Tag Archives: NMSU

The New Mexico State University STEM Outreach Center will continue to partner with Las Cruces Public Schools to provide extended learning time after-school programs.

The idea of offering these 15-week programs came from the strong bond that NMSU shares with LCPS. Currently, 11 schools are part of the 21st century community learning centers out-of-school time program offered by the STEM Outreach Center at the NMSU College of Education.

In collaboration with LCPS interim Superintendent Karen Trujillo, an additional 14 elementary schools will participate in after-school programming utilizing extended learning time funds.

“Our hope is that students find the program innovative, engaging and inspiring,” said Sara Morales, NMSU STEM Outreach Center associate director. “Research shows that children in after-school programs attend school more often, get better grades, and are more likely to graduate. They also improve students’ homework completion, class participation and class behavior.”

Each school will be assigned a site facilitator who will ensure that the programs are high quality and engaging for students.

The NMSU STEM Outreach Center will provide approximately 114 educational curriculum kits and professional learning for about 120 teachers and educational assistants who will then implement the lessons in their after-school classrooms.

“What happens outside of the classroom is as important as what happens inside of the classroom,” said Morales. “It is our responsibility to ignite that passion for our children and youth at an early age and bring access to explorations that they otherwise may not have.”

Students must complete a registration form and select the session they prefer. Space is limited to 15 students per session encouraging a small student-to-teacher ratio.

For more information about these after-school extended time learning programs contact Morales at 575-646-3084 or smorales@nmsu.edu.

Author:  Faith Schifani – NMSU

Next month, New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service will present a series of cooking classes designed to teach adults with diabetes how to cook healthy meals.

Beatriz Favela, a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent at the Doña Ana County Extension Office, and Janae Kraus, a registered dietitian nutritionist, will teach the classes.

“This is a great, free program. I hope individuals suffering from diabetes and live in the area can take part in these classes and can benefit from the valuable information shared,” Favela said.

The four-class series, Kitchen Creations, will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. at Mayfield High School, 1955 N. Valley Drive, in Las Cruces. The classes are sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health.

Over four consecutive weeks, participants will learn food safety, how to plan meals, how to read food labels and how to manage carbohydrates. They also will prepare and sample healthy meals.

According to the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 11.4 percent of adults in New Mexico had diabetes. Research has shown that lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, can help manage diabetes and reduce the risk of complications.

Kitchen Creations served more than 1,000 New Mexico residents over the past two years.

The class series is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To enroll in the upcoming class series in Las Cruces, contact Sofia Hernandez at 575-635-1230 or Favela at 575-525-6649. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. If you are an individual with a disability who needs an auxiliary aid or service to participate, contact Favela by Jan. 28.

For a complete schedule of classes in other counties, click here.

Kitchen Creations is sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and offered by NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service as part of the “Paths to Health NM: Tools for Healthier Living initiative.”

To learn more, visit the Paths to Health webiste.

Author: Carlos Andres Lopez – NMSU

The Domenici Public Policy Conference held at New Mexico State University will resume this fall and be held September 16-17 at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

“We are really excited about this upcoming conference,” said NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu. “The focus will be on two topics that are widely discussed across New Mexico and the nation: energy and education. We expect to land a solid lineup of speakers as in previous years.”

The 2020 conference will be the 12th event, which is a two-day regional conference that attracts more than 1,000 attendees annually and focuses on significant issues facing the state, nation and world. A list of speakers and topics will be announced when they are confirmed.

The Domenici Institute for Public Policy at NMSU is named after Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico’s longest-serving United States senator who died in 2017. The institute at NMSU was created to continue Domenici’s legacy of service to both the state and the country.

Conference speakers have included the country’s top experts from a variety of sectors such as government and elected officials, including former U.S. senators; U.S. representatives; U.S. cabinet members; U.S. ambassadors and governors; military personnel; scholars; journalists; policy directors; business executives; and political consultants.

Ticket sales will begin in early April. Click here for more information on the Domenici Institute

Author: Tiffany Acosta – NMSU

New Mexico State University guides students toward career success, and more and more careers are being built by the entrepreneurial spirit. NMSU’s entrepreneurship hub and business incubator, Arrowhead Center, has a mission to help nurture that career path as well.

Now, thanks to an additional $300,000 Cradle-to-Career Pipeline grant from the Colorado-based Daniels Fund, even more students can explore entrepreneurial thinking throughout their educational career and beyond through Innoventure, Arrowhead’s entrepreneurship education program for K-12 students, and Studio G, its business incubator for college students and recent alums.

“With this continued support from the Daniels Fund, our outreach is going to focus on more in-person presentations and hands-on activities with more students,” said Amanda Bradford, director of Innoventure, an educational outreach program introducing students throughout New Mexico to entrepreneurship.

Bradford said Innoventure aims to strengthen the skills and attitudes that make up an entrepreneurial mindset, such as a willingness to take creative risks, an ability to see challenges as opportunities to try something new, and the resilience to try again when something doesn’t go right. All of these attitudes have been identified by employers and leaders as key to success in the workforce – regardless of discipline.

“We’ve discovered as we’ve grown the program that the best way to capture the youngest students’ attention is meeting them where they are, listening to their ideas and helping them think through the whole process using those entrepreneurial skills like problem-solving and opportunity recognition,” said Bradford.

Through previous support from the Daniels Fund, Innoventure has greatly expanded the reach of two key programs designed to introduce children to entrepreneurship through hands-on learning: Innoventure Jr. and Camp Innoventure.

Through Innoventure Jr., more than 18,000 New Mexico elementary school children learned about entrepreneurship and practiced their

problem-solving and teamwork skills. Camp Innoventure students brainstorm creative business ideas, put together a business model and develop their product to sell at a farmers or artisan markets in their community.

“With these funds,” Bradford said, “we’ll be able to reach even more students in the rural areas, while continuing to build on entrepreneurial learning in schools where we’ve already sparked their interest.”

The latest Daniels Fund support will similarly help drive the growth of the Innoventure Challenge programs for middle- and high school students. Guided by learning modules, videos and worksheets, the teams create a business plan and a simple prototype based on a new theme each preliminary round, and finalists get the chance to participate in a final competition day at NMSU’s Las Cruces campus in the spring.

For college and university students, Arrowhead’s Studio G provides a network of business mentors and accelerator programs set up to support their entrepreneurial ideas and give more heft to their career goals.

Studio G leveraged previous support from the Daniels Fund to create partnerships and open incubator sites at 13 colleges and universities all over New Mexico, including New Mexico Tech, San Juan Community College and University of New Mexico. The additional funding will help continue that expansion.

“The Daniels Fund has been an incredible partner and instrumental in the development and expansion of Studio G in allowing us to help significantly more student entrepreneurs than we would have been able to otherwise,” said Kramer Winingham, director of Studio G. “Through this new grant, we plan to open several new Studio G sites in the state, as well as growing our existing sites while continuing to improve the resources, services and support that the entrepreneurs in Studio G receive.”

Arrowhead Center Director Kathy Hansen said the continued support from the Daniels Fund is a testament to how important these programs are to the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“The Daniels Fund has made a substantial commitment to hands-on entrepreneurship education and training in the state of New Mexico,” she said. “We’re very fortunate to have their ongoing support to allow our programs to continue to grow and reach more students.”

For more about all of Arrowhead Center’s programs that support entrepreneurs of all ages in the region, click here.

Author: Cassie McClure – NMSU

For the eighth year, New Mexico State University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host a gala fundraising event to recognize and honor businesses, community leaders and members of the faculty and staff for their contributions to the college and the university.

“We want to invite anyone in the region to submit a nomination to let us know about individuals who deserve recognition and their contributions to NMSU,” said Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “NMSU’s success depends on support from our business and community leaders as well as our alumni, faculty and students. This is our opportunity to recognize their efforts.”

The “Starry Night” gala and the college is asking the regional community to submit nominations for these awards, which will be presented Friday, April 17. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 3.

“A Starry Night” was started in 2013 and presents honors in three categories: The Town & Gown award, the Star of the Arts award and the Star of the Sciences award. The awards recognize individuals who have achieved state, national or international distinction through their accomplishments and leadership while supporting their community and NMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Once received, the nominations will be reviewed by a committee within the Dean’s Council, who along with Pontelli, will select the recipients.

The funds from this year’s “Starry Night” gala will again contribute to the College of Arts and Sciences’ Aggie Jumpstart program, a collaboration between the college and NMSU’s Office of Student Success. The program began last year and provides a head start for incoming freshmen considered at-risk during the summer before their first semester at NMSU.
“Aggie Jumpstart is an accelerated summer program to enable these students to get ahead on their required coursework, gain a variety of preparation skills such as time management, get acquainted with life on campus and become a part of a learning community,” Pontelli said.

The success of the first 40 students in summer 2019 has the college looking to expand the program this summer.

“The funds provide scholarships and financial assistance for participating students to cover the cost of housing for the summer semester,” said Pontelli. “The more money we can raise, the more students we can support.”

During the event, the college will also honor a star faculty member, student or alumnus from each of its 26 departments. The spring fundraiser begins with a reception showcasing these department stars at 5:30 p.m. in Devasthali Hall, followed by the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. at the ASNMSU Center for the Arts.

Nomination forms are available online.  For more information, contact Ashley Jurado at ajurado@nmsu.edu.

Author: Minerva Baumann – NMSU

RUIDOSO – Hay and forage fuels the livestock industry of New Mexico and the Southwest. It is critical for growers to produce a highly nutritional feed economically. Staying abreast of the latest advances in the hay industry is one way for growers to prosper.

The annual Southwest Hay & Forage Conference provides vital information for growers. The 2020 conference will be Thursday and Friday, January 30-31, at the Ruidoso Convention Center.

“This conference will address some of the more common issues that growers face on a daily basis, equipment challenges, management of water and controlling pests,” said Mark Marsalis, New Mexico State University Extension forage specialist.

The conference, sponsored by the New Mexico Hay Association and NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, is targeted toward Southwestern hay, silage and pasture producers, with information specific to the unique growing conditions and water issues in the region.

“We’ve assembled a broad range of forage knowledge and expertise from universities, crop consultants and industry interests across the United States,” Marsalis said. “The conference provides a great opportunity for producers to bring their questions directly to consultants, industry representatives, researchers and specialists, all in one place.”

This year, the conference will have two special equipment debuts.

First, Grady Press Trailers of Farmington will be debuting their production model “Twin Pak” Double Small Baler. This machine has the potential to greatly improve efficiency of small baling operations.

Secondly, Staheli West will be showcasing a preview of the new small bale steamer, a highly sought-after alternative to their large steamers for small bale producers.

In addition, specialists from across the western U.S. will share their experiences of producing forages in challenging environmental and economic conditions.

Irrigation-related presentations will include:
– Water Wells & Pump Efficiency by Chance Coats, Coats Pump & Supply in Dexter.
– Soil Moisture Monitoring: Go Underground with AquaSpy by Russ Hodges, AquaSpy.
– Economic / Market Outlook in a Water-short Region by George Frisvold, University of Arizona Extension.

“Each year, various pests in the form of insects, weeds and vertebrate pests cost New Mexico hay growers millions of dollars. It is important that growers understand the pests that they are dealing with and the management options that are available to them,” said Marsalis. “This year’s program will have several presenters to address this.”

Pest-related presentations will include:

– Weed Update & On Going Herbicide Research by Leslie Beck, NMSU Extension weed specialist.
– Forage Insect Pest Update by Pat Porter, Texas AgriLife Extension.
– Pesticide & Regulatory Update by Steve Baca, New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
– Glyphosate: History, Challenges, Concerns by Russ Perkins, Bayer Crop Science .
– Rodent/Wildlife Control by Jon Grant, U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS-WS

Other presentations include:

– Twin Pak Double Small Baler Debut by Jason Grady, Grady Press Trailers, Farmington.
– Mobile/Internet/Consulting Technologies by James Todd, Todd Ag Consulting, Plainview, TX
– Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers: Yield and Environmental Considerations by Bryan Hopkins, Brigham Young University.
– Legislative Update by representative of New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau representative

Participants will have opportunities to hear from ag-industry representatives on the latest chemical, seed, equipment and other products available during two industry update sessions.

Following a social hour and dinner Thursday evening, family-friendly comedian Larry Weaver will provide the after-dinner entertainment.

Back by popular demand, this year’s program will include a special spouses’ interest session, “Painting with Peggy Krantz.” Krantz is a local New Mexico artist who hosts “paint parties” for those who wish to learn how to paint and hone their skills in a fun and relaxing environment. An afternoon session will be available on Thursday, January 30, for just $30 per person.

The two-day conference will host a machinery trade show, featuring the latest in farm equipment, as well as booths with various seed, chemical, irrigation and fertilizer products and natural resource planning related information.

The New Mexico Hay Association board of directors meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, at the MCM Elegante Lodge & Resort, formerly the Lodge of Sierra Blanca, and again immediately following the conference.

Five New Mexico pesticide applicator continuing education units have been approved for this meeting. Texas and Arizona CEUs have been approved also.

Preregistration is $125 per person before Dec. 31. Attendees can register at the door for $150. Annual membership dues to the association are $55.

Register online via this link. Registration includes the two-day conference, two meals, snacks, door prizes, educational materials and entertainment.

On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Convention Center. The conference adjourns at noon Friday.

Lodging is available, at a discount, adjacent to the Ruidoso Convention Center at the MCM Elegante Lodge & Resort, formerly the Lodge at Sierra Blanca. A number of rooms are reserved at a special rate. To obtain a reservation, go online, or call 866-211-7727

For more information on the conference, including a full agenda, visit the NM Hay website, NMSU page or contact Cassie Bussey by phone at 575-626-1688 or by e-mail at nmhay@yahoo.com.

Registration forms are available online.  Mark Marsalis can be contacted at 505-865-7340 or marsalis@nmsu.edu.

Author: Jane Moorman – NMSU

A new scholarship has been established at New Mexico State University Grants with a special focus on supporting students who have returned to university studies after a gap in their education.

The John and Teresa Miers Current Use Scholarship was established with a gift to the NMSU Foundation by the family of John and Teresa Miers to honor the late John Miers’ service and dedication to the NMSU Grants community and his wife Teresa’s unwavering support of his mission to help students.

John Miers joined the faculty at NMSU Grants in December 2016 as the director of library services. He died June 7, 2019 from a rare form of myeloma.

“Research was John’s passion,” Teresa Miers said, “and he was dedicated to passing on that knowledge to the students at NMSU. John realized there was a great need for someone to serve underrepresented students, and NMSU Grants gave him that opportunity.”

In addition to his role as director, he also invested time in activities outside of his official position, including teaching computer literacy and organizing poetry slams for students and the public.

“John loved helping the students,” Teresa Miers said. “Whatever the need, he wanted to help.”

“We are very happy to receive this gift from the Miers family. Their generous donation will truly impact the lives of students at the NMSU Grants campus and help them return to the classroom,” said Leslie Cervantes, NMSU Foundation interim vice president.

George Miers, John’s brother, said the family wanted to ensure that Teresa Miers was also recognized in the scholarship to highlight that the impact on the college and community was a joint effort between the two.

The scholarship is designed to support students pursuing a non-traditional educational path, honoring and reflecting John Miers’s own experiences.

John Miers resumed his academic career at the University of Richmond after a long hiatus in his studies, graduating in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in knowledge management from the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. He then earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Florida in 2015.

“John never gave up, he stuck with it – not everyone does that,” explained George Miers. “He persevered and found something he loved doing. The scholarship will be of help to others like John who might have changed directions and need support.”

The scholarship was recently awarded for the first time to two returning students, Christopher Baca and Oshay Jaramillo.

Baca, a first-generation college student, is a senior pursuing his associate degree in creative media technology. He also serves his community as an advocate for cycling, teaching cycling safety courses, organizing races and volunteering with the Cibola Trail Alliance.

Jaramillo is a junior majoring in social services. She plans to continue her education at NMSU after earning her associate degree to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.

This scholarship is one of two established to honor John Miers. His University of Richmond cohort, inspired by John Miers’s passion for research, created the John Miers Award for Excellence in Library Research in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies in October. The award, given annually, supports student excellence in library research at the University of Richmond.

NMSU Grants is a majority-minority institution where many students are low income and work while attending school. In 2017, 52 percent of the student population was 21 or older.

To learn more about making a gift to support NMSU students click here.

Author: Megan Hansen – NMSU

Researchers from the College of Health and Social Services at New Mexico State University are recruiting couples to participate in a parental wellness program as part of a year-long study.

The program, “And Baby Makes Three,” seeks to help parents adjust to life with newborn babies.

“This workshop will offer strategies for calming a crying baby, getting more sleep and lowering stress,” said Martha Morales, retired NMSU nursing professor, who is administering the program in collaboration with Lori Saiki, associate professor in NMSU’s School of Nursing, and La Clínica de Familia, a Las Cruces-based health care provider.

The research team will offer the free program in English and Spanish, beginning this month. The program is for couples with a newborn baby between 2 weeks to 6 months old. Couples and their infant only have to attend one workshop of their choice.

“Participants in this research study will be asked to share their experiences about life as a parent, complete a few brief questionnaires during the workshop, and complete the questionnaires again at two and six weeks after the workshop,” Morales said.

The research team will use the data to see if the program helps improve the participants’ daytime sleepiness.

“The overall goal is to teach coping strategies that parents can effectively use when their child is in a crying bout,” Morales said.

The English workshops will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 18, Feb. 8, March 7 and April 4 at Holy Family American National Catholic Church, 702 Parker Road, in Las Cruces.

The Spanish workshops will take place 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 16 and April 13 at the Women’s Intercultural Center, 303 Lincoln Street, in Anthony, New Mexico.

Each participating couple with receive lunch as well as a $20 gift card, swaddling blanket and white noise machine after attending the workshop.

To register for the workshop, contact at Morales 915-873-6930 or moralest@nmsu.edu or Saiki at 575-646-6499 or lsaiki@nmsu.edu. Space is limited to five couples per session.

Author: Carlos Andres Lopez – NMSU

Registration is now open for the world’s largest conference dedicated to chile peppers.

“The agenda offers conference participants a wide assortment of information and education in growing, processing and enjoying chile peppers,” said Stephanie Walker, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service’s vegetable specialist and conference chair.

The 2020 New Mexico Chile Conference hosted by New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute runs from February 3-4 and will be in a new location at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

This year’s conference will include experts who will speak on various topics including: developing and improving the New Mexico chile industry’s sustainable competitive advantage, molecular advances in breeding, the H2A program, updates on the New Mexico Chile Certification Program as well as afternoon processing and pest management breakout sessions.

The conference will feature booths from companies that can assist New Mexico chile pepper growers to sustain excellence and encourage profitable yields. Some of these companies include Western Blend Fertilizer, Biad Chili, LTD. CO. Presidio and Farm Credit of New Mexico.

“In addition to the production session, this year’s conference will also feature an afternoon processing track,” Walker said. “Talks on adding value to the chile harvest and ensuring safety of processed product also will be provided.”

A highlight each year is the student research poster competition. Students are encouraged to present their research findings to the public. Judges are recruited and posters awarded according to a specific criteria.

The student with the top poster presentation will receive s a travel award to allow the student to attend a professional research conference of their choice.

Conference pre-registration for individuals is $135 and booth pre-registration is $475. After Jan. 18, individual prices will go up to $150 and walk-in registration booths will be $500.

For more information on the conference, contact the Chile Pepper Institute at 575-646-3028 or or register online.

Author: Melissa R. Rutter – NMSU

One of New Mexico State University’s Distinguished Alumni for 2019 has created an endowed a scholarship for computer science students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Srini Kankanahalli graduated from NMSU in 1991 with a Ph.D. in computer science and a focus on artificial intelligence and neural networks. The university honored him as a distinguished alumnus during fall Homecoming events for his many contributions to the university.

“NMSU Computer Science has given me very high quality Education and it is a great Department with a very bright future,” Kankanahalli said. “Computer Science skills will be important for individuals to succeed in many fields including Biology, Medicine, Engineering and Law.”

Kankanahalli has mentored 70 master’s students and three Ph.D. students, published 80 research papers, launched three companies and employed more than 250 people.

Kankanahalli and his wife Harini also contribute to the Akshaya Patra foundation, which provides food to poor children across the world and contributed to a school in rural India to provide free elementary education.

“My wife Harini and I believe education levels the playing field and provides opportunity for everyone to succeed. ”

As the founder and Chief Technology Officer of his third company, clearAvenue, Kankanahalli is mentoring multiple paid interns, yet still found time to come back to NMSU from the Washington, D.C. area to give inspiring lectures to students and faculty.

The Kankanahalli Endowed Scholarship for NMSU’s Computer Science Department in the College of Arts and Sciences will be used to

make awards to one or more undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in computer science who demonstrate a financial need. The preference will be to support women seeking a computer science degree.

“We believe it is important to attract Women to STEM disciplines and provide them ample opportunities to succeed,” Kankanahalli said. “Right now, the representation of women in STEM disciplines is low and we all have to attract and encourage more women to participate.”

In 2019 NMSU was ranked 22nd among four-year public universities in the U.S. for enrolling and graduating women in computer science according to data analysis compiled by “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects computer science research jobs will grow 19 percent by 2026, women earn only 18 percent of computer science bachelor’s degrees in this country despite a high demand for women in computing.

“Srini has been an invaluable supporter of our computer science program,” said Enrico Pontelli, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “At a critical moment in the launch of the NMSU Google Campus initiative, the College of Arts and Sciences was short on funding required to send five students from NMSU to Google’s Palo Alto complex. Srini and his wife Harini stepped up and made a crucial investment, which ultimately allowed the program to succeed.

“They also showed sincere generosity by making a substantial contribution to help establish the Professor Hue and Pat McCoy Endowed Professorship at NMSU, which will provide crucial support for recruiting and retaining top-notch faculty in Computer Science. This endowed scholarship is just one more example of Srini and his wife Harini’s commitment to education.”

“We are honored and grateful that Srini and Harini continue to invest in our students, providing sustained support for both current needs and future opportunities,” said Tina Byford, interim vice president of University Advancement. “We look forward to hearing the success stories this endowed scholarship will help make possible.”

To find out more about the Kankanahalli Endowed Scholarship contact Patrick Knapp, pknapp2@nmsu.edu, 575-646-1613.

Author: Minerva Baumann – NMSU

The College of Engineering at New Mexico State University, in partnership with the New Mexico Ready Mix Concrete and Aggregates Association, will host concrete training for the construction industry next month.

The 56th annual Samuel P. Maggard Quality Concrete School is designed for concrete professionals, contractors, professional engineers and students.

Named for the late, long-time professor of civil engineering, Sam “Doc” Maggard, who established the annual training, Quality Concrete School teaches the latest technologies for concrete applications.

The 2020 program addresses a range of competencies from basic properties of concrete, sampling and testing, to special topics such as self-healing concrete, optimized gradation and in-place testing of concrete.

To learn more and register to attend, visit their website or call 575-646-7852. The cost is $90 for those registered by Jan. 7. After that date, registration is $100. The program includes lunch Jan. 10 and break refreshments.

Training will be held on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus, Hernandez Hall, Room 103, 3035 S. Espina Street.

Author: Sara Patricolo – NMSU

For 24 years Aggie sports fans had the opportunity to see many thrilling moments and championship games on the court inside the Pan American Center.

Now fans can own a piece of New Mexico State University’s Lou Henson Court following an exclusive agreement with local Las Cruces company, Triple D Woodworks, to handcraft 1,000 limited edition pens.

In 2002, the court was officially dedicated to Henson, who holds the record for most wins in NMSU men’s basketball history. He has also been inducted into several basketball Hall of Fames around the country.

From 2006 to 2007, the Pan American Center underwent a remodel, which included replacing the court. Wanda Bowman, owner of the Las Cruces Ashley Furniture Homestore and a friend of Henson and his wife, Mary, acquired the court at an auction in 2017.

Bowman hired Triple D Woodworks to create her Christmas gifts in 2018. The woodworking company is owned and operated by Dennis Dickey. He and his wife, Donna, began turning handcrafted pens in 2006 and have since produced an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 writing instruments.

“Before Christmas of 2018, we created some special pens that had a U.S. flag theme for Wanda Bowman,” said Dickey. “When we delivered those pens, we started discussing trying to make pens out of the NMSU Lou Henson Court wood.”

As of 2019, the Lou Henson pen project is officially under way with more than 100 of the 1,000 pens already crafted and available for sale. A portion of the profits from the pens will return to the NMSU men’s basketball team via the 6th Man Club.

The 6th Man Club has more than 200 members and is overseen completely by volunteer efforts, according to NMSU alumna Shari Jones.

All of the funds raised by the club are used to support the men’s basketball program by supplementing the operating budget in the areas of recruiting, travel, academic support, summer school and nutrition.

“I purchased two numbered pens when I first met with Mr. Dickey,” said Jones. “One to commemorate my undergraduate year and the other was the number 70 representing the year that NMSU participated in the Final Four. I gave that pen as a gift to coach Henson and his wife, Mary.”

The rollerball pens are sold for $129.95 and each one is laser engraved with the words NMSU Lou Henson Court and includes a certificate of authenticity, a serial number and a gift box with the first refill.

For more information about the pens or to purchase one from Triple D Woodworks, contact Dickey at 575-202-5090, tripledwoodworks@gmail.com or visit https://www.tripledwoodworks.com/Home.html

Author: Faith Schifani – NMSU

The New Mexico State University Alumni Association honored its fall 2019 Outstanding Graduates at a luncheon Friday at the Danny Villanueva Victory Club in the NMSU Stan Fulton Athletic Center.

The NMSU Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Award is a prestigious distinction for its recipients and is presented every semester to a graduating student from each academic college, and to a masters and doctoral candidate from the Graduate School. Honorees are selected by the deans or leaders of their colleges or programs, and are recognized for their academic achievements, active leadership and service to the university and the community.

The fall 2019 recipient from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is Autumn Pearson of La Luz, New Mexico. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, with minors in chemistry and international studies. Pearson will continue her education at NMSU where she has been accepted into the accelerated master’s program in water science management.

Galen Ivey of Tornillo, Texas, is the awardee from the College of Arts and Sciences and he is earning his bachelor of creative media in digital filmmaking and a minor in theatre arts. Ivey worked on many films for the Creative Media Institute, including “Walking with Herb” and “Tarrant County Jail,” volunteered on several student film productions and is the founder of Minions’ Photography.

Tori Makk of Las Cruces is the outstanding graduate from the College of Business and she graduates with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She demonstrated leadership in her roles with several campus organizations, including ASNMSU, the Financial Management Association and the College Republicans. After graduation, Makk will begin a career at the Arthur J. Gallagher global insurance and consulting firm.

The outstanding graduate from the College of Education is Felicia Gutierrez of Alamogordo, New Mexico. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and her teaching field is language arts with a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages endorsement. Gutierrez was involved in several education service organizations, bringing literacy efforts into the local public schools.

The awardee from the College of Engineering is Mikaela Hicks of Hobbs, New Mexico. Hicks is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in geomatics, and was awarded several scholarships from the College of Engineering. She also held surveying internships, served in leadership roles for several surveying organizations and worked as the marketing coordinator for a civil engineering and surveying company while pursuing her degree.

Lindsay Stutzman of El Paso, Texas is the outstanding graduate from the College of Health and Social Services. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minor in public health. Stutzman was a peer tutor in pharmacology and health and illness subjects for nursing students and served as a peer educator for NMSU’s Wellness, Alcohol and Violence Education program.

The outstanding graduates from the Graduate School are Tyler Wallin and Margarita Ruiz Guerrero.

Tyler Wallin, of Mascoutah, Illinois, is graduating with a master’s degree in fish, wildlife and conservation ecology. His research focuses on the management of species facing threats of extinction, and he will begin a career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service upon graduation. Wallin received several academic awards throughout his degree program and applied his expertise to service opportunities at NMSU and in the community.

Margarita Ruiz Guerrero of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, is graduating with a doctorate of philosophy in curriculum and instruction with a focus on early childhood education. Guerrero’s research has resulted in several publications and she held leadership and service roles in the Critical Multicultural Educators Graduate Student Organization. She recently began a tenure track position as an assistant professor of early childhood education at Western Washington University.

“Not only have these exceptional eight students maintained academic excellence throughout their degree programs, they have also demonstrated uncommon leadership and bold service within the Aggie community and beyond. We are immensely proud of their achievements and happy to honor them through this award and celebration,” said Leslie Cervantes, associate vice president of alumni and donor relations at NMSU.

To learn more about each of this semester’s honorees, click here.

Author: Megan Hansen – NMSU

The New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service is offering a master food preserver certification course for people interested in becoming certified master food preserver volunteers.

Ideally, students participating in the course have already taken food preservation courses and are familiar with most preservation methods. An application must be completed and submitted to their local county Extension office to be considered for the program.

The course will be offered in two parts: an online live webinar that will take place each Friday from Jan. 24 to March 13; and a hands-on, face-to-face lab that will take place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 25-26, and 8 a.m.-noon March 27, at Gerald Thomas Hall on the NMSU main campus. Both parts must be taken in order to complete the course and receive certification.

The course is offered as part of a collaborative effort by Nancy Flores, NMSU Cooperative Extension food technology specialist, and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agents Cindy Davies of Bernalillo County, Cydney Martin of Santa Fe County, Desaree Jimenez of Los Alamos County and Kelly Knight of Otero County.

Cost of the course is $160, which includes manuals, materials and supplies needed to complete the second part of the course. Lunch, lodging and travel costs are not included. Scholarships may be available through the CES county offices.

Registration is due Jan. 13 for the online portion, and March 13 for the hands-on lab portion.  For more information, visit the Foodtech webpage.

Author – Adriana M. Chavez – NMSU

Wenda Trevathan, New Mexico State University Regent’s Professor emerita of anthropology, has been named as a 2019 Fellow to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. The lifetime distinction is earned in honor of a member’s invaluable contributions to science and technology.

“It’s very exciting to receive this honor at this point in my career, especially because it recognizes that scholarly work can continue beyond retirement,” said Trevathan. “I am especially pleased to join Dr. Elba Serrano as at least one other AAAS fellow at NMSU.”

Trevathan is among 443 AAAS members selected nationwide representing areas ranging from neuroscience and psychology to social, economic and political sciences. The fellows will receive official certificates and rosette pins in a ceremony at the AAAS annual meeting in Seattle in February 2020.

The honor recognizes diverse accomplishments, including pioneering research, leadership within a given field, teaching and mentoring, fostering collaborations and advancing public understanding of science.

“Sadly, science is increasingly under fire from a number of sources these days. One of the primary goals of AAAS is to enhance appreciation of science in all aspects of our lives. I am happy to be a part of this effort.”

Trevathan is a biological anthropologist whose research focuses on the evolutionary and bio-cultural factors underlying human reproduction including childbirth, maternal behavior, sexuality, and menopause. Her primary publications include works on the evolution of childbirth and evolutionary medicine.

Two of the 2019 Nobel Laureates announced in October are AAAS fellows. The tradition of electing AAAS fellows began in 1874 and has since gone to thousands of distinguished scientists such as inventor Thomas Edison, anthropologist Margaret Mead and computer scientist Grace Hopper.

Author: Minerva Baumann – NMSU