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PACKED CAMPUS CELEBRATES LUNA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLASS OF 2026
New Release
Las Vegas, NM — A packed campus filled with family, friends, faculty, staff, and supporters welcomed the Class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies at Luna Community College.
Celebrating 56 years as the “People’s College”, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services Dr. Henrietta Romero welcomed an estimated crowd of nearly 1,200 attendees for the ceremony on Saturday, May 9. With both the primary venue and overflow viewing rooms filled to capacity as supporters gathered to honor the graduating class.
A total of 115 students proudly crossed the stage during the ceremony, representing a significant portion of the college’s 128 credential applicants for the academic year. Of the 128 applicants, 81 percent were in-state/in-district students representing the communities of Las Vegas, Santa Rosa, Mora, Springer, Maxwell, and Wagon Mound. An additional 10 percent were in-state students residing outside Luna’s general serving region, while 9 percent represented out-of-state students.
The graduating class also included 16 Adult Basic Education students and nine dual credit students who were enrolled at Luna while completing high school studies. The dual credit
students represented schools from across the region, including four students from West Las Vegas High School, two from Robertson High School, one from Santa Rosa High School, one homeschool student, and one student from Mora High School.
Four graduating students were selected by the commencement committee to address their fellow classmates during the ceremony, sharing their personal journeys and words of encouragement. The student speakers were Sophia Martinez, Marcelino Molina, Angelica Ortzow, and Fayla Ray.
“The Class of 2026 reflects Luna’s mission of preparing students for success in both their careers and communities,” said Luna President, Dr. Carol Linder. “The commencement ceremony also reflects Luna’s vision of developing future leaders who are ready to create positive change.”
The ceremony reflected broad institutional support, with all seven members of the Board of Trustees in attendance. Board Chair Dr. Phyllis Martinez addressed the graduating students and recognized the families, friends, faculty, staff and all those who contributed to the celebration, while acknowledging faculty for their role in supporting student success. Leadership from Shared Governance, academic directors, and Luna staff also participated in celebrating the graduating class.
A special highlight of the ceremony was the live musical performance provided by 33 student musicians from the West Las Vegas High School Band, who performed the processional and recessional music for graduates and guests.
We thank our students for choosing Luna Community College and extend our appreciation to the graduating students, their families, faculty, staff, and community supporters who helped make the event a memorable celebration. Through the continued support of the communities it serves, Luna remains committed to being the “People’s College”.