** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Joyce McCarty Mirakian

Joyce McCarty Mirakian, a 1963 NMHU  Business Education graduate,  passed away June 14, 2011 in Los Alamitos, California, from the effects of Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gerig’s Disease).

Joyce was  born in Reserve, New Mexico to Charles and Dona McCarty.  She attended the Reserve Public Schools before entering New Mexico Highlands University as an Early Admissions student in 1959.  As an education student, Joyce did her student teaching in Los Alamos.

In 1963, following graduation from NMHU, Joyce took a teaching position at El Centro High School (California) where she met and married Peter Mirakian, a biology teacher.  Later, the two moved to Los Alamitos, California.  In 1983, Joyce received a MA from Long Beach State University in Reading and Composition.  Joyce taught for more than 30 years at Torrance (California) High School.

Joyce is survived by her two sons, Jason (daughter-in-law Jennifer) of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jordan (daughter-in-law Elizabeth) of San Diego, California.   Joyce is also survived by her brother Charles McCarty  (Thelma) of Reserve, New Mexico, sister Dr. Wendy McCarty (Charles Leonard) of Jacksonville, Illinois, brother Vernon McCarty (Stephanie) of Reno, Nevada, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, Joyce was Godmother to Kristin Newman, daughter of Dr. Carolyn Newman, a NMHU professor in the School of Education.

Joyce was a lifelong supporter of New Mexico Highlands University and will be long remembered for her commitment to education, her love for her family and friends, and her great affection for animals.