Donors who contribute to the Western New Mexico University Foundation’s new President’s Society fund before the end of this fiscal year will get lifetime recognition as supporters and also help WNMU meet the needs of its students and faculty even in bleak economic times.
Anyone who gives within this first fiscal year will be an inaugural member of the President’s Society. Donors who contribute a cumulative unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more by June 30, 2018, will have their names on the recognition piece forever. After the founding year, members who meet the $1,000 unrestricted gift minimum will be recognized within their membership year.
The Foundation created the President’s Society to recognize and honor those who demonstrate commitment to the university through annual unrestricted gifts.
“Participation in the President’s Society will allow the Foundation to further support WNMU students and campus, facilitating a vital culture of caring and philanthropy,” University Foundation Executive Director Jodi Edens-Crocker said. “President’s Society gifts touch nearly every corner of academic and student life, because the Foundation uses unrestricted funds to allocate resources for underfunded programs and initiatives.”
When the President’s Society was announced at the Foundation’s 2017 annual signature scholarship gala, Pete and Michelle Nebbia presented the university with “Cloud,” a carved bas-relief of an American mustang stallion.
Carved with inspiration and admiration for WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard, “Cloud” was meant as a gift to all those at WNMU who embrace the spirit of the wild mustang on their journey through life. The carving’s creator, Pete, described the mustang stallion as a leader and a survivor who is free, self-reliant, strong, and independent just like Western’s own Mustangs. The work now represents school pride, loyalty and the importance of making a difference — ideals that President’s Society donors share.
“In a critical time when State dollars are continually being cut, unrestricted funds help ensure that today’s students are well-served by WNMU’s dedication to the highest standards of academic inquiry, learning and service,” Edens-Crocker said.
Contributions to the President’s Society may be made through checks made payable to the WNMU Foundation and mailed to WNMU Foundation PO Box 1158, Silver City, NM 88062, or through credit cards in person at the WNMU Foundation Office in Hunter Hall.
For more information about the President’s Society, call the University Foundation at 575-538-6310.