NMSU holds 1st in-person commencement ceremonies in 2 years

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- About 850 students walked across the coveted New Mexico State University stage Saturday and in the same token etched their name into graduation history - doing it inside the Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Each student was only allowed two guests inside due to Covid-19 safety guidelines, but for some that didn’t get in the way of the whole family turning out and celebrating their grad.

“My son decided,” Caryn Hochgraef said. “He decided to put his grandparents in the ceremony just so they could be part of it and then we all decided we'd sit out here and wait."

Hochgraef and her nearly 20-person family all made the trek from Arizona for one reason.

"Just to celebrate him and to let him know that we really all are encouraging him and behind him 100%,” Hochgraef said. 

Despite the two-person limit it was a special day nonetheless.

"During the whole Covid pandemic we didn't think we would have an actual in person ceremony,” Devon Torres said. “It's not the best circumstances but we'll take what we can get, it's pretty amazing."