My sincere thanks to all of you for supporting NAU, our students, faculty and staff throughout the year!
Thank you, Flagstaff for the incredible show of support for our graduates and their families – demonstrating that they are welcome, and that the Flagstaff community was celebrating with them.
My utmost thanks to the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance Executive Director Hunter Hebert and board of directors’ member John Van Landingham with the Old Town Shops, City of Flagstaff Vice Mayor Miranda Sweet and Community Investment Director Dave McIntire, as well as our own community relations team for showcasing Lumberjack pride throughout our celebratory commencement season.
Another special part of commencement this year was our awarding of honorary doctorates to recognize the contributions of members of our Flagstaff community for their contributions to education, public service and community well-being.
These individuals have shaped our communities and our state for the better and their lives and work embody the mission and values of NAU:
Deborah Harris
Deborah’s name is synonymous with service – to NAU, to Flagstaff and to the greater good. Throughout her 30 years in Flagstaff, Deborah has served on the Flagstaff Unified School District Board, including two years as president, and has contributed her leadership to organizations such as United Way, the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council, the Flagstaff Police Department Citizen Liaison Committee, the Flagstaff Symphony, and the Southside Community Association – and, even more enduringly, as a friend and advisor to NAU students, faculty, staff and more than a few university presidents. Deb’s wisdom, compassion and enduring love for NAU and Flagstaff have made all of us better.
Lyndel Manson
Lyndel Manson is a longtime Flagstaff resident who served with exceptional distinction on the Arizona Board of Regents, including time as chair, and has been a fierce advocate for higher education in Arizona. She previously served as president and treasurer for the Northland Preparatory Academy Board of Directors, during which time the school was consistently ranked among the country’s top 100 high schools. She served as president of the board of the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and as a high school volleyball coach. She currently serves as a member of Parker Fasteners, a Buckeye-based fastener manufacturer for the defense, aerospace and semiconductor industries. She also held past positions in the investment banking, finance and healthcare industries. Personally, I owe Lyndel a special debt of gratitude, as she was part of the team that brought me here to NAU.
Dr. Miguel L. Vasquez
Miguel Vasquez was a visionary cultural leader, educator and advocate for cross-cultural understanding. As a professor of anthropology at Northern Arizona University for more than 35 years, he dedicated his career to working with Latino, Native American, African American and Southeast Asian refugee communities across Mesoamerica and the United States. Dr. Vasquez was a founding member of the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council, serving as chair from 2006-2011. He served on numerous boards, including the International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, Friends of Flagstaff’s Future and the Museum of Northern Arizona. He was also elected to the Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board. We lost Dr. Vasquez much too soon, but his light continues to shine through his family and his son, Jeronimo Vasquez, an NAU alumnus and Coconino County Supervisor.
Emmett Burnton
Emmett Burnton is the 2025 Arizona Teacher of the Year – and a proud NAU alumnus. He views teaching as a mission to equip every generation and every individual with the tools to find value in history, in the world, and, most importantly, in themselves. He is in his ninth year of teaching at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem. Emmett is the founder of gamified history company Duel of Fates, which redefines how students immerse themselves in content, ensuring that students of every level can engage in history. His belief in the potential of every student is inspiring and reminds us all why education is one of the noblest paths we can walk.
My sincere thanks to all of you for supporting NAU, our students, faculty and staff throughout the year!
Go Jacks! FBN
José Luis Cruz Rivera is the president of NAU.
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