San Juan College honors 63 graduates, student leaders in Class of 2026

San Juan College recognized 63 Honors Program graduates from the Class of 2026 at a June 23 reception in Farmington, putting a selective spotlight on students the college says are prepared for both transfer and the workforce. The honorees stood out not just for grades, but for the leadership and peer support that shape campus culture, a distinction that matters in San Juan County where the college is one of the main bridges from high school to college, training and jobs.

The Honors Program’s mission is to promote critical thinking and higher-level learning, offer cross-disciplinary experiences beyond the traditional curriculum, and better prepare students for careers and transfer to four-year institutions. San Juan College says honors courses are offered each semester and are open to all students. Students who complete at least 12 honors course hours with no grade lower than a B, a minimum 3.25 GPA in those courses and at least a 3.25 overall GPA graduate as San Juan College Distinguished Scholars, with that designation recorded on their permanent transcript.

The reception came during a busy end-of-year stretch at the college. San Juan College publicly congratulated the Class of 2026 on May 1, and its May graduation ceremony recognized more than 1,922 graduates earning associate degrees and certificates. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren attended the May 16 commencement in Farmington and told graduates to use what they learned to create opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities. In a county where education and employment are closely linked, the honors group represents the higher-achieving slice of a much larger pipeline.

That pipeline starts well before commencement. San Juan College says its Dual Credit program is the second-largest in New Mexico, with more than 1,600 high school students enrolled in college-level courses in Spring 2026. The college says the Honors Program was established through the vision of Dr. David and Sally Bramhall, and the San Juan College Foundation says the Merrion Family Foundation supports it through an annual donation. The Merrion Distinguished Graduate receives a certificate and a $200 check, a small but visible sign that local philanthropy is tied to academic achievement.