Crownpoint – Navajo Technical University students, friends, and family celebrated a momentous occasion Dec. 16 as graduates received their respective program certificates, Associate, and Bachelor’s degrees. The commencement was coordinated by NTU staff and volunteers who helped usher in the graduates. Raymond Redhouse sang traditional songs and a prayer as NTU gathered for the ceremony inside the Wellness Center.

Adinidiin Jones, Miss NTU, began by speaking about celebrating with family and supporting her classmates and the graduates as they pursue further into their careers. Dr. Elmer J. Guy welcomed guests and local dignitaries, including Navajo Nation President-Elect Buu Nygren from Red Mesa, Ariz., Special Guest Speaker the Honorable Bill Richardson, current Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, and many of the people directly involved with the project’s graduation committee. The IT department broadcasted the event on NTU’s YouTube channel.

The ceremony was concluded with congratulatory remarks from Nez and Student Senate President and graduate biology student Jasmin Charley.

In a press release published on Dec. 21, NTU congratulated each of the graduates for their achievements and encouraged them to reach new heights of success. They thanked the faculty, students, and staff for their outstanding support in hosting the commencement ceremony, and gave a special shoutout to their security team and the Navajo Nation Police Department for orchestrating the circumstances that allowed the graduates to celebrate with family while adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Staff Reports