Press Releases

Registration for Western New Mexico University’s Spring 2018 semester opened this week, and many students have already secured their class schedules. “It seemed like we had students in our office registering for classes all day long on Monday,” Director of Admission Matthew Lara said. “I was happy to see so many students getting an early start on spring registration.” The WNMU Admissions Office encourages those who haven’t yet registered to do so soon. The term begins Tuesday, Jan. 16, and ends Thursday, May 10. The deadline to register and add, drop or change classes is Jan. 22. But due to course rotation, the key to enrolling in classes that count toward students’ majors is being at the front of the line. “Students who register early are more likely to succeed and graduate on time,” said Devin Stroman, the Office of Admissions and Recruitment Student Services Coordinator. It is also important that undergraduate, new and transfer students meet with...

Six Western New Mexico University students enrolled in applied technology programs received scholarships from the Southwest New Mexico Home Builders Association. The awards ceremony took place earlier this month during a luncheon on the WNMU campus. Shyla McBride, Luke Vega, Wellington Woodward and Wesley Lamb each earned a $250 check, while Charles “Clay” Rice and Gilberto Barrios Jr. each received $500. The scholarship recipients are all WNMU freshmen who attended Grant County high schools, except Wellington Woodward, who attends both Silver High School and WNMU as a dual enrollment student. Five are pursuing Welding Technology, while the other is in Electrical Technology. Rice graduated from Cliff High School and started on the Welding Technology track through WNMU’s dual enrollment program, which offers high school students an opportunity to begin their post-secondary educations while still in high school. “My grandpa was a welder, and my uncle’s a welder. I...

Western New Mexico University signed agreements with four universities, including Universidad Tecnológica de Paquimé and Universidad de Occidente, during the First International Meeting of Universities on campus last week. WNMU also signed letters of intent with 13 other universities, including Universidad Technológica de Cuidad Juarez and Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, during the two-day convention. Organized by WNMU Language Institute Director Manuel Rodriguez, the First International Meeting of Universities spanned Oct. 12 and 13 and included institutions from both Mexico and Costa Rica. “For the first time ever, the WNMU Division of External Affairs welcomed seventeen universities for the purpose of collaborating and growing together in mutual interests,” Rodriguez said. With the aim of supporting WNMU’s efforts to launch an ecotourism program, the event featured seminars focused on educational tourism industry opportunities both locally and in Latin...

The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents renewed President Joseph Shepard’s employment contract at a special meeting in Silver City on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. The board unanimously voted to approve President Shepard’s new contract, extending his term of employment through June 30, 2021, while adding performance incentives for five annual objectives. “Of my eight years on the board, this contract has been one of the most thought-about items. A great amount of work went into it,” said Board President Jerry A. Walz, Esq. Regents present included Walz; Board Vice President Janice Baca-Argabright; Regent Member Carl Foster, Ph.D.; and Student Regent Arlean Murillo. Regent Dan Salzwedel, Ph.D., was unable to attend the meeting, but Foster shared a statement of Salzwedel’s support for the new contract. The board analyzed contracts and benefits packages from other universities in New Mexico and institutions in surrounding states. “We must remain in the...

Western New Mexico University students will have a couple opportunities to learn about some of the institution’s departments and officially declare their majors at upcoming Declare Your Major events. The School of Education scheduled a Declare Your Major Night in the Intramural Gym on Tuesday, October 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Humanities and Business departments set their Fall Carnival Declare Your Major Night for Wednesday, October 25, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot between Hunter and Bowden halls. The School of Education’s event is “for all undeclared students in the university at large or for prospective students,” according to Dr. Trinidad Tolar, who headed the organizing committee. Students can hear from School of Education alumni and engage in activities related to subjects like math, early childhood, reading, art and psychology. Computer-equipped kiosks will be set up in the gym, so students can register for classes or declare their...

To address changes to Federal laws affecting Latino immigrants, one Western New Mexico University student organization has been recently reinvigorated and is sponsoring and hosting campus events that bring awareness to Latino issues and culture. Movimento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, more commonly known as MEChA, aims to support and advocate for Hispanic students through twice-a-week meetings and occasional advocacy events. Engaging students with the Chicano culture and building awareness about the political issues that affect Hispanic students is one of MEChA’s goals, said sponsor Bryant Chaffino, the Music Instructor in the Department of Expressive Arts who heads the university’s award-winning Mariachi Plata group and stepped in as MEChA’s faculty advisor this semester. Other organization goals include ensuring there is a strong presence of the Hispanic culture on campus, advocating for the inclusion of more Hispanic history into WNMU curricula, and giving students a...

The Silver City community can get its fill of folk music on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. in Light Hall Theater when two-time Juno-winning banjoist Jayme Stone will bring his inspired sounds from around the world to the Western New Mexico University campus. With each of his albums, Stone combines folk, jazz and chamber music. His latest, “Jayme Stone’s Folklife Project,” puts an inventive spin on old tunes. The self-described “banjoist, composer and instigator” cultivated each piece on the album from what he heard on old field recordings. Each track was grown from the seeds of traditional spiritual songs, Creole calypsos, and Appalachian dance tunes. Joining Stone (banjo, voice) on stage at WNMU are Moira Smiley (voice, accordion), Sumaia Jackson (fiddle, voice) and Joe Phillips (bass, voice), who also played on the new album. Released by Borealis Records this past spring, “Jayme Stone’s Folklife Project” also features Grammy-winning songster Dom...

The sixth annual Western New Mexico University Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, October 14, and several golfers who regularly play in the benefit shared their thoughts on why it is a fun way to give back to WNMU. WNMU Assistant Professor of Marketing Chip Campbell, alum and local business owner Mike Rowse, and Alex Brown with the Town of Silver City have each golfed in the Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament a few times. All agree that they traditionally not only have success but also have a good time that day on the course. Campbell, a former teaching pro and member of the USGA, has participated in WNMU Alumni golf events hosted by both Las Cruces’ Mesilla Valley Chapter and the Silver City Chapter. “There are few sporting events I have appreciated as much over the years as team golf scrambles. From a players’ perspective, individuals get to enjoy playing golf and socializing with old friends and new acquaintances, but do not have to be ‘good’...

The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents met in Albuquerque on October 2 and approved several items that will begin development in upcoming semesters. WNMU President Joseph Shepard reported that the fund balance and reserve monies were considered healthy for the university and requested that the Board approve $500,000 in funds to be dedicated to athletic and academic scholarships. The Board approved unanimously for the use of the designation of the scholarship monies, available to students beginning in the fall 2018 semester. More than nine acres of land was approved by the Board to be acquired by the university. Located on Alabama Street west of Guadalupe Montessori School, the vacant land became available and was purchased from the St. Francis Newman Center Parish. There are no specific plans on the immediate use of the land. WNMU Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle presented the annual endowment report detailing areas in which the New Mexico...

A Career Fair at Western New Mexico University will be held on Nov. 30, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Student Memorial Building. “This is for the community and students. Employers can benefit from the opportunity to recruit students who are just embarking on their career paths, while students can explore businesses that may be a good fit for them after graduation,” said Vanessa Stroman, Career Services and Leadership Coordinator at the WNMU Center for Student Success. Area employers, as well as those based elsewhere, can now register to participate and meet with WNMU’s up and coming professionals. “Businesses may also want to start planning for our spring Career Fair on May 1, 2018,” Stroman said. The WNMU Center for Student Success encourages students to dress professionally and bring resumes to the Career Fair, where a photographer will offer to take professional portraits for use on LinkedIn. To reserve a booth, visit...