Press Releases

As parents drop off their students at Western New Mexico University during new student orientation, a rescued hawk will simultaneously be released back into the wilderness, symbolizing the new found freedom of the newest residents of the Silver City community. WNMU has partnered with Gila Wildfire Rescue for the releasing event, which will take place Tuesday, August 9 at 1:00 p.m. on Ridge Road, just outside the city limits. “This is an exciting initiative that showcases the importance of growth and development by our students, who have chosen WNMU as a place to spread their wings,” said Isaac Brundage, Vice President for Student Affairs. Several hundred incoming students make up the Class of 2020 which will begin fall classes on August 15, and who will be on campus throughout the preceding week for New Student Orientation. Dennis and Denise Miller with Gila Wildlife Rescue, directors of a local animal rescue and rehabilitation center, will be releasing a Swainson’s...

For the sixth consecutive year Western New Mexico University will team up with the Silver City MainStreet Project to host the Welcome Back Bash on Saturday, August 13. 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 Gifts, Gowns & More; located on Bullard Street next to the Morning Star parking lot. After updating the community with an account of current and future happenings, the downtown party will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Morning Star 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...

It was November of 2015 and Xavier Ayers was at the end of a record-breaking season with the Western New Mexico University Mustang football team. His first two years playing as a wide receiver were accompanied with injuries including a torn left and right AC joint in his shoulder. His desire to continue majoring in business was fading and returning to the football field seemed unlikely. “I wanted to go in a new direction so I turned to photography,” said Ayers. “Deciding to focus on the arts was a domino effect and one thing led to another.” With a new focus for his junior year, Ayers returned to football and changed his area of study to fine arts. Success both on and off the field quickly followed the 22-year-old Santa Fe native. Ayers recently completed a mural at The Stache House, a popular downtown barbershop in downtown Albuquerque. “I’ve always like to draw but painting was something that seemed out of reach,” said Ayers. “Once I signed up for the class and...

The summer focus on international students continues at Western New Mexico University with the latest group of campus visitors from the Mexican State of Sinaloa. A group of 16 students and visiting professors from the Universidad de Occidente (UdeO) in Los Mochis, Mexico, is enrolled in a two-week intensive English program that also includes a focus on International Business. The students are earning master degrees in their home university, which requires that they participate in an international exchange program like the one offered through WNMU’s Language Institute. “We know that your institution has a strong program in teaching English and saw this as an opportunity to partner with your school,” said Karla Moreno, UdeO professor. “Our students will now have now more of a global perspective.” UdeO signed a memorandum of understanding with WNMU in October 2015 creating a partnership between the two institutions for student and faculty exchanges. The visiting students...

Summer at Western New Mexico University has become a destination by students all across Mexico. Two-groups of Mexican students recently completed two and four week programs at the main campus in Silver City. Students form the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez (UACJ) were on campus for three weeks, as part of an intensive English language program. Facilitated through the WNMU Language Institute, the curriculum for the visiting students included 180 hours of in-class work. Additionally, the students practiced immersion style learning with visits to local businesses. Earlier in July, a group of students from the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA), a private Catholic university in Mexico, attended the main campus for two weeks. UNIVA students took law courses, learning the American judicial system through coursework and visits to area courthouses. The course was taught by Dr. Francisco Cordova, a Mexico-based law professor. A group of students from the Mexican...

A recent competition win by Mariachi Plata, Western New Mexico University’s mariachi ensemble, has opened doors to upcoming workshops and competitions throughout the region. Mariachi Plata is in its fifth semester at WNMU. The fifteen-member group, made up of students from Silver City, Deming and El Paso, competed at Mariachi Spectacular in Albuquerque, earlier in July, earning a second place finish in the university category. “We were only together for two weeks this summer,” said Bryant Chaffino, the ensemble’s music instructor. “We practiced day and night and I’m really proud of this group’s dedication and talent.” Mariachi Ensemble is offered as a two-credit course each semester with classes meeting on Monday and Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. in Parotti Hall. “Having a vibrant, active mariachi ensemble on campus is important to our culture here and supports our university as a Hispanic Serving Institution,” said Chaffino. The group’s success in...

Public access to Campus Rec facilities at Western New Mexico University has been updated to accommodate for more flexibility to community members accessing the fitness center, pool and other facilities. Effective August 15, monthly memberships will be replaced by a swipe system at the same cost. For $50, a community member can purchase 25 swipes allowing for greater flexibility when choosing when to use the swipe throughout the semester. “Our current system limits our visitors to swipes within a 30 day period,” said Jessica Morales, Director of Student Life. “The new swipe system will give our community members the freedom to choose when to visit our facilities.” A semester pass is available for $175 per semester, with unlimited visits throughout the semester. Accessible facilities include the racquetball courts, Intramural Gym, fitness center and indoor pool. The age requirement of 16-years or older will remain the same. Passes are non-transferable, non-refundable and...

The small community of Mogollon, New Mexico, is in the spotlight with a new book titled Hypnotizing Chickens and Other Stories: My Memories of Mogollon, by Jan Sherman. Sherman will have a book-signing event on Tuesday, August 2 at 4:30 p.m. at the Alumni Garden on the Western New Mexico University campus. The book is the first for the 94-year-old, Silver City-based author. “I’ve been storytelling with all my friends about growing up in Mogollon,” said Sherman who attended WNMU in the early 1940s. “They all told me I should put together a book with these stories.” The self-published book was a nine-month project with friends and family. Most of the images in the book feature Jan as a young woman with her brother Bud, to whom the book is dedicated. Through 18 different stories, the adventures and Sherman and her brother Bud are illustrated with the author’s personal words and family photos. Mogollon is a small town located east of Glenwood in Catron County....

Dr. Imelda Olague has been named the new Director of International Studies at Western New Mexico University. International Studies is an area of focus for rapid growth at WNMU and Dr. Olague is planning for the growth through new initiatives and partnerships. “This is not a new trend, it is a global tendency,” said. Dr. Olague about the importance of international studies. “It is our responsibility as an institution to better prepare our students to be competitive, competent and successful.” Dr. Olague recently completed an internship with the Division of External Affairs where she became familiar with the partnerships and agreements WNMU has been developing with international partners. “The goal is to open the doors for students to explore and study abroad, as well as to bring international students to WNMU,” said Olague. “Developing individual plans to do so will help to strengthen our university in many aspects, and this will better prepare our students in...

New Mexico State Representative Dianne Hamilton was recognized by Western New Mexico University with the naming of a new pavilion on campus on Friday. The honor was initiated by WNMU President Joseph Shepard who recognized Rep. Hamilton for her lifelong service to Western New Mexico University, both through her legislative work in elected office, and through her tenure as a member of the Board of Regents.   The new pavilion is located in The Gardens at WNMU, next to Light Hall. Family and friends joined Rep. Hamilton during the unveiling of the plaque bearing her name and image. Rep. Hamilton has served in the New Mexico Legislature since 1999. Her district represents Grant, Hidalgo and Sierra counties. Prior to her time in elected office, Rep. Hamilton served as a member and as Chair of the WNMU Board of Regents for eight years. From 1976 through 1999, Rep. Hamilton hosted a local radio show. Her accolades include receiving the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Women in 1994...