PORTALES, NM – May 17, 2021 – Eastern New Mexico University welcomed faculty and staff in celebration of more than 700 graduates to Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium on Saturday, May 15 for the school’s first outdoor Commencement Ceremony since 1967.
ENMU’s 140th Commencement featured guest speaker Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, speaking to the graduates and several thousand family members in attendance. In total, there were 698 spring and 68 summer graduates. While the ceremony was in person, the ceremony was also streamed online.
Graduates have been walking across the stage in Greyhound Arena since 1967. Prior to that, commencement ceremonies had been traditionally held outdoors at various locations, including the Liberal Arts Terrace at the then-newly-constructed Liberal Arts Building in 1964, the original on-campus Greyhound Stadium – located where the College of Education and College of Business are today – and in an original quadrangle building patio that was located near where the current Music Building stands. Prior to 1949, the school’s Commencement was held at the Portales High School – now Portales Junior High – auditorium.
