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Honoring the College of Education Class of 1968

Posted on June 22, 2018

parade of books

A third grade class studying people who have made changes in society brought to life the book Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez.

College of Education alumni from the Class of 1968 were honored on May 11, 2018 at the College’s Golden Graduates Day. First, alumni from the Class of 1968 had the opportunity to visit La Mesa Elementary School where the College operates a teacher preparation program in arts integration. “It was fabulous,” said Ellen Lipsman (Rosenblum) ’68, who travelled from Florida to reconnect with former classmates and take part in the festivities. The fifth grade pop choir performed and elementary students showed off what they learned through a “Parade of Books” and dedicated the courtyard mural they created based on their study of migration.

Ivonne Orozco

Ivonne Orozco, 2018 New Mexico Teacher of the Year and UNM graduate student, provided the keynote address at the Golden Graduates Reception

In the afternoon, the 2018 New Mexico teacher of the Year and UNM graduate student Ivonne Orozco spoke at the College’s Golden Graduates Reception in Hodgin Hall. “I am the first in my family to go to college, not to mention finish graduate school, but I have not done this alone. I’ve had an incredible amount of support. I am a proud recipient of the Emma Showman Endowed Scholarship here at the College of Education. This funding allowed me to attend graduate school without hesitation as a full-time teacher.”

The College’s Department Chairs attended the reception and brought updates for alumni on the College’s wide variety of academic programs from nutrition to family studies to special education. Dean Salvador Hector Ochoa provided an overview on the College and its recent initiatives. “I was so glad to meet the Dean and hear about the new interdisciplinary approaches to preparing teachers,” said Marie Fritz , PhD (Fischer) ‘68.

“It was so good to see ‘old’ college friends and find out what they’ve been up to for the past 50 years, said Patricia Salisbury ’68. “The reception made us feel so special. The College of Education is in good hands!”

On Saturday, May 12, some members of the Class of 1968 chose to wear golden robes and take part as honored guests at the UNM Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremony at Dreamstyle Arena, aka “The Pit.” UNM President Garnett S. Stokes was installed as the University’s 23rd President and over 3,800 students celebrated receiving their degrees. Kay Glantz (Martin) ’68 travelled from Arizona for the celebrations. “I am so glad that I came back to participate in the graduation ceremony on Saturday morning. My husband took many pictures that I can share!”

Class of 1968

Back row: L to R: Dean Hector Ochoa, PhD; Stephen Fritz; Merle Benson, PhD; Tom Ortega; Lenton Malry, PhD; Joy Malry (Green); Ernest Lange, PhD; Jan Lockhart (McClellan).
Front row: L to R: Dorella Perea (Caire); Marie Fritz, PhD (Fischer); Sharon Benson (Stovall); Helen Ortega (Ferran); Kay Glantz (Martin); Patricia Salisbury.