MinerAlert
MinerAlert
With pride, tradition, and a sense of reflection, the College of Engineering honored its largest graduating class since the pandemic at the Spring 2025 Pre-Commencement Ceremony. Held on the morning of Saturday, May 17, 2025 in El Paso Convention Center. This special event combined two important traditions, the Order of the Engineer Ceremony and the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, to celebrate the academic and personal journeys of graduating students.
The theme for the ceremony was inspired by a powerful reflection: “The bridge is too short.” Once spoken as a phrase of uncertainty, it has since transformed into a bold declaration. The journey toward an engineering or computer science degree isn’t just a path, it’s a promise. Like maintaining a strong connection to one’s purpose, it requires patience, trust and commitment through every high and low. Building that bridge meant facing setbacks, unexpected turns, and moments of doubt. But the students honored at the ceremony chose to stay the course. They showed up, again and again, meeting each challenge not as a barrier, but as part of the bond they’ve formed with their profession. Through late nights, tough exams, and relentless problem-solving, they proved that when you remain loyal to your calling, when you refuse to give up, the bridge will always carry you forward.
As part of the Order of the Engineer, Bachelor of Science candidates recited the Obligation of an Engineer, a statement of ethics and responsibility in the engineering profession. This ceremony is a rite of passage that underscores the commitment engineers make to uphold the public trust. After taking the oath, students received a steel ring worn on the working hand’s little finger, symbolizing their dedication to the values of integrity, humility, and professional excellence. Modeled after the Canadian “Iron Ring” ceremony, the tradition has become a powerful symbol across the United States, reminding engineers to serve humanity with skill and conscience.
Graduate students also had their moment of distinction through the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, where master’s and doctoral candidates were hooded by their advisors in recognition of their academic achievements and contributions to their respective fields.
“This graduating class exemplifies the resilience and determination that define our engineering community,” said Kenith Meissner, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering. “Their journey has been marked by challenges, but their commitment to excellence has led them to this significant milestone. I am confident that they will continue to build bridges, both literal and metaphorical, that connect and uplift communities.”
This semester, 301 undergraduates, 103 master’s students, and six doctoral candidates reached a major academic milestone. Of those, 119 undergraduate students, nearly 40% earned their degrees with Honors, setting a record for the college. The Spring 2025 class also includes a record 255 Hispanic undergraduates, making up 85% of the undergraduate cohort, and approximately 50.6% of graduating seniors identify as first-generation college students, highlighting UTEP’s role as a national leader in advancing equity and opportunity in higher education.
The event also recognized individuals whose academic excellence and UTEP Edge engagement set them apart. Student marshals and banner bearers were honored for their leadership, scholarship, and impact on the UTEP community. They led their peers into the Don Haskins Center for UTEP Commencement, carrying the College of Engineering banner and symbolizing the pride and potential of their graduating class. Faculty and staff were also recognized for their contributions, serving in key ceremonial roles as part of the processional and celebration.
Notable achievements from the Spring and Summer 2025 graduating class highlight both academic excellence and the continued growth of UTEP’s engineering programs. The College of Engineering celebrates a combined total of 496 graduates across Spring and Summer 2025, the largest number since the pandemic. Among them is a 16-year-old student graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, making history as the youngest graduate ever from the College of Engineering. The class also includes a record 103 graduates from the BS in Computer Science program, along with a record spring cohort of 10 graduates from the MS in Computer Science program. The Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering program continues to expand, with 11 students earning their bachelor’s degrees, more than double the number from Spring 2024, and two students completing the MS in Aerospace Engineering, among the first graduates of the program since its launch in AY 2024–2025. Additionally, the college proudly recognizes its youngest master’s graduate, a 21-year-old earning an MS in Computer Science, and its oldest graduate, a 57-year-old earning an MS in Construction Management, reflecting the diversity, resilience, and ambition of UTEP’s engineering community.
As the Class of Spring 2025 celebrated their moment, surrounded by family, friends, mentors, and peers, the message was clear: the bridge was never too short. It simply needed to be built, step by step, with purpose. And now, it’s time to build what’s next.