WNMU Alumni Bulletin Fall 2011

AlumniThe

W e s t e r n N e w M e x i c o U n i v e r s i t y F a l l 2 0 1 1 BulletiN

Two Wheels& One Lens

BOARD OF REGENTSJanice Baca Argabright (designee)Charles “Randy” BriggsKelly ClarkTony TrujilloJerry Walz

ADMINISTRATIONJoseph Shepard, Ph.D.PresidentFaye Vowell, Ph.D.Provost & Vice President for Academic AffairsSherri BaysVice President for Business AffairsLinda Kay Jones, CEcDVice President for Institutional AdvancementPeggy Lankford, ActingVice President for Student Affairs

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARDJack Howell, PresidentBobby Jackson, Vice PresidentOlivia Morales, TreasurerSandy Moore, SecretaryVictor Carbajal, Past PresidentGuadalupe Cano, Eugene Gomez, Grady Harlan, Al O’MalleyDr. Linda Baldwin, Faculty RepresentativeJason Lucas, Student GovernmentRobert “Moose” White, Foundation Representative

CHAPTER LEADSRosina Romero, Albuquerque, NMAbe Armendariz, Dona Ana County, NMOscar Chavez, Luna County, NMAlan Carl, El Paso, TXRon Hall, Grant County, NMSteven Maloney, IndianaAlfred Ogas, Phoenix, AZ Charlie Wright, Tucson, AZ

2 Fall 2011 Alumni Bulletin

Changing Gearse have all done it…change happens everyday, really. Your WNMU (Normal School, NMSTC, or NMWC) is no exception and has changed since your days here as a student, no doubt. College offers change and

opportunity. What changed in your life as a result of college?

I joined WNMU in 2008 and was pleased to earn the opportunity to be your Alumni Affairs Director in March 2011.

In this issue you will learn a little about WNMU’s 15th President, Dr. Joseph Shepard, who took the helm in July 2011.

You will also read a story of changing gears from a 2004 alumnus from De Soto, Kansas.

April 2011 was busy with on and off campus activities for students and alumni. The 44th annual Great Race

featured a week of action as well as a special honor for a long-time social sciences faculty of WNMU that passed away this year, Dr. Richard Bradfield. Thank you to all of his family that joined us here at main campus to celebrate and honor his contributions by racing a team in the Great Race.

Later that month, the professional cycling race, Tour of the Gila, kicked off its 25th annual race here in Silver City. And YES….WNMU alumni and students competed in this grueling 5-day competition.

As we bid farewell in June 2011 to WNMU’s President of 18 years, Dr. John Counts, the Albuquerque and Indiana Alumni Chapters honored him and his wife, Barbara, with special gifts at their chapter meetings.

Preparations are underway for Homecoming 2011, October 7-9. I hope you can join the fun! We will honor the chosen Distinguished Alumni and celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Shepard. Also, alumni from the 1990’s are planning a reunion at Homecoming. Were YOU a WNMU student in the decade of the 1990s? Let us know!

Come celebrate the tradition and change that has defined your WNMU since 1893.

Danielle Moffett, Director of Alumni Affairs

The Alumni Bulletin is published each year in spring and fall by the Office of Alumni Affairs.

Letters to The Alumni Bulletin can be sent to [email protected] orPO Box 680, Silver City, NM 88062.

To receive issues of The Alumni Bulletin please send us your mailing address or contact 575-538-6675.

W

Keep in Touch

If you graduated from WNMU between 1990

and 1999, please contact us at

[email protected].

The Alumni Affairs Office is within the division of Institutional Advancement at WNMU.

www.wnmu.edu/alumni

www.facebook.com/WNMUAlumni

President’sMessage

Dear Alumni, Over the last few weeks since Marcela and I have arrived in Silver City for me to serve as Western’s fifteenth president, we have met many people. What has impressed us most is that all have spoken fondly and with great dedication for our wonderful university. Purple and gold flow strongly through the veins of our alumni, faculty, staff and students. While WNMU is strong, there is much to be done as we advance the university to remain globally competitive. Marcela and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead as we further the progress of making WNMU a student-centered institution that engages in civic engagement, strong academics and a place of belonging. I pledge to you to do all I can to make WNMU simply the best regional university in the country. Your love, dedication and support to your alma mater is important to that vision. I hope you will join us for the inauguration ceremony on October 7, 2011, and then stay for our homecoming game the following day. We have much to celebrate and want you to be a part of it. I look forward to seeing you this fall! Go Mustangs,

Joseph ShepardPresident

Alumni Bulletin Fall 2011 3

Across the Mustang NationWe’re looking to feature at least

one Mustang from each state in the country in future issues of the

Alumni Bulletin.

Send us your favorite picture and an update on what you’re doing and you might see yourself in the next issue!

[email protected]

It’s no surprise to those who know him; Jay Hemphill enjoys the outdoors. Under a helmet or behind a photo lens, Hemphill is a nature enthusiast in his business and personal life.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from WNMU, Hemphill stayed in the college town of Silver City, leaving behind his former life in De Soto, Kansas.

“I loved the town,” said Hemphill of Silver City. “I met my wife Siah who was working on a master’s degree.”

His appreciation for Silver City, a town at least twice the population of his hometown in Kansas, was born from his enjoyment of nature, cycling and photography.

“I had to fill my fine arts requirements so I took a photography class,” said Hemphill who transferred from Johnson County Community College on a

tennis scholarship. “I fell in love with photography.”

After switching his degree plan from physical education to fine arts, Hemphill dedicated his studies to photographing the natural landscapes in and around Grant County.

In 2004, the new graduate was named Emerging Artist of New Mexico and his photographs were displayed in several area galleries.

Three years after graduating, Hemphill temporarily retired his camera.

“My life changed, I got married,” Hemphill described. “I have a four year old now.”

After marriage, Hemphill changed gears but not interests. In 2008, he became co-owner of Gila Hike & Bike after purchasing fifty percent of the business. He had already been active in the bicycling scene, competing in cycling events. Since 2002, Hemphill has participated in the Tour of the Gila, Tucson Bicycle Classic, Sunflower State Games Road Race, The Adoption Exchange Classic, and recently the Tour of Lawrence in his home state.

The popular local bike shop in downtown Silver City is a perfect fit for Hemphill whose role in the store keeps him in the

community and nature scene.

Hemphill remains connected to WNMU. He taught outdoor classes for two years before dedicating his time completely to Gila Hike & Bike, which has kept him connected with WNMU students.

“There is a group of young Navajo kids and I go on rides with them,” Hemphill said. He is describing Kempton Jackson, a WNMU alum, and WNMU students Donovan Jackson, Dustin Walthall and Marcus Toya, all active in the biking community.

“I hope to see them do well and go far,” he added.

For Hemphill, his store serves as a vehicle for riders who want to connect with the wonders of the outdoors.

“I hope to see Gila Hike and Bike become the center for information on the Gila and a hub for anyone who wants to explore the Gila, either by bicycle or foot,” said

Cycling

“I feel the biggest resource in the community is

the Gila National Forest.”

Through a FrameHemphill. “I feel our biggest resource in this community is the Gila National Forest and I want to help foster any improvements.”

Any improvements made and Hemphill plans to capture them in a photograph.

Seven years after earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Hemphill is ready to get behind the lens and return to his love of photography. His specialty remains photographing the unique landscapes of the Gila Wilderness.

“For me the greatest feature of WNMU is its location to the Gila Wilderness,”

Hemphill explained. “It allowed me to explore and backpack the area, which gave me huge physical and mental growth.”

Access to the Gila National Forest was a major factor to why Hemphill enrolled at WNMU and why he decided to stay.

“The art department was phenomenal and they took a different approach to teaching, letting students take the lead,” described Hemphill about his professors. “It worked well for my learning.”

Hemphill’s photography, featuring black and white landscape photos of the southwest, is available for

previewing and purchase at his website www.jhemphillphotography.com.


From running to cycling and touring the GilaKempton Jackson, 24, enrolled at WNMU to run in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Just before earning his degree in kineseology in 2010, Jackson exchanged his running shoes for a helmet and a pair of gloves.

In the last year, Jackson has competed in 14 cycling events earning first place in five of the races.

“I’d like to be a Category 1 (cycler) by Tour of the Gila,” Jackson said.

Jackson competed in the 2011 Tour of the

Gila as a Category 3 cyclist and earned first place in the criterium stage.

“My dream is to become a pro,” explained Jackson about his ultimate goal in cycling.

“There is good training here because of all the mountains and roads,” said Jackson. “That’s why I’m sticking around.”

Jackson’s cycling sponsor is Gila Hike & Bike from Silver City. He coaches cross country at Silver High School. Jackson, ‘10 at the winner’s podium in 2011.

The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents selected Dr. Joseph Shepard as the next president for the University. Dr. Shepard was previously the vice president for Administrative Services and Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). The five-member Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Shepard on April 27, 2011. Dr. Shepard will lead Western New Mexico University as its 15th president effective July 1, 2011. He will have a four-year contract.

“All of the candidates were very qualified to lead WNMU. However, we believe Dr. Shepard is the best fit for this university. The feedback from the campus community and community at large during Dr. Shepard’s time in Grant County has been very positive,” said WNMU Board of Regents Chair Tony Trujillo. “He will bring valuable experience, energy and

contagious enthusiasm to WNMU, our community and the state. We are confident in his leadership skills and look forward to a long-term relationship.”

Vice president at FGCU since 2003, Shepard has also served as a faculty member at Lutgert College of

Business and at Colegio Americano de Torreon in Mexico. He earned an undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University, an MBA from the University of North Texas and a Ph.D. in public administration from Florida International University.

“I am very excited to be joining the Western New Mexico University family. The university is truly a treasure amongst institutions of higher learning as it focuses on student success and service to its region and population,” said Dr. Shepard.

“My wife, Marcela, and I look forward to leading such a vibrant university as it fulfills its mission of

education for the many New Mexican citizens that otherwise would not have such access to higher education.”

Dr. Shepard has been married 21 years to his wife Marcela. He has two children.

Shepard becomes 15th President of WNMU

“My wife, Marcela, and I look forward to leading such a vibrant university as it fulfills its mission of education

for the many New Mexican citizens that otherwise would not have such access to higher education.”


Homecoming 2011 is almost here!Planning to stay for the weekend during your visit to Homecoming? Alumni discounts are offered by

WNMU friendly lodging businesses.

Holiday Inn Express: 1-888-388-45151103 Superior Street, Silver City

Bear Creek Motel & Cabins: 575-388-450188 Main St. Pinos Altos, NM


GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!GO MUSTANGS!

WNMU Homecoming 2011

October 7-9

WNMU!

October 7: Registration at Hunter Hall

October 7: Lunch at Alumni Gardens

October 7: Alumni Association Meeting

October 7: Campus Tours (Optional)

October 7: President’s Inauguration Ceremony

October 8: Athletic Hall of Fame Breakfast*October 8: Homecoming Parade

October 8: Pre-game Tailgate

October 8: Homecoming GameOctober 8: After-the-Game Social

October 9: Farewell Breakfast

Contact Alumni Affairs at 575-538-6675 or [email protected] to register. Registration Fee is $50 per person. *HOF Breakfast is $15 per person.

This homecoming join us on Friday, October 7 for a special

celebration with the inauguration of WNMU’s new President

Dr. Joseph Shepard!

Honored at Half-Time:

Cornelius Patterson ‘60

Ron Hall ‘72

J.D. Williams ‘64

GO MUSTANGS!


The Alumni Association is pleased and honored to have Mr. Jack Howell ‘80 as its new President. No stranger to the Association, Mr. Howell has served on the board for the past 11 years, most recently as Vice-President.

A graduate of the School of Education, Mr. Howell has spent 27 years in service as a teacher for the students of the local communities and now volunteers that service in support of his fellow Mustang alumni.

He was inducted into the WNMU School of Education Hall of Fame in 2010.

New Alumni Association President!

There are times in everyone’s life when we could use a little help. Making it through one’s collegiate student experience can often be one of those times. Hopefully, in your time as a student at WNMU, you had the assistance and resources you needed to be successful and have continued that success into your life.

A big thank you goes out to our spring 2011 donors to the WNMU Giving Back and Helping Others Alumni Scholarship! The scholarship is reserved for students of WNMU alumni who have a 2.5 GPA or higher. Donating through Giving Back supports not only students, but also the alumni, as a small percentage of each donation is reserved for the Alumni Association.

For more information contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 575-538-6675 or [email protected].

Again, a big THANK YOU to:

Mr. Joe Moore, Indiana, Class of ’62: Martinez-Fall Founders Club LevelMr. Robert Johnson, Florida, Class of ’59: Wild Mustang Club Level

More information available: http://www.wnmu.edu/alumni/forms/AA_GivingBack_Donation.pdf

There are a variety of ways alumni can make a difference in the life of a student. A few other scholarship options are:

1) Alvin “Al” Johnson Athletic Scholarship:Student recipient has WNMU athletic affiliation and participation. The donor is directly involved in the selection of the scholarship recipient.

2) Copper Crest Country Club, Al O’Malley, School of Business Scholarship:Student recipient is affiliated with the School of Business and has a 3.25 GPA. The School of Business Advisory Board is working to support this scholarship.

October 1 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Alumni Association Board of Directors. We are looking for Alumni Board members who are willing to share the good of WNMU and higher education with whomever they meet!

The WNMU Alumni Association considers all names that have been submitted and presents the final slate to alumni for a general vote during the General Association Meeting on

Friday, October 7, 2011. At this meeting alumni membership will vote on proposed revisions to the Alumni Association Charter & Committees as well as vote to elect Board Members. Board Members serve a three-year term and attend at least two meetings per year.

For nomination information and a form, visit www.WNMU.edu/alumni, email [email protected], or call 575-538-6675.

Call for Nominations Alumni Association Board

Pay it forward& make a difference

Social Networks

Follow WNMU alumni happenings by liking our WNMU Facebook page.

Keep up with weekly postings on events, updates and alumni news.

www.facebook.com/WNMUAlumni

Keeping Connected

Mustang football players pose with Coach Adam Clark at the Red Barn Restaurant, a team sponsor.

9/3/2011 Sul Ross State University Silver City, NM 12:00 PM9/10/2011 University of San Diego San Diego, CA 6:00 PM9/17/2011 Fort Lewis College Durango, CO 1:00 PM9/24/2011 Colorado School of Mines Silver City, NM 12:00 PM10/1/2011 Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO 1:00 PM10/8/2011 Western St College of Colorado Silver City, NM 1:00 PM10/15/2011 Adams State College Alamosa, CO 1:00 PM10/22/2011 Chadron State College Silver City, NM 12:00 PM10/29/2011 U of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE 12:00 PM11/5/2011 New Mexico Highlands U Silver City, NM 12:00 PM11/12/2011 CSU - Pueblo Pueblo, CO 2:00 PM


9/15/2011 Chadron State College Silver City, NM 7:00 PM9/16/2011 University of Colorado Silver City, NM 7:00 PM9/17/2011 Metro State College of Denver Silver City, NM 7:00 PM9/23/2011 Western St College of Colorado Gunnison, CO 7:00 PM9/24/2011 CSU - Pueblo Pueblo, CO 2:00 PM9/30/2011 Fort Lewis College Silver City, NM 7:00 PM10/1/2011 Colorado Mesa University Silver City, NM 7:00 PM10/6/2011 NM Highlands University Santa Fe, NM 7:00 PM10/7/2011 Adams State College Alamosa, CO 7:00 PM10/13/2011 Regis University Denver, CO 7:00 PM 10/14/2011 Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO 7:00 PM10/15/2011 Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO 7:00 PM10/22/2011 Adams State College Silver City, NM 7:00 PM10/24/2011 NM Highlands University Silver City, NM 5:00 PM 10/25/2011 Grand Canyon University Silver City, NM 5:00 PM 10/28/2011 Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO 7:00 PM10/29/2011 Fort Lewis College Durango, CO 7:00 PM11/4/2011 CSU - Pueblo Silver City, NM 7:00 PM 11/5/2011 Western St College of Colorado Silver City, NM 7:00 PM

MUSTANGS

MUSTANGS

FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

Scott Woodard retired as athletic director on June 30 after 15 years at the helm of Mustang athletics.

“It has been a great 20 years, and I appreciate all the support both Dr. Counts and Sherri Bays, as well as Chris Casey and Jerry Joy, have given me. However, I believe it is time for a change and time for someone else to take the reins,” commented Woodard.

Woodard spent more than half his life at the University as a student, athlete, coach and administrator. He also held nearly every job in the department, including sports information, game management, compliance, eligibility, and bus driver, prior to his appointment as the leader in 1996. Top that off with stints as a

head baseball coach, assistant football coach and head softball coach made Woodard the most qualified individual to lead the Mustang Department of Athletics for the last 15 years.

Woodard received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from WNMU while playing baseball for the Mustangs. He was part of the first baseball team to win a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship and was twice named First Team All-Conference as a shortstop. While working on his Master of Arts in School Administration, also from WNMU, he was an assistant coach for the program. Woodard helped lead the team to national recognition, a No. 3 ranking and was one game shy of going to the NAIA World Series.

Woodard took a short five-year hiatus from WNMU to teach and coach at Tularosa and Deming High Schools in New Mexico. He then came back to Silver City in 1992 to take over as the head coach for the baseball program, but his tenure was cut short as the program was dropped after the 1993 season. Woodard stayed on as an Assistant Athletic Director to WNMU coaching legend Dick Drangmeister, who eventually retired and turned the department over to Woodard.

During his 15 years as Director of Athletics, Woodard was involved in numerous athletic facility improvements, including building the softball field and renovations to the basketball facility. He also was instrumental in overseeing the building of Altamirano Football Stadium and the Fox Complex, which houses locker rooms, a weight room, and a fitness center. Woodard also supervised the addition of three tennis courts, which allows the women’s and men’s tennis teams to host home contests. Scott Park Golf Course also received a practice facility that included a new driving range, chipping and putting area, coach’s facility, and restrooms to the course.

Although Woodard’s philosophy of athletic success did not rely solely on wins and losses, he saw many successes on the field, court, and course since he took over.

NCAA Division II National Championship appearances by the softball, women’s and men’s golf, and the men’s tennis teams highlighted his most successful seasons in the Department of Athletics. Volleyball was also to regional postseason play a number of times since joining NCAA Division II in 1996.


2010-2011 RMAC Player of the Week Awards:Schalicia Degase (VB)Natali Murdock (VB) Chad Carter (MBB)TJ Riley (MBB)Emily Lampman (WTEN)Rodrigo Almeida (MTEN)Emmanuel Mensah (MTEN)Henning Thrien (MTEN)Faylyn Beyale (WGOLF)Jessica Dailleboust (WGOLF)Glynnis Price (WGOLF)Steven Maxwell (MGOLF)Sarah Byrne (SB)Bri Robles (SB) 2010-2011 RMAC Academic All-Conference Awards:Amber Gardner (VB)Jordan Johnston (VB)Natali Murdock (VB)

Heather Rux (VB)Matt Baxter (FB)Chris Voller (FB)Byron Reischl (FB)Zach Roberts (FB)Jarret Yargus (FB)Sheilah Koskey (WXC)Flor Luna (WXC)Juan Suarez (MBB)Yair Banuelos (MTEN)Francisco Damasio (MTEN)Henning Thrien (MTEN)Doris Berberic (WTEN)Emily Lampman (WTEN)Megan Downey (WGOLF)Carissa Schwalm (WGOLF)Anders Friman (MGOLF)Kaitlynn Barnes (SB)Arriel Smith (SB)2010-2011 RMAC All-Conference Awards:Natali Murdock (VB)

Angelina Pulu (VB)Chad Carter (MBB)TJ Riley (MBB)Rodrigo Almeida (MTEN)Yair Banuelos (MTEN)Jean Benoit Belin (MTEN)Emmanuel Mensah (MTEN)Henning Thrien (MTEN)Johan Weich (MTEN)Emily Lampman (WTEN)Nikolina Vukadin (WTEN)Faylyn Beyale (WGOLF)Jessica Dailleboust (WGOLF)Glynnis Price (WGOLF)Haley Raymond (WGOLF) Carissa Schwalm (WGOLF)Patrick Beyhan (MGOLF)Michael Lopez (MGOLF)Steven Maxwell (MGOLF)Kaitlynn Barnes (SB)Sarah Byrne (SB)

Mustang Honors

Woodard retires as Athletic Director

locally, regionally & nationally


Ashly Eichenberger (SB) 2010-2011 RMAC Player/Freshman/Coach of the Year Awards: Academic Player of the Year: Henning Thrien (MTEN)Player of the Year: Emmanuel Mensah (MTEN)Freshman of the Year: Rodrigo Almeida (MTEN)Coach of the Year: Erik Burton (MTEN)RMAC Championship Co-MVP: Jessica Dailleboust (WGOLF)Freshman of the Year: Patrick Beyhan (MGOLF)Golfer of the Year: Faylyn Beyale (WGOLF) 2010-2011 National Awards:ITA Central Region Player to Watch: Nikolina Vukadin (WTEN)

Wilson/ITA Central Region Coach of the Year: Erik Burton (MTEN)ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year: Carolina Hannes (MTEN)ITA Central Region Senior Player of the

Year: Yair Banuelos (MTEN)ITA Central Region Men's Tennis Player to Watch: Emmanuel Mensah (MTEN)Daktronics, Inc. All-Central Region First Team: Ashly Eichenberger (SB)

Mark Coleman was promoted to athletics director at WNMU in July. In addition to his director duties, Coleman remains in charge of the men’s basketball program.

Coleman headed to the Southwest and NCAA Division II in 2003 to take over as the man in charge of the Mustangs’ men’s basketball program. In July 2011, Coleman added the title of WNMU director of athletics to his resume. In total, Coleman has spent nearly 30 years of his professional career in collegiate athletics.

Since his arrival at WNMU, Coleman has taken the men’s basketball team to two RMAC playoffs (2008 and 2011) while playing a very competitive non-conference schedule that included many trips to Hawaii and NCAA Division I schools.

Coleman came to WNMU after spending eight seasons at Drew University in New

Jersey. In 1996-1997, he earned Coach of the Year honors after leading his Drew University Rangers to a 19-9 record and their first ever ECAC Championship.

Throughout his tenure of coaching, Coleman has coached seven NBA players, including former New York Knick player Charles Smith and the Vancouver Grizzlies’ Eric Mobley, and produced multiple all-conference players.

“I am very pleased to have this opportunity to be director of athletics at Western New Mexico University. Since I arrived in 2003, I have seen the athletic department grow in many different ways. I hope to continue what Scott Woodard has done and make WNMU not only one of the best in the RMAC but also competitive on the national level while also graduating quality student-athletes,” said Coleman.

AD PositionColeman Promoted To Schwalm named

All-AmericanWNMU’s Carissa Schwalm recently earned a place on the All-American list. This is her third consecutive All-American Scholar award. The National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Teams for Division I, II, and III were announced with a total of 566 women’s collegiate golfers recognized with this prestigious honor.

The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50.

Schwalm recently received the NCAA Degree Completion Scholarship for her athletic and academic accomplishments. She was the Mustangs’ only four-year player on the team. This season she had two tournaments in the 150s with one being the RMAC #3. She finished tied for third at that event with rounds of 78 and 76. In the other event, the Grand Canyon Fall Invitational, Schwalm carded a 157 to tie for 39th.

locally, regionally & nationally


Alumni NotesCharles Alfero ‘74, ‘81Alfero will soon be moving to the role of Director of the HMS Center for Health Innovations (CHI). In addition, Alfero was recently named the Director of the National Center for Frontier Communities. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS), a Community Health Center providing comprehensive primary medical, dental, mental health, family support and community development services in southwestern New Mexico. Alfero has been working with Hidalgo since its development in 1993.

Fred Baca ‘74, ‘76Baca of Silver City, NM was inducted into the WNMU School of Education Hall of Fame in May 2011.

Bob Brooks ‘70Brooks of Maynard, MA returned to Roosevelt School, which he attended in the 50’s, with an art show entitled “A Former Roosevelt School Kid’s Show, paintings by Bob Brooks”. The art show ran May 5 to June 10, 2011 at the Maynard Public Library.

Margaret H. Burch ‘74Burch of Alamagordo, NM was inducted into the WNMU School of Education Hall of Fame in May 2011.

Scott Crichton ‘10Former Mustang All-American Crichton was the winner of the Cameron Corbett Vase on July 4, 2011. The event is a Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit event.

Tom Davis ‘58Davis of Albuquerque recently attended the 2011 Innovative Minds in Prostate Cancer Today (IMPaCT) Conference in Orlando, FL. He was invited to participate because of his prior involvement as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program. Mr. Davis was one of only two reviewers chosen from NM and out of 130 nationwide. The conference focused on achievements in prostate cancer research by Department of Defense-funded scientists and clinicians.

Cauline Ferguson (Fanning) ‘67Ferguson retired after teaching all grade levels in the isolated Eskimo village areas of Alaska. Cauline earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from WNMU.

Jane C. Fitzke (Klinger) ‘62Fitzke of Tucson, AZ is currently enjoying serving as the librarian at Far Horizons East. Over a 10-year period the library has been built from four books to over 4,000 books, audio and video tapes. Fitzke earned degrees in elementary education and taught fifth grade in Deming, NM for 25 years.

Karen Galindo (Dobey) ‘77, ‘79Galindo of Henderson, NV spent the last two summers teaching English in China. She recently qualified for the Senior Olympics in the track and field 5000m/10000m.

Jill Porter Gamez ‘10Gamez opened Whip-N-Spur, a jewelry and apparel store in Deming, NM. The store sports ladies western wear and is located at 1100 S. Ruby Street.

Ron Hall ‘72Hall was recognized by El Refugio, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, for his lifelong work towards ending domestic violence as a police man, judge and community member.

Ben Rodriguez, ‘94, ‘02Rodriguez was recently appointed principal at Benson High School in Arizona. He has been a science teacher and has coached boys and girls sports for 17 years.

Robert Shilling ‘91Shilling, a Silver City native, was named Chief of the NM State Police by Governor Susana Martinez’s administration in April 2011. Shilling graduated from the WNMU Police Academy and began his law enforcement career with the Silver City Police Department in the spring of 1991. He has been with the NM State Police since the fall of 1992.

Kelly Wallis ‘83Wallis was recently appointed as the director of the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety (ADPS). Wallis has been employed by ADPS for 25 years. Wallis is a graduate of the WNMU Police Academy.

Susie Weaver ‘69Weaver earned the honor of being the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame featured quilter for the month of May 2011.

Please submit your Alumni Notes to [email protected] or WNMU, PO Box 680, Silver City, NM 88062 (Attn: Alumni Affairs)

Alumni Snapshots

1. Former Mustang volleyball players enjoy a meal at Wranglers. 2. Trey Clarkson ‘08 enjoys a visit back to Drag’s Court for a home basketball game.3. Charles and Isela Wendler ‘66, visit Silver City for a political rally.4.Gina Roebuck ‘90 visits with her Eastern Arizona College students during Great Race Week. 5. Romaine Begay ‘08 purchases pottery at a sale in downtown Silver City.6. Stephen Patton ‘05 and his wife Hannah

get ready to serve as missionaries in Southeast Asia.7. Rudy Sierra ‘91 and his wife are spotted having a meal in the Mustang Dining Hall.8. Steve Maloney ‘06 poses with his two children during an Indiana Alumni chapter meeting.9. Fred Baca ‘74 and Margaret Burch’s ‘74 grandson are pictured during the School of Education Hall of Fame ceremony.10. Albuquerque Chapter alumni are pictured receiving gifts from the Alumni Affairs Office.

11. Mining District area alumni pose with Dr. Shepard in Bayard.12. Sharon Vesely, Dr. Shepard, Judy Ward, and Jerry Huff are pictured at the Huff home.13. Matthew Lara ‘07 and Jeff Perales ‘10 have a good day at the Gila River.14. Debra Northan ‘04, ‘06 poses along Elephant Butte after a social with area leaders. 15. Troy Hudson ‘01, poses with Dr. Shepard. Hudson is the new principal of Lordsburg High School.

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Recognizing Outstanding AlumniAthletic Hall of Fame:

Deadline: March 1 annuallyContact: Alma Arellano (575) 538-6218 or [email protected]

Distinguished Alumni & Outstanding Alumni:Deadline: June 1 annually

Contact: Danielle Moffett (575) 538-6675 or [email protected] form on the website at: http://www.wnmu.edu/alumni/

Great Teams in Mustang Sports History:Deadline: June 1 annually

Contact: Danielle Moffett (575) 538-6675 or [email protected]

Great Moments in Mustang Sports History:Deadline: June 1 annually

Contact: Danielle Moffett (575) 538-6675 or [email protected]

School of Education Hall of Fame:Deadline: March 1 annually

Contact: Spri Wheatley (575) 538-6418 or [email protected]

Calendar of EventsSeptember 2011September 9-10Gila Classic Golf Tournament, Silver City Golf Course575-538-4138September 9-11Pickamania! music festival in Silver City’s Gough ParkMimbres Region Arts Council, 575-538-2505September 15-187th Annual Gila River Festival in Silver City, NM575-538-8078September 17-18Red Dot Studio Art Tour in Silver City, NM575-313-7197September 28-October 2Annual Cliff-Gila-Grant County Fair in Cliff, NM575-388-1559September 16-18Take on the Tour: Ride for Life, 575-538-6320

October 2011October 7-9Homecoming Festivities, WNMU vs. Western State College of ColoradoWNMU President Inauguration CeremonyWeekend at the Galleries, 575-538-2502October 8Fort Bayard Tours, 575-536-3161October 15Chris Burton Jácome Flamenco Ensemble, WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, 575-538-5862

November 2011November 7Music of John Denver, WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, 575-538-5862 November 12Fort Bayard Tours, 575-536-3161November 26Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, Downtown Silver City

December 2011December 9Commencement, 7pmDecember 10Fort Bayard Tours, 575-536-3161

January 2012January 9WNMU Spring semester beginsJanuary 21Intersection classical piano trio, WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, 575-538-5862

February 2012February 10Founder’s Day (Happy 119th Birthday WNMU!)February 26Anita Chen orchestral music, WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, 575-538-5862

Year-RoundWNMU Museum (Fleming Hall), Monday – Friday 9am – 4:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm WNMU McCray Gallery, Monday – Friday 10am – 4:30pm

Denotes military or law enforcement service.


‘97, David R. Allen of Deming, NM, passed away on December

15, 2010. He served 23 years in the military. He is survived by his wife and three sons and their families.

‘54, James Q Barnes of Hatch, NM, passed away on February 9,

2011. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. “Bubba” Barnes was an educator, principal and superintendent for Hatch Valley School District. He is survived by his wife, brother and several nieces and nephews.

‘70, James T. Billings of Silver City, NM, passed away on May

13, 2011. James spent his career as a teacher and administrator in NM and internationally. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, two daughters, a son, two brothers and their wives, and six grandchildren.

‘89, Joanna K. Blest of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on March 7, 2011. She taught for the Silver City School District and also had a career in technology and network coordination. She is survived by her three children and their families.

‘74, Donna Brown of Silver City, NM, passed away on June 7, 2011. Mrs. Brown had a 30-year career in teaching. She retired from La Plata Middle School. She is survived by her mother, husband, brother, daughter and one granddaughter.

‘95, Howard Keith “Buck” Buchanan of Silver City, NM, passed away on June 6, 2011. He is survived by his wife Jean, four children and their families.

‘58, Ida Bell Hogsett Davis of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on January 21, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Thomas Davis. She was active in several organizations that work with children.

Betty L. Fairchild of Silver City, NM, passed away May 11, 2011. She enjoyed drawing, painting, writing and playing piano. She is survived by her husband and two daughters.

Julio A. Gallardo of El Paso, TX, passed away on February 9, 2011. He was a

Mustang basketball player. He went on to play 15 years in the Mexican League and was on the Mexican Olympic team. In 1999, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Latinos in Action Sports Association.

‘04, Archie Gomez of Santa Clara, NM, passed away on February 19, 2011. He worked for WNMU’s Wellness & Movement Sciences Department for several years before relocating to Albuquerque where he worked for First Choice Health Care.

‘66, Jean W. Henderson (Woodburn) of Silver City, NM, passed away on April 30, 2011. Jean retired from the Cobre School District in 1993 after teaching 25 years. She is survived by two sons and their families.

‘53, Betty Ruth Huxtable of Artesia, NM, passed away on July 4, 2011. She taught girls’ physical education and was a counselor at Artesia High School. She was an avid stamp collector and bridge player.

‘97, ‘02, Susan U. Lain (Jones) of Silver City, NM, passed away on March 22, 2011. She enjoyed working, loved animals and the outdoors.

‘76, Elain C. Marchan (Luckraft) passed away December 30, 2010. She was talented in sewing, knitting, crochet, and was an avid reader. She is survived by her daughter, son and their families.

‘76, Elizabeth A. Martin (Holt) of Silver City, NM, passed away on March 2, 2011. She retired from the Silver Consolidated Schools in 1988 after 35 years of teaching. She is survived by three daughters and their families.

‘55, Mary J. Miranda (Swartz) of Las Cruces, NM, passed way on

February 8, 2011. She was a member of the U.S. Women’s Army Corps during the Korean War. She retired from White Sands Missile Range and is survived by her son, two daughters and their families.

‘74, Carleton A. Naiche-Palmer of Mescalero, NM, passed away on December 11, 2010. He is survived by his wife, children, brother, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

‘56, Colita L. Schalbar (Lee) of Clovis, NM, passed away on April 15, 2011. She began her teaching career in Pie Town, NM and finished in Albuquerque at Mark Twain Elementary. She is survived by one son, two daughters and their families.

‘65, Stanley A. Waggoner of Silver City, NM, passed away

on February 20, 2011. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He worked as a teacher and later as a federal mine saftey inspector. He is survived by his wife and two sons and their families.

‘66, Richard Clay Wright of Arizona passed away on

March 15, 2011. After serving in Army Intelligence and for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Clay solidified his career in the insurance industry in underwriting and marketing. Later he taught and managed Ford Schools. He became president of Ford Schools in 1991 and retired in 2006.

Dr. Richard E. Bradfield of Arizona passed away on February 3, 2011. Dr. Bradfield was a professor at WNMU for 29 years, retiring in 2005. He was a sponsor of the Social Science Club and a consummate supporter of the Great Race.

Alvin “Al” Johnson of Silver City, NM, passed away on May

5, 2011. Johnson coached at WNMU from 1949 until 1985. He was inducted into the WNMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

Passages

Friends of WNMU

Donations in the memory of any alum can be sent to the WNMU Foundation. To establish a scholarship or

designate annual donations, please contact

575-538-6310 or [email protected].

WNMU Non-Profit OrganizationOffice of Alumni Affairs U.S. PostagePO Box 680 PAIDSilver City, NM 88062 Silver City, NM 88062 Permit No. 39

www.wnmu.edu/alumni [email protected] 1.800.872.9668 575.538.6675

Remember When?Remember these former students? They are pictured at the

1971 Valentine’s Day Dance. Maybe one of them is you!

Scan this code!Use your smart phone to scan this code and be directed to the Alumni Affairs homepage on the WNMU website.

Documents

WNMU Alumni Bulletin Fall 2011