Dr. Thom Mason
Dr. Kate O’Neill
UNM-LA NEWS
UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) is pleased to host Honored Guest, Dr. Thom Mason and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kate O’Neill at the 38th UNM-LA Convocation Ceremony Friday May 10 at 6 p.m. in Duane Smith Auditorium.
“We are excited that both Dr. Mason and Dr. O’Neill have accepted our invitation to speak to our graduates,” said UNM-LA CEO Dr. Cindy Rooney. “Their willingness to participate in the ceremony that honors our graduates demonstrates the importance they place on higher education and their commitment to UNM-Los Alamos.”
Dr. Thom Mason will present the first address to the graduating students. Dr. Mason is Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and President and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC (Triad). Prior to his current position, Mason was the Senior Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle where he had responsibility for governance and strategy across the six National Laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages. Mason previously worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 19 years, including 10 years as the Laboratory Director. He has a BS in Physics from Dalhousie University and a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from McMaster University.
Dr. Kate O’Neill will provide the keynote address at the Convocation. Dr. O’Neill is Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED), overseeing the public university campuses across the state. O’Neill served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) for 12 years before stepping aside in 2018. She served as special assistant to the incoming UNM-Taos CEO before being nominated by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to serve as Cabinet Secretary for HED. O’Neill graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Art History. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Harvard University.
The public is invited to attend the commencement ceremony, as well as the reception following the ceremony. For further information about UNM-Los Alamos, visit losalamos.unm.edu or call 505-662-5919.
UNM-Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous, and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Dr. Kate O’Neill, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Higher Education Department, will deliver the keynote address at the UNM-LA Convocation Ceremony on May 10.
Dr. Thom Mason, Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and President and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC will attend UNM-LA’s commencement ceremony and speak as an honored guest.