UTEP celebrates thousands of new graduates

Thousands of UTEP students graduated Saturday after years of study.

More than 2,600 brand new UTEP alumni have officially graduated. Dozens of students were the first in their family to graduate from college, and age didn’t matter, even grandparents got their degree, with every student facing different challenges on the road.

“The hardest part would be, I don’t know, balancing everything. Work, school, family, friends. There are a lot of sacrifices involved, a lot of homework, a lot of late nights, a lot of projects,” said Mayra Rodarte, a bachelor of stage management.

They didn’t face them without help, students were thanking their parents, family, friends and even caffeine for getting them through college.

Now, with nothing before them but the future, every student has different plans, from entering the military to teaching others.

As each new graduate stepped out into the world, their professors looked on with smiles on their faces

“I’m extremely proud of them, our students are incredibly hardworking and dedicated, and they’ve overcome so much to get to this point. Not they’re going out to do amazing things,” said Ezra Cappell, an English professor.

“Think about graduate school, that’s always a good option for you, and don’t forget about UTEP, remember us, join the alumni association, and stay in touch,” said Bess Sirmon-Taylor, a speech language pathology professor.

A very warm congratulations to all the new NMSU alumni from everyone at ABC-7.