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The WNMU Chapter of Circle K International is made up of Mustang leaders with hearts for service. These students belong to the 12,600 member-strong network, which is sponsored by Kiwanis International, and are active locally and also involved with the organization at a regional level. Immediate Past President Ariana belonged to Key Club, the high school iteration of Kiwanis, and continued her habit of volunteering through the college club, successfully recruiting many of the chapter’s current members. “As a double major in nursing and rehab services, I’ve always had a love and passion for giving to others,” she said. Now current Chapter President Jozette “Zoey” Jarrott is holding the club together during a period of virtual meetings and sparse community events. “We’re trying to focus on service projects,” she said. “This spring, we held an officer appreciation event, delivering care packages to departments around southwest New Mexico.” They were...

Four outstanding educators were selected to be included in the Western New Mexico University School of Education Hall of Fame and inducted during a virtual ceremony this spring. The 2020-2021 WNMU School of Education Hall of Fame inductees are Monica Ortiz Baca, Cindy Murphy Lee, Leland D. Miller and Mr. Darwin K. Bleak. Baca is a three-time graduate of WNMU. She earned a bachelor’s in elementary education in 1983, a master’s in counseling in 1996, and a master’s in interdisciplinary studies in 1998. WNMU recognized Baca for her 38 years of dedication to teaching elementary and special education and for service to her community of Chandler, Arizona, where she both lives and teachers. Her nomination read, “Mrs. Baca provides a safe and supportive place for her students, a place of refuge from the storms of life.” Lee graduated from WNMU with a bachelor’s in botany in 1981 and a master’s in secondary education in 1993. The WNMU School of Education recognized Lee for...

Western New Mexico University earned a $141,000 New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resource Department grant to fund Youth Conservation Corps internships for WNMU students, who will design and construct a proposed frisbee golf course. The interns will work closely with GIS professor Dr. Corrie Neighbors and Dr. Kathy Whiteman, who is the Natural Sciences Department Chair and also Director of the WNMU Center for Sustainable Futures and Outdoor Programs. In line with this grant award, WNMU is working to develop a partnership with the State Land Office to lease nearly 140 acres in Maudes Canyon of Silver City, which is near the intersection of Highway 180 the 32nd Street Bypass Road. According to the proposal, this property would be used to construct an 18-hole disc golf course and parking area, meeting community demand and fulfilling some residents’ dream. Only the most minimal improvements necessary would be made in the development of the course, which includes the...

T or C native McKenzie Rose Luna began homeschooling in 7th grade and enrolled at WNMU in 8th grade. She placed in Math 102 and English 101 and continued taking online classes, ultimately choosing to major in business and completing her bachelor’s, walking in last week’s hybrid commencement ceremony just ahead of her local Hot Springs High School graduation. While middle schooler McKenzie was a little uneasy about how students and professors would treat her at WMU, she said that the professors had faith in her and having other dual credit learners in classes made her feel more comfortable. “I got to meet so many kind and helpful people, and it’s a really good environment,” she said. The three-time local pageant queen, President of FFA, State 4H Officer and New Mexico Beef Ambassador has remained active in the community and with other youth throughout her teen years. “I feel there’s a lot of adults who say, ‘You shouldn’t have rushed this. You should have gone...

More than 350 students earned degrees from Western New Mexico University in spring 2021, and the Mustang community celebrated through a hybrid commencement ceremony on Friday afternoon. Of the graduates who received diplomas from WNMU this spring, about 250 chose to participate in the commencement ceremony, with 150 walking in person at Ben Altamirano Stadium and 97 turning their tassels over Zoom. The university awarded 37 associate degrees, 121 bachelor’s degrees, 152 master’s degrees, 68 graduate certificates, 10 applied technology certificates, six fast-track certificates, and five high school equivalency diplomas. Recognized as new inductees in the WNMU Student Hall of Fame were Taylor Allison, Kelli McGhiey, Harry O’Callaghan, Samantha Starr-Sullenger and Laruni Witty. “The WNMU Student Hall of Fame is the highest recognition that can be earned by students at the university and is reserved for those students who have demonstrated integrity and achievement through...

Seventeen-year-old Keirston Bloomfield will technically graduate from college before she graduates from high school. Having taken prerequisites for the WNMU nursing program since her freshman year of high school, Keirston has earned enough credits for an associate degree, which also happens to be enough credits to graduate from high school — one year early. When she was younger, Keirston thought she wanted to be a vet and pursued some opportunities to explore that field more. “I didn’t like it much so I thought maybe instead of animals, I could help people,” she said. She started taking dual enrollment classes at Western New Mexico University and will walk in this week’s commencement ceremony, earning an associate degree in liberal arts. (Her Silver High School graduation isn’t until May 20.) But this won’t be the end of Keirston’s educational journey. “I’m planning on finishing the rest of my prerequisites for the WNMU nursing program and applying...

Jasmine Chambers In celebration of National Poetry Month, Western New Mexico University Professor Heather Frankland’s English 099 morning class completed a special assignment and worked with Silver City and Grant County Poet Laureate Eve West Bessier, who led the students through an image prompt that used N. Scott Momaday’s poem, “Delight Song of Tsoai-talee,” as inspiration. Bessier published and featured three of the student poems in her poet laureate blog on the Southwest Word Fiesta website. Jasmine Chambers’ poem is an example of the outstanding work these students produced.   “I am Alive” By Jasmine Chambers I am the pen that writes my story I am the sun that gets up everyday I am the hands that work hard I am the water within every stream I am the ink on the paper I am the pixels on the screen I am the color of the picture I am the emptiness in the room I stand in good relation to my family I stand in good relation to the guides I stand...

The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents whizzed through a lengthy agenda Friday, approving the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, agreeing on proposed new degree programs and ensuring the university is poised to capture anticipated Federal funding for infrastructure projects. After receiving general updates from faculty and staff senate presidents, student body president and also university president Dr. Joseph Shepard, the board members addressed 17 action items, tabling just one and unanimously passing the rest. Discussing the $50-million 2021-2022 fiscal year budget, Vice President for Business Affairs Kelley Riddle said, “For Instruction and General, we’ll be budgeting a carryover balance of $5.4 million. This includes a temporary budget for the Road to 4k Initiative previously approved by you,” she said. Dr. Daniel H. Lopez, one of the newest members of the board who was President of New Mexico Tech for two decades, said he asked a lot of questions about...

The inaugural Western New Mexico University Remembrance March held on Saturday drew dozens to walk in honor of service members past and present. Held Saturday, this event allowed participants to commemorate the 1942 Bataan Death March. While 72 participants had pre-registered, even more who attended registered on site. More than a dozen marchers took on the 14-mile out-and-back route, while the remaining participants completed the one-mile Honor March. Each route began and ended on the WNMU campus. At least 20 marchers were veterans themselves marching in the Military category, and a couple registered in the Military Heavy category, committing to carry 35-pound packs for the duration of their journey. Some in the Civilian category carried photos of their loved ones who served in the U.S. armed forces, and others opted to write the name of a loved one they wanted to march in honor of on their participant number. Alternatively, civilians could choose to march in honor of service...