News

Third Grade Student Given Four-Year Scholarship To WNMU

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Western New Mexico University recently awarded a four-year scholarship to Faith Pellegrino, third grader at G.W. Stout Elementary School in Silver City. The scholarship was given to Pellegrino for placing first place overall in the school’s science fair. Her project “Lead in Our Water” was selected among over 100 entries by a panel of judges that included community members, WNMU faculty and administration, and G.W. Stout Elementary teachers. “We are so grateful for this generous support from the University and hope that it is the beginning of something that could be offered to our students each year,” said David Lougee, G.W. Stout Elementary Principal. “The kids have worked hard on their projects and this adds to their motivation to do well and participate in...
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Hill Collects CoSIDA Academic First Team All-America Accolade

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If his golf results weren't enough, senior Calum Hill (Kinross, Scotland/Kinross HS) also excelled in the classroom and Wednesday he received College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) All-America® First Team honors. This marks the second year he has made the list, being selected to the Third Team as a junior. Hill advanced to the All-America ballot after earning his second straight CoSIDA Academic First Team All-District award earlier this year. Hill, from Kinross, Scotland, was named the RMAC Academic and Golfer of the Year for the second straight season as well. He holds a 3.91 GPA and is majoring in business administration. He nearly won the NCAA Championships as an individual placing second with an 11-under 205, just two-shots off the top spot. He moved from 17th in the rankings all the way to third in the latest and final GolfStat poll. In addition to landing the CoSIDA honors and the RMAC accolades, he was also named to the PING First Team All-Region,...
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Symposium to focus on Gila Wilderness, water and resources

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A three-day symposium focusing in the Gila Wilderness, its water and resources, will take place beginning Wednesday, June 8 on the Western New Mexico University campus. The symposium, titled Into the Heart of the Gila: Wilderness and Water in the West, will feature three days of lectures and panel sessions by recognized authors and academics touching on subjects such as nature, conservation and history. Organized by the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE), the public is invited to attend open sessions one each day of the event. The paper presentations are closed to conference-registered attendees. Area residents can also register for field trips taking place on Saturday, June 11 to local destinations including the Gila Cliff Dwellings. For a complete list of speakers, topics and campus lecture locations, visit http://asle.wnmu.edu or contact...
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University Foundation Selling Legacy Bricks

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A new opportunity to commemorate alumni, loved ones and friends has been initiated by the University Foundation with the sale of Legacy Bricks. The purchase of a Legacy Brick establishes areas on campus honoring students, university leaders, donors and alumni whose names, dates and special memories will be left as a testament to those times experienced on campus. “We’re excited that anyone who has an important memory or accomplishment at WNMU has the opportunity to leave their legacy on one of these bricks that will be a part of the landscape of our future,” said Jodi Edens-Crocker, University Foundation Executive Director. Bricks can contain one line of information for $100 or two lines for $125 of up to ten spaces per line. “The bricks will be laid out on campus for everyone to see as a way to salute the past, capture the present, and pave the future for our students and community,” said Edens-Crocker. To purchase a Legacy Brick, contact the University...
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Live On The Lawn event to feature Albuquerque Salsa band

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Albuquerque-based salsa band Calle 66 will perform for the upcoming Live On The Lawn concert at Old James Stadium on Friday, June 10. The event will feature the seven-member band Calle 66 with opening music by Mariachi Raices de America, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Calle 66 is a native New Mexico salsa band with a mission to play contemporary salsa and to perform music with integrity and respect to the salsa art form. The band’s music touches on influences representing Cuba, Puerto Rico and Colombia. Calle 66 will bring a salsa dance instructor to teach audience attendees salsa dance moves. The opening act will be Mariachi Raices de America. The group is an El Paso-based mariachi that performs regularly throughout the Southwest. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. A second Live On The Lawn event will take place on June 24 when Dustbowl Revival will take the stage to perform their unique bluegrass, swing...
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WNMU Museum Planning For Renovations, Temporary Closure

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For over 40 years, Fleming Hall has been home to the University Museum and a broad collection of Mimbres pottery known the world over. Soon, the nationally registered historic building will be extensively renovated, something that University Museum staff have been anticipating for several months, wrapping and moving hundreds of pieces of pottery and artifacts. “After Fleming Hall’s transformation, visitors will walk in and experience a dynamic exhibition with natural light and interactive exhibits,” said Dr. Cynthia Bettison, University Museum Director. “Every piece of pottery not part of the new main floor exhibitions will be on display in visible collection areas.” Museum staff have been carefully wrapping artifacts since August and moving them to a temporary storage location. Once the main floor exhibit area closes to the public on August 1, a small display of items will be available to visitors in Watts Hall. “We have closed access to professional...
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Educators Inducted Into School of Education Hall of Fame

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Western New Mexico University inducted four career educators into the School of Education Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 spring commencement ceremony activities. Ginger Kinsey Masoner is a 1977 and 1985 WNMU graduate. Masoner taught as an elementary teacher for over 31 years and was recognized as an inductee for her superior qualities as an educator. Known for her enthusiastic energy and her encouraging nature, Masoner is beloved by her students and peers. Involved in school communities, Masoner was active outside of the classroom sponsoring clubs and activities encouraging her students to be civic-minded citizens. Connie Louise Laurent Perez is a graduate of WNMU, class of 1982 and 1989. Perez was inducted for her 31 years of service as an elementary teacher. Described by her peers as a compassionate and reliable educator, Perez took time to learn about each student’s background and areas of need. Perez was instrumental in the design of the open classroom concept at...
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WNMU Grad Seeks To Showcase Point Of View Through Film

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A video titled Gila’s Fight showcasing the beauty of the Gila National Forest and surrounding areas was intended to be an end-of-semester project for Chris Theulen, it turned out to be a catalyst for film projects with regional and national organizations. Theulen graduated from Western New Mexico University this May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and in the year leading up to his walk on the commencement stage he was busy looking through a camera lens, sharing his talents with film partners and producing work that will eventually be used by companies such as the Discovery Channel. “It’s been an eye-opening time during the last few months,” said Theulen, a native of Anchorage, Alaska. “Every project and every contact I’ve made have led me to doors being opened.” Gila’s Fight is two minutes and forty seconds of footage of Gila National Forest landscapes, showcasing the mountains, streams and animal life, of this wilderness area in southwest New Mexico. “I...
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Gila Collaborative Accepted To Santa Fe Art Institute

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The Gila Collaborative was accepted to the Water Rights Residency Program of the Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI) for 2016 - 2017. The four-person collaborative, comprised of WNMU Assistant Professor of New Media Peter Bill, Hopi independent film maker Victor Masayesva, new media artist Stephen Dirkes, and Gila Conservation Coalition executive director Allyson Siwik, will explore the idea of equity in our water systems. According to SFAI, the program “encourages creative minds to come together and examine the territory of Water Rights. Together, we will explore several questions: How do we describe and define the contested space around water? If water use is often parallel to culture, how can cultural activities result in greater models of equity in our water systems? How can diverse practices, from poetic to practical to political, create greater access to these and other parallel resources?” Responding to the Water Rights Residency theme, the Gila Collaborative’s project...
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Regents Approve No Tuition Increase, Review Solar Panel Plan

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The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents met for its annual spring meeting on Thursday, May 12 at the Silver City campus. The Board approved several items and listened to updates on university initiatives. An approval on tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year was passed unanimously. Tuition rates will remain the same as the current year. A small increase in student fees of $8.40 per credit hour, proposed by members of the Associated Students, was voted with approval. The Tuition Guarantee program, introduced a year ago, will remain intact for incoming students. The program guarantees that there will be no tuition increase for incoming students, for eight consecutive semesters, as long as students meet some minimum requirements. Regent members listened to a presentation by PNM representatives on a proposed photovoltaic system to be installed on campus in two locations. The system would reduce power usage by at least $38,000 per year once installed. WNMU...
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