Author Archives: Abe Villarreal

The traditional sounds of Estonia with a modern twist will be performed live on the Western New Mexico University campus, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. Trad.Attack!, an internationally popular and endlessly energetic trio, will rock Light Hall Theater beginning at 7:00 p.m. Drawing inspiration from recordings of the great Estonian folk singers and instrumentalists, Trad.Attack! brings these traditions to the 21st century but also experiments with different styles and musical directions. Creating the perception that there are more than three people on stage, Trad.Attack! builds on ancient rhythms, fleshing out Estonian folk songs with acoustic 12-string guitar, drums, whistles, bagpipes, and Jew’s harps, plucked instruments that produce one pitch with multiple overtones. Band members and close friends Sandra (bagpipe), Jalmar (vocals) and Tõnu (trombone and drums) had each individually been engaged with the Estonian music scene for more than 15 years prior to forming...

A celebration of Mexico’s independence will be commemorated through song and dance at Western New Mexico University. Mariachi Plata, WNMU’s award-winning mariachi ensemble, along with Ballet Folklorico Paso Del Norte, Mariachi Raices de America, and Antonio Reyna, New Mexico’s Male Vocalist of the Year, will be on campus to conduct music workshops and perform in concert. The workshops will take place Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Parotti Music Building. Designed for musicians with a minimum of two years experience in their instrument, cost is $50 per participant. Registration is available by contacting Bryant Chaffino at 575-538-6617. The weekend will conclude with a concert featuring the three ensemble groups and Antonio Reyna on Saturday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Theater. Admission is $10 per person. WNMU students and children aged two-years old and under are free. Tickets may be...

Western New Mexico University is commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month with several events planned between September 15 and October 15. Most events are free to the public and center around food, culture, music, history, and current political issues. “As a Hispanic Serving Institution, we take seriously how important Hispanic culture and history have been to our region and the students we serve,” said Abe Villarreal, WNMU Director of Communications. “We are excited to present these events and engage in greater dialogue with the university community.” Listed are the events open to the community: Friday, September 15 Mexican Independence Day lunch, 11am to 1pm, Student Memorial Center patio. Cost is $8.26 per plate and free to WNMU students. Saturday, September 16 Mexico Vive Mariachi concert, 7pm, Fine Arts Center Theater. Admission is $10 per person and free to WNMU students. Sunday, September 17 Lowriders, Hoppers, and Hot Rods Car Show, 12pm to 4pm,...

Five Western New Mexico University nursing students are the recipients of scholarships awarded by the Martin Family, marking over 16 years of scholarship support to WNMU students. Jerrika Lewis, Jasmine Romero, Tim DeJardins, Amanda Pryor, and StarrAnn Moon were the recipients of the Robert and Ione Martin Scholarship, the Frank and Bernice Parrish Scholarship, the Robert and Ione Martin State Match Scholarship, and the Frank and Bernice Parrish State Match Scholarship. All scholarships were created and awarded by the Martin Family. Bob Martin, owner of Western Bank, presented the scholarships at his place of business, congratulating each student and proclaiming that the 2017 nursing awards were the among the largest distributed by his family. Recipients are chosen through a competitive application process based on academic progress, dedication to the nursing profession, and financial need among other application requirements. “The WNMU Foundation is honored to help...

Registration is open for the upcoming Homecoming Parade at Western New Mexico University on Saturday, September 23 at 10:00 a.m. Community organizations, non-profits, small businesses, and candidates for office are encouraged to submit an entry into the parade. Entries can be submitted online at www.wnmu.edu/homecoming-reserve. There is no registration fee. Parade lineup will be at 9:00 a.m. on September 23 at the Grant County Courthouse on Cooper Street. The entries will be judged in various categories. The parade route begins at the Grant County Courthouse at 10:00 a.m. and entries are paraded through historic downtown with finale being the Fine Arts Center Theater parking lot on campus. Following the parade are tailgate festivities in the Juan Chacon Building parking lot culminating with the Mustang football game at 1:30 p.m. in Ben Altamirano Field when the Mustangs take on UT Permian Basin. The Office of Alumni Affairs is hosting several activities throughout...

Grammy winning singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien will perform with Jan Fabricius Wednesday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Light Hall Theater on the Western New Mexico University campus. The performance will highlight O’Brien’s trademark guitar, fiddle, and banjo playing, along with his vocals and harmony by Fabricius. O’Brien has been touring nationally since 1980, devoting his repertoire to the classic sounds of old time and bluegrass music. Nationally known artists including Kathy Mattea, Nickel Creek, and Garth Brooks have covered his songs. O’Brien has released 15 solo albums, as well as collaborations with his sister Mollie O’Brien, songwriter Darrell Scott, and noted old time musician Dirk Powell. He’s performed or recorded with Steve Earl, Mark Knopfler, Bill Frisel, and Steve Martin. Forming his own record label, Howdy Skies Records in 1999, O’Brien went on to launch digital download label Short Order Sessions with his partner...

Western New Mexico University is hosting a ceremony in commemoration of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The public ceremony will take place at 5:00 p.m. in Old James Stadium on Monday, September 11. Nearly 3,000 U.S. flags will be on display for the 2,996 victims of the attacks. WNMU students will perform special music and remarks will be given by President Joseph Shepard and others. Attendees are invited to participate in a remembrance walk throughout the field. Following the event is a reception outside of the Brancheau P.E. Complex. “The farther we move away in time from the day of the attacks, the greater the importance it is to honor the memory of the victims and educate our students of the ideals for which unite as Americans,” said Abe Villarreal, WNMU Director of Communications. For Katherine M. Warren, WNMU Coordinator of Student Activities, holding an annual ceremony is necessary to remind students on how everyone was affected differently by...

Former Mustangs will be headed back to their alma mater for a weekend of festivities in celebration of the annual Homecoming weekend at Western New Mexico University. The Mustang football team will be competing against UT Permian Basin on Saturday, September 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Ben Altamirano Field. Alumni events will begin with a kick-off social at 6:00 p.m. in the University Course at Scott Park on Thursday, September 21, followed by an Alumni Association General Meeting. Homecoming registration will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22 in Hunter Hall. Lunch with the Mustang football team and coaches follows at 12:00 p.m. in the Alumni Gardens. Cost to attend is $15 per person. Three alumni will be featured as honorees at the Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, September 22, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Mustang Dining Hall. Rosie Gomez ’02, and Thaxter ‘Scrappy’ Richard ’97 will be honored as the 2017 Distinguished Alumni. Larry Barstow...

The Board of Regents at Western New Mexico University met on Tuesday, August 22 in Silver City to vote on the University President’s annual performance evaluation. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the results of the annual performance evaluation, which found that President Shepard exceeds expectations. “Dr. Shepard came in and has done a fantastic job. Dr. Shepard puts academic first,” said Jerry Walz, Regent President. President Shepard began his tenure in July of 2011. During his Presidency, the Silver City Campus has been transformed with new student apartments, a new on-campus movie theater, indoor swimming pool, renovated fitness center, and the addition of The Gardens that has been the site of several outdoor concerts and events. Community leaders representing area businesses, organizations, and local government were present to deliver remarks in support of President Shepard. “In my 41 years in Silver I believe that the relationships that now exist...