Press Releases

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...

The iconic cars of the mid 20th century beloved by the Hispanic-American community will be featured in an upcoming New Mexico History Museum photo exhibition at Western New Mexico University. An opening reception will take place Thursday, September 7 at 4:30 p.m. in the Frances McCray Gallery of Contemporary Art. The exhibit, funded in part by the New Mexico History Museum, will feature photos chronicling the beauty of the classic cars for several decades. The images will showcase New Mexicans who have customized, detailed, painted, and upholstered symbols of Hispanic culture, creating mobile works of art. Focusing on lowriders, a term used for cars whose suspension has been lowered to inches from the ground, the Spanish translation is bajito or suavecito, meaning low and slow. Lowriders have become expressions of faith, to honor the dead and bring families together for generations. The art opening will be followed by a Lowriders, Hoppers and Hot Rods competition...

Western New Mexico University alumni will be teeing up for the sixth consecutive golf tournament, hoping to raise thousands of dollars for student scholarships. The sixth annual Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, October 14. More than 80 golfers participated in 2016 and more than $87,000 has been raised in the previous five events. Monies raised benefit student scholarships, assisting students with campus jobs, and the general scholarship fund. Interested golfers can register for $125 individually or as a foursome at $400. Fees include greens, tee prize, golf car, range balls, refreshments, complimentary breakfast, and attendance to the awards luncheon hosted by Kevin McGrath’s Burger Time. Area businesses can support the event through a tee-sign sponsorship ranging from $60 to $75, in kind donations or raffle items. Shotgun start time is 8:30 a.m. at the University Course at Scott Park. To register for the event, or to sponsor a tee sign,...

The Early Childhood Education Program at Western New Mexico University, already accredited in offering associate and bachelor degrees by the Higher Learning Commission, has earned an additional recognition from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). “This associate degree program offered by WNMU is the first in the state to earn this special recognition,” said Shannon Rivera, Early Childhood Programs Executive Director. “This accreditation is an added step to say that we are going above and beyond what we are required in delivering quality classroom education.” Nationally recognized for its quality on-site classroom learning laboratory, the Early Childhood Programs offers degrees at the certificate, associate and bachelor levels. “We are offering our students a program that will better prepare them for the workforce,” said Rivera. The standards of accreditation requirements ensure that WNMU offers high quality faculty that are...

Students attending Dine College will soon benefit from an agreement singed with Western New Mexico University, offering a seamless transition for candidates in the special education degree program. The new partnership will give Dine College students admission to WNMU after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. The students will then earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a concentration in Special Education by attending WNMU fully online. The Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance includes a stipulation in the agreement for financial aid recipients in the program to teach in Navajo schools for each year financial aid was received. Leaders of both higher education institutions applauded the agreement that creates more opportunities for Native American students to earn master degrees and teach for the communities in which they reside. “Education is a key component to economic development,” said Dr. Joseph Shepard, WNMU...

For the seventh consecutive year Western New Mexico University will team up with the Historic Downtown Silver City businesses to host the Welcome Back Bash on Friday, August 11. Offering socialization for both new and returning students, the event signifies the exciting arrival of the fall semester with music, games and dancing in historic downtown Silver City. WNMU President Joseph Shepard will deliver a State of the University Address at 5:30 p.m. inside Syzygy Tile; located at 106 N. Bullard Street. After updating the community with an account of current and future happenings, the downtown party will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Syzygy Tile parking lot with live music by the Brandon Perrault Band. The event will include family games and information booths by local organizations. Community groups and small businesses can register to have free booth space by contacting 575.538.6336 or news@wnmu.edu. The Welcome Back Bash is sponsored by WNMU in partnership with...

Mariachi Plata struck all the right notes at a recent competition in Albuquerque, where the Western New Mexico University musical ensemble took home two top awards. Mariachi Plate earned first place in the university category and second place overall at Mariachi Spectacular, an annual summer conference for mariachi ensembles throughout the region. The WNMU group returned to the event, having initially taken second place in 2016. “Our group has really progressed over the last two years,” said Bryant Chaffino, Mariachi Plata musical director. “I’m proud to say that Mariachi Plata has become a positive source of pride for Western.” The two-day conference and competition provided the student musicians with access to knowledge from renowned artists and composers. At least 14 ensembles performed in the contest. The community-at-large can support Mariachi Plata’s ongoing efforts by donating to the University Foundation. For more information, contact...