Susan and John Long.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liz Ellis and Shari Jones.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cloudcroft, NM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hank and Bernice Willis.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Student Ambassadors, Oct. 23, 2009.

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

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

Jon Willis
October 23, 2009

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.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary as a public event to raise money for cancer research, Relay for Life will begin at 7 p.m. tomorrow on the west-side of the NMSU Horseshoe, and end Saturday at 8 a.m.

Relay for Life is designed to commemorate survivorship and raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The event was initiated by Dr. Gordy Klatt, who raised more than $27,000 for cancer awareness by walking and running around a university track for 24-hours straight in 1985.

Relay for Life has now turned into a universal event for both individuals and participating teams.

“I feel this year’s event is going to be the best yet,” said Jordan Hanson, event co-chair for Relay for Life and pre-pharmacy major. “We have a very strong committee and everyone is bringing lots of new ideas to the event, which is giving us a broader range of activities.”

Hanson said with the great committee helping her plan the event, fundraising is doing very well in light of the bad economy.

Hanson explained the new location for this year’s event provided extra space, which created more options for possible activities during the event, such as capture the flag.

Other activities include: bingo laps, a campsite decorating contest and karaoke.

As for the early morning, jazzercise will be on the agenda to get the day started.

“One big difference for this year is our growth in participants,” Hanson said. “Each year, the varieties in our participants help [provide] a new outlook on the event. This year we have a great group of people participating that are here because they want to make a difference and want to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease.”

Ashley Redman, Hanson’s co-chair and management major, has been participating in Relay for Life for eight years.

“Our committee is pretty energetic about the event,” Redman said. “[Everyone] is extremely motivated to get their stuff done for the event.”

Hanson, who has been participating in the event for nine years, said during the opening ceremony, survivor Vicente Jaramillo will be speaking.

“[Opening ceremony] is designed to welcome all of the participants to the event and let them know what exactly the event is about,” Hanson said.

Participants in the overnight community celebration will also have the chance to participate in a luminaria ceremony and enjoy the music of several bands.

“There will be the survivor/caregiver laps in which all of the participants will cheer on the survivors as they make the first lap around the track,” Hanson said. “Throughout the night we will also be having the traditional luminaria ceremony to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer.”

Hanson said during the luminaria ceremony there will be several speakers, and then participants will take a lap in silence as a symbol of remembrance.

Redman explained because everyone is affected by cancer, Relay for Life is one way for people to help with the fight against cancer.

“I hope that people come out and participate,” Redman said. “We want to fundraise more tha we did last year, which was about $10,000. Our goal for this year is $25,000 because it’s the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life.”

Claire Cortner, team captain for the College of Health and Social Services and nursing and communications disorders major, said because her group members are health-related majors, fighting cancer by participating in Relay for Life is relatable to them in some way.

“I am very proud of my team,” Cortner said. “We have had a few different fundraisers and I am very excited for the Relay event. I am excited to get everyone together, so we can see what our college, as a whole, has done.”

Cortner said her team has done many things to raise as much money as they can for Relay.

According to the Relay for Life NMSU section of the American Cancer Society Web site, the College of Health and Social Services team is in second place for most money raised.

Currently in first place is the NMSU Astronomy team.

“Although [Relay for Life] is a fun time to hang out with friends and do a lot of fun activities, we are there because we are raising money for a good cause,” Cortner said. “We are honoring those with cancer and those who have passed away with the disease. Cancer affects many people in our country today and I am glad to see that NMSU is doing something to help fight it.”

With 16 teams signed up for the event, Hanson said there is a total of 161 participants.

“We are also expecting people to show up to the event having not registered previously,” Hanson said. “Anyone is welcome to stop by.”

“I am personally very passionate about Relay for Life,” Hanson said. “I grew up participating and I was able to see how much hope the event brought into a community and the support that was provided to the survivors. Since then there really has been no looking back.”

Registration for Relay for Life will start at 6 p.m. and people can start setting up camp at 5 p.m.

As for participation, people can still register until the day of the event. To register and campaign for a cure, check out cancerevents.org/nmsunm.

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/.

During October, the Las Cruces and NMSU community participate in the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign dedicated to breast cancer awareness and raising money for research.

Announced about a week ago by the “pink headquarters” in Hughson, Calif., NMSU Aggies’ “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign and the Las Cruces Cowboys for Cancer Research event have been named number one in the world.

The fundraisers are intended to foster cancer research at UNM Cancer Center and NMSU. Together, both fundraising events raised more than $800,000.

“The possibilities and the commitment of the both the community of Las Cruces and the university was wonderful,” said Laura Conniff, co-chair for the campaign and member of the NMSU Board of Regents. “It was really quite an accomplishment this year.”

Conniff, a breast cancer survivor, explained how the campaign took the participation of many people, and she is very thankful for those who lent a helping hand.

Conniff wanted to especially thank the students, staff and faculty of NMSU and the community of Las Cruces for the great turn-out.

In addition to popular October events, such as last year’s “pink-out” football game against San Jose and the luminaria display around Aggie Memorial Stadium, a new kind of help came from Las Cruces public schools.

“This year the Las Cruces public schools got involved and raised over 7,000 in quarters,” Conniff said. “Students donated quarters, and at the Las Cruces-Onate game, they presented the check for all the quarters donated.”

Conniff said the awareness and the knowledge that was disseminated for the event was great because it gives a whole other group of people, such as students in public schools, information about breast cancer awareness.

According to the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” Web site, the campaign became “the $1 million question proudly answered by the western industry during the 2006 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. With the Wrangler brand at the helm, cowboys, cowgirls, rodeos, retailers and manufacturers were motivated to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.”

Also a part of the campaign, Conniff explained through Mountain View Regional Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center, and several providers of radiology they were able to offer 300 free mammograms for women in the Las Cruces area who were unable to have the procedure.

Conniff also said check-ups before and after were offered to the women.

Jacque Green, Zeta Tau Alpha president, said being educated about breast cancer is the best way to prevent cancer.

During the campaign, ZTA accepted donations and distributed window clings to help support and educate students about breast cancer.

“ZTA encourages women to do self-breast exams and mammograms,” Green said. “Mammograms are a method to detect cancer early. The best protection is early detection.”

Conniff said the 300 free mammograms were really wonderful awareness initiative and were a good thing to do for the community.

“The main thing we want to say is thank you,” Conniff said. “[The campaign] was certainly an initiative that was created from the heart. It became something the community attached themselves to.”

Conniff was joined by three other co-chairs, June Mumme, Pat Sisbarro and Magellia Mclntyre Boston, who are each cancer survivors also.

“I think the thing we are most proud of is the awareness that has been built,” Conniff said. “It really has been a fun event that raises money and awareness for a really important cause.”

To learn more about the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign, check out www.pinkaggie.com or www.toughenoughtowearpink.com.

Informing students of the different options available to finance graduate school was the subject of a seminar Wednesday given by the Dean of the Graduate School at New Mexico State University.

Dr. Linda Lacey, the Dean of the Graduate School, is a reviewer for the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation Fellowship and the HUD Urban Scholars Program. Lacey stressed the importance of separating a struggling company from its foundations.

“A corporation can be struggling, but their foundations still have money,” said Lacey. The Ford Foundation Fellowship and HP Foundation were listed as examples.

External fellowships are similar to scholarships in the way the applicant can compete with others on a national or even international level. Lacey’s advice for applying for external fellowships is to thoroughly read and follow instructions on all the applications, apply before the deadline, prepare a draft and share it with faculty and students and have strong letters of recommendation.

A strong letter of recommendation can set you apart from other applicants. However, the best letters come from faculty members and professors that have seen you grow as a student, and know your plans for the future as well as your skills.

The three most important things a reviewer for a fellowship or any kind of assistantship look for are: a personal statement from the student, a realistic plan the student has for their education and research experience. Standardized test scores can be important; however, grade point average can sometimes be more so. Strong letters of recommendation and scholarly writing from a student can save an application from ending up in the rejection pile.

Lacey described the scholarly writing from a student is “clear, concise and easy to read.” Students need to avoid the use of jargon and must present knowledge of their field. The reviewer must be able to read through the writing once, if read through “more than five times” the application is at a higher risk of being rejected.

Fellowships are one of the many possibilities to finance graduate school, others include: teaching assistantships, research assistantships, administrative assistantships, internships, dorm advisor, tuition waivers, forgiveness programs and sponsorship by church or non-profit organizations.

Lacey stressed that the key to landing a fellowship, teaching, research or administrative assistantship is to speak to faculty and professors in your area of study. The best way to approach any faculty, department head or professor is to write them an e-mail. Getting to know each other will lead to strong letters of recommendation and a better understanding of your field of study.

“Sixty percent of full time students have teaching, administrative and research assistantships on the NMSU campus,” Lacey said. Obtaining any of the three assistantships can be similar; all three require a resume and a summary of experience.

In an e-mail response Lacey said, “The Development Office has been working with colleges to increase NMSU fellowships/scholarships applications. By now we should have reduced the number of unclaimed donor support on campus.”

The Development Office was reached for the updated percentage, but no number was given. Lacey said students “need to visit their college Web site and speak to their advisors about how to apply for fellowships and scholarships for NMSU students.”

The 30th Annual President’s Associates Gala will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

This year’s event marks an important milestone in a scholarship program 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 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. Scholars receive the award as entering freshmen and receive the award for four years.

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. Over 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.

Chuck Widger, the current president of the board said, “We are working hard to make the 30th Annual President’s Associates Gala the best one ever. We want to celebrate the history of NMSU’s most prestigious scholarship with everyone who has ever been associated with the program, whether as a board member or a past President’s Associates Scholar. We also welcome anyone interested in becoming part of the ‘President’s Associates family.’”

If you would like to attend the gala or need more information, please call Nigel Holman at (575) 646-4033.

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.

When the Doing What Counts campaign was announced in Oct. 2005 the goal was to reach $150 million by Dec. 2008. It was the most ambitious fundraising endeavor undertaken by New Mexico State University in its history. Not only has NMSU reached that mark they surpassed it… exceeding $200 million and breaking all expectations.

“The money raised is helping NMSU achieve even higher levels of academic excellence for our students, faculty, the community and the nation,” said Nick Franklin, vice president of advancement and executive director of the NMSU Foundation. “I want to thank everyone who made a contribution, large or small, that enabled us to reach our goal so soon. The generous and gracious gifts we received are the reason we continue to grow and transform NMSU.”

The Doing What Counts campaign was developed to help support academic chairs and professorships that support NMSU’s outstanding faculty, create additional scholarships to attract quality students and acquire funds for several exciting capital improvement projects such as the Center for the Arts, the Native American Center and the Domenici Institute.

The campaign was announced during homecoming 2005 with the goal of reaching $150 million by the end of 2008. As of Oct. 2008, the total amount raised is an unprecedented $202 million. Because of the success of this campaign to date, the NMSU Foundation board is confident that their revised goal — $225 million raised by December 2010 — can be achieved.

“Thousands of gifts have come from alumni and friends committed to seeing New Mexico State University elevated to a new level of excellence in education and research,” said Waded Cruzado, NMSU’s interim president. “We can see how the generosity of so many permeates throughout campus. By working together we can continue to ensure that NMSU remains one of the nation’s top-notch land-grant universities.”

During this campaign NMSU has discovered many Partners in Excellence who have helped us reach this historic mark. To become a Partner in Excellence and to learn how to contribute, visit http://giving.nmsu.edu.

Southwest business leaders with ties to New Mexico State University are invited to the NMSU College of Business Inaugural Business Networking Reception in Scottsdale, Ariz. The event begins at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Cattle Track Arts Compound, 6105 N. Cattle Track Road.

“It’s important for us, as a college, to stay in touch with our alumni,” said Sylvia Acosta, assistant dean of the College of Business. “This will be the perfect opportunity for NMSU alumni to reconnect with friends and make new ones.”

Acosta said the Phoenix area has one of the highest concentrations of NMSU alumni in the country. A large number of NMSU alumni currently employed at Vanguard, an investment firm in Scottsdale, are expected to attend.

Aside from conversation and networking opportunities, those who attend will receive updates on projects and news from NMSU and the College of Business. Special guests for the event include NMSU President Waded Cruzado, Business Dean Garrey Carruthers, and Nick Franklin, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the NMSU Foundation.

The host committee includes Christine Dupnik Aguilera ’86, president of SkyMall, Dino Camunez ’81, president and CEO of First Western Trust Bank, Ken Garrett ’80, partner of Grant Thornton and Deby Wiest ’80, president and CEO of Concrete Designs, Inc.

The NMSU Business Advisory Council sponsors this event. Those interested in attending should R.S.V.P. by e-mail to cobrsvp@nmsu.edu or call (575) 646-7035.

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.”

College of Business Alumni: Tim Clifford 1971 BBA Acct; Rod Ross 1972 BBA Acct; Denise Cooper 1980 BACCT and MBA 1988

10/07/2008: The Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Hall of Legends (photo by Darren Phillips)

Tim Clifford and Rod Ross are true Aggie athletic ambassadors. They are loyal football fans through thick and thin. They attend every game and have held season tickets since graduating from New Mexico State University in the early 1970’s. They are also long-time Aggie Athletics Fund members, faithfully sponsor corporate tables at Aggie fundraisers, sponsor a football locker, volunteer to keep stats at the basketball games, and attend other diverse athletic events such as volleyball.

They do all of this while still running their CPA firms in Las Cruces and El Paso. To honor their dedication and commitment to Aggie athletics, the university naming committee has approved the naming of 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. The hall is at the north end of Aggie Memorial Stadium and includes an inspirational mural and walls laden with various lists of academic, conference and NFL champions.

“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.

The Aggie Athletic Fund scholarship will be awarded to two students annually, preferably to one male and one female, who must be student-athletes in good standing according to NMSU Athletics guidelines. The Aggie football coach’s excellence award will be used at the discretion of NMSU’s director of athletics and the NMSU football coach.

“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 official dedication of The Clifford Ross and Cooper CPAs Hall of Legends will be Nov. 8 in conjunction with the NMSU-Hawaii game. The ceremony will include a viewing of the hall for the Aggie Athletics Fund membership and the public at large. This will be the first event held in the new hall.

“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.”

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.

Provost Waded Cruzado-Salas takes the first shot at Dean Carruthers during Delta Sigma Pi's fundraising "Cream the Dean" event.

Students, faculty and staff rose to the occasion Wednesday when business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi hosted Cream the Dean, a fund raising effort for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Business Dean Garrey Carruthers, former New Mexico governor, offered to help the Epsilon Upsilon chapter of the Delta Sigma Pi at NMSU by agreeing to have whomever would pay the $50 for a pie, the chance to throw it in his face.

“Dean Carruthers is one of our alumni, and after Pie a Professor [last fall], he came to us and volunteered,” said Adam Thompson, coordinator of the event and Delta Sigma Pi member.

Thompson said the event, held in Trader’s Plaza, raised more than $1,200.

“I’ve worked with them before, and they’re just an organization that’s totally dedicated to finding cures for cancer,” Thompson said. “The goal is to find a cure to every kind of cancer that affects man.”

All of the money from yesterday’s event goes to research, unlike other cancer research organizations which may bombard you with more requests for donations, said Delta Sigma Pi member and finance major Stephanie Snodgrass.

As for Carruthers, he said it was “mighty tasty stuff,” right after Executive Vice President and Provost Waded Cruzado-Salas took the first shot.

“It was a very good cause,” said Cruzado-Salas, who donated $250. “I wanted to make sure I could help the students.”

President Michael Martin donated $100, but said he was paying to see the students do the actual “creaming.” Martin eventually participated after the encouragement from Carruthers.

“He looks so good,” Martin said after rubbing in the whipped cream. “I just don’t want any of this to go to waste.”

Carruthers thanked everyone for attending and commended the fraternity members on their work.

“We appreciate it,” Carruthers said. “What a mess. I’m going home to shower.”

For more information on the Huntsman Cancer Institute visit http://www.hci.utah.edu or http://www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org.

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.

More than 50 New Mexico State University students will be studying abroad on exchanges for the 2007 fall semester.

Of those 50 students, 29 received a total of 32 scholarships worth $58,500. The scholarships are created by external money through funds, partners, federal grants or foundation accounts. Most are designed to help cover the extra costs of traveling.

The students studying on exchanges pay NMSU tuition costs to attend the overseas universities, but also must pay for room and board and sometimes a full meal plan. The estimated cost is around $5,700 a semester.

“It’s not just about sending students out, it’s about building relationships. We do these programs to help add value to the students’ and the institutions’ curriculum,” said Paul Huntsberger, assistant dean for Study Abroad.

There are many different reasons why students decide to study abroad. Some students take classes that are not offered at NMSU, and to learn and be immersed in a foreign language. Other students use studying abroad as a career enhancement opportunity, or for their own personal growth and a different perspective of the world.

The International Foundation for Study Abroad (IFSA) awarded 17 students scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000. The students will be studying in France, Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden and Thailand.

The Nagoya University of Foreign Studies gave four students Japanese Government grants worth $6,000 to $9,000 each to study in Japan.

The Colin Williamson Study Abroad Fund, managed by the NMSU Foundation, awarded two students studying in France and Switzerland $400.

The Las Cruces Mesilla Valley Rotary Club (LCMVR) gave three $500 scholarships for students to study in Costa Rica, New Zealand and Switzerland, and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) provided three students Annette Kade Scholarships to study in France and Germany.

The Institute of International Education awarded Gilman Grants to two students to study abroad in Japan and Thailand.

For more information on opportunities to study abroad, call (505) 646-5107 or visit studyabroad.nmsu.edu.

After successfully reaching its $150 million “Doing What Counts” comprehensive campaign goal years ahead of schedule, New Mexico State University’s Foundation has increased the goal to $225 million to be reached by 2010, making it the most ambitious comprehensive campaign goal undertaken by a New Mexico university to date.

“Many of our original projects have yet to be fully supported and although many have supported the campaign, we want everyone to have the opportunity to contribute,” said Rebecca Dukes, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the NMSU Foundation.

The “Doing What Counts” campaign went public in 2005 with gifts and pledges of more than $40 million in hand, but the momentum of the public launch resulted in many more gifts to the university for top priorities including endowed faculty chairs and professorships.

Stan Fulton, owner of Sunland Park Race Track and Casino, has given more than $7 million to the university, which has resulted not only in the Stan Fulton Center, an academic support and sports medicine complex for student athletes, but also the establishment of chairs in the College of Education, College of Health and Social Services and the College of Business.

Brothers Ed and Harold “Chub” Foreman made a $1.5 million gift to the civil engineering department that will fund a chair and two professorships.

Michael Johnson’s $1 million gift to the College of Arts and Sciences established the first chair for the college in the geological sciences department.

One of the largest gifts to the university came in March with an in-kind donation of computer software systems, equipment and training for the College of Engineering from the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE). NMSU was one of only 11 schools across the country to receive a PACE gift. NMSU’s PACE gift had a campaign value of about $88 million.

Dukes said the focus for the campaign as it continues will be to reenergize efforts for the unfunded projects.

One of the campaign’s capital priorities that is still a work in progress is the Performing Arts Center, which will serve the growing arts community of the region and the campus.

Other priorities of the campaign include scholarship endowments, funds to complete the renovation of the College of Education’s O’Donnell Hall and construction of a Native American Cultural Center.

The establishment of endowments has had an impact on the campaign as well. More than 80 new endowments have been established since the public launch of the campaign to support a variety of programs across campus.

Dukes said she would really like to see more alumni take advantage of the opportunity to establish an endowment. NMSU is one of only two or three schools in the country that only require $10,000 to establish an endowment. Dukes said at the conclusion of this campaign the university may consider increasing the required dollar amount.

“This is a great opportunity for alumni to give to the university,” Dukes said. She explained that alumni giving is important to the university because national rankings consider the percentage of alumni giving when evaluating a university’s standing.

“The percentage of alumni who give back to their alma mater impacts rankings and grant proposals,” Dukes said.

During the first half of this fiscal year, giving to NMSU is double what it was for the entire year of 2003-2004, which was when the university first started counting contributions toward the campaign.

“That’s what campaigns do,” Dukes said.

Dukes said there are many gifts in the planning stages that she wants to make sure are included in the campaign and that the advancement team is seeking individuals for challenge or matching grant competitions.

“The staff is excited and recharged by this new goal and we will continue to pursue funding for the needed NMSU projects,” Dukes said.

Dukes said the success of the campaign thus far has had a great deal to do with the volunteer leadership, including John Long, president of the NMSU Foundation, and Danny Villanueva, honorary chair of the campaign committee.

“Their leadership and the service of those on the Foundation Board of Directors has really accelerated what we have been able to accomplish,” Dukes said.

Dukes also indicated that the service of those on the investment committee has really made an impact on the growth of the NMSU Foundation’s endowment.

In 2006, the endowment surpassed $100 million in size and continues to grow, Dukes said.

For more information about the NMSU “Doing What Counts” comprehensive campaign, call the NMSU advancement team at (505) 646-1613.