The Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and member of the Governor’s Cabinet Angie Paccione, Ph.D. will deliver the Adams State University Spring 2022 Undergraduate Commencement Address. The undergraduate ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in Plachy Hall. Adams State will award 120 associate degrees and 192 bachelor’s degrees.
Paccione has been a professional athlete; high school educator; administrator; coach; university professor; state legislator; global corporate consultant; and an award-winning author. Through all the work she has done, Paccione continues to be committed to activating the potential of others.
Paccione believes that not activating potential is a tragedy. Her address, “Everyone has potential- what shall we do with potential?” will speak to the students regarding their mission and vision to empower others. “Adams State is an activator of potential because education is the greatest activator.”
A passionate believer in higher education, Paccione understands the importance of Adams State. The geography of our state and country is diverse, so education needs are different. “As an institution, Adams State is invaluable, as it is intentional in serving the regional community and works to maximize earning potential through education and activating potential.”
Adams State is Colorado’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution. “Adams State is accessible to Hispanic and Latinx students which is critical in maximizing employment, and fulfillment through education,” Paccione said. “It is an institution that creates a clear priority to serving its community without exclusion. For over 20 years, Adams State has been a pioneer in HSI designation which the tells community, ‘We care, and we are here to serve you.’”
Mary Benavidez will deliver the message from the Class of 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology. Her husband, Michael, and their son, Oliver, also received their bachelor degrees at the ceremony. Benavidez served as the as Vice President of Associated Students and Faculty this past year. She was also active in academic and other campus clubs. Benavidez presented original work at Adams State and regional conferences and served as a teaching and research assistant. She accomplished many academic honors including placing first in the 2022 Student Scholar Days poster and abstract competition. Benavidez will begin Adams State’s Counselor Education master’s program this fall. A first-generation college graduate, she began her great story at Adams State in 1997, but put her educational goals on hold while she raised her family. She believes Adams State defined and shaped her character and helped her mature into the person she is today.
Jonathan N. Marquez, Adams State Class of 2013, will deliver a greeting from the Board of Trustees and William Lipke, D.M.A., will perform Piano Concerto in A Minor by Edvard Grieg, as the special music. Music graduates Felicia Sandoval-Brown, Rian Carrillo, Carlos Gonzalez, and Marshal Hollingsworth, will sing the Alma Mater.
Saturday afternoon the 2022 Spring Graduate Commencement Ceremony will award 382 Master of Arts; 38 Master of Science; 27 Master of Business Administration; and 6 Doctorate degrees. The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. in Plachy Hall. Ian Fryday, who is receiving his MBA will be the commencement speaker.
Family and friends unable to physically attend either commencement ceremony can stream the program live on their computer at adams.edu/live.
