Adult Educational Services Programs To Be Featured In Open House Event

Free programs offered to community members through Adult Educational Services (AES) will be featured in an Open House event at Watts Hall on Saturday, July 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. AES offers years round programs at Watts Hall. New services include a community computer lab available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Courses offered beginning in August include computer skills, English learning, and preparation for the high school equivalence diploma. “We have a new partnership with the Silver City Public Library to offer these courses at the public library and we are hoping that having services offered at both locations will increase the opportunities for education to the community,” said Debbie Maldonado, AES Director. An addition to courses offered each semester, AES provides assistance with job interview skills and resume building. For more information, contact...

Western Bank Bootheel Foundation Awards Nursing Scholarships

The Western New Mexico University Foundation announced the annual list of scholarship recipients awarded by the Western Bank Bootheel Foundation. Theseven scholarship recipients represent students in the second year nursing program. Selection is based on academic progress, dedication to the nursing profession, projected financial need and requirements for scholarship application. The scholarship committee includes Bob Martin, Chairman of the Board for Western Bank; Joe Heidrick, WNMU Nursing Department Chair; LeAnn Robinson, Socorro Rico and Debra Brundage. The seven students selected met the criteria needed to be awarded. The nursing program at WNMU is a nationally accredited program. Degrees offered include the Associate Degree in Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The WNMU Foundation wishes to thank the efforts of the Bootheel Foundation; a nonprofit, charitable foundation established by Western Bank, its shareholders and employees who are dedicated to...

Vice President Sherri Bays Accepts New Position At West Texas A&M

Western New Mexico University Vice President of Business Affairs Sherri Bays has accepted the position of Vice President of Business and Finance for West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. Bays will end her 18-year tenure at WNMU on July 31. “It has been an honor to serve WNMU in several different capacities over the last 18 years. I will truly miss my WNMU family and cherish the friendships I have made not only at the University but within the community,” said Bays. “This is an excellent career opportunity for me and I will also be closer to family.” The announcement was made by WNMU President Joseph Shepard to the university community where he expressed his thanks and praise for Vice President Bays. “Over the last three years that I have had the privilege of working with Sherri, I have discerned that she is one of the best in the business,” said Shepard. “I will personally miss her insights, business acumen and high standards.” As Bays concludes...

WNMU President’s Award To Honor LULAC Council 8003

Western New Mexico University’s (WNMU) President Joseph Shepard will present the 2014 President’s Award to the Silver City League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 8003 on Saturday, July 26 at WNMU. The council will be honored for their longtime community service to Grant County and New Mexico. “We couldn’t think of any other organization that deserves to be recognized for their hard work and dedication in the Grant County community more than the LULAC Council 8003,” said Dr. Joseph Shepard, President of WNMU. “The members’ passion for service and education has changed the lives of thousands in Silver City and in New Mexico.” Through more than three decades, the LULAC Council 8003 has offered scholarship awards to students in Grant County who wish to continue their studies in higher education. With the vision of its founders, Apolonio “Polo” and wife Donna Sierra, the council began hosting fundraisers to raise money for the annual student...

Public Meeting Scheduled To Discuss Use Of Cornali Field

Western New Mexico University is hosting a public meeting to discuss the future use of Cornali Field, a park commonly used by dog owners in the community. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Global Resource Center. Due to recent aggressive behavior by some dogs at the park, the meeting is an opportunity for community members and university officials to discuss how the park should be used in the future for the safety of all visitors and animals to the park. Located on Virginia Street, Cornali Field is on university property. It has had many uses in the past but is now commonly used by dog owners as a dog park. For more information, community members can contact the Public Information Office at...

WNMU Signs Agreement With Mexican University

Western New Mexico University administration officials visited the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez (UACJ) on Thursday to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the two universities. The agreement details four points of cooperation including the initiation of joint research activities and publications; the exchange of invitations to scholars to participate in conferences, colloquia, symposia and sharing of experience; the exchange of information in fields of interest to both universities; and the exchange of faculty members and students for study and research. The visit follows a tour in March of WNMU by UACJ officials to initiate the conversation leading up to the agreement. Officials of both universities educated each other on the programs offered and found areas of interest for exchange initiatives in disciplines including nursing, education, kinesiology and the language...

WNMU To Host Third Annual Social Media Day

Western New Mexico University is hosting the third annual Social Media Day Silver City event on Monday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. at the Curious Kumquat. The free event is an informal and fun annual occurrence for small business and non-profit leaders looking to sharpen their social media skills. “Each year we partner with a small business and this year the event will take place in the outside eating area of the Curious Kumquat,” said Abe Villarreal, WNMU Director of Communications. The event will include presentations of successful social media strategies by WNMU, the Curious Kumquat and the Silver City Sun-News. Beer and wine will be available for purchase by the host site. A business card drawing for prizes and other interactive activities are planned. “Our event sponsor is the Silver City Sun-News and we’re excited to partner with one of our local news providers who has a large social media presence, spanning thousands of followers, in Silver City,” added...

Community Computer Labs Available At Watts Hall

Silver City residents can now take advantage of free computer access at Watts Hall on weekdays. The Office of Adult Education Services (AES) is offering public access to a computer lab and lab assistant Mondays and Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Computer access is open at no cost to everyone. Software programs available include Microsoft Office, Rosetta Stone for English learners and PowerUp for computer and keyboarding skills. Printing is free to WNMU students and AES students. Cost for the public is based on the size of the project. Adult Education Services offers free community courses throughout the summer, fall and spring semesters. Individual tutoring is also available. Watts Hall is located at the corner of Swan Street and Highway 180. For more information, contact AES at...

Chicano Alumni Chapter To Host Inaugural Meeting

Silver City, NM – The Alumni Affairs Office has announced the formation of the first ever Chicano Alumni Chapter at Western New Mexico University. The chapter will host its first meeting on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Polo Sierra Conference Room of the Student Memorial Center (3rd floor). The public is invited to attend the organizational meeting. The creation of the chapter was the brainchild of retiring Chicano Studies professor Patricia Cano. “The chapter is being organized for the purpose of sponsoring fundraising events for tuition and hardship scholarships, creating networking opportunities for alumni and current students, sponsoring social events that appeal to Hispanic alumni, and providing input to the administration regarding what WNMU should be as an Hispanic serving institution,” said Cano. An upcoming event the chapter hopes to realize is a Raza Alumni Reunion during the Homecoming 2015 weekend. Alumni from all graduating classes are invited to...

Food Program Sponsored By Early Childhood Programs

The Western New Mexico University Early Childhood Programs has announced the sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The WNMU Child Development Center and Preschool emphasize the high quality and nutritious food and snacks given to the program children. “We strive to give them the best food choices possible to enable them to have the energy and brainpower needed for their growth and development,” said Amanda Aragon, Early Childhood Programs. “The nutritious, satisfying meals that they receive while in our care have a positive impact on their learning and growth abilities.” Program participants are offered the same meals with no physical segregation of or other discriminatory action against any person. In accordance with federal law and U. S. Department of Agriculture policy, WNMU is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,...