UTEP to celebrate its largest graduating class this weekend

EL PASO, Texas -- It's been a difficult time for the Class of 2022. Many of them spent the majority of their college career dealing with the pandemic, but now they're get their degrees.

UTEP will be celebrating its largest commencement class -- 3,126 students will be walking across the stage beginning on Saturday at the Don Haskins Center.

That includes Reymundo Rivera. The 22-year-old is following in his family footsteps. Rivera is earning his bachelors degree in accounting just like his grandfather, also a UTEP graduate. But he's also pursing a career in the military, just like his father, thanks to UTEP.

"UTEP just opened up so many opportunities for me, especially through Air Force ROTC," he said.

Rivera joined the fairly new Air Force ROTC program, which is also combined with New Mexico State. Rivera served as Cadet Wing Commander, the highest student leadership position within the program. He said the program and his business classes helped him gain important life skills.

"Just being part of something that's bigger than myself, is what really fascinated me and at the same time, I was able to get my degree," Rivera said. "From the time that i came in as a freshman to now graduating as a senior, I honestly am different person for the better and just (have) a lot more experience, leadership and just confidence overall."

Rivera will go on to become a contracting officer at the Hulburt Field Air Force Base in Florida.

Graduation ceremonies begin at 1 p.m. Saturday May 14 at the Don Haskins Center with the College of Health Sciences and Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy.

The ceremonies will run until Sunday.

To view the entire schedule, click here.

The will be a clear bag policy in place for those who are attending the ceremony, you can read more about it here.

For more information, like where you can park and what items are not allowed into the Don Haskins, click here.