From Classrooms and Cafés to Honorary Doctorate
At its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 5, Western New Mexico University awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Janice Baca Argabright, a former Regent of the university and long-time educator, educational administrator and restaurateur. Baca Argabright received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from New Mexico State University and her master’s degree in educational administration from the University of New Mexico. In addition to being an elementary school teacher for many years, she also held a number of leadership roles, including serving as Director of Bilingual/Special Education and Support Services, as Special Programs Coordinator, as Teaching Principal, and as Associate Superintendent of Socorro Consolidated Schools. Most recently, she served as a member of the Western New Mexico Board of Regents from 2011 to 2023. Currently she is the fourth-generation owner of the Owl Bar and Café in San Antonio, NM. Started by her great-grandfather...