College of Business » Awards and Honors

NMSU Foundation presents awards, announces campaign milestone at annual dinner

Renee Brown — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:49:36 +0000

Tom Gale, seated, celebrates his Branding Iron Award Oct. 21 with, from left, daughter-in-law Gail Gale, Alexandra Nason Hall and New Mexico State University Emeritus President Gerald Thomas at the NMSU Foundation’s Partners in Excellence Dinner. The Branding Iron award is the highest honor the NMSU Foundation gives to an individual. (Courtesy Photo)

The New Mexico State University Foundation celebrated its annual Partners in Excellence Dinner as part of Homecoming 2009 Oct. 21 by honoring many distinguished partners and announcing that the Doing What Counts campaign has reached $214 million to date.

The comprehensive campaign is the most ambitious fundraising endeavor undertaken by the university and has already exceeded expectations. The original goal of $150 million by December 2008 was met early in the effort causing the NMSU Foundation Board of Directors to revise the goal to $225 by December 2010.

“As we honored those who contribute to NMSU everyday at our Partners in Excellence Dinner, we wanted to celebrate the campaign’s success. The generous gifts we have received are the reason we continue to grow and transform NMSU,” said Nick Franklin, vice president of university advancement and executive director of the NMSU Foundation.

Awards presented at the dinner included the Branding Iron Awards, the Spirit of Service Awards, and the Circle of Excellence Awards.

The Branding Iron award is the highest honor the NMSU Foundation gives to an individual. It recognizes significant and unique contributions to the university. Receiving the award this year were Tom Gale, Ed Lujan and Waded Cruzado.

Gale came to NMSU in 1971 to be dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. His impact on the university, community and state was immediate and continued long after his official retirement from NMSU in 1991. Even after retirement, he worked to establish the Center for Latin American Studies, worked with the College of Education to improve the level of teacher education in New Mexico, served on the state Commission on Higher Education, created the Academy for Learning in Retirement, served on the NMSU Foundation Board of Directors and several other university and community boards. He and his wife, Mary, have supported many campus programs and established the Thomas M. Gale endowed fund for excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Lujan earned two degrees from the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. After a brief teaching career, he joined the family insurance business in the late 1960s. From 1968 forward, he served as the chief executive officer for the Manuel Lujan Agencies in Albuquerque. Now retired, he continues to serve as the company’s chairman of the board. He is a very loyal Aggie and has served on many boards and supported many programs at the university. He received an honorary doctorate from NMSU in May 2000.

Cruzado was appointed executive vice president and provost at NMSU Sept. 1, 2007. From August 2008-May 2009, she served NMSU as interim president. Prior to her service as provost, she led NMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences as dean for four years. During her interim presidency at NMSU, achievements included gains in the university’s Comprehensive Campaign despite a troubled economy and success at the 2009 session of the New Mexico Legislature that included $5.5 million in additional funding for the Center for the Arts. She will leave NMSU in January 2010 to become the president of Montana State University.

NMSU benefits each year from the intangible contributions that come from alumni and friends. The Spirit of Service award is designed to recognize those contributions. This year’s recipients were Walter Hines, Bruce Ritter and Danny Villanueva.

Hines, who has two degrees in mechanical engineering from NMSU, has been active with the alumni association wherever he has lived, raising money to support student scholarships and just promoting NMSU. He and his wife, Bette, also established a deferred gift annuity to support NMSU athletics well into the future.

Ritter earned his accounting degree from NMSU in 1971. He has been a CPA in Roswell for many years. Ritter is a behind the scenes man who has been a quiet supporter of the business college, the President’s Associates scholarship program and Aggie football.

Villanueva has given back to NMSU in many ways. One of the most impactful has been the Chicano Program’s scholarship breakfast held at the start of Homecoming for the past several years. At this event, guests were able to hear nationally recognized speakers invited by Villanueva. He has continued to match funds raised during these breakfasts each year. The endowment reached its original $500,000 goal this summer.

Circle of Excellence donors also were recognized at the dinner. Those recognized in the Circle of Excellence – Gold category for achieving a cumulative giving history of more than $1 million are Jacobs Technology, Lockheed-Martin/Sandia Laboratories, Wells Fargo Bank, the Wolslager Foundation, the late Mr. and Mrs. W.F. “Dub” Martin, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. There are 25 other donors at this level.

Those recognized in the Circle of Excellence – Silver category for achieving a cumulative giving history of $500,000-$1 million were John Yates Sr. and his wife, Charlotte. There are 29 other donors at this level.

Those recognized in the Circle of Excellence – Bronze category for achieving a cumulative giving history at the university of $250,000-$499,999 were Rama and Ammu Devasthali, Lumina Foundation for Education and Belva Roark. There are 52 other individuals, corporations and foundations at this level.

Nine Distinguished Alumni to receive accolades at NMSU Homecoming

Renee Brown — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:13:55 +0000

by Bryant Million NMSU NewsCenter

The New Mexico State University Alumni Association will honor and recognize nine Distinguished Alumni and the recipient of the 2009 James F. Cole Memorial Award at a dinner during the Homecoming 2009 celebration.

The 2009 honorees are:
•Jack Benjamin Pruett, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
•Ann C. Gates, William D. Newell and Alexander M. Parsons, College of Arts and Sciences
•Brenda Alvarez, College of Business
•Eula Fern Thompson, College of Education
•Tom H. Hill, College of Engineering
•Judith Bauer Creegan, College of Health and Social Services
•William “Bilo” Wallace, Office of International and Border Programs
•Shari Jones, James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service

Pruett earned his degree in animal science from NMSU in 1962. He was named an outstanding graduate for his graduating class in his college. During his time as chief estimator and project manager of Wooten Construction Company from the 1980s to 1998, the firm completed construction projects in the Las Cruces area and several of NMSU’s campuses, including Knox Hall, Engineering Complex Buildings 1 and 3, the Business Complex, Hardman Hall and the Doña Ana Community College Library. He became an honored member of the Sam Steele Society in 2001.

Gates earned her Ph.D. in computer science from NMSU in 1994. She, in collaboration with other researchers, has received more than $23 million in funding from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Sandia National Laboratories, Army Research Laboratory, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation (NSF). In 2006, Gates led a successful effort to secure NSF funding to form the Computing Alliance for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI), which is focused on the recruitment, retention and advancement of Hispanics in computing. NMSU is included in the core of CAHSI’s founding institutions.

Newell earned his degrees in criminal justice and Latin American studies from NMSU in 1988. In 1989, he became a special agent with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Over the course of his career, Newell has held several positions in which he was responsible for oversights of ATF’s international and domestic firearms and explosives trafficking jurisdiction. He has represented ATF and the U.S. at the United Nations and the Organization of American States as an expert on international firearms and explosives trafficking matters. He currently serves as the special agent in charge and director of the ATF’s Phoenix Field Division, which presides over Arizona and New Mexico.

Parsons earned his master of arts from NMSU in 1999. He is the author of the novel “Leaving Disneyland,” which won the 2001 Associated Writing Program’s Award for the Novel, the Writer’s League of Texas Violet Crown Award and was a finalist for the PEN West Award. His second novel, “In the Shadows of the Sun,” is set in his home state of New Mexico and deals with the Bataan Death March and the testing of the first atomic bomb on what is now the White Sands Missile Range. The novel was a 2005 Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writer selection and was nominated for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Parsons has received various recognitions for his writing, including a National Endowment for the Arts Literary Fellowship, and he teaches creative writing at the University of Houston’s nationally ranked master’s of fine arts and Ph.D. Creative Writing Program and the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers.

Alvarez earned her degree in business from NMSU in 1981. She and her husband founded EMI Technologies in 1985, a mechanical and electrical engineering, consulting and fabrication services company that has completed more than 300 custom built vehicles. Alvarez currently serves on the Wells Fargo Advisory Board, the Arrowhead Advisory Board and the Las Cruces Country Club Board. She has also served on the boards for the NMSU Alumni Association and the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree in business education in 1963 and her masters in educational management and development in 1983 from NMSU. Her teaching career has spanned for 33 years, which includes teaching at Mayfield High School, Mayfield Night High School, the International Business College and the Dona Ana Community College. She has received the Donald C. Rush Award for Excellence in Teaching from NMSU in 1985 and the National Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas in 1989. Thompson is still active in the NMSU College of Education as she currently serves on the college’s board of advocates and the Children’s Village Board. She has worked as a fund-raiser for Aggies for Kids at the Children’s Village, and she has worked to establish the J. Paul Taylor Endowment in Early Childhood Education and the Warren Woodson Endowment for the Aggie football program.

Hill earned his degree in mechanical engineering from NMSU in 1967. After working for the Humble Oil Company, now ExxonMobil, he left and founded T.H. Hill Associates, which works on difficult, drill-string mechanics problems and on drill-string failure prevention. The company develops, writes, publishes and enforces the DS-1 Standard. This standard, with Hill as its principal author, was first published in 1993 and has been translated into Spanish and Chinese. It has become the worldwide specification for manufacture, design and inspection of oil and gas drill-string components. Hill is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and has published about 50 books, technical articles and papers.

Creegan earned her associate degree in nursing in 1983, her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1986 and her master’s of science in nursing in 1996 from NMSU. She is the director of nursing and health services for the Gadsden Independent School District. She is responsible for the oversight and management of student and employee health services for 17,000 individuals on 26 campuses and remote sites. She manages a SAMHASA Suicide Prevention grant, working with a group of middle and high school students on a suicide prevention program. Creegan was an instructor for NMSU’s Department of Nursing in 2001 and 2002, and she is currently earning her doctorate in curriculum and instruction at NMSU.

Wallace earned his degree in range and animal science from NMSU in 1968. After graduating, Wallace took on the responsibility of managing the Corralitos Ranch near Casas Grandes in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, which had been run by his family for two previous generations. He currently serves as president of the Union Ganadera Regional of Chihuahua, a cattle growers association. For the past 10 years, Wallace has served as the Mexican representative to an international tuberculosis committee that works closely with Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to eliminate tuberculosis in cattle.

Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1980 and her master’s degree in business administration in 1981 from NMSU. In 2001, she joined the executive council of NMSU’s Alumni Association, which she served for four years including one year as president. She has also served in the association’s international board of directors. Jones is a member of the Aggie Athletics Fund Board and the President’s Associates Board. She received the NMSU Foundation’s Spirit of Service Award in October 2007 in recognition of her role as the co-chair of the Hospitality Committee for the 2007 WAC Basketball Tournament held in Las Cruces, a role she also undertook for the 2008 event.

Criteria for the James F. Cole Memorial Award are based on non-monetary support and involvement with NMSU, civic and humanitarian service, and professional service.

For more information contact the NMSU Alumni Association at (575) 646-3616.

Research & Resources: Leaders around the World

Renee Brown — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:00:22 +0000

by Justin Bannister NMSU Research and Resources, Spring 2009. Retrieved online: Oct. 6, 2009.

(Photo by Darren Phillips)

NMSU researcher studies workplace

Would an American with excellent leadership skills in the workplace still be a good leader in Asia? Would a European business leader fare well in Australia? Looking at leadership skills and how they translate into various cultures is part of the research that has made Peter Dorfman, a professor at New Mexico State University’s College of Business, an internationally known researcher.

“I’ve always been fascinated by people and how they work in organizations, how they get along, how they interact, what happens when conflicts arise,” Dorfman said. “I’m especially interested in seeing how those interactions are different in this country as compared to other countries.”

Dorfman

Dorfman came to NMSU’s Department of Management in 1978 for what he thought would be a three- to four-year stay. Thirty years later, he’s still at NMSU, teaching human resource management and general organizational behavior.

“One of the reasons I like living in New Mexico is the cross cultures we have. I enjoy seeing that mix of cultures in my classes, too,” he said. But to successfully learn about leadership skills around the world, one must visit other countries, and Dorfman has traveled extensively during his time as a researcher and teacher. He spent time in Berlin just this past summer and has even taught classes in Hong Kong.

Read the article.

NMSU honors faculty members during fall convocation

Renee Brown — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:00:59 +0000

by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Convocation award recipients Katherine Giles, Elizabeth Titus, Manoj Shukla, Eric Butcher, Meghan Starbuck, Yu-Feng “Winnie” Lee, Kathryn Fuller and J. Sean McCleneghan. Far right: Glenn Kuehn who accepted the award for Jeremy Smith. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

New Mexico State University kicked off a new semester with its fall 2009 convocation ceremony, a semi-annual event where the university honors some of its top faculty members.

Yu-Feng “Winnie” Lee and Manoj Shukla were awarded the Patricia Christmore Teaching Award. The award recognizes and rewards superb junior tenure-track faculty members for excellence in teaching.

Lee, an assistant professor of economics and international business, consistently receives excellent teaching evaluations and high rankings from her students. She previously received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award from the College of Business.

Shukla, an assistant professor in the plant and environmental sciences department, has helped revive the soil physics program, which now attracts students from different programs of study. During his time at NMSU, he has garnered almost $1 million in research funding as a principle investigator.

The University Research Council Early Career Award was given to Eric Butcher, Jeremy Smith and Meghan Starbuck.

Butcher is an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and is the inaugural holder of the Dwight and Aubrey Chapman Endowed Professorship. Since coming to NMSU, he has been a principle or co-principle investigator on grants from NASA, the Air Force, Los Alamos National Laboratories, the U.S. Department of Education and other agencies.

Smith is an assistant professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department. His research focus is on the design, synthesis and reactivity of transition metal complexes as chemical models for important biological and industrial transformations. His work is currently being supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Starbuck is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics and International Business. Currently, some of her projects focus on fossil fuels, water and economic development in New Mexico. She also is working with Luz-Elena Mimbela from NMSU’s Institute for Energy and the Environment to create a dynamic model of an algae-based biofuel in New Mexico.

The University Research Council Distinguished Career Award was presented to Katherine Giles, the director of the Institute of Tectonic Studies. As director of the institute, Giles funds and performs research with a focus on salt tectonics in the U.S., Mexico and Australia. She is a Fulbright Scholar, a fellow in the Geological Society of America, an honorary member and past president of the New Mexico Geological Society, and has been an American Association of Petroleum Geologists distinguished lecturer.

NMSU’s Outcomes Assessment II committee, which focuses on student life, awarded the Outstanding Outcomes Assessment Award to the NMSU Library. The NMSU Library has consistently performed assessments that focus on the needs of students and faculty. Their reports reveal that assessment is an important part of the fabric of the unit’s yearly planning and implementation of services.

J. Sean McCleneghan and Kathryn Fuller were awarded the Excellence in Academic Advising Award.

McCleneghan, a professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, has taught at NMSU since 1982, and served as department head for 12 years from 1982-94. His innovative teaching, research productivity and contributions to public relations higher education have won him numerous awards. McCleneghan directs the department’s paid internship program and has earned 688 undergraduates more than $2 million in summer media job experiences from 1983-2009.

Fuller began her career at NMSU in 2000. Currently, she is the admissions and records coordinator for NMSU Alamogordo. She says she appreciates the life-changing value of higher education, and is thankful for the opportunity to serve students and help them achieve their dreams. An example of her service to students includes being an adviser to student organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa and Campus Christian Fellowship.

Dorfman named Bank of America distinguished professor at NMSU

Renee Brown — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:00:39 +0000

July 13, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Peter Dorfman, management professor at New Mexico State University, will serve as the Bank of America distinguished professor at the NMSU College of Business. (NMSU photo)

Peter Dorfman, a management professor at New Mexico State University, has been named the Bank of America distinguished professor at NMSU’s College of Business.

“I was thrilled,” Dorfman said. “This is a wonderful thing to happen at this time in my career. It’s a real honor to have this designation.”

Dorfman has been with NMSU for more than 30 years and currently teaches human resource management and general organizational behavior. He was a Fulbright Scholar in New Zealand last year and held the Robert O. Anderson distinguished professorship at NMSU from 1991 to 1997.

The Bank of America professorship was made possible by a donation to New Mexico State University. It will allow Dorfman to further his research and writing for the Global Leadership Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) project. GLOBE is a research effort started in 1994 to look at leadership and cultures around the world. Dorfman is on GLOBE’s board of directors and is working on the group’s third book. The previous two books have won national awards.

“Peter Dorfman is top notch. He is a prolific writer and is nationally and internationally recognized for the work he does,” said Garrey Carruthers, business dean and vice president for economic development.

Dorfman earned his Ph.D. at the University of Maryland and previously taught at Montana State University and Rice University.

Tian named Robert O. Anderson distinguished professor at NMSU

Renee Brown — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:00:40 +0000

June 25, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Kelly Tian, marketing professor at New Mexico State University, will serve as the Robert O. Anderson distinguished professor at NMSU’s College of Business. (Courtesy photo)

Kelly Tian, a marketing professor at New Mexico State University, has been named the Robert O. Anderson distinguished professor at NMSU’s College of Business.

“I was thrilled to receive this professorship,” Tian said. “We have a well regarded program here at NMSU and this will certainly be a really exciting role.”

Tian currently teaches courses where students develop marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations and examine the effects of globalization on consumer culture. She is actively involved in shaping the college’s assessment of students’ learning outcomes and will work as the director of the marketing Ph.D. program.

The professorship is designed to promote service that benefits the College of Business. Tian said she is putting together an orientation program for marketing Ph.D. students that will familiarize them with the cultural values of academia, and aid their performance in the domains of service, teaching and publishing.

Robert O. Anderson was a noted New Mexico business leader, political activist and philanthropist who died in 2007. The distinguished professorship was made possible by a donation from Anderson to NMSU with matching funds from the New Mexico Legislature.

“Kelly Tian is central to our doctoral program and the kind of professor you look to for mentoring Ph.D. students,” said Garrey Carruthers, business dean and vice president for economic development.

Tian earned her Ph.D. at Georgia State University-Atlanta and previously taught at the University of Kentucky-Lexington before joining NMSU six years ago.

Hyman named as first-ever Stan Fulton Chair in Business at NMSU

Renee Brown — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:43 +0000

June 19, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Michael Hyman, marketing professor at New Mexico State University, will serve as the Stan Fulton Chair in Marketing at NMSU’s College of Business. (NMSU Photo by Darren Phillips)

Michael Hyman, a marketing professor at New Mexico State University, has been named the Stan Fulton Chair in Business at NMSU’s College of Business.

“I’m honored to be the first person selected as the Stan Fulton Chair,” Hyman said. He currently teaches marketing research and sports marketing as well as doctoral level courses in marketing theory and applied research methods.

The Stan Fulton Chair was created by a $1 million gift from Stan Fulton, owner of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Earnings from the endowment are used to support the salary of the faculty member holding the chair, as well as program development and other needs.

The Stan Fulton Chair is structured for a senior faculty member to mentor junior faculty members as well as doctoral students. A recommendation for the chair is made by the college’s faculty council and then sent to the dean for approval.

“Mike Hyman completely immerses himself in the scholarship of discovery,” said Elise “Pookie” Sautter, department head for marketing. “His insightful research and writing skills make him highly sought after as a reviewer, as a co-author and an invaluable asset to our marketing Ph.D. program.”

As part of his responsibilities, Hyman will work with Chris Erickson, an NMSU economics professor, to produce New Mexico Business Outlook, an online publication highlighting various aspects of business in the state. Hyman will focus particularly on ethics and public policy, and provide a preliminary venue for faculty members to publish their work.

Hyman earned his Ph.D. at Purdue University in 1984. He taught at the University of Houston and the University of North Texas before joining the NMSU faculty in 1993. Author of more than 100 published scholarly papers and current member of nine journal editorial review boards, he previously held the Wells Fargo and NationsBank professorships in the College of Business. His research interests include consumers’ response to advertising, marketing ethics, survey research methods and knowledge acquisition in academia.

There are four, $1 million or more chairs in the College of Business. They include the Mountain States Insurance Group Endowed Chair, the Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development, the Robin T. Peterson Endowed Chair in Marketing and the Stan Fulton Chair.

NMSU receives Freedom Award Nomination

Renee Brown — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:07 +0000

June 18, 2009 by Donyelle Keslerr NMSU News Center

New Mexico State University is one of three New Mexico employers that has been selected as a semi-finalist for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The award is considered to be the U.S. government’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The university’s commitment to various programs and its employees has gained them this nomination.

Area Chair for the Southwestern New Mexico Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Local Committee Leonard Boulas says the university has exhibited outstanding support towards its Guard and Reserve employees.

“The university’s Human Resources Policies are in compliance with and go beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Service Employment-Re Employment Rights Act. When issues have arisen in regard to the law, they have dealt with them in an efficient and expeditious manner always taking into consideration the best interests of the military service member,” Boulas said.

Boulas also said the university has gone beyond the requirements of the law by setting in place procedures and programs to allow employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve to meet their military requirements without fear of losing their civilian jobs or being penalized for their military service. The university maintains communication with employees and their families when these employees are deployed on active duty missions.

He noted that NMSU has worked with the many members of the National Guard and Reserve who are students, allowing them flexibility in their course work so that they could take part in unit mobilizations for Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

NMSU also participates in community outreach, supporting and promoting the activities of the local ESGR Area Committee with other employers in the community. This includes participation in annual ESGR/USERRA program workshops, employer orientation visits to military units, and various employer lunches and banquets.

“Beyond all of these activities is their support as a key community leader to the entire military community not only to the members of the Ready Reserve (National Guard and Reserve), but also to the active and retired military community in the local area,” Boulas said.

NMSU is a member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Conference. The university has hosted the Local Area Community Military Covenant Signing Ceremony at half time of an NMSU football game. The university is a supporter of the local Honor Flight Program, and honors the American flag at all sporting events. NMSU has participated in patriotic parades in the local area, including welcome home parades and ceremonies that honor those local members of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve when they return home from overseas deployments.

NMSU is among 131 semi-finalists from across the nation selected from more than 3,200 nominations submitted. In June, a review board will select 35 finalists for the award and in July a national selection board comprised of senior defense officials and business leaders will select the award’s 15 recipients for 2009.

NMSU has already received various ESGR lower level awards that include, the Above and Beyond Award and the Pro Patria Award.

NMSU awards risk management, insurance scholarships

Renee Brown — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:00:51 +0000

June 3, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

The Insurance and Financial Services Center (IFSC) at New Mexico State University’s College of Business has awarded a series of scholarships for students studying risk management and insurance at NMSU.

The IFSC supports students, faculty and industry by promoting research and knowledge as it relates to the field of insurance. The center also facilitates interaction between students and industry, primarily through scholarships and internship programs.

Michael McGonigle was selected as a Spencer Scholar by the Spencer Educational Foundation. The $2,500 award is nationally competitive, with only 33 students chosen among 156 applications. McGonigle also received special recognition as the charter president of Gamma Iota Sigma, a professional fraternity for students interested in international risk management, insurance and actuarial science.

Kathy Murray received the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Scholarship, which covered registration and travel expenses for attending the Risk and Insurance Management Society’s annual conference in Orlando, Fla., in April.

“Only the top risk management and insurance students in the country receive these awards,” said Tim Query, an associate professor in finance at NMSU.

Anna Krylova was selected for the Mountain States Insurance Group Outstanding Student award. She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and is now pursuing a career as an actuary in Albuquerque. The Mountain States Insurance Group contributed $1 million toward establishing the Risk Management and Insurance Studies program at NMSU. This is an annual internal award that goes to the top NMSU risk management and insurance student.

NMSU Alumni Assocation honors Spring 2009 Outstanding Graduates

Renee Brown — Wed, 06 May 2009 07:00:46 +0000

May 6, 2009 by Bryant Million NMSU News Center

For their outstanding academic performance, leadership, scholarship and participation in university and community activities, the New Mexico State University Alumni Association honored nine Outstanding Graduates for Spring 2009.

An outstanding graduate was chosen from each of NMSU’s academic colleges, as well as an international student and two graduate students. They will be honored at a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the Corbett Center Student Union West Ballroom.

The College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences will honor Colleen Keri Boyd of Alamogordo, an agronomy major. Boyd earned a 4.0 GPA, is on the Dean’s List and was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2007. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and has received the Dr. and Mrs. Cotter Scholarship, the Smart Grant Scholarship and the Billy Melton Scholarship.

The College of Arts and Sciences will honor Jenna Michelle Painter of Las Cruces, a microbiology major. Painter earned a 3.97 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and received the 2008 Danny Villanueva Hispanic Scholarship. She has served as a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters, has received the Llave Award for Leadership and Diversity and was a undergraduate teaching assistant for a microbial genetics class in Fall 2008.

The College of Business will honor Cecilia Diaz of Silver City, an accounting major. Diaz earned a 3.96 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and is on the Dean’s List. She has received the ACFE Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship and the Ernst and Young Business Leaders Scholarship, and she serves as vice president for the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting.

The College of Education will honor Kayme Burkeen of Carlsbad, an elementary education major. Burkeen earned a 4.0 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and is on the Dean’s List. Burkeen is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Who’s Who Among American College Students and the Alpha Chi International Honor Society.

The College of Engineering will honor Dorothy Lanphere of Las Vegas, an electronics and computer engineering major. Lanphere earned a 3.75 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and is on the Dean’s List. She is the president and founder of the NMSU chapter of Engineers Without Borders, has served as treasurer for the Tau Alpha Pi Engineering Honor Society and is a recipient of the 2008 Arizona Public Service Scholarship.

The College of Extended Learning will honor Suzanne Whitter of Las Cruces, who will receive a bachelor’s degree of applied studies. Whitter has earned a 4.0 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and is on the Dean’s List. Whitter served as the treasurer for the College of Extended Learning College Council and has received the Ada P. Mills Memorial Scholarship and the American Association of University Women Scholarship.

The College of Health and Social Services will honor Amanda Kay Coull of Las Cruces, a social work major with minors in psychology and Spanish. Coull has earned a 4.0 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and is on the Dean’s List. She has served as both president and vice president for the Student Social Work Association and as president for the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

The International and Border Programs will honor Paulina Zuniga of Guadalupe, Mexico, an industrial engineering major with a minor in environmental management. Zuniga has earned a 3.87 GPA, is a Crimson Scholar and is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and was a Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar Athlete. She has played for the NMSU Tennis Team since 2005 and was chosen as WAC Player of the Week in February 2007.

The Graduate School will honor R. Iliana Ruiz-Cooley as the Outstanding Ph.D. Graduate Student and Rachel Tofteland as Outstanding Masters Graduate Student.

Ruiz-Cooley will receive a Ph.D. in evolutionary ecology. She has worked in research labs around the world, producing new insights on whales and squids. She has been invited to present her work in several countries, including the International Symposium of cephalopods in Lima, Peru, and the International Sperm Whale Workshop in Cape Town, South Africa. Her leadership at NMSU includes serving as a role model and mentoring undergraduate students interested in marine biology.

Tofteland will receive a master’s degree in communication studies. She has given five conference papers at the National Communication Association Conference, including one titled “Change: Visual Code Words in the 2008 Presidential General Election.” She is president of the Department of Communications Graduate Student Association and is regarded highly by her fellow students. She has also worked as a teaching assistant and an adjunct instructor on NMSU campus, taught English to 15 Japanese students from Kobe University and last summer she volunteered to teach English to school children in Tanzania, an East African country.

For more information contact the NMSU Alumni Association at (575) 646-3616.

Fire up the grill for NMSU’s College Cook-Off Challenge

Renee Brown — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:00:11 +0000

April 27, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

Chef John Hartley, an assistant professor in HRTM, and teammate Garrey Carruthers, dean of the College of Business, hold their certificates and trophies for Best Overall Burger -- "The Loco Moco" in the College Cook-Off Challenge.

It had all the elements of a successful Food Network cable television show: an emcee, a live audience, tasty ingredients and teams ready to compete for the title of number one. But this wasn’t “Food Challenge” or even “Iron Chef America,” it was NMSU’s College Cook-Off Challenge.

The competition was hosted by the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Friday, April 24, at the Wooton Hall Courtyard. NMSU Interim President Waded Cruzado and a dean or a representative from each college were paired with NMSU culinary faculty members to make seven competing teams, each making their own original gourmet burgers.

The winner for Best Overall Burger was “The Loco Moco,” made by Chef John Hartley, an assistant professor in HRTM, and Business Dean Garrey Carruthers. “La Jefa,” made by Elizabeth Albin, an assistant professor in HRTM, and Interim President Cruzado received honorable mention.

Students in HRTM’s meeting and event planning class planned and executed the event as their semester project. The idea came from a former student, Veronica Cordova, who graduated last spring. She thought it would be fun to see NMSU culinary faculty members in situations similar to ones on some of her favorite food-related shows such as “Chopped” and “Hell’s Kitchen.”

“This event not only teaches the students about organization, but it also helps them to follow event timelines from the beginning stages of planning an event until the end,” said Jolie Tixier, who teaches the events planning class. “The event also prepares students who wish to pursue event planning as a career because it teaches them communication skills and the importance of working with many individuals to make an event happen.”

Students were responsible for all aspects of the project, from designing tickets and t-shirts to obtaining the grills used for the event. Students also sold tickets and promoted the event.

“Hospitality is always unpredictable. You have to be able to handle stressful situations,” said Jessika Romero, an HRTM student who helped set up the event. She said the project gave her experience working with others – something she enjoys.

College Cook-Off Challenge teams and burgers:

The Flat Belly Burger
Lowell Catlett
Greg Blanch

The Loco Moco
Garrey Carruthers
John Hartley

THE Burger
Robert Rhodes
Chris Beardsley

The Chupacabra
Tom Burton
Margaret Doherty

La Jefa
Waded Cruzado
Elizabeth Albin

El Norteño
Michael Morehead
Maurice Zeck

Over the Top
Pam Jansma
Keith Mandabach

Model United Nations team wins top national awards

Renee Brown — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:00:54 +0000

April 27, 2009 by Round Up Original Round Up article

Representing Finland at the National Model United Nation conference, the NMSU Model United Nations team walked away with the “Outstanding Delegation” award, which is a top honor at the conference held April 6-11 in New York.

Not only was the team also recognized with the “Outstanding Position Paper” award, but this competition marks the second year in a row the team has been given the top honor of “Outstanding Delegation.”

“What the Model United Nations team does is effectively represent a country in the world and their country’s position on international affairs,” said Jason Ackleson, associate professor of government and the team’s faculty adviser. “During the competition they are judged on how well they advocate and represent that country’s position on a variety of international issues such as global warming, human rights and terrorism.”

Ackleson said the award is only given to the top 2 to 5 percent of schools that attend the conference, so this year’s level of performance is repeating the excellence of last year.

“The team prepares by researching the country they are assigned and writing several position papers in advance of the competition,” Ackleson said. “Those position papers involve research and they detail the country’s stance on a topic.”

Focusing on Finland, this year’s Model UN team researched issues such as global warming.

Ackleson explained during the conference, negotiations are made over resolutions the students write together to fix the problems explored.

“Finland offers up some solutions and maybe Russia offers up other solutions and they all negotiate and write out resolutions that can be supported by other countries,” Ackleson said.

Newly appointed Model UN team president Andrea Peterson said the NMSU team is a group of approximately 12 students every year who attend one or two conferences representing a member state of the United Nations.

“We prepare ahead of time by researching our country intensively, and we also hone our skills on procedure and public speaking,” Peterson said. “At the conference, we are all on different committees, where we address various issues and attempt to resolve them, including refugee situations, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).”

Peterson explained these particular papers contain a huge amount of information that must be condensed to one page, front and back.

“This helps us familiarize ourselves with our country, our committee, our issues, and the UN documentation system and history,” Peterson said. “The other way we prepare is by holding simulations of what we do at conferences on a small scale among members of our team.”

Being a part of the NMSU Model UN for almost 13 years, Ackleson said the team basically simulates the role of a diplomat from the country they are assigned and interacts with the other 2,000 students at the competition who are also representing other countries.

Peterson said the competition is geared toward learning about global politics, and educating students on the importance of the United Nations.

“We’ve represented really interesting countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria, and even Israel,” Peterson said. “We started winning awards with our representation of the Philippines in 2005.”

Aside from the competition, Ackleson said the team organizes club fundraisers and raises money through ASNMSU and the university during the fall semester.

“Students also enroll in the program and they are selected competitively,” Ackleson said. “Students have to try out for the team, and then in the spring they take a class in the department of government designed to prepare them for the competition and let them learn more about international relations.”

Peterson said although the team tends to go into the conference feeling nervous about their abilities, the team prides itself on its preparation.

“We always end the first day of competition saying, ‘I know all of this better than anyone in that room!’” Peterson said. “We pick top-notch potential delegates from across the wide array of majors here at NMSU, and their confidence and ability to adapt is also something important in helping us be prepared to win.”

Proud of the team’s performance, Ackleson said all the hard work they did to prepare for the conference paid off in the end.

“They did a really superb job and continued to consolidate NMSU’s reputation as an award-winning Model United Nations school,” Ackleson said. “It’s not so much about the competition. I think it’s really about the students learning about the world, learning about other cultures, learning how to negotiate with one another and solving problems collaboratively.”

Teaching others those skills and values of the UN is something the team leaders try to emphasize more, Ackleson said.

“Not only do they have a terrific award, but they have some other things that they can take with them for the rest of their lives,” Ackleson added.

Online applications for next year’s team will not be available until summer. After the application process, an interviewing session will be set up for the candidates.

“The competition is an amazing experience that has a maturing, sobering effect at times, but is rewarding and fun at the same time,” Peterson said. “There are few other places where people from so many different countries and backgrounds can come together to address really salient issues.”

For more information on the team and their accomplishments check out the team Web site at www.nmsu.edu/~govdept/modelun or the conference site at www.nmun.org.

ALPFA takes NMSU national in its annual competition

Renee Brown — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:00:54 +0000

April 27, 2009 by Andi Murphy Original Round Up article

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting has brought NMSU national attention for two years and is going out again, this time to Boston for the annual KPMG Case Study Competition.

The NMSU student chapter was invited back to the 36th ALPFA Annual Convention in August, which is held in select cities and sponsored by many high-end cooperative companies. They were one of first of 25 universities in the country to be invited back on an invitation-only basis and ALPFA has 36 chapters. Their good work at the two previous conventions in Phoenix and Orlando guaranteed their return to the conference and competition.

“Our ALPFA chapter has given NMSU national exposure,” said Bill Smith, an assistant accounting professor and ALPFA co-faculty adviser. “I’m certain that this year will be the same.”

Smith picked six students in accounting to compete; Rosetta Morales, John Ordorica, Maura Najera, Emma Lane, Manish Saxena and Deborah Brown. They will do a full, professional analysis of Merck & Co., Inc., a pharmaceutical company. They will look into the company’s background, draw up a risk assessment and look into its management and accounting issues, Smith said.

Last year the students took three months to prepare for their final 20-minute presentation in front of a panel of professionals, Smith said. They came in third in the regional competition. A 2-inch-thick package of documents is their starter kit.

“I feel a lot of pressure for NMSU to compete with Big East colleges,” said Rosetta Morales, a senior and second-time competitor. “NMSU doesn’t really get to compete with the big schools in the East.”

Accounting is not something that has a competition like sports does, Morales said. They’re not just number crunchers, there’s a lot more to the competition than numbers. Most NMSU students don’t get this sort of opportunity to compete at a national level, she said.

“I feel very privileged,” Morales said.

Morales said sacrificed her summer and some time from her personal life to prepare for the competition last year in Phoenix and will do the same this year. The group of competitors will meet more often and start practicing very early. She will also be taking a full load of school to start off her master’s degree in accounting because she graduates in May.

“You meet a lot of new people,” said Eliza Ortiz, senior majoring in accounting.

Although Ortiz is not going to compete this year, she’s going to the convention again to network. Ortiz said seminars on Hispanic professionals, in addition to the professional speakers, help to educate and inform students the conventions.

“It’s so much fun,” said Cecilia Diaz, a previous ALPFA competitor.

Diaz liked all the networking at the convention and the socials and dances afterward. As many as 2,500 professionals, sponsors and students will attend the annual event. It’s a good opportunity to make that transition from school to the real work world, she said.

Although ALPFA at NMSU is really part of the El Paso Professional Chapter, it’s a strong force, said Diana Telles, president of the NMSU ALPFA chapter. Their student membership has grown from just eight to 35 active members, she said.

ALPFA is an organization that offers students mentoring and networking. In ALPFA, accounting and finance students are given a push out into the professional world. ALPFA is a place where students can relate through similar interests.

The convention is the main focus for now and the ALPFA group is raising funds for their trip to Boston, Telles said. They will be selling the “Class of 2009″ T-shirts and hosting other fundraisers for the rest of the semester and into summer. They will also get help from ASNMSU and the Hispanic Council, Telles said.

“Last year, we put our name out there,” Telles said, “and we’ll do it again.”

Cook-off heats up on campus, staff members show off culinary skills

Renee Brown — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:00:14 +0000

April 27, 2009 by Jenna Candelaria Original Round Up article

Cook-off. (Media Credit: Krista Avila)

An NMSU dean took home first place at the first annual College Cook-Off Challenge held by the school of hotel, restaurant and tourism management (HRTM) Friday at NMSU. Dean Garrey Carruthers and Chef John Hartley had the most original gourmet burger while Interim President Waded Cruzado and Elizabeth Albin took an honorable mention for their burger creation.

“All of the burgers were incredible,” coordinator Jolie Tixier said.

Armed with only salt, pepper, garlic salt and onion powder for seasonings and working with only a small mixing bowl, wax paper, bar towels, a grill, gloves, knives, plates and a cutting board, the seven teams of NMSU administrators and HRTM culinary faculty had 40 minutes to make four burgers. The teams were also allowed to have three special ingredients, such as other spices or seasonings.

The event was open to the public for $10 tickets that included a burger, a beverage and music.

“Each semester the HRTM 443 Meetings, Conventions and Special Events class has to develop and implement a class-lead event,” Tixier said. “Over the last few years, this class has done some type of dinner and this year we decided to do something different.”

The judges were NMSU supporters Jerry and Cyrille Kane, Scott Breckner from NMSU Special Events, Lemongrass Restaurant owner Kimberly Ming, NMSU Police Chief Jaime Chavez and NMSU supporter Barbara Hubbard.

According to the cook-off challenge rulebook, the judges critique the contestants on abiding by all cook-off rules, presentation, creativity and taste.

Students were also instrumental in the organization crisis, Tixier said.

“[The students] have really done a great job in getting everything done,” Tixier said.

“We figured with the event being so close to the end of the semester that we should do something fun and include other colleges in our event,” Tixier said. “The cook-off just seemed like a good way to do just that.”

Teams for the cook-off were as follows:

Dean Lowell Catlett with Dr. Greg Blanch

Carruthers with Hartley

Interim Dean Robert Rhodes with Chef Chris Beardsley

Mechanical Engingeering Department Head Tom Burton with Margaret Doherty

Cruzado with Albin

Interim Dean Mike Morehead with Chef Maurice Zeck

Dean Pamela Jansma with Dr. Keith Mandabach

NMSU Model United Nations team wins top awards

Renee Brown — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:00:09 +0000

April 23, 2009 by Louie Calderon NMSU News Center

Model United Nations team poses for a group photo in New York City. (submitted photo)

New Mexico State University’s Model United Nations team was named “Outstanding Delegation,” which is the top award category, at the National Model United Nations Conference held earlier this month in New York.

This is the second year in a row that the team has received this award, which only about 5 percent to 10 percent of schools worldwide achieve.

“The team continued its record of excellence at the National Model U.N. competition,” said Jason Ackleson, associate professor of government and the team’s faculty advisor. “In doing so, they learned much about important world events, the art of diplomacy and negotiation and a greater understanding of different cultural and political perspectives about the world.”

Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the U.N. that intends to educate participants about effective communication and multilateral diplomacy.

For the past 13 years, NMSU has attended the conference, which is one of the most prestigious Model U.N. competitions, attracting more than 4,000 students, half of whom come from outside the United States.

At this year’s competition, the NMSU team was assigned to represent Finland, one of the 192 member states of the U.N. The team came up with research-based solutions to major international issues, based on the position of the country they represented.

In addition to being named top delegation, the team was recognized with the “Outstanding Position Paper” award, which recognizes excellence in preparatory research for the conference.

“It is great to have won these awards at such a prestigious international conference,” said Fatah Hafassa, president of NMSU’s Model U.N. team. “It is a confirmation of the quality of the program as it keeps developing and producing new leaders among our student body.”

Ackleson said the team is able to compete at such a high level because of the time they invest in preparation for the event.

“They work tirelessly to research and represent the positions of our assigned country, as well as learn parliamentary procedure and negotiating techniques,” he said.

Three members of NMSU’s team also were selected by the conference to serve as chairs of their committees, a prestigious distinction that demonstrates the high performance of the team.

“The commitment and dedication of the Model United Nations team members, our faculty adviser, in addition to the unwavering support of the NMSU administration and the community at large, all were vital in making the program as successful as it is today,” Hafassa said. “Thanks to everyone involved.”

A new Model U.N. team will be selected this fall and students from all majors, undergraduate or graduate, are welcome to try out.

For more information, contact Ackleson at jackleso@nmsu.edu.

2008-2009 Gold Standard Staff Award for Outstanding Service

Renee Brown — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:16:55 +0000

Gold Standard Staff Award, Academic Department awardee Leona Silva pictured with Dean Garrey Carruthers (left) and Dr. Larry Tunnell, head of the Accounting and Information Systems Department (right).

Gold Standard Staff Award, Professional Staff awardee Paul Hamilton with Associate Dean Kathy Brook (left) and Dean Garrey Carruthers (right).

The annual College of Business Gold Standard Staff Award for Outstanding Service honors staff members in an academic department, dean’s office, and a professional staff member for outstanding service. The award is based on total ranked scores from college employee votes.

The 2008-2009 awardees are:

Leona Silva: Academic Department, Department of Accounting and Information Systems
Yvonne Mendoza: Dean’s Office
Paul Hamilton: Professional Staff, BC Computer Lab

See the winners archive.

Students given a chance to recognize excellent academic advisers on campus

Renee Brown — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:00:09 +0000

April 20, 2009 by Denise Nava Original Round Up article

In light of the hectic summer and fall class registration, students now have the chance to recognize those academic advisers who have helped them prepare for their time spent at NMSU.

Implemented by the Academic Advising Council on campus, the “Excellence in Academic Advising” award is the very first acknowledgment of a particular adviser or professional staff member who has done his or her part in providing excellent guidance for students.

“There are a lot of situations [when] students receive bad advising and it can be very detrimental to his or her career,” said Rebecca Diemer, coordinator of academic advising for the College of Arts and Sciences and member of the award committee. “If the student has a good relationship with an academic adviser it can be really helpful to their time spent at the university, so [the award] is an opportunity to recognize people who are doing their job well.”

Diemer explained there are many types of awards on campus that recognize faculty members for teaching and different contributions, but the “Excellence in Academic Advising” award is a chance to distinguish both a faculty and staff member for their service to the students in a diverse way.

In the works for nearly five years, the advising award was finally passed and accepted by Provost Robert Moulton in the summer of 2008, said Diemer.

Nominations for the award can only be submitted by students from the community college campuses and main campus, Diemer explained.

“What we’re hoping is that when a student reads through the [nomination criteria] they can identify someone on campus who has helped them,” Diemer said. “Even if a student wouldn’t traditionally think of a faculty adviser they go to as their academic adviser, but they can recognize what a faculty adviser has done for them.”

Celina Talamantes, coordinator of academic advising in the College of Business and member of the award committee, explained there are two separate awards, one for a faculty member and one for a staff member, which is university wide.

“Basically, there is a lack of recognition of advisers by the university,” Talamantes said. “I think [the award] is wonderful. It’s a long time coming especially because our professional advisers have not been recognized and they have been very instrumental in the university for many years.”

With close to 50 nominations, Diemer said she will be accepting recommendations until Friday and is willing to take others submitted right after the deadline.

Diemer said the award will be presented at the 2009 Fall Convocation, which is an opening ceremony for the school year in August.

“I think students, especially first year students coming right out of high school, there’s not a whole lot of ability at that age or developmental level to really focus on four or five years from now,” Diemer said. “So an academic adviser is a person who can do some long term planning with that student, so that there is not a waste of time.”

Diemer said an adviser’s job is to make sure students are investing their time wisely and appropriately.

“Even students who don’t necessarily have goals four or five years out when they come to the university, just helping them process through what some of their interests might be is useful to what they end up choosing as goals,” Diemer said.

Used for professional development, Diemer said the award carries a monetary value of $500 to be used towards conferences or books that the recipient may personally choose.

As for choosing a recipient, a committee of five or six people will review the nominations and then make a recommendation to Provost Robert Moulton.

“[The committee] will be looking through to see if the student who made the nomination has identified a person that has really helped them by the criteria provided, and again it’s going to be at the judgment of the committee and the provost,” Diemer said. “My anticipation is that it be more heavily weighed on the person achieving the goals for the student rather than number of submissions for that person.”

Talamantes said the nomination committee will be comprised of students, staff and faculty.

“I’m concluding that after the committee [looks] through all the applications maybe they’ll give Provost Moulton the top five according to everybody’s input and feedback, and then the provost would select from there, but it hasn’t been decided yet,” Talamantes said.

Hoping to see participation from the students, Diemer said her main goal is to make the campus aware that the nominations for the award are completely student-driven.

“It is a way for the [students] to recognize the impact someone has had on their lives,” Diemer said. “It’s also a way to give back a little to the person who has helped a student accomplish something with [his or her] career at the university.”

Talamantes explained advising is not just on the students’ side, but advisers also benefit from the relationship by seeing the accomplishments of the students.

“I think [advising] is not only looking at it from the student’s perspective, but from ours too,” Talamantes said. “Students are really encouraging a lot of the time and there is positive feedback, which shows us that we are making difference in their academic careers.”

She said it is not only beneficial to the students that an adviser can personally direct them, but also the students are inspirational.

“Students are going through so much and we admire them for what they’re doing,” Talamantes said. “Advising is not a one-sided thing and I think that’s what makes it so great. I hardly ever hear any complaints about the academic advisers on campus, and their advice is from the heart.”

Through this award, Diemer explained students can recognize those advisers who have helped them make a future at NMSU.

“Students are making an investment in not only getting a degree, but also developing themselves as a person,” Diemer said. “It’s important for a person to have a mentor and if they can identify a good mentor on campus who is consistently there for them and providing the things an academic adviser does, the likelihood of their success is higher than students who haven’t identified that type of support on campus.”

To submit a nomination or to acquire a nomination form, e-mail Diemer at rmdiemer@nmsu.edu or call her at 646-5385.

Senior fellow, director of International Relations Institute now 2008 Kansan of the Year

Renee Brown — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:00:22 +0000

March 10, 2009 by Mario A. Montes NMSU News Center

Delano Lewis, senior fellow and director of New Mexico State University’s International Relations Institute, has earned the distinction of 2008 Kansan of the Year. The award is given every year and includes a long list of prominent residents and former residents of Kansas. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

It’s difficult to find a starting point to describe the accomplishments of Delano Lewis, but his recognition as 2008 Kansan of the Year is his latest.

A senior fellow at New Mexico State University and the director of the International Relations Institute, Lewis has acquired an assortment of honors and held very high-profile jobs from U.S. ambassador to South Africa from 1999 to 2001 to leading a telecommunications company, CEO of National Public Radio and director of the Peace Corps in Uganda, East Africa.

Born Nov. 12, 1938, in Arkansas City, Kan., Lewis shares Kansan of the Year honors with such distinguished Kansans as Pulitzer Prize winners, former governors, senators, congressmen, military generals, scholars, businessmen and leading sports figures.

“I’m very proud and honored to receive this recognition,” Lewis said. “I am pleased to be among other distinguished honorees.”

As the director of the International Relations Institute, Lewis has helped bring recognition to the university by helping coordinate lead conferences that have brought distinguished scholars and diplomatic corps experts to discuss international issues, including water resources and immigration problems. In spring of 2008, Lewis brought Gov. Bill Richardson and a host of former ambassadors to NMSU to discuss border security issues.

In November 2008, Lewis was instrumental in bringing former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson to speak at a fundraising dinner for NMSU’s Model UN team. The dinner was sold out and gave the Model UN team the necessary funds to compete in China the very same year.

Outside of the university, Lewis stays busy as a board member of the Colgate Palmolive Company, the Eastman Kodak Company, and the Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C, and The American Institutes for Research, also in Washington.

Lewis received his bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Kansas, and a law degree from Washburn University School of Law. He has received numerous honorary doctorate degrees from various universities.

Lewis lives in Mesilla, N.M, with his wife, Gayle. He has four sons and 11 grandchildren.

President’s Associates Scholarship celebrates 30 years

Renee Brown — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:00:35 +0000

March 4, 2009 by Scott Southward NMSU News Center

Past President’s Associates President, Bernadette Montoya, with President’s Associates Scholars, Teresa Leslie, Valerie Beltran, Amy Lamb, Ashley Hicks, Anna Garliss and Alyssa Brooks

The President’s Associates (PA) Scholarship program provides outstanding New Mexico students with a remarkable educational experience. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the state. This year, the scholarship program celebrated its 30th year with a gala on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.“I would like to commend the President’s Associates Scholars for having been awarded NMSU’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarship,” said Waded Cruzado, NMSU’s interim president. “They are following in the footsteps of many outstanding alumni over the past 30 years who have taken advantage of this scholarship and who have made the very most out of their time on campus.”

The President’s Associates Scholarship was established in the 1978-79 academic year by then NMSU President Gerald Thomas, former vice president for development Steele Jones and business and community leaders led by the late state Sen. Frank Papen.

Since its creation, the President’s Associates Scholarship has been awarded to 300 students, representing every academic discipline and every community in New Mexico. Successful applicants exhibit a combination of outstanding academics, leadership skills and a commitment to community service. Many have become leaders on campus.

Fifty-five students, from hometowns across New Mexico and studying subjects across the curriculum, are currently NMSU President’s Associates Scholars. The students receive the award as entering freshmen and are awarded the scholarship for four years.

“Being a President’s Associates Scholar has enriched my experience at NMSU in many ways,” said Amy Lamb, an NMSU senior studying agricultural economics and agricultural business. “In addition to financial assistance, PA Scholars are supported by a network of professionals that truly care about student success and we enjoy the fellowship of past and present scholars.”

Beginning in 1979, with an award to students of $1,000 each year, the scholarship is now valued at $8,500 each year, with $3,250 of that figure being donated by individuals, families and businesses. In total, more than $3 million has been raised, and a permanent endowment valued at almost $2 million forms the foundation of future awards to New Mexico’s best and brightest students.

The cornerstone for the President’s Associates Scholarship program is its volunteer board. More than 125 dedicated community members have served on the President’s Associates board, selecting the scholarship recipients, planning events for the students and raising funds. Two former President’s Associates Scholars now serve on the board.

For more information about the President’s Associates Scholarship, visit http://honors.nmsu.edu/PA/.

College of Business professor awarded for service

Renee Brown — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:00:47 +0000

Feb. 25, 2009 by Justin Bannister NMSU News Center

New Mexico State University economics professor Benjamin Widner has received the 2009 Award for Outstanding Service to the American Society of Hispanic Economists (ASHE) by an Individual. (NMSU Photo by Darren Phillips)

When Benjamin Widner moved to Las Cruces in the sixth grade, he wasn’t thinking about becoming an economics professor at New Mexico State University. Few sixth graders do. Fortunately, that’s where he ended up – now as the recipient of the 2009 Award for Outstanding Service to the American Society of Hispanic Economists (ASHE) by an Individual.

“It has been a very rewarding and productive year with ASHE and I am looking forward to future growth,” Widner said. “ASHE is a great resource for Hispanics in the economics field as well as those studying Hispanic issues. Our membership is very diverse in interest and research areas.”

Among other contributions to the organization, Widner developed ASHE’s Web site, http://asheweb.net, which is hosted by the College of Business. The site contains information about current jobs for economists in private, public and academic fields. Contact information for ASHE members seeking jobs is posted on the site as well.
Benjamin Widner

ASHE was established to promote Hispanics in the economics profession. The group provides an opportunity for Hispanic economists and those studying Hispanic issues to meet and exchange information and research. The American Economic Association recently recognized ASHE as an official organization. With this recognition, ASHE is given a session at the American Economic Association annual meetings.

Widner calls Southern New Mexico his home, having moved to Las Cruces from El Paso in 6th grade. He attended NMSU, receiving a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He earned his Ph.D. from Colorado State University.

“I only wish ASHE had existed when I was going through graduate school,” Widner said.”I am the first Ph.D. in my extended family and therefore had no real idea about graduate programs, academic employment, etc.”

This is the first year ASHE has ever given the award. In the future, they expect to award it every two years.