The University of New Mexico Bookstores will hold their Spring Grad Fair on March 24 at the North Campus location and from March 25 to 27 at the Central Campus location, according to a March 10 announcement. The event continues a decades-long tradition of supporting students as they prepare for commencement.
The Grad Fair is an important milestone for many students, offering them a one-stop opportunity to obtain regalia, class rings, diploma frames, and professional portraits. The University of New Mexico enrolled more than 24,000 students across its main and branch campuses in spring 2023, according to the official website.
The UNM Bookstores have played a role in commencement preparations since the university’s early years. Originally operating out of army barracks before moving several times across campus, the bookstore has coordinated caps, gowns, and class ring orders for generations. In July 1996, it opened at its current Central campus location and now houses a dedicated graduation department that stocks regalia year-round.
“Graduation is something that takes time to prepare for, much more time than most people realize,” said Kristina Arguello, Graduation coordinator at the UNM Bookstores. “Our planning begins at the start of every semester, with no real pause in between.” She also said coordination with the University Secretary’s Office, academic departments and vendor Jostens starts months ahead of time and continues through Grad Fair and commencement ceremonies. “Graduation is not just about ensuring caps and gowns are on hand,” Arguello said. “It’s about making sure every element is in place so the event runs as smoothly as possible. Earning a degree is a major milestone and we’re proud to play a meaningful role in helping students celebrate that achievement.”
More than twenty years ago, UNM Bookstores began hosting Grad Fair twice annually as a central event for graduation needs. “Grad Fair is truly a time of celebration,” Arguello said. “It’s a supportive, energizing environment that brings everything together in one place.”
During this year’s event only, students can receive exclusive savings such as 25% off Grad Packs (regalia and diploma frame bundle) and 20% off diploma frames. Representatives from Jostens will be available to assist with customized orders while GradImages will offer professional portraits throughout the fair.
The University of New Mexico boasts more than 200,000 alumni worldwide—including fellows of national academies—according to the official website. The university serves as a cultural resource through its libraries, museums, galleries and performance spaces while promoting diversity and community engagement as stated on its official website. Its athletics program competes in the Mountain West Conference under the Lobos name; University Arena ranks among top college basketball venues according to university sources.
UNM features Pueblo Revival architecture on its campus—a nationally recognized arboretum—and popular spots like its duck pond situated within a metropolitan area according to information provided by the university’s official website. The institution has been ranked among top public schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report including recognition for primary care medical schools (16th) and most diverse medical schools (5th), based on data from its official site.
