Eastern Arizona College held its 134th Commencement Ceremony at John Mickelson Stadium, where 853 degrees and certificates were awarded to 710 graduates. The graduating class included students from 13 Arizona counties, 14 U.S. states, and eight countries, including Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, and the United States of America. The ceremony was attended by College faculty, staff, elected officials, and the graduates’ friends and families.
Mark Wren, president of Eastern Arizona College Associated Students, called the ceremony to order. EAC President Todd Haynie welcomed attendees and officiated the event. Jeff Larson, chair of the Graham County Community College District Governing Board, formally accepted the candidates for graduation.
The commencement address was delivered by Representative Teresa Martinez who serves as majority whip of the Arizona House of Representatives. Rep. Martinez has extensive political experience, having served in staff positions for two members of Congress and the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, and as political director for the Arizona Republican Party. Raised in Casa Grande, Ariz., she is a dedicated single mother. Prior to her political career, Rep. Martinez taught as a long-term substitute at her alma mater, Casa Grande Union High School, and worked at the local Frito Lay factory.
In a compelling address, Rep. Martinez underscored the historic significance of Eastern Arizona College as the state’s first community college. She highlighted the unique distinction of EAC having the only community college marching band in Arizona, which annually performs the Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America at the state legislature—a fact that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Rep. Martinez further motivated the graduates by emphasizing the importance of perseverance. She shared inspiring stories of overcoming challenges to illustrate the profound impact of persistence, determination, and imagination on achieving success. “What it takes is imagination, compassion, love, and an unwillingness to give up,” she declared, urging the graduates to embody these virtues to make a significant impact.
In her concluding remarks, Rep. Martinez envisioned the significant contributions the graduates could make, from achieving global peace to pioneering technological advances. She encouraged them to use their skills and determination to effect meaningful changes globally. Her speech culminated with a powerful declaration: “With grit, determination, perseverance, self-discipline, and a little bit of crazy, you can become champions.”
Kehng Begay, a native of Greasewood, Ariz., represented the EAC Class of 2024. A graduate of Holbrook High School, he received an associate degree in sports medicine during the commencement ceremony.
Begay delivered an inspiring speech highlighting his journey and the cultural lessons learned from his Navajo heritage. He introduced the audience to the Navajo word “yéégo,” meaning “keep going,” a mantra from his grandfather that propelled him through life challenges. Begay credited his grandparents and sister for transforming his life’s trajectory. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and the valuable lessons learned from failures, encouraging his classmates to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. Begay’s speech was a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of educational opportunities at EAC, leaving his fellow graduates with a call to continue striving and learning in the next chapters of their lives.
Michael Fox, a business professor at EAC, represented the faculty and staff. A graduate of Safford High School, he earned an associate degree in communications technology and Mandarin Chinese from the Community College of the Air Force, followed by a bachelor’s degree in business from Wayland Baptist University, and a master’s degree in management from Northern Arizona University.
Professor Fox shared a personal story about his son’s recovery from a severe accident, highlighting the extraordinary human connections forged in times of need. Speaking to the graduating class, he recounted the pivotal encounter with a young man who lifted his spirits with humor during a challenging time at the hospital, ultimately inspiring him to continue advocating for his son.
Fox emphasized the significance of community and collective responsibility, particularly in today’s culture marked by pronounced individualism. He urged the graduates to transcend societal tendencies of self-centeredness and instead actively engage in their communities. “Live your life so that you can be part of this miracle of recognizing needs and actually doing something about it,” Fox said.
The ceremony also featured a presentation of the Changing Lives Award to Jeff Henley, an associate professor of graphic design at EAC. Henley was honored for his dedication to student success and his impactful teaching style, which deeply resonates with his students.
EAC’s graduating Class of 2024 are set to pursue diverse paths, with many immediately entering in-demand careers and others advancing to four-year universities. Their future roles span business, education, engineering, finance, law, medicine, music, and many other fields.
###