Education Hall of Fame nominations open

The WNMU School of Education is calling for nominations for its Education Hall of Fame. "For selection to the Education Hall of Fame, the individual must have demonstrated a dominant interest in classroom teaching and devoted the major portion of his/her professional career to classroom teaching at the primary, secondary or higher education level" - Education Hall of Fame Charter 01/20/1987 To nominate a person, please submit the person's name, address and WNMU graduation date(s). Please attach a supporting statement indicating why selection is merited. Those eligible for consideration for selection to the Hall of Fame include bachelor degree graduates and the teaching faculty who are graduates of WNMU or its predecessor institutions. Nominations and supporting documentation must be postmarked by March 12 of the nominating year. The person nominating a candidate must provide adequate documentation and evidence to support the worthiness of the nominee, including information...

MLK Celebration To Feature Free Screening of Selma

Western New Mexico University will hold its annual celebration commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr on Monday, January 16. The event will take place at Light Hall Auditorium beginning at 2:00 p.m. Each year, members of the community are honored for service to others and this year’s award will be given to Gary Stailey and New Mexico State Senator Howie Morales. A longtime advocate for youth, Stailey worked as a juvenile probation officer for 23 years with the sixth judicial district. Stailey is now the program coordinator for the Community Youth Building Program. Each week Stailey organizes youth activities throughout the community and has partnered with organizations such as the Volunteer Center of Grant County and the Silver City Gospel Mission. Representative Morales is a member of the New Mexico Senate having served the 28th District since 2008. A graduate of WNMU, Morales has been a leader in the field of education for decades having been a successful...

Third Chamber Music Series Event Features Acclaimed Pianist

The ongoing President’s Chamber Music Series event continues to bring acclaimed musicians to Light Hall Theater and will feature pianist Awadagin Pratt on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. on the Western New Mexico University campus. The event is $15 per person and will include a piano quintet playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #4 Op. 58 in G Major and Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor Op. 34. The performance will be the inaugural event for the university’s new Steinway Model B piano housed in Light Hall. Pratt has played recitals throughout the country including performances at the Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, the White House, and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. His orchestral performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic and the Minnesota Orchestra. Internationally, Pratt has toured Japan four times and performed in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Israel, Colombia and South Africa. Pratt is currently Professor of Piano and...

The Giving Tree: Giving back to those in need

Holidays can be challenging, particularly for those families with children. The Early Childhood Programs has found a way to help support the families in our program. We call it The Giving Tree and it is now available in the front lobby of the Child Development Center. The Giving Tree is decorated with ornaments detailing their needs. If anyone is interested in participating in our Giving Tree drive this year, please select a tag, purchase and wrap the item, and return the item with your tag to the front office. If you have any questions, please call 538-6344. Please return the items no later than Wednesday, December 7. Monetary gifts will also be accepted. Your participation is appreciated. Merry...

Agreement signed with Universidad La Salle

A signing of academic collaboration took place between Western New Mexico University and the Universidad La Salle, a Mexican university located in Chihuahua. WNMU President Joseph Shepard and the rector of Universidad La Salle, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, were both present at the Chihuahua for the signing. The agreement focuses on academic exchanges. University officials at both institutions were present including La Salle professor Guillermo Garcia who mentioned that an important factor of this partnership is that students will have an option to exchange with a university in the United States near the border, and that half of the WNMU student population is Hispanic, adding value to the learning earning opportunity. La Salle officials stressed that the diversity of cultures provided at the WNMU campus enriches the vision of the students. The agreement is the latest in several newly established collaborations with Latin American partners and the WNMU Division of External...

WNMU Hosting Financial Aid Night at Silver High Oct. 3

Western New Mexico University is hosting a Financial Aid Night on Monday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m. in the Silver High School Little Theater. University officials will be discussing important changes to the FAFSA application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Registration for the 2017-2018 school year begins October 1 through the FAFSA website, http://fafsa.gov. “There are at least two changes that parents and students should know about for the next school year,” said Lucia Romo, WNMU Director of Financial Aid. “The earlier that students apply, the more likely they are to get their application completed well before the first day of fall classes.” A presentation will be given to attendees on financial aid opportunities including pell grants, work-study, scholarships and loans. “More than 85% of WNMU students receive aid and we want students to know of every financial opportunity available to them,” said Romo. We learned via ITT Systems that a...

The Challenging Child Conference

WNMU’s annual Challenging Child Conference will take place Friday, November 18 in the Global Resource Center, Keynote speaker will be David Belford. Afternoon sessions will be held in the Martinez Building and will be presented by Stephanie R. Unger. “More Than Trauma Informed: Way of Being” To be trauma-informed is about understand- ing what trauma is, how it can affect our body, brain and behavior, the depth of its impact on individuals and society, and how we can use that understanding to support others that have experienced trauma. This body of knowledge is also an opportunity to better understand the meaning behind be- havior and why we often relate to one anoth- er in the ways we do. "Enhancing the Parent-child Relationship Through Filial Play Therapy: An Introduction” Filial therapy provides caregivers with train- ing in basic play therapy techniques so they can use these techniques with their own chil- dren. This modality originated as...

Wilderness First Aid Certification

This summer, the Western New Mexico University Outdoor Program is collaborating with the UNM School of Medicine International Mountain Medicine Center to offer Wilderness First Aid Certification in Silver City. The two-week hybrid course is suitable for wilderness guides, outdoor enthusiasts, educators, Search and Rescue  volunteers, firefighters, and anyone who spends time in remote wilderness settings. The  course includes 8 hours of interactive, online learning, with an 8-hour face-to-face practical session which will be held from 8 to 5 on July 20th in Silver City, New Mexico.  Successful completion of the course will result in a Wilderness First Aid certification (valid for 2 years.) Registration for this NOT FOR CREDIT course opens July 1 and you do not need to be a WNMU student or affiliate to take the course.  Cost: $175 ($75 for current WNMU students) For more information and to pre-register, please email...

Gila Collaborative Accepted To Santa Fe Art Institute

The Gila Collaborative was accepted to the Water Rights Residency Program of the Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI) for 2016 - 2017. The four-person collaborative, comprised of WNMU Assistant Professor of New Media Peter Bill, Hopi independent film maker Victor Masayesva, new media artist Stephen Dirkes, and Gila Conservation Coalition executive director Allyson Siwik, will explore the idea of equity in our water systems. According to SFAI, the program “encourages creative minds to come together and examine the territory of Water Rights. Together, we will explore several questions: How do we describe and define the contested space around water? If water use is often parallel to culture, how can cultural activities result in greater models of equity in our water systems? How can diverse practices, from poetic to practical to political, create greater access to these and other parallel resources?” Responding to the Water Rights Residency theme, the Gila Collaborative’s project...

Applications Open: S.M.A.S.H. Academy

What is SMASH ? Summer, Math And Science & Healthcare Academy SMASH is a 1-week long (June 6th – June 10th, 2016), FREE, FUN, and EDUCATIONAL academy for incoming 9th grade students (freshmen) with a health career interest. Eligibility: New Mexico resident Interested in pursuing a health career Minimum GPA 2.5 Must be an incoming 9th grade student Must be able to attend the whole academy What do I get? Students receive instruction in math, science, SMASH, and healthcare enrichment. SMASH focuses on providing tools to improve study habits and confidence in: Laboratory science Research College awareness And other useful academic experiences as middle school students prepare to begin high school SMASH is 100% FREE! Lunches will be also provided. You will receive CPR & First Aid training. On the last day, students graduate with all this experience. You receive all this and a lifetime of memories and fun! Time Commitment Summer...