Press Releases

Students and faculty of Western New Mexico University’s clay Expressive Arts Department will hold the 11th Annual Friends of Clay Pottery Sale on Saturday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 208 N. Bullard in downtown Silver City, next door to the Pink Store. The sale will feature an expansive selection of pottery and clay art works donated by current and former WNMU clay students, faculty, and professional potters. All proceeds from the sale will be used for the benefit of WNMU’s clay program. Sponsored by “Friends of Clay,” the annual pottery sales have grown in size each year since 2005, and have been an astounding success. Funds raised by the group are used to enhance and promote ceramics and the WNMU clay program through the offering of lectures, workshops, trips, scholarships, as well as assisting in the purchase of equipment and supplies for the university clay studio. A main attraction of the annual sales has been the wide variety of clay works offered,...

First grade students at Harrison Schmitt Elementary School are already thinking about attending college and Western New Mexico University officials are welcoming them 11 years before they graduate high school. Students in Mrs. Denise Ruelaz’ first grade class were recently given Letters of Acceptance by WNMU President Joseph Shepard along with university paraphernalia, in an effort to welcome the Class of 2031. The acceptance ceremony took place in Mrs. Ruelaz’ class on Friday. Mrs. Ruelaz and her teacher’s aid Mrs. Castillo are both alumni of WNMU. They decorated their class in purple and gold, and asked their students to wear Mustang shirts. “WNMU means so much to me and my family,” said Mrs. Castillo, who organized the event to teach her students the importance of attending college. “I let my kids know that they didn’t have an option and they had to attend college after high school.” Castillo graduated from WNMU and her three children are currently...

High school students and community college students looking to enroll at Western New Mexico University in the upcoming fall semester are invited to attend Mustang Showcase on Saturday, March 19. The event will give prospective students a preview of life on campus and connect them with their programs of interest. Scholarships will be awarded to attendees who qualify. “We have rolled out a new set of scholarships for incoming students,” said Matthew Lara, Director of Admissions. “High school students that have performed well academically or that have shown leadership in their communities may qualify for these awards.” The Tuition Guarantee program will also be highlighted. The program promises a static tuition rate for four years if students maintain a 2.0 G.P.A. and enroll continuously for four years. “The best way to decide what university to attend is to visit the campus,” added Lara. “Students will see the entire picture by attending the Mustang Showcase,...

The School of Education is hosting an eight-week course for individuals specializing in non-profit funding. The course, titled Program Assessment, Evaluation and Funding begins Monday, March 14 and is fully online. It is designed to help individuals develop skills necessary for survival as a 503C, not-for-profit or community service organization. Course participants will write a grant proposal as part of the class. If you plan to enroll in this course, please note the following: -It is a three credit hour course for which tuition and fees will be charged -There is an online course fee of $120 (not included in tuition and fees) -If you are not a current WNMU student, you will be required to apply to WNMU and pay a $40 application fee For information about Graduate Admissions, in order to enroll in this class, please contact Graduate Studies at gradstudies@wnmu.edu or 575-538-6650. The CRN for course is...

Lordsburg High School students are invited to attend a Scholarship Night event, hosted by Western New Mexico University on Monday, February 29. The event will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Lordsburg High School computer lab. Financial Aid experts will be present to discuss scholarship, grant and loan opportunities offered the federal government and private sources. “This is a critical time for students and family members as they make decisions about financial aid,” said Matthew Lara, Director of Admissions and Recruitment. “WNMU several tuition discounts including the Tuition Guarantee.” WNMU is the first university in the New Mexico to offer a Tuition Guarantee program with the promise that tuition rates will not increase during a four-year college career. Scholarships will be awarded at the event and students are encouraged to bring unofficial transcripts for evaluation. Free food and drink will be served to attendees. For more information, contact Abe...

Douglas High School students and Cochise College students are invited to attend a Scholarship Night event, hosted by Western New Mexico University on Wednesday, March 2. The event will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Union Building room 501 on the Cochise College campus. Financial Aid experts will be present to discuss scholarship, grant and loan opportunities offered the federal government and private sources. “Arizona residents are given several tuition incentives to attend Western New Mexico University including housing scholarships, in-state tuition and the Tuition Guarantee,” said Matthew Lara, Director of Admissions and Recruitment. WNMU is the first university in the New Mexico to offer a Tuition Guarantee program with the promise that tuition rates will not increase during a four-year college career. Scholarships will be awarded at the event and students are encouraged to bring unofficial transcripts for evaluation. Free food and drink will be served...

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...