Spring Commencement

spring 2021 commencement

Adeline Sabedo, 2021 nursing major, engaged her fellow graduates with humor and insight as the student speaker during the undergraduate ceremony which began at 9 a.m. The undergraduate commencement speaker Senior Judge Carlos Lucero ’61, received an honorary doctorate degree in history and political science.

Ph.D. candidate Melissa O’Neill was the graduate commencement speaker. Adams State students pick-up their diplomas and cross the stage at the first in-person commencement ceremony in over a year.

spring 2021 graduate breakdown

337

Associate and Bachelor degrees awarded

268

Master degrees awarded

6

Ph.D. degrees awarded

undergraduate stats

36%

Identify as first generation

46%

Identify as minority

56%

Colorado residents

spring 2021 spotlight on graduates

Chad Crowther Chad Crowther Finance and Minor in Marketing and Management, with honors Hometown: La Jara, Colorado Crowther held an off campus job throughout his three years at Adams State and appreciates all his supervisors for working around his class and homework schedule. He started his career after graduation with the San Luis Valley Federal Bank as a full-time mortgage loan officer. He was the representative of the Adams State Bulls and Bears Finance Club and graduated debt free.

Emily Martin Emily Martin Music Performance, Summa Cum Laude Hometown: Cortez, Colorado Martin plans on starting graduate school in the fall of 2022 to continue her education in music performance. Thanks to many scholarships she graduated without much loan debt after her four years. She played in the ASU Winds and Percussion Ensemble and the Desert Winds Quartet.

Samantha Margaret McDonald Kinesiology, Exercise Science Emphasis Hometown: West Valley City, Utah A transfer student from Lamar Community College, McDonald began a master’s degree program in dietetics at Washington State University this fall, planning to become a registered dietitian. She appreciated the many opportunities she experienced at Adams State. She received an athletic scholarship to play softball, and held a work-study position in the Rex Activity Center. She also participated in the Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship Grant research.

Isabel Rodriguez

Alfredo Villa II

Isabel Rodriguez Physical Geography and Conservation; Art, Drawing emphasis, with honors Hometown: Santa Fe, New Mexico Rodriguez plans to attend graduate school in scientific illustration. Her dream job is working in the parks service as a scientific illustrator. She received several science and art scholarships while a student as well as being a program assistant for the ASU Rare AIR program and a peer mentor in the NSF mentorship and leadership program.

Alfredo Villa II Mass Communication, Public Relations and Minor in Marketing Hometown: Tucson, Arizona Villa, a first-generation college graduate, will continue playing on the baseball team as he finishes the MBA program at Adams State. He received an athletic scholarship and academic scholarships. He was a summer intern and held off-campus jobs, including coaching baseball for Center High School. Along with being a student athlete, Villa was a New Student Orientation leader.

Kyler Welch Biochemistry, Summa Cum Laude Hometown: Richland, Washington Welch will be the first in his family to earn a doctoral degree. He will start dental school in the fall of 2022. In high school, Welch was a concurrent student and the credits he received from a community college transferred to Adams State, where he completed his degree in three years, with little debt. He played on the men’s lacrosse team and earned a place in the RMAC All-Academic First Team. He was also a member of the Adams Atoms Chemistry Club.

MacKenzie Swanson MacKenzie Swanson Kinesiology Hometown: Houston, Texas Swanson has been accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at New York Medical College. She graduated in four years with no student loan debt. A starter on the volleyball team, she has expanded her horizons since freshman year.

Ian Fryday Ian Fryday Business Administration, Management Emphasis Hometown: San Marcos, California After a total of five years, Fryday will have earned his undergraduate and graduate degree (MBA), debt free, thanks to parental support, academic and athletic scholarships, and a job as a resident assistant. He had a great internship with Cover 0 Sports Agency, and learned the ins and outs of being an NFL agent. He also was a tight end for the Adams State football team.

Chelsea Todd Music Education, Music Performance, and Music Business Hometown: Monte Vista, Colorado A native of the San Luis Valley, Todd hopes to start her music education career in one of the public schools. She received many scholarships and gained experience through her workstudy positions, including as an audio/ visual technician, managing the Richmond Recording Studio, located in the Music Building, and managing chamber ensembles for educational outreach to schools across Colorado.