December 2014 Commencement: A photo essay

Chelsea Rodriguez, a decorated Skyhawk Softball player, graduates with a History major and a job coaching softball at Durango High School.

There’s no better time for selfies than graduation day.

Marketing majors Greer Taylor and Luke Prince sport medals for their cum laude honors.

Physics major Luke Hullinger and Biology major Deidra Succo line up to enter the gymnasium.

Education majors show off their mortarboards.

Will Morrison, the oldest graduate to walk at Commencement, was encouraged by professor Amy Wendland to return to school for an Art degree.

The FLC faculty process across campus by the Dale Rea Clocktower.

Provost Barbara Morris and President Dene Kay Thomas score high-fives from the graduating seniors on their way through the gauntlet.

The drum line is one of many musical interludes during the ceremony.

Graduates listen intently.

President Thomas, right, welcomes students, friends, and families to December Commencement, joined by Dian Jenkins, Director of Disability Services.

The December 2014 graduating class numbers more than 220 students.

Commencement speaker and assistant professor of Chemistry Kenny Miller encourages the students with an analogy between rock climbing and the lives of graduates. “What we’ve tried to do is teach you the basics that you’ll need to live the life you want to lead, to accomplish the enormous goals that you want to accomplish, to climb metaphorical imposing cliffs and mountains that lay in your future,” he said. “In a way, you’ve spent your entire life on belay, relatively safely tied into the rope while your mentors have taught you how to lead. From this day forward, you’re on the sharp end of the rope.”

The Bala Sinem Choir performs the Celebration Song before the degrees are officially conferred.

Gigi Baty, representing the FLC Alumni Association, delivers the command for graduates to launch their hats into the air …

Richard Fulton, director of the Teacher Education Department, poses with English major Celeste Malouf.

Melanie Weber-Sauer, Biology major, and her mom smile in front of the Student Life Center after the ceremony.

So much pride and happiness on this campus.

Philosophy professor Justin McBrayer stands with one of his students, Philosophy major Samuel Lloyd.

Brandon Jesus, Environmental Studies, and Deina Barton, Public Health, smile with their family.

Claira Sallenbach, Exercise Science, gets some support from her siblings.

Jenna Bothner, Exercise Science, and her family wear scarves from Ghana, where she studied abroad. 

Kaylen Fields, Sociology & Human Services, and her family stand in front of the clocktower.