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.

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/.

NMSU President Waded Cruzado and to her left is Bob Forrest of Carlsbad, N.M. to her immediate right is Peyton Yates of Artesia, N.M. and the far right is Jim Maddox of Hobbs, N.M. All three men were co-chairs of the event planning committee.

New Mexico State University Interim President Waded Cruzado accepted a donation of  $100,000 at a reception and dinner honoring retired U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici and his contributions to Lea and Eddy counties. The money raised is for the Domenici Legacy Project at New Mexico State University.

The sellout crowd of more than 300 people packed the Pecos River Village Conference Center in Carlsbad, N.M. in Dec. 2008 to thank the senator for his contributions to the communities in Lea and Eddy counties. The net proceeds from the $250-a-plate event went to the Domenici Legacy Project — a multifaceted effort to honor the senator’s impact on public policy and his contributions to the state of New Mexico and the country during his historic tenure in the U.S. Senate.

“This was really a spectacular event that gave the citizens of southeast New Mexico a chance to thank Senator Domenici for his many contributions to this region,” said Lisa Hardison, senior vice president of the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County. “Over Domenici’s 36-year career as senator, he brought much-needed federal money to the region that improved the quality of life here and helped to create jobs.”

Retired Sen. Pete Domenici speaking at fundraising event.

Domenici is credited for helping to bring more funding to the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, he was a longtime supporter of the Brantley Dam project, he worked to bring the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant to the area and he was a key influence in the decision to build a $1.5 billion uranium enrichment plant in Lea County.

The $100,000 given to the New Mexico State University Foundation will support elements of the Domenici Legacy Project, which include digitizing, preserving and processing the Sen. Pete V. Domenici Archives; constructing the Pete V. Domenici Building; and hosting the Domenici Public Policy Conference.

The Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Hall of Legends. Left to Right: Rod Ross, Denise Cooper and Tim Clifford

Tim Clifford and Rod Ross are true Aggie athletic ambassadors. To honor their dedication to Aggie athletics, the New Mexico State University Department of Athletics and Aggie Athletics Fund held a dedication ceremony to officially name the Aggie football team meeting complex hall to The Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Hall of Legends. Denise Cooper is Tim’s sister, a partner in the CPA firm and an Aggie alumna.

“As an Aggie alumnus and a dedicated sports fan, I am honored to have the Hall of Legends named after us,” said Tim Clifford, partner at Clifford, Ross & Cooper, LLC, Certified Public Accountants. “I attribute my success to the education, discipline, and values that were instilled in me while attending NMSU. We are proud to be part of the Aggie family and proud to be able to give back to the university that has given so much to us.”

Clifford and Ross also have created two endowment funds. The two funds include a Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Aggie Athletic Fund scholarship and a Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Aggie Football Coach’s Excellence fund.

“Athletics is a critical part of the overall educational and university experience for student-athletes as well as the entire campus community. It is important to provide NMSU’s student-athletes with every possible opportunity to succeed and the greatest opportunities for participation because what they learn as student-athletes will last a lifetime,” said Rod Ross, partner at Clifford, Ross & Cooper, LLC, Certified Public Accountants. “I have been an avid Aggie fan since the 1960’s and my entire family is Aggie fans. This is truly an honor for all of us.”

The dedication of the Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Hall of Legends was held Nov. 8 in conjunction with the NMSU-Hawaii game.

“In addition to both my children currently attending NMSU, I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees as an Aggie,” said Denise Cooper, partner at Clifford, Ross & Cooper, LLC, Certified Public Accountants. “As avid Aggie fans and supporters, we are so proud of the fact that the Hall of Legends is named after us and our firm.”

ConocoPhillips recruiter Maria Schick, second from the left, presents the company’s annual gift to Garrey Carruthers, NMSU College of Business dean, Liz Ellis, finance department head and Larry Tunnell, accounting department head. (Submitted photo)

A recent $22,500 donation from ConocoPhillips to the New Mexico State University College of Business is just the latest in a series of annual gifts from the energy company meant to broaden opportunities for both faculty and students. ConocoPhillips delivered the check during the annual NMSU career fair.

“ConocoPhillips has a long history of doing business in New Mexico as well as recruiting students from New Mexico State University,” said Maria Schick, a ConocoPhillips recruiter and director of commercial development and planning. “We recognize NMSU cannot continue to provide high caliber graduates and a dedicated staff without corporate sponsorship; therefore, we make contributions to universities to keep their programs improving to meet the needs of today’s business world.”

The money is used to support various departments in the College of Business. The department of finance uses the money to offer scholarships and to buy specialized software for faculty and students to use.

“The ability to offer scholarships like this helps us attract and retain highly motivated students to our program,” said Liz Ellis, head of the Department of Finance. “When we talk to employers, they tell us that our student’s familiarity with industry-specific software gives them a real competitive edge when they are compared with students from other schools that don’t offer this experience.”

Schick is just one of many former NMSU students now working for ConocoPhillips.

09/11/08: Construction is underway at the site of the new Arrowhead Research Park. (photo by Darren Phillips)

New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Business and Research Park can now tout $5 million worth of public and private investment in construction and infrastructure. Work began earlier this year to transform the research park, located between Interstates 10 and 25, from barren desert into a hub for companies looking to partner with NMSU.

“It’s exciting to identify companies that have a synergy with NMSU and a desire to work with students and faculty,” said Pam Wood, project manager for NMSU’s Arrowhead Center. “This project offers lots of opportunities for students.”

The first building, now under construction, is approximately 15,000 square feet and represents a private-sector investment of approximately $3 million. It is expected to be complete in February 2009.

“It’s possible that we could have that building fully occupied by the time it is done,” Wood said. “One company alone that we are talking to would bring 40 jobs by next February. These are high paying jobs and they would have opportunities for NMSU graduates too.”

Wood is speaking with government agencies as well as private contractors about moving into the research park. Once a building in the development is 60 percent occupied, work will begin on the next. The first 11 acres of land at the 257-acre research park will have up to seven buildings and 120,000 square feet of office and laboratory space.

Arrowhead Development Company LLC, a separate and private company, is developing the research park. While it has a similar name, it is not related to NMSU’s Arrowhead Center that oversees the research park.

In addition to building construction, road work will soon begin on a mile-long extension of Payne Street to Sam Steel Way through the research park. Once complete, the new connection will better link the park to the rest of campus with two lanes for traffic, a bike path and utilities. This development represents nearly $2 million in investment with money coming from the state of New Mexico, local road funds, the New Mexico Department of Transportation, NMSU funds and a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

“This road will allow development for the entire rest of the park,” said Vickie Galindo, director of Arrowhead Center’s workforce development unit. “It took a lot of people to put this project together. That degree of cooperation is very important. We would not have been able to make this happen without the EDA and help from New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Fred Mondragon.”
The Payne Street extension should take between 12 and 18 months to complete. It will help improve existing traffic patterns through the university and can be used by people who will eventually work at the park. The road will be built so that it can easily expand to four lanes in the future.

Other plans for the research park include working with the Las Cruces Public School District to construct an early college high school where high school students could take college-level courses for credit. Once fully developed, the entire research park could contain as much as 2.5 million square feet of office and lab space where 5,000 to 6,000 people would work.

This represents the first activity at the research park since construction of the General Dynamics Spaceplex in 2001. General Dynamics relocated to the park from the Genesis Center small business incubator space on campus. For years, General Dynamics had been the only tenant at NMSU’s research park.

Left to Right: Professor Robin Peterson and Brad Gordon. (submitted photo)

Robin Peterson, marketing professor at New Mexico State University, will serve as the first holder of the Robin T. Peterson Endowed Chair in Marketing. Brad Gordon, a successful former NMSU student, created the chair in Peterson’s honor with a donation valued at more than half a million dollars.

“The intent all along was to honor Dr. Peterson’s accomplishments,” Gordon said. “Management is compensated on the value of the assets they manage. Instructors are charged with managing the young minds of our world. I can’t imagine managing an asset more valuable. Those who can should give back to education.”

The Peterson chair was created when Gordon donated 10,000 shares of Celgene stock, valued at more than $500,000, to the College of Business. The chair received matching funds from the state, bringing the total endowment to more than $1 million. 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.

“This is an honor and certainly reflects the benevolence of one of our alumni,” said Peterson. “Brad is an outstanding individual. Not only is he truly brilliant and successful, he has always had tremendous people skills.”

Gordon earned a degree in marketing from NMSU in 1978. He graduated near the top of his class in business, a major accomplishment for someone who had failed in previous attempts to obtain a degree at other universities.

A career counselor in Los Angeles advised Gordon to attend college in New Mexico where his earlier academic records would not be considered and where he could start anew, giving him a chance at rebuilding a GPA needed to enter graduate school someday.

“From the time I first met him, he was always very inquisitive,” Peterson said of Gordon. “He’d ask questions about marketing not covered in the course or the book. He just wanted to know.”

Gordon often speaks of his experience at NMSU, saying he first went through a serious culture shock coming from the Midwest to the desert in New Mexico. Gordon credits NMSU’s small class sizes and the up-close and personal nature of the university for his success.

“I found myself at New Mexico State. I learned to believe in my abilities and talents, and to put them to use in an impactful way,” Gordon said. “I learned how to succeed.”

After finishing school, Gordon worked in venture capital and then turned to launching several companies in tandem with other entrepreneurs. Since 1981 Gordon has been involved in the startup of eleven companies, mostly in the biotech field.

There are now 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 in Business.

Kevin Boberg, associate business dean at New Mexico State University and CEO of NMSU’s Arrowhead Center, will continue as the Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development in NMSU’s College of Business.

Boberg has held the economic development chair position since 2005. The position must be renewed every three years.

“Kathy and I are absolutely delighted with this decision,” said NMSU College of Business Dean Garrey Carruthers. “He’s done a wonderful job by taking an active role in Arrowhead Center and working with many economic development projects in our state.”

The economic development chair was created by a $500,000 gift from Carruthers and his wife. The chair received a $1 million match from the state. Earnings from the $1.5 million endowment are used to support the salary of the faculty member holding the chair, as well as program development and other needs.

“I’m humbled and honored by the opportunity,” said Boberg. “Governor and Mrs. Carruthers’ contributions to the state through public and private life, and through philanthropic endeavors are well known. I look forward to continuing the work they began and we have continued – specifically in regard to our most important mission, serving our students and those in the State of New Mexico.”

Arrowhead Center is a nonprofit organization created to commercialize new technologies and stimulate economic growth in New Mexico.

“He does a fantastic job working with groups around the state on economic and business development,” said Kathy Brook, associate dean in business. She said the decision to rename Boberg to the chair position was the consensus of the department heads and associate deans in the college.

Boberg earned his Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University in 1983. He taught at Penn State and the University of Hawaii before joining the NMSU faculty in 1987.

There are now 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 in Business.

2008/03/25: NMSU business professor Ken Martin poses in front of the financial ticker located inside the Business Complex building. (photo by Darren Phillips)

Business students at New Mexico State University can now check the financial markets while walking the halls between classes. The NMSU College of Business recently installed a large financial ticker and two large television monitors outside the G. Carl and Andrea Everett Financial Markets Trading Room.

The ticker is nearly 30 feet long with two separate levels. The upper display provides current stock prices while the lower level provides financial news. The two television screens display stock prices and charts, financial news and even the weather.

“This certainly raises the visibility of our college,” said Business Dean Garrey Carruthers. He noted that students have been very interested in the ticker, often stopping to see how the financial world is doing for the day.

“This brings the business world front and center to the students,” said Ken Martin, a finance professor at NMSU. “When you walk in the door, you immediately see what’s happening in the business world.”

The G. Carl and Andrea Everett Financial Markets Trading Room is home to the Finance 435 and 535 classes, where students study the market while using financial tools to determine a stock’s true value. With the knowledge they gain, the students are then able to trade actual stocks. They currently manage $5 million in investment funds from the State Investment Council and $80,000 in the Wetherbe Fund, donated by Business College alumnus James C. Wetherbe.

“It’s more than just throwing darts at the stock pages,” Martin said. “We teach the fundamentals of stock valuation.”

The television monitors outside the classroom highlight stocks traded by students. The monitors were donated by Merrill Lynch financial services company.

The ticker was a gift from Carl Everett, a 1973 graduate of NMSU. Everett is a former senior vice president for both Intel Corp. and Dell Computers. He oversaw the marketing and introduction of Intel’s Pentium processor and the marketing and development of Dell’s Dimension desktop computers. Everett received the NMSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992 and in 1997 he was inducted into the university’s College of Business Hall of Fame. He and his wife received honorary doctorates from NMSU in 2005.

The College of Business at New Mexico State University will soon have a better chance of recruiting and keeping high-quality professors thanks to a donation from local businessman Stan Fulton.

The gift of $1 million to create an endowed chair will be announced officially at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, during the Business College’s Hall of Fame Dinner at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, formerly the Las Cruces Hilton.

“Yet again, Stan Fulton’s generosity and willingness to invest in New Mexico State University gives us a chance to stay on our course to excellence,” said NMSU President Michael Martin.

Fulton owns Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino and has made several large donations to NMSU in the past few years.

“Stan Fulton is an outstanding businessman and friend of New Mexico State University,” said Garrey Carruthers, dean of the College of Business. Any of the college’s departments will be able to use the endowed chair.

“This particular gift will allow us to further strengthen faculty and programs in the College of Business,” said Martin.

Endowments are invested and the interest earned can be used to recruit special, hard-to-find faculty members from across the country and to retain prestigious faculty members already on staff.

“Fulton’s name will forever be linked to the endowed chair, and therefore always linked to a tradition of academic excellence at NMSU,” said Martin.

ConocoPhillips presents its gift during the NMSU Career Fair on Sept. 19. Pictured left to right: ConocoPhillips recruiter Jamie Puck, NMSU business professor Pete Dillaway, recruiter Adriana Lopez, Business Dean Garrey Carruthers, recruiter Maria Schick, Finance Department head Liz Ellis and recruiter Jarrod Bourger. (Courtesy photo)

Students at New Mexico State University’s College of Business will soon benefit from a $17,000 donation from ConocoPhillips. The energy company presented the gift Tuesday morning during the college’s Business Career Fair at NMSU.

The donation represents ConocoPhillips’ annual gift to New Mexico State University. In the past, ConocoPhillips has given anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 to different colleges at NMSU. This year’s donation will be used for scholarships in the College of Business.

“With these donations, NMSU and ConocoPhillips are really building a partnership,” said Rebecca Dukes, vice president for university advancement.

A number of NMSU alumni now work for ConocoPhillips. “It seems like each year they send more NMSU alumni back to recruit for their company,” said Business Dean Garrey Carruthers. “It helps ConocoPhillips find quality people, and it helps our students find quality jobs.”

ConocoPhillips recruiters agree with Dean Carruthers. “Students at NMSU always seem to be so eager, willing and motivated,” said Maria Schick, supervisor of heavy product accounting for ConocoPhillips. Schick as well as other ConocoPhillips recruiters Jarrod Bourger and Adriana Lopez are all NMSU alumni. Schick said being former NMSU students helps them better understand and communicate with current students.

Schick said the money is intended to help the university provide an even better education for its students, which later helps ConocoPhillips recruit better employees.

Gracy Varughese tests water for pollutants at a laboratory at Interlab, one of the 15 companies currently housed at NMSU’s Genesis Center at Arrowhead Research Park. (NMSU photo by J. Victor Espinoza)

LAS CRUCES – When the Rocket Racing League opens development operations at Arrowhead Research Park later this year as planned, it could usher in an avalanche of space-related research and development activity at the budding business incubator, say industry leaders and New Mexico State University officials.

“The university has an unprecedented opportunity to turn its research park into the state’s premiere R&D hub for aerospace industries,” said Granger Whitelaw, the Racing League’s chief executive officer. “NMSU officials share our vision of the park as a major cornerstone for other businesses to build up around us in collaboration with what we do. We envision a ‘Microsoft effect,’ a steady, critical mass build-up.”

As southern New Mexico’s only existing business incubator, NMSU’s research park already hosts 15 high-tech startup businesses that are developing a variety of new technologies, ranging from an over-the-counter genetic testing kit to a portable device that detects arsenic in drinking water.

But with the business buzz generated by the future spaceport, a vision also is emerging that places the park at the epicenter of space-related R&D, said Kevin Boberg, director of NMSU’s Arrowhead Center Inc and associate dean of the College of Business Administration and Economics.

“The spaceport is still three to five years away, but there’s a critical need for R&D today,” Boberg said. “Even when the spaceport opens, technology won’t remain stagnant, it needs to continually evolve. The Arrowhead Park is in a unique position to provide the services aerospace companies need to develop new technologies.”

Located at the southern end of campus, the park offers direct access to scientists and infrastructure, including high-tech engineering facilities, chemical and natural resource labs, and computer and information services. For evolving technologies, that’s exactly what businesses look for in an incubator park, Whitelaw said.

“To do research and development in collaboration with the university is extremely advantageous,” Whitelaw said. “It gives access to faculty and students and all the college departments and laboratories. It also allows businesses to combine R&D with job creation and education, which are key components for successful commercialization of new technology.”

The park includes 257 acres of available land with substantial water rights, said park director Maureen Camunez. The area is sandwiched between Interstate 25 on the east and Interstate 10 on the west, offering rapid highway access to the international airport in El Paso and White Sands Missile Range.

Given the park’s advantages, Arrowhead now has a waiting list of high-tech startups that want to get in, including some companies connected to the X-Prize Cup competition, Camunez said.

“We had to turn away six different companies in recent months because we don’t yet have the infrastructure in place to accommodate them,” she said.

Only 18 acres have been leased since the park’s creation in 1989. The developed area has three 10,000-square-foot buildings, which together make up the Genisis Center that houses current tenants, Camunez said.

To expand capacity, the business college has written a new development plan that calls for construction of another 40,000-square-foot building, said Garrey Carruthers, business college dean and NMSU’s vice provost for economic development.

“We’re overbooked right now, but as we expand infrastructure, we’ll market the research park to companies worldwide,” Carruthers said. “We have a broad range of scientific expertise to offer.”

The plan calls for extensive landscaping, road development, and recreational facilities to turn the park into a welcoming southern entrance to campus, Carruthers said. “We see that whole area as an economic development center providing research services to businesses and education and jobs for students.”

NMSU will seek private developers to construct the new incubator facility in return for shared ownership of the property, Carruthers said.

For its part, the Rocket Racing League plans to build its own 10,000-square-foot research and development center at Arrowhead, said Tim Gormley, the league’s chief operating officer.

The league is developing low-altitude, rocket-powered aircraft for sky racing in conjunction with the X Prize Cup. Its main headquarters will be located near the Las Cruces airport, but most research will be handled at the league’s Arrowhead facility.

“We need to develop and improve airframes, propulsion, avionics and camera-related technology,” Gormley said. “To do that, we want access to the facilities and services Arrowhead offers.”

The league’s research will usher in new academic programs, internships and jobs, Gormley said.

“We’ll set up a video lab for students to work on imaging programs needed to create virtual racetracks in the sky,” he said. “That’s new technology we’re developing, and it could lead to a whole new degree program around video games.”

As more aerospace companies set up shop, Boberg said the park will provide virtual, real-time education for the global space industry.

“We need to train pilots, mechanics, engineers and others,” Boberg said. “We see Arrowhead becoming a corporate-led learning laboratory where new knowledge and education is beamed out across the globe.”

Sylvia Acosta, director of development and public relations at New Mexico State University’s College of Business, has been named assistant dean for development and public relations for the college effective July 1.

“We are delighted to have Sylvia as a member of our leadership team in the College of Business,” said Garrey Carruthers, dean of the business college. “Because she has demonstrated in the past one and half years that she is one of the best development officers at NMSU, I am pleased to name her assistant dean for development and public relations.”

In this capacity, Acosta will supervise and implement all external and internal communication activities, marketing efforts and, along with Carruthers, will lead the effort to complete a $25 million fund-raising campaign for the college. Acosta also will serve as adviser to the college’s Student Ambassadors group and the Hispanic Business Students Association.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve our students, faculty and staff in this capacity,” the El Paso native said. “As assistant dean, my job will be to show the college’s commitment to students, parents, friends, alumni and the community. I will help establish a strong endowment-driven financial base so we can continue to provide excellence in education and serve as an economic engine for the state of New Mexico.”

Before arriving at NMSU, Acosta served as the national vice president of external affairs for AVANCE Inc. from 2002-03 and was executive director of development at St. Mary’s University from 1998-2002. In the mid- to late-1980s, Acosta was the president/CEO of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and under her leadership the chamber received the National Hispanic Chamber of the Year award.

Acosta received her bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a master’s degree in political communication with a concentration in national security from St. Mary’s University.

New Mexico State University recently received the second installment of a $225,000 gift from General Motors, the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, during a check presentation.

The $75,000 installment will benefit the College of Engineering, the College of Business Administration and Economics, Placement and Career Services and the Special Projects Fund.

Tom Norkiewicz, manager of Technical and Operations Services at GM, and Hector Mendoza, a 1997 NMSU mechanical engineering graduate and a thermal development engineer at GM, were present at the event.

“We have a great working relationship with New Mexico State University,” Norkiewicz said. “We get some great students out of here, specifically from the engineering and business colleges. They are great contributors to GM.”

The College of Engineering will receive $51,625 to support the following: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Capstone Design Project, Mini Baja projects, New Mexico BEST program, RASEM summer program, Las Cruces Pre-freshman Engineering Program, Society of Women Engineers Student Chapter, college student ambassadors, scholarships and recruitment and retention.

The business college will receive $17,875 for undergraduate scholarships and the Front Line Manager Program, a program under development that will equip graduates to work in manufacturing facilities.

Placement and Career Services will receive $2,000 for operational support and the Special Projects Fund will receive $3,500 for the enhancement of new programs; support of student organizations and projects; support of the Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy; and alumni events, among other things.

Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers donated a $500,000 gift to establish the Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development. (NMSU photo by Darren Phillips)

New Mexico State University’s College of Business Administration and Economics will establish a new endowed chair thanks to a gift by the dean of the business college and his wife.

An initial gift of $500,000 was given by Garrey E. Carruthers, dean of the business college and vice provost for economic development, and his wife, Katherine, to establish the Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development.

A $1 million match is expected from the state making the endowment worth $1.5 million.

Carruthers made the announcement during the college’s annual Hall of Fame dinner on Wednesday.

“I think it’s extremely important that if you have had some success in your life as a result of having received a fine education at a university, that you return some of that to the university,” Carruthers said. “Kathy and I have been fortunate in business and I have to attribute part of that fortune to the fact that I attended New Mexico State as well as Iowa State University.”

In addition, Katherine T. Carruthers said they have strong ties to the university.

“Most of our children and their spouses graduated from New Mexico State, and as this is where my husband and I met,” she said.

“Dr. Carruthers has demonstrated again what a true commitment to NMSU means,” said President Michael V. Martin. “He has served this institution and higher education in New Mexico in so many ways. This gift is yet another indication that he will leave a permanent and positive legacy for all who benefit from NMSU.”

In 2003, the state Legislature appropriated $3 million to match private contributions to establish economic development chairs at New Mexico State, the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

“I am tremendously excited by this generous gift,” said Provost William V. Flores. “This gift by Garrey and Kathy Carruthers will help us raise other funds for the college and will help us in building the excellence of the college and the university.”

The funding from the chair may be used to augment the salary of the faculty member holding the chair and other professional expenses necessary to support associated academic activities and related programs. The chair holder will be selected at a later date.

Although the chair will be in the business college it will be associated with NMSU’s Arrowhead Center Inc., which provides support and guidance to innovators who want to turn their ideas into profit. The center, which will partner with New Mexico laboratories and other institutions of higher learning, will help create jobs, enhance student education, recruit and retain faculty, and connect ideas with capital.

“(The chair) will make a major contribution in our fashioning a program in economic development and in attracting and/or retaining a first-flight faculty member to lead the effort,” said Dean Carruthers.

In addition, Carruthers said the timing could not have been better. Recently, Carruthers was named as the vice provost for economic development at NMSU.

“It is opportune that we can name the chair because of the focus NMSU will now have on economic and community development,” he said. “My new responsibilities as vice provost for economic development will require that we enhance our capacity for assisting companies, communities and the state in creating and maintaining high-quality, wealth-creating jobs. The chair holder will be the ‘go-to academic’ for many of the research and educational programs needed to meet this challenge.”

Carruthers served as president of the Cimarron Health Plan from 1993-2003, was governor of New Mexico from 1987-1990, was an assistant U.S. secretary of the interior from 1981-1984, served as special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture during 1974 and 1975, and was director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute at NMSU from 1976-1978.

New Mexico State University’s College of Business Administration and Economics recently received a $15,000 gift from Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services.

The award will help establish two scholarships, the Ernst & Young Current Use Bridge Scholarship and the Ernst & Young Business Leaders Current Use Scholarship Fund.

“Supporting higher education is important for a number of reasons,” said Ellen J. Glazerman, executive director of the Ernst & Young Foundation. “In a profession such as ours, intellectual capital is our most fundamental asset. We believe that it is our charge to work with institutions of higher education to ensure that the profession continues to thrive as we service the capital markets appropriately. We support NMSU because this fine institution attracts and develops an inclusive group of students, which aligns with our values of creating and supporting and inclusive pipeline of well-qualified students to enter the business world.”

The bridge scholarship will be used to award seven $1,000 scholarships to freshmen and sophomores enrolled in the business college and the business leaders fund will be used to award four $2,000 scholarships to upperclassmen majoring in accounting and finance.

The scholarships will be awarded in fall 2004.

The New Mexico Stock Market Game, sponsored by New Mexico State University’s College of Business Administration and Economics and the New Mexico Securities Division, recently received $20,000 from Martin Cabrera Jr. to increase student participation in New Mexico public schools.

“I know firsthand how important it is to understand personal finance. In fact, if it weren’t for the Stock Market Game, I may not be where I am today,” said Cabrera, president of Cabrera Capital Markets Inc., an investment-banking and institutional brokerage firm. “The program teaches young people how to invest and use their analytical skills. It made a huge difference in my life and I hope it can have the same impact on these kids.”

The gift will be made in two installments over the next two years and will eliminate the basic activity fee required for participation.

“This is an exciting time for the Stock Market Game Program and wonderfully coincides with our 20th anniversary at NMSU,” said Dorothy Hughes, Stock Market Game coordinator at NMSU. “The response to this news from teachers has been very enthusiastic, so we are expecting a big increase in participation this spring, and a fun and vigorous competition for the students as they learn some valuable lessons from our program.”

The Stock Market Game is a computer simulated competition that has been played each fall and spring by more than 65,000 high school, middle school and elementary students throughout New Mexico over two decades.

Each team begins with an imaginary $100,000 to “invest” during a 10-week period each semester, while teachers incorporate the game’s supporting materials into their curriculum.

For more information about the Stock Market Game, visit the national Web site at http://www.smgww.org or contact Dorothy Hughes, the New Mexico SMG coordinator, at (505) 646-3690 or dhughes@nmsu.edu.

G. Carl Everett, an NMSU alumnus who has been a top executive with both Dell Computers and the Intel Corp., will be honored Friday, April 6, in the university’s Business Complex. Everett donated more than $78,000 for a computer room and the room will be named in his honor. (photo courtesy of Everett)

Carl Everett has been senior vice president of the Personal Systems Group of Dell Computers since 1998. So when Everett, who graduated from New Mexico State University in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, began discussing the needs of the university’s business school with the College of Business Administration and Economics Dean Danny Arnold, his thoughts turned naturally to the field he knows so well.

As a result of that conversation in 1999, the college will name a new computer room in NMSU’s Business Complex after Everett, in a ceremony to be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 6. The room was made possible by Everett’s generous efforts, Arnold said.

According to Arnold, Everett donated $78,133 to remodel a room in the complex into a computer room, then bought and donated 36 computers for the room as well. Everett, in turn, gave some of the credit to students in Assistant Professor of Finance James Cotter’s Zia Fund Course, an NMSU stock portfolio management course in which students learn by selecting and monitoring stocks in an industry they have chosen to follow.

“When we agreed that I would help build the computer room, I opened my stock portfolio to the students. They originally picked $50,000 worth of stocks, but they did such a good job of picking that when the time came to build the stocks had grown in value,” he said.

Everett said he wanted to help the business school upgrade its computer education capabilities, because he believes personal computers have become an “indispensable” tool in everyone’s personal and professional lives.

He added that having the opportunity to attend NMSU made it possible for him to enjoy a productive career. Originally from Artesia, N.M., Everett began college at NMSU’s branch campus in Carlsbad, N.M.. “I’m proud that NMSU provides an education opportunity to everyone,” he said.

“Carl Everett is one of our college’s most successful graduates and we hope his education here helped ‘jump start’ his career,” Arnold said. “Everyone in the college is extremely grateful that Carl decided to give something back to his alma mater. The classroom is a great teaching facility.”

Everett joined Dell in 1998, after a 20-year career with the Intel Corp. He became an Intel vice president in 1989, overseeing North American sales and later all worldwide sales organizations. In 1994, he became a senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s successful Microprocessor Products Group, overseeing sales of Intel’s Pentium processor and the introduction of its P6 technology.

He said recently he will leave the Dell Computer Corp. in April to develop independent investment opportunities.

For more information on the dedication ceremony, contact Julie Smith at (505) 646-3587, or by e-mail at julsmith@nmsu.edu.