mowrer of San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church; the welcoming address by NAU President Dr. Rita Hartung Cheng and the Keynote Address by Dr. Monica Brown, a professor in the NAU English Department.
The event also include special remarks by NAU graduate Claudio Sanchez, a former elementary and middle school teacher who is now an education correspondent for NPR. Sanchez is scheduled to receive an honorary doctorate during NAU commencement celebration.
The Hispanic Convocation included the presentation to:
- Kelly Rodriguez — Cesar Chavez Award: Recognizes students with strong leadership skills, a demonstrated care and concern for fellow students, and a history of involvement on behalf of the Hispanic community.
- Ruby Meraz — Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Award: Recognizes students with demonstrated leadership abilities, strong attachments to their cultural heritage, and demonstrated advocacy regarding women’s rights.
- Diana Rodriguez Ruiz — Gabriela Mistral Award: Recognized students with a strong commitment to education and to promoting multicultural understanding.
- Blanca Acosta — Outstanding Hispanic Graduate Student: Recognizes a graduate student that serves as a positive role model for their fellow undergraduate colleagues; with strong leadership skills, demonstrates care and concern for fellow students, and a history of involvement on behalf of the Hispanic community.