ALAMOSA – LeRoy Salazar, a San Luis Valley native and longtime champion of Adams State, will give the commencement address at Adams State University in Alamosa on December 15. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Plachy Hall. Adams State will award 250 degrees, including 120 bachelor’s degrees, and 130 associate degrees.

Salazar will share the three beliefs that have provided deeper meaning and contentment in his own life: leadership, service and optimism. “I hope to inspire the most recent Adams State graduates to use their education and experience at Adams State to become positive forces of change in the world.” He will challenge those beginning their professional career to become involved in their communities through service organizations and embrace leadership opportunities. “Giving of yourself for others is a positive path towards fulfillment and happiness,” Salazar added.

Salazar served two terms on the Board of Trustees for Adams State and was instrumental in developing the current partnership between Colorado State University and Adams State which provides the opportunity for Adams State students to earn a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies: general agriculture, with concentrations in biology and business, by enrolling in both Adams State online or on-campus courses and CSU online agriculture courses. The degree is conferred by Adams State.

Currently managing his family’s farm operation in the San Luis Valley, Salazar is president of the subdistrict #3 (Conejos Subdistrict) board of managers and acts as the project coordinator for the Hope for Children Foundation after serving on its board for 16 years. He walks-his-talk including volunteering each year in Mexico at the Santa Maria Home for Children, including spending the week before Thanksgiving serving the children.

In 2018 he received the El Pomar Foundation statewide award for Leadership and Service.

LeRoy earned his bachelor’s degree at CSU with a specialty in Agricultural Engineering in 1974. He then served in the Army Corps of Engineers. This was followed by receiving his master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from CSU after which he worked for two years as a research associate for the same institution.

He then founded Agro Engineering, Inc., and from 1982 until 2000 served as president and CEO of the organization. He has served as a member of the Colorado Agricultural Commission, and has also served as a director of Citizens for Colorado Water. He served on the North Conejos School District Board of Education, with several years as its president. He serves as chairman of the SLV Federal Bank board of directors, and has been a member of the bank board since December 1995. He is also a member of the La Jara Rotary Club. He serves as president of the Confined Aquifer Sustainability, Inc. (CAS), an organization dedicated to the development of solutions to groundwater issues affecting subdistricts in the San Luis Valley.

Cleave Simpson, chair of the Adams State Board of Trustees, will convey the greetings from the board, while Vince Alcon will deliver the 2018 class message. Adams State Assistant Professor of Music Matthew Valverde, D.M.A., accompanied by Professor of Music William Lipke, D.M.A., will lead the singing of the Alma Mater.

Family and friends unable to physically attend the commencement ceremony can stream the program live on their device from the Adams State Facebook Page, facebook.com/adamsstate. Those attending can use the Adams State Commencement Snapchat filter and share on Instagram.