As Spring Commencement approaches and another semester draws to a close, The University of Texas at El Paso Alumni Association presents the Top 10 Seniors award.
The award is given annually to UTEP’s most promising future alumni as they prepare to go out and pursue their careers. The award reflects the true spirit of what it means to be an outstanding Miner.
The Top 10 Seniors for 2016 were selected based on a combination of academic achievement, involvement, leadership and service both in the community and on campus, as well as the impression they made on others during their time at UTEP.
Nominees must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater and be receiving their first undergraduate degree within the current academic year.
Nearly 2,700 graduates and candidates are eligible to walk the stage during The University of Texas at El Paso’s three Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 14, in the Don Haskins Center.
The celebrations will be at 9 a.m. for the College of Liberal Arts; 2 p.m. for the colleges of Education, Business Administration and the School of Nursing; and 7 p.m. for the colleges of Science, Engineering and Health Sciences.
The spring ceremonies mark the 100-year anniversary of Commencement. The State School of Mines and Metallurgy, now UTEP, held its first Commencement on May 30, 1916 in the school’s auditorium, located on what is now Fort Bliss. During that first ceremony, three candidates were presented with Engineer of Mines degrees.
Top 10 Seniors:
Keighton Allen / Major: Economics /Future plans: Master’s degree in economics at UTEP
Oscar Casanova / Major: Finance /Future plans: Analyst at Goldman Sachs
Roya Edalatpour / Major: Electrical Engineering / Future plans: Medical school at Boston University
Paulina Almada Felix / Major: Mechanical Engineering / Future plans: Career as a mechanical engineer
Rodrigo Lugo / Major: Biology / Future plans: Work with a mental health advocacy organization while considering medical or law school
David Morris / Major: Microbiology / Future plans: Army Reserves and medical school at Texas Tech’s Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Monique Navarro / Major: Multidisciplinary Studies / Future plans: Career in family law
Alexis Ramos / Major: Biology / Future plans: Earning an M.D./Ph.D.
Troy Rowden / Majors: English and American Literature, and Philosophy / Future plans: Graduate school
Illeana Rubio / Major: Industrial Engineering / Future plans: Master’s degree in systems engineering
