WNMU will dedicate its new John Arthur and Janette Smith Educational Center at a public ceremony May 24 at 11:00 a.m. in Deming. The 8,697 square foot center will house the university’s Deming health program offerings, including Nursing, Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician, and Certified Nursing Assistant programs.
Construction of the center began in November 2022 and cost $10,765,000. Funding came from the New Mexico Legislature in 2019 and 2020, Severance Tax Bonds in 2020, 2021, and 2022, as well as from General Obligation Bond 3 in 2022. These resources covered land acquisition, architecture and engineering, site preparation, utilities and construction. The building’s furniture, fixtures, and equipment were funded by a federal pass-through grant to the WNMU School of Nursing and Kinesiology that was administered by the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
The center will be named for former New Mexico State Senator John Arthur Smith and his wife, Janette Smith. Senator Smith worked tirelessly to secure state appropriations for research and public service projects, enhancing educational opportunities for the people of Deming and Luna County.
The university will continue to use the WNMU Deming Mimbres Learning Center to house general education classes and vocational training programs.