UNM-LA NEWS RELEASE
UNM-Los Alamos is excited to announce its 43rd commencement ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Crossroads Bible Church in Los Alamos. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature Liddie Martinez, President of the Los Alamos Region at Enterprise Bank & Trust and Director of Community Engagement, as the keynote speaker.
Ms. Martinez is a well-respected community figure with a 20-year track record in philanthropic programming and investment, particularly in education and economic development. She played a pivotal role in securing federal funding in 1998 for the establishment of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, the first international trail ever established, later added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. Additionally, Ms. Martinez is an accomplished author and freelance writer, known for her monthly food column in the Los Alamos Daily Post, where she shares traditional Northern New Mexican recipes. Her passion for cultural preservation led her to publish a cookbook in November 2019, The Chile Line: Historic Northern New Mexico Recipes, documenting family recipes passed down orally for over four centuries. Graduates can look forward to gaining valuable insights from her keynote address as they embark on their own journeys.
Joining Ms. Martinez as a special guest is Dr. Thom Mason, Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Dr. Mason assumed his role as the 12th Director of LANL and President of Triad National Security, LLC in November 2018. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Mason has been instrumental in designing and constructing scientific instrumentation and facilities, applying nuclear, computing, and materials sciences to address critical challenges in energy and national security. Prior to his current role, he served as the Senior Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle and spent 19 years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), including a decade as the Laboratory Director. Dr. Mason’s community involvement in Oak Ridge included chairing the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation and Innovation Valley, the regional economic development organization. He holds a PhD in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from McMaster University and a BSc in Physics from Dalhousie University.
“We are honored to have Dr. Mason and Ms. Martinez join us for our 43rd commencement ceremony,” said UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Dr. Mike Holtzclaw. “Their dedication to public service and leadership in our community are a source of inspiration for our graduates.”
The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of UNM-Los Alamos’s graduating class of 2024, which includes students from diverse academic programs. UNM-Los Alamos, a branch campus of the University of New Mexico, offers a variety of associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs.
“We take great pride in our graduates and the commitment they have shown throughout their academic paths,” Dr. Holtzclaw added. “As they enter upon the next phase of their lives, we extend our best wishes and eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will have in our community and beyond.”
UNM-Los Alamos is recognized for its innovative, rigorous, and affordable programs, providing students with a strong foundation for their future endeavors. For more information about UNM-Los Alamos, visit losalamos.unm.edu.