MinerAlert
MinerAlert
More than 400 graduates from the UTEP College of Engineering, joined by families, friends, faculty, and staff, filled the Don Haskins Center on Thursday, December 11 for the college’s traditional Pre-Commencement Ceremony — an event held every semester to honor the achievements, growth, and commitment of graduating engineers. The ceremony features time-honored traditions including the ringing of the College of Engineering Bell, the Order of the Engineer induction, and the Graduate Hooding Ceremony.
This fall, the college celebrates 451 graduates, including the largest undergraduate class in its history with 318 students. Kenith Meissner, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering welcomed attendees with a message of pride and reflection.
“Today marks a major milestone — not just for you as individuals, but for our entire UTEP Engineering community,” Meissner said. “You’ve taken one of the most challenging academic journeys the university has to offer — and you succeeded with persistence, teamwork, and creativity.”
Before the evening’s recognitions began, the college upheld a signature tradition: ringing the College of Engineering Bell. Held at the start of every Pre-Commencement Ceremony, the bell symbolizes the transition from student to graduate and honors the perseverance and integrity of the UTEP Engineering community. This semester, the honor went to Peter Golding, Ph.D., a longtime pillar of the college and Grand Marshal of the Commencement Ceremony.
Several programs reached historic milestones, including:
In addition, 122 undergraduates — nearly 40% — graduated with honors, the highest number and percentage ever recorded for the college. “These numbers are extraordinary, but behind every statistic is a story,” Meissner said. “Stories of late nights, tough challenges, breakthroughs, and transformation. Today, we celebrate who you’ve become: engineers, computer scientists, innovators, and leaders.”
The ceremony also honored one of the profession’s most meaningful traditions: induction of graduating students into the Order of the Engineer. Rooted in responsibility, humility, and service, the Order reinforces the ethical foundation of engineering practice. Graduates who participated recited the Obligation of the Engineer, pledging to uphold honesty, integrity, and dedication to the public good. This pledge is more than a formality — it is a lifelong commitment to use engineering knowledge ethically and for the benefit of society. Each inductee received the stainless-steel Engineer’s Ring, worn on the fifth finger of the working hand as a daily reminder of the weight and responsibility carried by the profession.
The evening also featured the Graduate Hooding Ceremony for master’s and doctoral students, a deeply personal tradition that takes place every semester. Each graduate was hooded by their faculty advisor, the mentor who guided their research, technical growth, and academic development. The simple yet powerful act of placing the hood over the graduate’s shoulders marks their transition from student to professional.
In one of the most resonant parts of his remarks, Meissner urged graduates to distinguish between knowledge and insight, sharing an anecdote from his own undergraduate years in electrical engineering. While knowledge equips students with equations, formulas, and algorithms, he explained, insight is what transforms those tools into meaningful solutions. “The challenge of creating is not just in the equations,” he told graduates. “It is in the insight to create valuable solutions that solve real-world problems.”
This graduating class also reflects a remarkable range of life experiences. The youngest graduate — earning a B.S. in Computer Science — is 19 years old, while the youngest master’s graduate, from the M.S. in Software Engineering program, is 21. At the other end of the spectrum, the college’s most seasoned graduate, age 57, completed an M.S. in Systems Engineering, demonstrating that learning and innovation have no age limit.
In closing, Dean Meissner reminded graduates that insight — not just knowledge — will define their impact. “As you begin shaping the world with your ideas, remember the difference between a perfect idea and a valuable solution,” he said. “Show what happens when creativity lives in your head and in your heart.”
Graduates will continue celebrations at UTEP’s official Commencement ceremony on Saturday, carrying forward the Miner spirit and the responsibility to engineer meaningful change.