Daneya Esgar, chair of the Colorado Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, will serve as keynote speaker and inspire the Spring 2020 graduating class at Adams State University during its Virtual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday.

Adams State’s commencement ceremony will begin at noon and can be viewed at adams.edu/live.

Representative Daneya EsgarRep. Esgar, D-Pueblo, is in her third term in the Colorado House of Representatives. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee. During her six years in the legislature, Rep. Esgar has experienced success in passing bills on a wide range of subjects. She has worked to improve affordability and access to healthcare through the elimination of surprise medical building, expanded treatment options for Coloradans with opioid or other substance use disorders, and enabled patients to be covered for healthcare services provided by a pharmacist. She also led the fight to end conversion therapy, provide identity documents for transgender Coloradoans, and improved access to public education.

Adams State Board of Trustees Chair Michele Lueck will convey greetings from the board.

For this special event, both undergraduate and graduate degrees will be awarded. Student speakers will be live on stage, including Mariah McDermott and Hubert Price, representing the undergraduates, and Jasmine and John Camponeschi, speaking on behalf of those earning a master’s or doctorate degree.

Graduating seniors Caleb Clark and Miriam Lipke will perform a special duet on piano, and music professors William Lipke, D.MA., and Matthew Valverde, D.M.A., will also perform live on stage.