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Western New Mexico University’s Bachelor of Social Work degree program topped the Students Before Profits Awards list of 2018 Best Online Bachelor of Social Work. The Students Before Profits Awards recognize colleges and universities that put students before profits and education before the bottom line. The Nonprofit Colleges Online awards committee chose online social work degree programs from accredited colleges and universities with lower-than-average tuition costs. WNMU’s Bachelor of Social Work degree is available entirely online and is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. In the program, students learn about social justice, dignity and the worth of a person. They study how to foster human relationships and create a nurturing environment. Students are not required to visit the WNMU campus to complete this 120-credit course of study, so most students live in rural areas and work full time jobs and support families. “We’re an option for...

An archaeologist and anthropologist from the University of Colorado will present “Mimbres Dimples, Slipslop, and Clapboard — What They Are and What They Mean” at Western New Mexico University’s Light Hall Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. Dimples, slipslop, and clapboard are all technical terms for details of Mimbres pottery manufacture. Presenter Dr. Stephen H. Lekson thinks some of the evidence in these details may link early Mimbres and Hohokam and says that later evidence shows connections between Mimbres and Chaco. “His ideas are always thought-provoking. I think it’s interesting that he thinks there are links between the Mimbres and the Chaco area,” said archaeologist Dr. Cynthia Ann Bettison, who is Director of the WNMU Museum. “It’s important to bring to people different perspectives of what archeologists are thinking about the past so they can get a comprehensive view of how we look at archeology.” Lekson is a Professor of...

More than 300 Mustangs will graduate from Western New Mexico University on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. They will walk across the Fine Arts Center Theatre stage with their diplomas at the fall commencement convocation at 2 p.m. Western New Mexico University will make it possible for people to watch their loved ones realize their accomplishments from afar by streaming the ceremony live online. See here for live stream. Indy racing legend Bobby Unser will give the commencement address. He, the older of the two famous racing brothers, established the family legend many years ago by capturing his first Indy 500 in 1968. He won again in 1975 and 1981. Unser has compiled one of the most impressive lists of accomplishments in American racing history. He logged 35 Indy car wins, 49 Indy car pole positions, eight 500-mile Indy car victories, four International Race of Champions (IROC) wins, and 13 Pikes Peak Hill Climb wins. The father of four has also served as an industry spokesman,...

Students from all the Western New Mexico University Expressive Arts studio classes will show their semester’s work on Nov. 30, 2017, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on both floors of the Chino building on campus (1000 W. College Ave.). From drawing, painting, print making and photography to clay, sculpture and weaving, this all-inclusive show features art of all media made by 165 students. Patty Countyman, who is a work study in the ceramics area, said, “It is pleasing to see artists work in different media. Everyone’s approach to each type of media is different. Someone could be making super fancy pots and then they go do something in photography that might have a darker feel to it. People capture different emotions in different media.” This show is up for one evening only. “It’s a rare chance to see student work and give feedback,” Michael Metcalf said. The students will return next week for their final critique. “It’s very useful for all artists or...

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,”...

More Grant County families enjoyed bountiful Thanksgiving dinners thanks to the Western New Mexico University Student Nurses Association, which assembled baskets of seasonal food and distributed turkey vouchers to residents in need. “Each basket held an entire Thanksgiving meal — turkey included,” said Annabelle Evans, a member of the WNMU Student Nurses Association. While the club has served Silver City in this way for several years, last year was the first they were able to provide turkey vouchers. And this year, they’re making an even bigger impact. They gathered enough food for more baskets than they ever had previously. With the help of small businesses in the community, the WNMU Student Nurses Association was able to reach its goal of providing nearly $900 worth of assistance. “We are very proud of what we have accomplished and grateful for all of the help we received,” Evans said, noting that 10 businesses gave monetary donations toward turkey...

The community is invited to help shape WNMU’s 2018-2021 strategic plan. Western New Mexico University is reviewing its three-year strategic plan and forming a new one for 2018-2021. The leadership is looking for input about the university’s mission, vision and goals. “During the past three years, we have started several new initiatives that influence our future and identity,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. William Crocker. Among those enterprises, he listed the applied liberal arts and sciences designation; emphases on rural health and education; developing external funding; growing enrollment and retaining students; broadening programs to support workforce needs; expanding international connections; involving the Gila in curricula and activities; strengthening WNMU’s role as a cultural center; and continuing to provide quality education with a commitment to inclusion and diversity. “In an atmosphere of sustainable challenges, these...

Katia Ibarra reported on the first Emerging Technologies and Creative Commerce lecture, which occurred on campus Monday, Nov. 13. Here’s an abbreviated version of her article. Read the full piece on The Mustang. After receiving a $10,000 grant from Power Company of New Mexico (PNM), the College of Arts and Sciences launched a series of Emerging Technologies and Creative Commerce lectures for the area’s artistic entrepreneurs. This first lecture was given by Dr. Alice Loy, a co-founder of the non-profit Santa-Fe organization, Creative Startups. Michael Metcalf, Chair of Expressive Arts, introduced the presentation by asking some of the questions many artists and dreamers ask themselves: “How do I dream and how do I my dream reality? Most importantly, where does the money come in?” The podium was then turned over to Tim Castillo, an associate professor of architecture at the University of New Mexico, who spoke about the possibility of having a permanent Makers Lab in...

Reporter Katia Ibarra covered the Office of Admissions and Recruitment’s Fall Open House for The Mustang. Here’s the scoop on WNMU’s best-attended open house in recent memory. On Saturday, Nov. 4, Western New Mexico University hosted a fall open house, welcoming 350 guests—187 of them being high school students and potential Mustangs—to campus. Attendees hailed from each corner of New Mexico and also from southeastern Arizona. The event began in a festooned Old James Stadium where complimentary coffee and donuts were on-hand. Mariachi Plata kicked off the Open House, and Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Isaac Brundage, led the crowd in his signature greeting, in which the participants called themselves “outstanding” right after raising each of their hands and clapping. While the students were at an academic fair in the gym, parents explored Mustang Village via bus. Animas high schooler Heather Clump, who plans on pursuing a Bachelor of Science in...

The 13th WNMU Academic Symposium will take place in conjunction with the Career Fair at Western New Mexico University on Nov. 30, 2017. The events last from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be on the third floor of the Student Memorial Building. Keynote speaker ASNMU President Tim Stillman will present at 9:10 a.m. “Many students don’t have opportunity to travel off campus, so we’re bringing a symposium to them,” said organizer Dr. Bill Norris, a biology professor who helped found this event and still heads the unofficial steering committee. “This way, they get to practice at communicating what they’re doing in class, a skill that is key in the real world. They will eventually be communicating professionally with stakeholders, clients, and even employers, so need to be able to summarize what they’ve done.” The symposium, which gives WNMU students opportunity to present their work, has existed as a grassroots event for 13 years. It is organized by a committee of...