LAS CRUCES — Already sporting a crimson jacket and a broad smile, Barbara Couture entered the Regents Room on Thursday at New Mexico State University to a standing ovation and shouts of “Welcome to NMSU!”

Couture was appointed as NMSU’s first permanent female president Thursday as a standing-room-only crowd packed a special regents meeting and more than 400 others watched the proceedings online.

“Almost as soon as I set foot on this campus, I knew this was the place for us,” Couture, 61, told regents as her husband, Paul, sat beside her.

Couture, a senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, inked a five-year contract effective Jan. 1, according to Blake Curtis, regents chairman.

Her contract calls for a $385,000 annual salary, use of the president’s residence on Geothermal Drive and other perks like a vehicle and country club membership.

Interim President Manuel Pacheco’s contract is $325,000 per year, and previous president Mike Martin was earning $358,785 at the time of his departure in 2008, according to the university.

Most unique about Couture’s compensation package, Curtis said, is a $500,000 retention bonus, which Couture will only receive upon completion of the five-year contract.

“This reflects — not a request, not an outcry, but people screaming at the tops of their lungs, ‘We want someone to stay here!’” Curtis told the Sun-News. He emphasized that, unlike other retention bonuses in which a portion is awarded at the end of each contract year, Couture will receive the bonus only after completing the entire contract. Curtis said the extra incentive is crucial to meeting the need for continuity of leadership.

Read the article.

Susan and John Long.

As part of John and Susan’s commitment to New Mexico State University’s comprehensive campaign, they have made a gift to the Dean’s Excellence Fund in the College of Business.

For their unrestricted gift, the Deans Suite in the College of Business was named for John and Susan Long on October 23, 2009, during the Homecoming celebrations.

John and Susan Long, and Dean Garrey Carruthers, Deans Office Dedication, Oct. 23, 2009.

John and his wife Susan are both alumni of NMSU’s College of Business. The Longs graduated in December 1976 and married soon after that. John’s first job was with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG) in El Paso for 3 1/2 years.

He has been at JDW Insurance, a large independent insurance agency, as CFO and COO since 1986 and now owns part of the agency. John has been active with NMSU, most recently serving as Chair of the NMSU Foundation.

Susan’s career included 25 years in the savings and loan/banking industry and three years in a home health agency. She “self-retired” in 2005 to spend more time with her family, travel and to play golf.

Now she uses her skills in volunteer roles. She is currently a member of the NMSU Business Advisory Council and the President’s Associates. She has assisted the college with judging students’ presentations in the BUSA 365 class.

Liz Ellis and Shari Jones.

At the Deans Suite Dedication, Oct. 23, 2009.

Students at the Deans Suite Dedication, Oct. 23, 2009.

Barbara Couture, D.A., has been appointed New Mexico State University’s 25th president. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

Barbara Couture was appointed New Mexico State University’s 25th president during a special meeting of the Board of Regents Thursday, Nov. 19.

“Dr. Couture is the best fit for this university. She immediately took to our campus and her interaction during the open forums demonstrated an ability to relate to our students, faculty, staff, community members and statewide partners,” said Regents Chair Blake Curtis. “She will bring valuable insights from her experience at land-grant universities. We are confident in her leadership skills and value her commitment to being a long-term participant in NMSU’s future.”

“I am honored to be selected as the next president of New Mexico State University,” Couture said. “The NMSU community of faculty, students and staff impressed me from the very beginning with their hopes and dreams for this great university to be the best it can be. I will work tirelessly to assure that NMSU fulfills its promise as the state’s great land-grant university, promoting educational access and cultural diversity, strengthening relationships across the university’s campuses and extension sites, and achieving excellence in teaching, research, and engagement with the communities, businesses, and industries across the state of New Mexico.”

Couture, D.A., is the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Couture will start Jan. 1, 2010, at a salary of $385,000. Her contract also includes use of the presidential residence, a car, a country club membership and at the end of five years a $500,000 retention bonus funded by the NMSU Foundation. Curtis said the retention bonus was in response to the many stakeholders who expressed a desire for a long-term leader.

“This decision follows a nationwide search that yielded a diverse field of candidates who were carefully considered,” Curtis said. “The input from our many constituents was thoroughly reviewed as part of the process. We want to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback. It was critical to the final decision.”

In her position at UNL, Couture initiated efforts to reform general education resulting in an outcomes-based general education program, nationally recognized as an exemplary program by the AACU; and she has led efforts to engage UNL in international partnerships, developing targeted partnership degree programs in China and increased global research opportunities. She is currently the principal investigator on a $3.8 million National Science Foundation-funded ADVANCE grant, and has led campuswide efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of a high-quality, diverse faculty. Nationally, she chairs the Executive Committee for the Council on Academic Affairs for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

Couture earned a bachelor’s degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan where she also earned her master’s and doctor of arts degrees in English language and literature. An award-winning writer, Couture received the Outstanding Book Award at the 2000 Conference on College Composition and Communication for “Toward a Phenomenological Rhetoric: Writing, Profession and Altruism.”

Barbara Couture was selected by the Board of Regents at 10:20 a.m. today as president of New Mexico State University.

Barbara Couture was selected by the Board of Regents at 10:20 a.m. today as president of New Mexico State University.

“This process has been inclusive and efficient,” said Blake Curtis, Board of Regents chairman. “All the stakeholders have been represented.”

Barbara Couture, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 2004, was the first of the two female finalists for the position of president to visit campus in November and said she would stay at NMSU a while.

“I’m not an institution hopper,” Couture said during her campus visit. “My intention is to stay and help build this university.”

Javier Gonzales, vice chairman of the Board of Regents said going through another failed search was not an option this time.

“I believe today marks a new day at NMSU,” Gonzales said, “a new day that brings promise and stability.”

Couture graciously accepted the position at the special Board of Regents meeting.

“I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be here,” Couture said. “I want this university to be absolutely the best it can be. I am honored to be your next president.”

Couture has held leadership roles and initiated diversity projects at three major research colleges, including starting the American Indian Studies Plateau Center at Washington State University, where she served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts for six years.

“Study hard, do your homework and I will do everything I can do to make you successful at NMSU,” Couture said when asked what message she would like to send to students.

An Outgoing Interim

Dr. Manuel Pacheco has been Interim-President of NMSU since June and said he looks forward to a smooth transition for Dr. Couture when she takes over in January.

“She is going to be here on January 1 and I will be available to her and the Board of Regents to help in any way they need,” Pacheco said.

Pacheco reflected on his time at NMSU, stating he knew that coming to campus would be a good experience but his time here has exceed all expectations.

“Students here are absolutely terrific, I have been impressed with how thoughtful, bright and appreciative the students and student leaders have been,” Pacheco said.

Unique Experience for Student Leaders

Associated Students of NMSU President Travis Dulany and Student Regent Chris Anaya had a rare opportunity to be involved in the process of selecting the universities next president.

“It was a great experience,” Anaya said. “You have an idea of what the process is going to be like going in. I have had the opportunity to learn about how higher education works and what everyone can bring to the table.”

Regent Anaya said Couture’s inclusiveness towards students made her an impressive choice.

“Couture is committed to making sure the decisions she will make are relayed back to the students,” Anaya said.

Travis Dulany said he is excited to help Couture acclimate her to campus and the students.

“I will do my best to orient her to campus, teach her the fight song and bring knowledge about the students,” Dulany said.

Couture on Coming to NMSU

“A new president should partner with the community,” Couture said. “To attract high-quality faculty and students [the new president] must have high-quality communication, stability, emphasis on excellence and good, transparent communication.”

Competing for Couture

Couture was selected as a presidential finalist at the University of Albany in New York in February, but was not selected. Couture was also a finalist at Southern Illinois University and visited the university. Overall, Couture said she enjoyed her visit to NMSU and was impressed with the growth of the campus and the community, including the construction of the new convention center, Center for the Arts and the Native American Cultural Center.

“[Las Cruces] is a city just bursting with potential,” Couture said. “The citizen growth [is proof] that lots of people want to come here.”

Couture said she is also dedicated to the land-grant mission of the university and would work to meet the expectations of the campus and the Las Cruces community.

“I think the community is looking for a collegial atmosphere; strong, stable leadership,” Couture said. “That’s what I hope to provide.”

The finalists

Couture was chosen out of five finalists, including Lisa Rossbacher, president of Southern Polytechnic University in Georgia; James Oblinger, former chancellor of North Carolina State University; Michael Ortiz, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; and Richard Herman, former chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, visited campus in November.

The withdrawals

Ortiz withdrew his name from consideration because of unfinished business at Cal Poly, according to an e-mail statement from Ortiz published in the Cal Poly Times student newspaper, and Herman withdrew from candidacy on Nov. 11, citing personal reasons.

Keep visiting www.roundupnews.com for more updates on the presidency, and pick up our “Year in Review” print edition of The Round Up on Nov. 30.

Jon Willis: Remarks at the Dedication of the Bernice & Hank Willis Study Lounge, Oct. 23, 2009

Jon B. Willis at the rededication of the Bernice & Hank Willis Study Lounge, College of Business, New Mexico State University.

Thank you Dean Carruthers, Sylvia, and Cheri for your efforts in organizing this event. And thank you particularly for your inspiration to add Dad’s name to this room, now the Bernice and Hank Willis Student Lounge. Mom and Dad are together in a place they loved, and this is how they would have wanted it.

I confess that I anticipated an event of this sort some time ago and have given considerable thought to words appropriate for this occasion. I hope you will forgive that these thoughts may go a bit beyond simple comments and give them a listen.

I would like to speak with you today, especially to the young people among you, about generations and principles. Because generations are the story of life, including the two lives we celebrate today; and principles are the anchors by which we chose to lead our lives. And it is particularly appropriate to do so in this setting because Mom and Dad held an unyielding faith in the promise of each new generation, and their gift of this room underscores their belief in the importance of these college years in your lives, and in the early formation of your own life principles and the character of your time.

Cloudcroft, NM.

So let me begin with the generation of my maternal grandfather. His name was Arra Burton Fite, and as Dean Carruthers has already mentioned, he committed virtually all of his professional life to this institution. Granddad was born in 1886 near the village of Cloudcroft in the Sacramento Mountains, about 80 miles from here. His mother died when he was seven years old, and as was common practice in those days his father parceled out the children, in this case four boys, to family and friends to raise them. My grandfather was “gifted” to a nearby ranching family.

He could have been a ranch hand as his life’s work but he was determined to do more. So after six years, when he was legally allowed, he struck out on his own at the age of 13, riding his little pony across the Tularosa Desert to the town of Hope, where he supported himself as a cowboy while attending school for the first time.

William Conroy Honors Center, NMSU historical building, built in 1909.

Seven years later he then set out for Las Cruces where he enrolled at the New Mexico Agriculture and Mechanics College, as this University was then known, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1915 at the tender age of 29; …this may give a bit of hope to some of you “late bloomers”. He then went on to earn a Master’s Degree is the same field and served the next thirty years in various academic and administrative roles associated with this institution. My mother, the youngest of his five children, was practically raised on this campus.

On my father’s side of the family the journey to New Mexico was a bit more circuitous. His great grandfather, William Oliver Cowan, was forced to leave his beloved Ireland in the face of the great potato famine of the mid-1800’s. His ship was bound for Boston but a series of storms drove them off course and they were lost at sea for over six months before landing at last in Jamaica. Imagine setting out for Boston and landing in Jamaica… from thence they sailed on to New Orleans.

The family then migrated a bit north to Tennessee, where my father was born in 1925. America entered World War II some 16 years later in December 1941. When Dad was old enough he enlisted in the United States Navy, and was improbably assigned to entirely land-locked New Mexico.

Hank and Bernice Willis.

And that is how my Mother and Father got together. It is a story of land and sea, a story of departures and discoveries, a story of happenstance and fortune. And it is the story of Life and of generations.

Many of us identify generations by the images they have left us. In modern America it was the fear and loss of confidence during the economic collapse of the 1930s that defined the Depression Generation. It was the undaunted courage of those who fought so bravely in the Second World War that defined what the newscaster and writer Tom Browkaw has called The Greatest Generation. And my generation, The Boomers, were defined by the first landing on the Moon, the somber march of the Civil Rights Movement, the tragedy of Viet Nam, and the violent deaths of three of America’s most beloved leaders.

But while these images may lead some to conclude that it is mostly events that define a generation, my parents believed differently. They believed that is was the response to events that truly defined a generation and ultimately established its character. And this response is the special combination of ideals and aspirations, of hopes and dreams, of beliefs and convictions that are now being forged among you here in these crucial college years; in the libraries and study lounges, in the dorm rooms and apartment kitchens, in the coffee houses and neighborhood pubs, and on the sports fields and gathering places around this campus. That is why this place was so special to Mom and Dad.

Jon and Joshua Willis, son and grandson of Bernice and Hank Willis.

Generations do not stand alone. They receive wisdom and guidance from those that preceded it, although each generation will develop new principles that are unique to its time while setting aside former ideas that no longer apply. But there are four principles that I think Mom and Dad believed should apply to all generations. They are timeless in nature. They are what they taught my brother and sister and me, and to their grandchildren as well. Because this occasion is to honor their lives and the principles they lived by, I would like to pass them on to you. I think you will like them:

• First, always strive to maintain an inquisitive mind. Learn to love learning. A robust curiosity and vigorous intellectual pursuit are the wellspring of a compleat life. And toward the end of your life, when perhaps you can do little else, what you have invested in the life of your mind can bring you great contentment.
• Second, nurture your spirit. Mom and Dad were both very devout and committed many thousands of hours to study, thought, prayer, and meditation. They believed deeply in a loving Providence and a greater purpose. Take time regularly each day, every week, every month, and every year to feed and nurture the needs of your soul.
• Number three, fight like hell for that in which you believe and against that which you disdain. Injustice, prejudice, ignorance, selfishness, hatred and bigotry are still too much a part of the human condition. They suffocate the human spirit. Confront them boldly wherever you find them; and never give up in your battle for what you believe to be right.
• And finally, but by no any means the least, always find time for your family and friends…

(Incidentally, I heard a story the other day that the definition of a good friend is someone who will unquestioningly come bail you out of jail in the middle of the night. But a really true friend is the one sitting next to you in that jail cell, smiling, holding his hung-over head saying, “Damn that was a good time!”)

Student Ambassadors at the Willis Student Lounge redication, Oct. 23, 2009.

… But seriously, your family and friends will sustain you through good times and bad, and a full life will have its full measure of both. Loving relationships and devoted friendships are the glue that binds generations, communities, and kindred spirits. Value and nurture these relationships for the treasure they are.

Those of you who are students today have already seen some of the images that will be identified forever with your generation. The collapse of the World Trade Center towers, the inauguration of the first African-American President, visible evidence of global climate change.

Some of these images are inspiring and some are frightening; you are entering an uncertain world. But always remember that it is not the images that will define your generation, but it is your response to the events of your time that will mark your character. And it is incumbent upon you to respond to those events with the same courage, fortitude, confidence, and determination as those who have gone before you.

So whatever tired little pony you ride, or whatever storm-tossed sea you find yourselves upon, when you get to where you are going, which in some cases will be a surprise to you, move on to vigorously address the challenges before you. That is what will define your generation.

Student Ambassadors, Oct. 23, 2009.

And if you can, try to remember the principles the two we honor here today would have wanted you to know: Strive always to maintain an inquisitive mind; protect and nurture your spirit; fight vigorously for what you believe to be right; and always remember your family and friends. This is a gift from their generation to yours; and it is given with all the love and respect, and with all the hope and affirmation of their very great hearts.

Thank you for honoring my parents with your presence here today. In your Life’s journey I wish you God’s blessing and Godspeed. Thank you.

Jon Willis
October 23, 2009

LAS CRUCES — When Clara Yuvienco graduated in December with her master’s degree in public health, she thought she was well-positioned to get a job. Now, nearly a year later, she’s still looking.

“I haven’t been able to find a job in this town, even though I’m bilingual and I have a couple of minors,” Yuvienco said as she browsed the tables at the Borderlands Public Service Career Showcase on Tuesday at New Mexico State University.

The job fair, though geared primarily toward students who might not have much experience, attracted many older residents like Yuvienco as well, who were looking for a career change or simply seeking a job with stability in a time when many industries are not hiring or are laying off workers.

The unemployment rate in Doña Ana County at of the end of September was 7.7 percent, up from 4.7 percent a year ago, and the national unemployment numbers have reached the double-digit phase. But public sector jobs are available with the federal government. And, even if some state and local governments are putting the brakes on hiring, they still need to keep some positions filled, said James Peach, who teaches economics and international business at New Mexico State University.

Read the article.

Local business sells shirts, embroidery to feed children in Africa

ROJO does discounted screen printing and embroidery jobs for NMSU and community organizations, and donates 10 percent of the profits to Zimbabwe. Each purchase comes with an estimate of how many meals the order will purchase for children in Africa.

Two New Mexico State University graduates set up a local company with the goal of giving back, and have donated more than 23,000 meals to orphan children since opening.

Jose Rodriguez and Aron Jones co-founded ROJO, which derives from a combination of their last names. ROJO is an online company based in Las Cruces and sells apparel and embroidery.

“With every shirt sold [by ROJO,] about 50 meals are sent to Zimbabwe, Africa, to children in orphanages,” Rodriguez said. “We wanted to set up a company with giving back as part if the core mission.”

According to www.rojoapparel.com, ROJO does discounted screen printing and embroidery jobs for NMSU and community organizations, and donates 10 percent of the profits to Zimbabwe, and each purchase comes with an estimate of how many meals the order will purchase for children in Africa. Rodriguez said the service allows campus organizations, such as sororities and fraternities, to save money on custom orders while supporting a charitable cause.

“In a lot of ways, we’re more accessible to help out students, too,” Rodriguez said, adding that he and Jones are on student schedules as well.

Rodriguez graduated from NMSU in December 2008 with degrees in finance and economics and then pursued a career at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Rodriguez said he returned to Las Cruces, because he views it as home, and he always wanted to do something to give back.

“It’s been really fun and exciting to see the positive response we’ve been getting,” Rodriguez said. “We’re thankful for all the support.”

ROJO began operations in September, and donations will be sent to Zimbabwe at the end of every month, Rodriguez said.

“We just sent out [the first donations] for our first full month in operation,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he and Jones chose to send donations to Zimbabwe because it is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, and they wanted to donate to an area that needed it most.

Jose Rodriguez graduated from NMSU in December 2008 with degrees in finance and economics. Rodriguez said he and Jones chose to send donations to Zimbabwe because it is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, and they wanted to donate to an area that needed it most.

Rodriguez said ROJO hopes to have a food packaging event in Las Cruces later in the year, where anyone can volunteer to help package hundreds of meals for the children of Zimbabwe.

ROJO is partnered with Global Aid Network, which consists of Christian organizations with the goal of helping the needy. Gain members in Zimbabwe hope ROJO will travel to Africa, Rodriguez said.

“We are looking forward to visiting very soon,” Rodriguez said. “[We know it will be] a life-changing experience. We would like that.”

Kristina Medley is new editor and can be reached at trunew@nmsu.edu.

LAS CRUCES – The final presidential search candidate to visit New Mexico State University is a self-described “land-grant guy” who touted his 42 years of experience in land-grant institutions – from his time as a student through his most recent position as chancellor at North Carolina State University.

But Jim Oblinger also spent some time Monday explaining why he is no longer chancellor at that school, having stepped down in June in the wake of a scandal involving the hiring of former North Carolina first lady Mary Easley.

“I decided that I would do the honorable thing,” Oblinger said in a news conference Monday at NMSU. “That I would step down as chancellor at NCSU so that we could move on.

“I did three groundbreakings in a week – great press coverage, but not a single question about the groundbreaking, but all about Mary Easley.”

Easley was hired without a search, Oblinger said, because her network of connections made her uniquely qualified to develop a seminar series that brought speakers including Bill Clinton and Charlie Rose to the campus. After her three-year contract was up, she was signed to a new contract with a significant salary increase – from $90,000 to $170,000 per year – along with additional responsibilities, including the creation of a public safety institute to develop textiles and technology to protect first responders.

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LAS CRUCES – Jim Oblinger responded to concerns about support for graduate students, continuity of leadership and fundraising during the final candidate forum for students in the New Mexico State University presidential search.

Oblinger, the former chancellor at North Carolina State University, who resigned in June following questions about the hiring of then-first lady Mary Easley at the university, was at NMSU on Monday.

Continuity is something he would bring to NMSU, Oblinger told the few students who attended the forum and others who watched a Webcast and submitted questions online.

Oblinger cited his long tenure at NCSU – he’s been in administrative positions there for 23 years – and his commitment to the land-grant mission.

“I’m a product of the land-grant system,” Oblinger said.

Prompted to share how he’d help graduate students, Oblinger described a graduate student supplement plan in place at North Carolina State that provides financial support to students, as well as professional development workshops that he said helped prepare students to deal with situations once they leave the university.

Read the article.

Far left: Nancy Oretskin, Professor, Department of Finance, participates in the March of Dimes HIgh Heels for High Hopes fundraiser, Nov. 19, 2009.

High Heels for High Hopes benefits March of Dimes

Seventeen high-heeled models take to the catwalk Thursday, Nov. 19, for the second annual High Heels for High Hopes gala, a runway-style fashion show and silent auction to benefit the southern New Mexico chapter of March of Dimes, a nonprofit dedicated to improving babies’ health by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 S. Telshor Blvd., is the setting for the high-stylin’ event, which will take over most of the first floor of the hotel including the lobby and adjacent ballrooms. Local musician Daniel Park will provide entertainment during dinner and the silent auction.

Silent auction items include a trip donated by Adventure Travel plus jewelry, massage certificates, original hand-painted pieces and food and theater packages “Ticket holders can enjoy a full Italian buffet beginning at 6:30 p.m., then at 7 p.m., VIP ticket holders will be invited to the main ballroom for a pre-show surprise, in-seat champagne service and special gift bags,” said Becky Horner, executive director of the March of Dimes.

Only 40 of the 120 VIP seats were still available at press time.

Doors for the fashion show open for general seating at 7:30 p.m. and DJ “H-Bomb” will spin some tunes while guests find their seats.

Master of ceremonies, Comcast’s Steve Chavira and special guest Ivanna Bump will keep the evening moving.

Business models

The highlight of the show is the 17 models, some of them mothers of babies born prematurely.

Video footage of the models before and during their photo shoot opens the show. Horner said the women have been working with their salons to choreograph and rehearse their stroll down the 60-foot runway. The elite group of Doña Ana County women, nominated for their service and leadership within the community, joined with local salons to raise $70,000 dollars to support research, education and community service opportunities through March of Dimes.

Each woman is committed to raising $3,500 or more – contributing to the $70,000 campaign goal.

Read the article.

Risk manager shares lessons learned

Administrators teach it, politicians have touted it and risk managers live by it. Preparation and prevention are key in avoiding costly mistakes and the disaster that can sometimes ensue, and folks in the insurance business have to be prepared for even the wildest of hypothetical situations.

That’s according to Cheryl Johnson, executive director of risk management for the Dallas Independent School District, the 12th largest school district in the United States.

Johnson, who oversees the risk management operations for the 163,000-student, 20,000-employee district, with $1.7 billion worth of property, said she’s learned many valuable lessons throughout her career.

“Analyzing past data is the foundation of risk management,” Johnson said. “Think about the worst thing that can go wrong and then act pro actively to prevent it. Things in life are preventable and predictable.”

Johnson spoke to a group of administrative employees from Las Cruces Public Schools and risk management students at New Mexico State University Wednesday, Nov. 4, at a lecture organized by the NMSU Finance Department.

“Probably one of the most common or ridiculous situations is the slip and fall,” Johnson said. “How many of you have seen a teacher get on a table to put up a poster board? What about a chair? What about a chair with wheels? A lot of these people have master’s degrees, right? Where’s the common sense?”

From small workplace injuries to devastating natural disasters, Johnson and her staff of nine work daily to prevent costly accidents of all types.

“We’ve had schools burn down, injuries, auto accidents, all that and more,” she said.

Read the article.

LAS CRUCES — For jobseekers, the situation can feel kind of grim. The unemployment rate in Doña Ana County at of the end of September was 7.7 percent, up from 4.7 percent a year ago, and the national unemployment numbers have reached the double-digit phase.

One area that continues to plug away with hiring, though, is the public sector as jobs are available with the federal government and, even if some state and local governments are putting the breaks on hiring, they still need to keep some positions filled, said James Peach, who teaches economics and international business at New Mexico State University.

“Even though the total employment is not expanding, there is still a lot of hiring going on,” Peach said. “Historically, we’ve had good luck with federal government employment (in our area). And one of the things happening in the federal government is the wave of baby boomers who are retiring.”

On Tuesday, a variety of governmental agencies and departments will be at NMSU to meet with prospective employees. Called the Borderlands Public Career Showcase, the job fair will feature at least 26 federal and state agencies who will accept applications and, in some cases, even conduct interviews on the spot.

The job fair is scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first floor of Corbett Center Student Union. The second day of the showcase will be held Thursday on the University of Texas-El Paso campus at the UTEP Union.

Read the article.

LAS CRUCES — Reyna Chavez and Helen Chandler said they can frequently be found shopping at Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar stores.

“We hit them all,” said Chandler who, like Chavez, lives in Deming but often visits Las Cruces.

“We shop at them a lot, here and in Deming too,” Chavez said as she stood in line at the Dollar Tree on University Avenue in Las Cruces on Thursday. “There’s a good selection; (the stores) have everything and a good price.”

As retailers scramble to attract customers with holiday sales and bargains to offset the effect of the recession, there is one type of store that has done well in the economic downturn: the dollar store.

Except for Dollar Tree, where every item is priced a dollar or less, most dollar stores — which are also known as variety stores — sell a cross section of different products, most of which are priced less than $10. Shoppers can find everything from groceries to house cleaning supplies and soap and toys and holiday merchandise.

“There’s a lot of name brands, stuff you could find at other stores for more,” said Frank Sandoval, a manager with the Dollar Tree store on University Avenue. “The more stuff we put out, the higher our sales are.”

Bruce Huhmann, an assistant professor of marketing at New Mexico State University, said that dollar stores may not replace the larger retail locations that also promote low prices — “Wal-Mart has also done very well through the downturn,” he said — but the dollar stores have been booming during the economic downturn.

Read the article.

Do you own your own business? Do you have a great product idea that you want to develop? Do you have questions about effective marketing? The Entrepreneurship Institute at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center wants to help. It will host the Entrepreneur Round-Up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, on the second floor of NMSU’s Corbett Center.

The Entrepreneur Round-Up is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA 2009 and will feature MBA students from Arrowhead Center holding one-on-one sessions with current and prospective entrepreneurs. The event is a free and open to the public.

“Whether you are a Web-based company, own your own store, or are still in the planning stage, we can help make your dreams reality,” said Marie Borchert, an educational specialist at Arrowhead Center. “This is a great opportunity for all businesses. I’d encourage everyone to bring questions and ideas.”

Global Entrepreneurship Week was founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Make Your Mark campaign. It is designed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. This year, it takes place Nov. 16-22. Global Entrepreneurship Week has more than 1,000 partners, including top universities, non-profit organizations, successful entrepreneurs, government agencies and corporate sponsors. The week’s events will engage young people from 87 countries and encourage them to pursue entrepreneurial ideas through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.

Those interested in participating in other Global Entrepreneurship Week events outside of NMSU can identify a host of additional activities, including virtual and face-to-face events, large-scale competitions, and networking gatherings through the Global Entrepreneurship Week activities calendar at http://www.unleashingideas.org/usa/activities_calendar. The activities calendar, which lists hundreds of events across the United States, can be searched by key word or sorted by location to help participants access the week’s many resources and events.

“During last year’s inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week, we engaged more than 3 million people in more than 75 countries around the globe,” said Carl Schramm, president and chief executive officer of the Kauffman Foundation. “With the support generated so far in 2009, we’re set to reach even more young people, inspiring them to acquire the knowledge, skills and networks needed to grow innovative, sustainable enterprises that have a positive impact on their lives and communities.”

Organizations supporting Global Entrepreneurship Week include Global Sponsor NYSE Euronext, Global Partners Endeavor, Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA), Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), DECA, the Prince’s Youth Business International, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills, MIT Enterprise Forum, the European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs, and Youth Enterprise and Sustainability.

For more information, visit http://www.unleashingideas.org, and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.

America’s Best Public Colleges

These schools rank among the top 100 public colleges and universities in the U.S. on Forbes’ 2009 list of America’s Best Colleges.

Below, each school is listed with both its rank among public colleges and its overall rank on the America’s Best Colleges list.

Read the article and see the listings.

LAS CRUCES – While the nation deals with double-digit unemployment, Doña Ana County received some good economic news on Wednesday.

The Milken Institute announced that the Las Cruces metropolitan statistical area (MSA) – which includes the entire county – has made its way into its Top 10 list of 2009’s Best-Performing Small Cities. The rankings – Las Cruces came in at No. 9 – are based mainly on job creation and sustainability, which means the independent think tank believes the Las Cruces area is moving in a positive direction.

Midland, Texas, was ranked No. 1, while three other Texas cities also made the Top 10.

It’s the first time Las Cruces has made it into the Top 10 since 2004 when it ranked second.

The Milken Institute cited the impending construction of Spaceport America and the “low cost of doing business” as two benefits for the region.

“New Mexico State University, White Sands Missile Range and NASA White Sands Test Facility continue to be the economic engines of the region,” the report states. “With the growing aerospace engineering program at NMSU attracting aerospace firms … Las Cruces is becoming a major player and top location for aerospace and space related technology R&D firms.” …

“Las Cruces makes the best-of list for a lot of things,” said James Peach, who teaches economics and international business at NMSU. “So this doesn’t surprise me. It’s a nice-sized city without a lot of traffic problems; it’s attractive both to people looking for a place to live and for clean industries.”

Read the article.

In Front of the Classroom: Training Native PhDs as Business Professors

Joe Gladstone, PhD student, Department of Management

Joe Gladstone, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Management, was featured in an article in Winds of Change, the premier American Indian-published and nationally distributed full-color magazine focusing on career and educational advancement for Native people (http://www.wocmag.org).

Winds of Change, Autumn 2009, Volume 24, Number 4.

Interviewers talked to Gladstone and three Native American management professors about business research and education for American Indians.

Graduates of The PhD Project discuss how gaining a doctorate in business contributes to economic improvement within Native communities and creates role models for future business leaders.

Read the article: Winds of Change: Fall 2009.

Winds of Change is the premier American Indian-published and nationally distributed full-color magazine with a focus on career and educational advancement for Native people. Articles highlight cross-cultural issues of interest to both Native and non-Native people. Since 1986, the magazine has served as a channel for information and ideas relevant to the needs and interests of both students and professionals. In recent issues, Winds of Change has explored such current topics as bridging traditional science with technology, business and entrepreneurship, long-distance learning, mentoring, public health, and a broad range of careers.

The artwork on the covers and throughout each issue of Winds of Change has left distinctive, memorable images in the minds of readers for many years. Prominent Native artists featured in the magazine include: Al Qöyawayma, Hopi; Ben Harjo, Seminole/Shawnee; Burgess Roye, Ponca; Ed Defender, Standing Rock Sioux; Sam English, Turtle Mountain Chippewa; and Virginia Stroud, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Richard Herman, Ph.D., has withdrawn his name from the New Mexico State University presidential selection process. The search will continue with the four remaining candidates.

Herman is Special Assistant to the President, Professor, and recently Chancellor, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Herman said his decision is based on other obligations that will prevent him from continuing as a candidate. He expressed his good wishes for NMSU’s future successes.

“I understand and respect Dr. Herman’s decision,” NMSU Board of Regents Chairman Blake Curtis said. “We have a pool of fully qualified candidates and our selection process will continue as planned. On Nov. 19 we have a special Board of Regents meeting scheduled. It is our intent to announce our next president at that time.”

The NMSU presidential candidates include:

• Barbara Couture, D.A., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of English, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• James Oblinger, Ph.D., Professor, recently Chancellor, North Carolina State University.

• Michael Ortiz, Ph.D., President, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

• Lisa Rossbacher, Ph.D., President, Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga.

All of the finalists have visited NMSU for interviews, forums and tours except Oblinger, whose visit is scheduled for Nov. 15-17.

To help students make strong and direct connections with the real world’s economy, business and government, the Stock Market Game is used in classrooms from the fourth grade through college.

The game program, run by the Securities Industries and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), is a live trading simulation in which students strive to create a high-performing portfolio based off the real marketplace. The students use internet research and real news updates to learn core academic concepts and skills that can help them succeed in the classroom and in life.

A recent study by Learning Points Associates has shown that students who have participated in the Stock Market Game perform better in mathematics and financial literacy than students who haven’t. The study also asked teachers about how they implemented the game to fit their class room, and how the positive results were achieved regardless of how the game was played, either basic or advanced. This result suggests the game is easy to implement using standard teaching practices.

“We’re hoping the results of the survey spark an interest for using the game among more math teachers,” said Ken Martin, the program director for the Stock Market Game Program for the state New Mexico and professor of finance at New Mexico State University’s College of Business.

During the 2008-2009 academic year 94 teachers in New Mexico used the game in 74 schools with a total of 4,224 students participating, Martin said. The game is also used at NMSU as a personal finance course.

“The game benefits the students by getting them to think about their financial future in a world of high marketing,” Martin said. “It shows them to save and invest but also that the stock market is risky, and they must take precautions such as diversifying their investments. In New Mexico, success in the game is determined, not just by financial return, but also how much risk was involved in a portfolio.”

For more information, contact Martin at (575) 646-1236.

AggieVision has become the source on Aggie sports for all fans, students, alumni and faculty. In addition to broadcasting every home sporting event, AggieVision is growing on the Web. Utilizing the Web aspect of broadcasting allows Aggies – wherever they may be – to access the most up-to-date Aggie stats and highlights. In KRWG’s third year of producing the show they have transformed the former coaches’ shows into NMSU Sports Weekly.

One of the most impressive changes was adding additional episodes to extend NMSU Sports Weekly programming until the middle of May. This allows for the shows to cover some of NMSU’s spring sports such as baseball, softball and tennis. The reason for the growth and development of AggieVision can be attributed to the preparation of Executive Director of University Broadcasting Glen Cerny and AggieVision General Manager Joe Brackman.

AggieVision is growing on the Web.

Cerny explained some of what goes on behind the scenes and how the filming of NMSU Sports Weekly is planned.

“The current taping schedule for NMSU Sports Weekly really begins about two weeks in advance,” Cerny said. “The AggieVision staff either takes our broadcast footage or shoots highlights from various games to use. Features with coaches or student athletes are created and other packages are prepared.”

Cerny described the schedule in further detail and explained how AggieVision plans to distribute the show.

Cerny said, “Monday morning either the football or basketball interviews are conducted or the wrap-around shots are completed. By Tuesday the program is closed-captioned and on Wednesday it is sent to the satellite for regional distribution. Obviously, it is an ongoing activity for the 30 weeks of production.”

AggieVision currently has four full-time employees and the rest of the crew is students. Brackman talked about some of the experiences former crewmembers have had since working for AggieVision.

“Last year one of our students interned at Fox Sports Arizona. Former students have moved on to opportunities such as ESPN,” Brackman said. “The students that work for AggieVision are getting hands-on, real-world experience in sports broadcasting that they can’t find anywhere else.”

Brackman provided further insight as to what role the Web is playing in the growth of AggieVision.

“AggieVision provides all of their games online (via streaming), and every feature and package gets posted on the AggieVision YouTube channel,” Brackman said. “The shows also get posted to the AggieVision iTunes page. It’s free to subscribe and have clips and updates downloaded to your computer or iPod.”

Written by Tony Reyes.