WNMU Wins $5 Million Grant to Implement Regional Urban Forestry Project

The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Division of External Affairs was awarded a $5 million five-year grant project that plans, designs, plants, and maintains a set of urban forests across southwestern New Mexico. The project supports expanded and ecologically sound urban forests in the communities of Silver City, Santa Clara, Bayard, Hurley, Deming, and Lordsburg. “We are pleased to help support the fulfillment of WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard’s vision of 1,000 trees planted in the region through a grant-funded project that simultaneously supports our Provost Dr. William Crocker’s focus on offering accelerated, competency-based degrees that fast-track students to in-demand and higher-paying jobs regionally and beyond,” says Dr. Magdaleno Manzanárez, Vice President for External Affairs. “This is a critical breakthrough step for WNMU and our efforts to offer experiential learning opportunities that lead to immediate jobs connected to our environment that open up...

Area Kids Learn Cycling Skills with WNMU Kinesiology Faculty and Students

This semester, the WNMU Kinesiology Department is offering the Kinesiology Kids Bike Club to area youth. The program is led by Assistant Professor Garrett Peltonen and Associate Professor Takahiro Sato, with assistance from students Devin Larsen and Itzela Darkenwald. According to Peltonen, the program is designed to “empower local kids and promote a physically active lifestyle through the bicycle.” Kids Bike was inspired by the success of a program for older adults, Get Fit Seniors, which the Kinesiology Department sponsors in collaboration with the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning. Both programs are consistent with the philosophy of kinesiology that “exercise is better than medicine,” said Peltonen. The program has been rewarding for those involved. “Seeing so many kids on bikes having fun and improving their biking skills is very rewarding,” said Darkenwald, “It’s an amazing opportunity for us Kinesiology students to practice and expand our education in...

A plate fit for adventure

Earlier this year, voters selected a revised Western New Mexico University collegiate license plate design. Winning by a landslide was The Overlander, a theme fit for journeys on high-mountain roads and trips off the beaten path. It’s available through the MVD right...

WNMU Cultural Affairs Announces Fall Season Lineup

The Western New Mexico University Cultural Affairs fall 2019 season is packed with events from live entertainment to exhibit openings and lectures. WNMU Cultural Affairs will be continuing the President’s Chamber Music Series and the Edwina & Charles Milner Women in the Arts Lecture Series, and it will offer an evening of caroling and activities called Christmas Under the Stars for the first time. “We continue to cast a wider and wider net to seek out unique cultural offerings to present to the university community and the community at large. We are excited about the breadth of this season with acts hailing from the Louisiana Bayou to the Hebie Province in China and all points all along the way,” WNMU Special Assistant to the President for Cultural Affairs Faye McCalmont said. Admission prices range from free to $20. A 2019-20 season pass allows entry to all ticketed shows for $170 — a $30 savings. The WNMU Cultural Affairs fall 2019 season schedule: —...

New School of Education Hall of Fame Inductees

Four alumni were recently inducted into the Western New Mexico University School of Education Hall of Fame 2019 for their outstanding career achievements. The inductees Max G. Padilla, Emma V. Saucedo, Barney P. Brienza and Olivia L. Ogas. “To be considered for selection into the WNMU School of Education Hall of Fame, WNMU alumni must have demonstrated a primary interest in classroom teaching and devoted the major portion of their careers to classroom teaching at the primary, secondary or higher education levels. He or she must have inspired in students a willingness to learn, as reflected in their ability to impart knowledge, instill confidence, and demonstrate respect for learning and students,” WNMU School of Education Associate Dean Dr. Debra Dirksen said. Padilla received his Bachelor of Arts from WNMU in 1969. He is recognized for 38 years of dedicated teaching, mentoring and leadership. Padilla was also an assistant principal, school principal and coach.   He led...

Associate Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court Barbara J. Vigil Will Address Western New Mexico University’s Graduates

Western New Mexico University will graduate 315 of its students this spring. Of those, 236 graduates will walk across the Old James Stadium stage during the spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, at 2 p.m. They will receive their diplomas then shake hands with WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard and New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Vigil, WNMU’s spring commencement speaker. Native New Mexican Justice Vigil was born and raised in Santa Fe and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from New Mexico State University, her law degree from the University of New Mexico and has been a licensed attorney for more than 28 years. During her 19 years on the bench, Justice Vigil has served on both the First Judicial District Court, comprised of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos Counties, and the New Mexico Supreme Court benches.  As a district court judge, Justice Vigil presided over the Children’s and Family Court, as well as the civil docket, presiding...

Action Learning Presentations

During student teaching, teacher candidates create a teaching event, which is a carefully planned learning segment that is documented via lesson plans, copies of instructional and assessment materials, one or two video clips of the candidate teaching, a summary of whole class learning, and an analysis of student work samples created. During the action learning presentations, the student teachers describe their teaching events and demonstrate how they provided active learning experiences to the students in their assigned classrooms. Student Presenters: Madeline Alfero, Secondary Education – Science Robert Bailey, Secondary Education – Language Arts Ashley Beckle, Elementary Education Martin Begay, Secondary Education – Language Arts Solomon Boyce, Special Education Hampton Burnette, Secondary Education - Mathematics Erma Cabrera, Special Education Arlo Calles, Secondary Education - Tech Sarah Colombo, Secondary Education – Mathematics Winona...

Week of the Young Child

CELEBRATING OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS WNMU Early Childhood Programs Celebrates National Week of the Young Child™ WNMU Early Childhood Programs asks families, university and community to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child™. As part of the national Week of the Young Child™, the program is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives. April 17-21, 2017 EVENTS and CELEBRATIONS At Child Development Center and Growing Tree Sites Music Monday 4/17 Children will be creating musical instruments and having a dance party at each site. Tacos and More Tuesday 4/18 To show our appreciation to our faculty and staff, families are providing “tacos and more”! Movie Night Tuesday 4/18 Families of the Child Development Center and Growing Tree lab sites are invited to attend movie night at Light Hall. Working Together Wednesday 4/19 To celebrate Friday Funday children are painting a mural. To give...

Charity project to benefit area homeless

WNMU social work student Nadia Justiniano is organizing a project to help homeless people in the area. The main idea is to make a group of volunteers from all around the city, to gather supplies that will help the homeless population. Items such as clothing, blankets, toys, medicine and canned food. Justiniano, a freshman Lady Mustang tennis player from Bolivia, is collecting donated supplies and partnering with the Silver City Gospel Mission to connect with those in need. To send her items, you can contact nadiajustiniano99@hotmail.es or (575) 313 –...

F Week events focus on feminism, female empowerment & Bingo

The Center for Gender Equity at Western New Mexico University is hosting F Week, a series of events which focus on feminism and empowering women beginning March 6. “These series of events will empower women through transformative programming. The Center’s student coordinators are hopeful that numerous individuals will be in attendance of the events which will occur from March 6 to March 9," Center’s Graduate Assistant Lauren Dazey said. "Through the empowerment of women, we want to aid in achieving equal pay and breaking the ever-present glass ceiling. The Center also wishes to bust the myth about feminism and show that anyone has the potential to be a feminist, regardless of your gender.” March 6 An Introduction to F Week: What Does Feminism Mean to You?, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Student Memorial Center 3rd floor. Bingo!, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Student Memorial Center 2nd floor where you can practice your bingo skills inspired by online bingo site...