San Juan College Graduation Speaker

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 12:00 AM

Jay Paul McWilliams, founder and president of LOGOS Resources LLC, will give the keynote address. San Juan College president Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass will preside over the ceremonies.

San Juan College will hold graduation ceremonies for its students, as well as those who have earned degrees from New Mexico Highlands University – Farmington Center and the University of New Mexico – San Juan Center, beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 14, in the Learning Commons Plaza. A live web stream of the event also will be available at www.sanjuancollege.edu/SJCLiveStream.

Jay Paul McWilliams, founder and president of LOGOS Resources LLC, will give the keynote address. San Juan College president Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass will preside over the ceremonies.

This year San Juan College will award over 1,900 certificates and degrees to more than 1,600 graduates. The ceremony will also recognize 35 graduates of the University of New Mexico – San Juan Center, and nearly 80 graduates from New Mexico Highlands – Farmington Center.

College Board chairman Ken Hare will award diplomas and certificates to students. Faculty members serving as Grand Marshalls are Kari Deswood and Dr. Janet Peterson.

Gayle Dean, executive director of the San Juan College Foundation, will award the Foundation’s Allison Award for Excellence to an outstanding faculty member. Vice President for Learning Dr. Barbara Ake will recognize this year’s honor students.

Music will be by the San Juan College Concert Choir under the direction of Linda Edwards.

The graduate nominated by faculty and selected by the Graduation Committee to represent their class and speak at this year’s ceremonies is Jessica Gomez. Gomez will receive her Associate of Arts in Elementary Education.

Following graduation ceremonies, a reception will be held on the lawn outside the Henderson Fine Arts Center.

More from Local News

Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.
Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly. At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Candidates File for Municipal Elections

Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.