Author Archives: Abe Villarreal

Western New Mexico University is seeking input by community members as the university is working to develop a distinct identity, continuing the institution’s transformation into the future. An Open Forum will take place Monday, February 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the Miller Library. President Shepard and other university officials will share their insights and a draft document, detailing the university’s new focus areas. “We are exploring the crucial question of identity and determining what makes Western unique among the other six New Mexico universities,” said Dr. Jack Crocker, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. To help answer these questions, a draft document has been made available to the public as a starting point. The document shares WNMU’s new areas of focus including public safety, rural healthcare, rural education, international relations and applied liberal arts. The document is available to review online:...

Officials from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) in Monterrey, Mexico, recently visited the Western New Mexico University campus looking for opportunities to create exchanges with faculty and students. The discussion focused on programs emphasizing physical activity and exercise. Dr. Miguel Narveaz, professor of Kinesiology facilitated the visit. “We are encouraged by the visiting officials and are planning to sign a memorandum of understanding for our two institutions,” said Narvaez. “The goal is to have students and faculty collaborate with each other in English in Spanish.” Pedro Garcia, an officiating coordinator for UANL; and Jose Tristan, an academic director for UANL, toured the WNMU campus and met with professors from the kinesiology program. “They appreciate our willingness to collaborate and the fact that we have bilingual faculty that understand the Mexican education system,” said Narvaez. “They are also interested in promoting sports...

The Department of Expressive Arts presents the POP UP New Media Festival on February 18 and 19. The two-day event will feature an artist talk, interactive presentation and new media performances. The event begins with a keynote lecture by Cannon Hersey in Parotti Hall on Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. Hersey is a photographer and fine artist who has organized large scale cultural efforts in non-traditional spaces across the world. His acclaimed Shadow People Project collects shadows and images from around the world and brings light to historic events such as the atomic bombings in 1945. A technology workshop titled “Everything Wearable” will take place Friday, February 19 at 4:00 p.m. in McCray Building room 118. Cost for the workshop is $50 and participants will leave with something lighted and wearable. “This event is a dynamic and unique way to expose our students and community members to New Media and Cross disciplinary forms of art,” said Peter Bill,...

The Board of Regents of Western New Mexico University met for its annual February meeting in Santa Fe on Thursday, February 4 and heard from several higher education officials before passing a number of action items. The meeting began with an economic outlook by State Senator John Arthur Smith who represents Luna County, home to WNMU’s Deming campus. Several other officials including Lt. Governor John Sanchez State Senator Howie Morales, and Higher Education Secretary Dr. Barbara Damron followed Senator Smith. The officials discussed the current state of the economy as well as the funding formula colleges and universities use to receive state funding. On the agenda, included the passage of a transmittal bill, a technical step needed to move forward on funding the renovation of Fleming Hall, home to the University Museum. Voters approved the $3.2 million project in 2014. Regents approved the acquisition of two properties on the 12th Street side of campus for future use as...

Beginning in August 2016, Glendale Community College (GCC) in Arizona will offer a new, highly innovative pathway for students to earn Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology due to a partnership with Western New Mexico University. The program, designed to provide new opportunities for community college students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers/professions, seeks to increase the number of bachelor degree graduates in the STEM field. It will offer an affordable, high quality concurrent-enrollment partnership, helping students to make a smooth transition into Western New Mexico University by offering WNMU courses on the GCC campus. The partnership will build on Glendale’s highly acclaimed Biotechnology program, providing excellent opportunities for students to expand independent research projects. In addition to the bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, it will also offer participants the...

Tax season has arrived and with it comes Tax Help New Mexico. Western New Mexico has offered the program in partnership with the state for over 30 years as a free service to low income filers. School of Business students work as volunteers at the WNMU site, one of the states’ 48 locations. All students are accounting or business majors that can also use their experience as a three-credit course. Student volunteers are required to pass an exam testing their knowledge of tax preparation prior to working for Tax Help. The free service is available for people with annual family incomes of $54,000 or less, with an exception for people who earn more than that due to Social Security income. To have a tax return prepared, individuals must have an original Social Security card, a picture ID, W-2s from all employers and a bank account with routing number for direct deposit. Housed in Light Hall room 120, tax preparation is offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00...

Rose Mapendo, a nationally recognized peace activist and humanitarian, will deliver a lecture on Thursday, February 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Light Hall. Mapendo will share her dramatic life experiences including her time in the violence engulfed Democratic Republic of Congo during the 1990 when she was imprisoned with her family. Her harrowing experience included the nighttime arrest of her entire family by government agents, the execution of her husband, the birth of their twin sons in prison, and grim negotiations with prison guards to save the lives of her children. Mapendo emerged from her experiences as an advocate for forgiveness and reconciliation. Today, Mapendo is a global activist for peace and reconciliation and an in-demand motivational speaker. Her work has had a significant impact and encourages world and local leaders to revisit the manner in which they enforce justice. Mapendo has been honored by the White House and in 2009 was named Humanitarian of the Year by...

Several campus events throughout February will commemorate Black History Month at Western New Mexico University. The events, open to the public and free of charge, will celebrate culture, food and music. Friday, February 5: NMSU Gospel Choir performance, 6:00 p.m., Global Resource Center Auditorium Thursday, February 11: Women’s Lecture Series: Rose Mapendo, 6:30 p.m., Light Hall Tuesday, February 16: Movie Night: Bessie, 7:00 p.m., Light Hall Wednesday, February 17: Soul Food Lunch, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mustang Dining Hall, cost for non-meal plan individuals is $8 per plate Thursday, February 18: Trivia Night, 7:00 p.m., Life Lounge Tuesday, February 23: Movie Night: Winnie Mandela, 7:00 p.m., Light Hall Wednesday, February 24: History of Hip Hop Music Session, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mustang Dining Hall Thursday, February 25: Blues & Mancala, 7:00 p.m., Life Lounge The music session will take attendees through a historical retrospective of hip-hop...

Western New Mexico University will be celebrating 123 years of history with a special Founders Day celebration on Thursday, February 11. The day marks the commemoration of the university’s inception by the New Mexico state legislature. Originally known as the New Mexico Normal School, WNMU received its current name in 1963 after being renamed several times. The birthday party begins at 1:23 p.m. in the Miller Library. An exhibit of memorabilia and artifacts showcasing university students and events through history will be on display. Birthday cake and drinks will be served. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple and area alumni will win prizes if they bring along items from their time on campus. For more information, contact the Office of Communications at...

Western New Mexico University plans to develop a unique student-mentoring program if at least $133,000 is raised through a matching campaign initiative with The State of New Mexico. The State of New Mexico has made available $400,000 to help WNMU provide the mentorship and research opportunities, if the university raises $133,000 before March 1. For every $1 raised, the State will provide $2. “WNMU has the opportunity to expand student leadership opportunities to students in areas that are very important to the future of our country,” said Dr. Jose Herrera, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Seniors studying in STEM-H programs, which include science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health fields, will become mentors to other students, if the campaign is successful. The student mentors will provide academic mentoring and tutoring, as well as access to research to underclassmen. “With the generosity of our community, a successful campaign will help us...