Portales, NM – May 5, 2025 – Eastern New Mexico University welcomes graduates and their families to Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena at the Eastern New Mexico University campus on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. to celebrate their academic achievements as part of the one hundred forty-eighth commencement ceremony. Professor Michael Boit, an ENMU alumnus, Olympic medal winner, and retired associate professor of recreation management and exercise science from Kenyatta University in Kenya, will give the commencement address.

Boit, a 1976 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, is one of the most storied athletes in Eastern New Mexico University's history. Even before stepping on campus, Boit was a bronze medal winner in the 800 meters at the 1972 Olympics. Boit went on to have a storied track and field career both here at ENMU—where he still holds 10 school records—as well as internationally, winning a silver medal at the 1974 Commonwealth games, a silver medal at the 1977 World Cup in Athletics, a gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth games, and a bronze medal at the 1982 Commonwealth games.

Boit has several athletic recognitions to his name, including Sports Man of the Year in Kenya in 1981, induction into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 1981, NAIA Hall of Fame in 1982, and the Eastern New Mexico University Hall of Honor in 1984

Boit is an accomplished academic, holding a bachelor's degree from Eastern New Mexico University, two master's degrees from Stanford University, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Oregon. He also received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Glasgow in 2014.

Over his career, Boit has had several academic and athletic appointments having served as a member of the International Special Olympics Board, a member of the International Amateur Athletic Foundation, director of the International Association of Athletics Federation Athletics Academy at Kenyatta University, member of the Mathare United Sports Association board of trustees, and chairman for the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at Kenyatta University. 

Seven hundred forty-six students are expected to graduate from ENMU, earning 418 bachelor's degrees, 142 master's degrees, and 186 associate degrees. The graduation class will feature students from New Mexico, 35 other states, and seven countries.

"Commencement is an honored and important part of the education journey as well as a celebration," said James Johnston, ENMU chancellor. "We, as a university, celebrate the achievements of our students as they receive university degrees. We also recognize excellence among our faculty in fulfilling their roles in the education process. Finally, we honor those who have had a significant impact as entrepreneurs and within their communities." 

During the ceremony, ENMU will also bestow honorary doctorate degrees upon three distinguished business leaders. The candidates' entrepreneurial and community impact in their respective fields is an extraordinary example of what it means to be a Greyhound. 

The Candidates are:

Steve Loy – business leader, sports agent, coach, and champion of ENMU

Max Merrick – business leader, Eastern New Mexico developer, and champion of ENMU

June Merrick – business leader, Eastern New Mexico developer, and champion of ENMU

Honorary degrees—the highest recognition the University can bestow—are awarded by the Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents and conferred by System Chancellor James Johnston during commencement exercises. These honorary degrees are not academic credentials but part of a broader initiative to raise the visibility of student success and showcase Greyhound values, honoring those who exemplify these values through their calls to service, community, fellowship, and contributions to society. Honorary doctorates are a shining example of what is possible after graduation for ENMU students' past, present, and future.

Additional ceremony highlights include the Faculty Excellence Awards, which are presented to the ENMU faculty for excelling in Advising, Service, Teaching and Research, and Scholarly and Creative Activities. The Honor Guard from Cannon Air Force Base will present the colors, and the National Anthem and Alma Mater will be sung by graduating ENMU students.

The ENMU graduation ceremony will be live-streamed on the main ENMU website at enmu.edu. For more information on the ENMU commencement ceremonies, please visit www.enmu.edu/Commencement.