Adams State University will award over 700 degrees during the two 2025 spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, in Plachy Hall. Adams State Alumnus Dale Mingilton, Class of 1985, is the commencement speaker for the 10 a.m. undergraduate ceremony. Alison Reece will address her fellow post-graduate candidates at 1:30 p.m.
Mingilton will urge students to take control of their own destiny. “I want students to make moves that benefit not only them, but their family and community, those they care about the most.”
Mingilton, a native of Denver is the executive director/foundation and corporate partnership liaison for the Newport News Education Foundation/Newport News Public Schools, he served as the executive director of the Adams 14 Education Foundation in 2013-2024, president/CEO of the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau (BBB) as well as serving as the BBB Foundation’s executive director from 2009-2012. Prior to the BBB, Mingilton enjoyed a successful career of nearly 23 years at FirstBank Holding Company.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mingilton has a long history of community and non-profit involvement. Since 1985, he has served on advisory committees and boards for more than 40 philanthropic, community-oriented organizations.
Mingilton received his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Adams State and was the 2002 Outstanding Alumnus. He and his wife, Teri, have two children: Addison (Angel Lopez) and Ticen.
During the spring undergraduate commencement ceremony, Adams State will award 45 associates, 63 Bachelor of Arts, 71 Bachelor of Science, and 2 Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. The afternoon post-graduate ceremony will award 461 Master of Arts, 33 Master of Business Administration, 4 Master of Public Administration, 19 Master of Science, and 7 Doctorate. Duane Bussey will deliver a greeting from the Board of Trustees. Both ceremonies will feature Mariachi Las Dahlias as musical guests. Those unable to attend in person can visit Adams State Livestream.