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A new face is greeting former Western New Mexico University students at Hunter Hall. Amanda Moffett was recently named Director of Alumni Affairs and already she is gearing up for a busy spring semester of events and outreach efforts. “WNMU has such a positive impact in the community and I want to continue to reach out to former students and employees who have benefited from their time here,” said Moffett. Moffett’s background is primarily in the resort and hospitality industry, helping to plan large business and social events for resorts, golf and country clubs and conference center. A native of Tucson, Arizona, Moffett is familiar with the area having earned a degree from Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona. Her most recent experience is as a Conference Manager at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson. “I hear from graduates all the time that are wanting to give back to their alma mater because WNMU was such a special place for them,” said Moffett. “I’m here to...

At least 250 students will be earning certificates, associate, baccalaureate or master degrees on Friday, December 11, at the fall commencement ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Theatre. The ceremony will be streamed online live and can be seen at www.wnmu.edu/events/commencement-2015. Silver City Certificate: Matthew Blancett, Joel Castillo, Jacob Clark, Stephen Lindsey, Laura Mullen, Jory Torres Associate Degree: Jennifer Aragon, Benjamin Jerome Cardoza, Jason Lee Dunlap, Cassandra Fierro, Anna Flores, Diego R. Gonzalez, Clarisse Grijalva, Bryant Jamison, Kelly Ann Kesich, Stephen Lindsey, Davi L. Martin, Luis Porras, Jennifer Rider, Bianca Inez Rivera, Sadee N. Toms, George Trujillo Baccalaureate Degree: Venus Aragon, Colette Beers, Jade Brown, Luzulena Carbajal, Maria Carrillo, Esther Chico-Gutierrez, Bre A. Compton-Boyden, Candace P. Davidson, Catherine Fritsche, Michelle Grayless, Lindsay Griffin, Matthew T. Gruszka, Estere Perrault Lucero,...

Graduates at the fall commencement ceremony will get to hear from a Western New Mexico University alum that has led a distinguished career of public service. Colonel Alfred J. Perez will deliver the keynote address at the Fine Arts Center Theatre on Friday, December 11 at 2:30 p.m. The event can be seen live online: www.wnmu.edu/events/commencement-2015. COL Perez was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the New Mexico Army National Guard in May 1989 as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC). COL Perez graduated from the 120th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course in December 1989. He has also completed the Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff Officer Course. He has served as a Staff Judge Advocate for the 111th ADA BDE, the 111the MEB and the 93rd BDE. He currently serves as the Deputy State Judge Advocate, Joint Forces Headquarters, Santa Fe, NM. COL Perez deployed from January 2008 through January 2009, in support of...

High School students from Silver High School and Aldo Leopold High are invited to attend Financial Aid Night on Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m. in Silver High’s Little Theater. Hosted by Western New Mexico University, the event will inform students and their families about financial aid opportunities including scholarships, grants and work-study jobs. Students are encouraged to bring their transcripts and test scores as scholarships for housing and tuition will be awarded. “This is a great time for high school seniors and their parents to learn about important deadlines and the many options students have in being awarded aid,” said Matthew Lara, WNMU Director of Admissions. WNMU recently introduced a Tuition Guarantee program, the first university in the state to do so, allowing students to pay the same tuition rate for four years. “In addition to Tuition Guarantee, our University Foundation office has opened its application to high school students, offering more...

More than 70 students representing different Mexican universities arrived to Western New Mexico University on Sunday, November 22 as part of a four-week intensive English program. The students are members of the second class of Proyecta 100,000; a Mexican funded scholarship program supporting thousands of Mexican students and professors in American-based English language programs. WNMU’s Language Institute is facilitating the courses for the participants who are learning English in several levels. “After last year’s experience with more than 100 Mexicans on campus during the winter season, we felt prepared to take on this exciting program and are thrilled that WNMU was once again selected to be sent students,” said Manuel Rodriguez, Director of the Language Institute. The participants represent universities from several Mexican states including Chihuahua, Sonora, Puebla and Mexico City. “There were many students who wanted to return to our campus for a second...

A familiar hang out spot for generations of alumni will officially become university property after a recent land donation by the family of Judge J.C. Robinson including Tree Rock. The public is invited to a dedication ceremony on Friday, November 20 at 11:00 a.m. Tree Rock has been a landmark of the main campus, located above the Muir Heights housing area, and visible to most campus residents, the large tree and the surrounding land has been property of the Robinson family until now. “Although I did not attend WNMU, I know many people that have and Tree Rock is a special place for so many students,” said Judge Robinson. “When the opportunity came to donate the land I knew that this would be a special gesture on behalf of four generations of Robinson families in Grant County.” A walking trail has been created from the upper Muir Heights parking lot. The ceremony will take place at the base of the tree. Refreshments will follow the...

A panel of experts on the history of Japanese internment camps during World War II, including three former prisoners, will speak at Light Hall auditorium on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. Free to the public, the presentation will feature photographic slides and video clips, live readings from a diary kept by Lordsburg prisoners, and a Q and A discussion. Presenters include Sam Mihara, former child prisoner of a Wyoming prison camp; Dr. Nikki Nojima Louis, former child prisoner of Minidoka camp and daughter of a prisoner in two New Mexico camps; Herbert Tsuchiya, prisoner of the Minidoka camp; and Victor Yamada, New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League board member. The event will cover the internment of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, and the American government’s removal of these people from their homes into prison camps in remote parts of the United States. The majority of the prisoners were first generation immigrant men aged over 50 who had lived in the...