UNM Recognizes Outstanding Teachers

The Faculty Senate Teaching Enhancement Committee and the Office of Support for Effective Teaching annually honor faculty with campus-wide teaching awards. This year's recipients have been announced.

UNM Architecture Program to Host Beaux-Arts Ball

The University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning hosts the Beaux-Arts Ball, co-sponsored by the American Institute of Architecture Students, on Friday, May 8 from 6-10 p.m. at George Pearl Hall. The event features an exhibition, music and refreshments and is free and open to the public.

Swine Flu and the Media’s Role, New Mexico Horse in the Kentucky Derby, President Obama’s ABQ Visit and more on “New Mexico in Focus”

This week, “New Mexico in Focus” and the panel on “The Line” take a look at the recent furor over the H1N1 virus, also known as the “Swine Flu” and the role the media has taken in adding to the potential overreaction. “New Mexico in Focus,” New Mexico’s weekly one-hour public affair show, will air on Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. on KNME-TV Channel 5/5.1 and repeat on Sunday, May 10 at 6:30 a.m.

UNM Headlines ‘Strive Not To Drive’ Campaign

University a best place to work for ‘alternative commuters’

In a recent announcement, the University of New Mexico has been identified by ABQRide -- the City of Albuquerque’s Transit Department – as one of the best places to work for “alternative commuters,” or those who travel to work using alternative means of transportation.

UNM to Begin Construction of New Parking Structures

The University of New Mexico Parking and Transportation Services department breaks ground on two new parking structures on Wednesday, May 20. The structures will increase parking on UNM’s core campus by 1,000 spaces and are expected to open in August 2010.

Mercer Memorial Tournament Winners Announced

Judith Hendry, lecturer, Communication & Journalism, announced the winners of the 2009 Joe and Steve Mercer Memorial Tournament, held recently. The tournament, began in 2005 from an endowment established by JoAnn Mercer in 2003, was established to provide support for students interested and excelling in public speaking and debate. The top six speakers receive scholarships.

Anderson School Recognized for MBA Diversity

The UNM Anderson School of Management has received national recognition for student diversity in its MBA program. U.S. News and World Report named the Anderson School as one of the top 25 MBA graduate programs for percentage of full-time minority students and full-time female students.

Give Your Career a Boost with Summer Courses at the Anderson School

The Anderson School of Management is offering UNM employees the opportunity to turn their tuition remission into a personal investment. This summer the Anderson Management Development Center is offering two courses aimed at making current managers more successful and giving aspiring managers information they need to succeed.

Scientists Name ‘Diving Beetle’ for Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert

Top 10 new species to be announced May 23

“What has six legs and is way cooler than a spider?” asks a riddle on the cover of a birthday card sent to Stephen Colbert by entomologists Quentin Wheeler at Arizona State University and Kelly Miller at the University of New Mexico. The answer – Agaporomorphus colberti – is a diving beetle from Venezuela named by Wheeler and Miller to honor Colbert, the satirical host and executive producer of Comedy Central’s "The Colbert Report."

Simon Ortiz Among Panelists Discussing Native American Literature at UNM Bookstore

Simon J. Ortiz, a literary giant of the 20th and 21st centuries; Evelina Lucero and others, will take part in a discussion of native writing and Ortiz’s role in the development of cultural studies and Native American literature, on Friday, May 29 at 2 p.m. in the UNM Bookstore.

Photo: Simon Ortiz

Alchemy in Tanzania? Gas Becomes Solid at Surface of Oldoinyo Lengai Volcano

Gas completely “disappears” into the atmosphere at all other volcanoes on Earth

Science has unearthed the secret to what might have been alchemy at Oldoinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania. There in the ancient East African Rift Valley at a place known to the local Massai people as the Mountain of God Oldoinyo Lengai spews forth carbon dioxide-laden lavas called carbonatites. The carbonatites line the volcano’s flanks like snowballs.

Photo: Oldoinyo Lengai volcano with recent carbonatite lava flows (white) on the east side of the cone.

UNM Plans New Recreation Center

A new UNM Student Recreation Center will bring the campus community together; engage students and student life on campus. “The goal of the new rec center is to create and develop an inviting, interactive and vital campus community environment for students,” Eliseo Torres, vice president for Student Affairs, said. “The creation of a new rec center will better meet the needs of ‘today’s student’.”

Honors Seminar Presents Jewish/Palestinian Dialog

UNM senior Michaela Brown is studying psychology and political science. She’s also teaching real world application of her education in an honors seminar this semester. Her students read, “The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace,” by Aaron David Miller. Then, they took on the roles of interested parties – Jews and Palestinians, the League of Arab Nations, and different individuals within the respective governments– to negotiate a peace agreement.

Photo: Michaela Brown, left, is an instructor in an honors seminar in which her sister Maia Brown, right, is a student.

Registration Open for RAD Camps Hosted by Recreational Services

The Recreational Activities Day Camp (RAD Camp) is currently conducting its annual registration for its summers camps. Five sessions, beginning May 27, will be offered this summer. The camps are typically held Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Patricia Santana Honored with Premio Aztlán for Ghosts of El Grullo

The National Latinos Writers Conference and the History & Literary program of the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) have recognized Patricia Santana as the winner of the 2008 Premio Aztlán Literary Prize for her novel, Ghosts of El Grullo. A national literary award established to encourage and reward emerging Chicana and Chicano authors, the Premio Aztlán was founded by renowned author Rudolfo Anaya and his wife Patricia in 1993.

H1N1 ‘Swine Flu’ and UNM

The University of New Mexico has issued a statement recommending students return from Mexico and that groups planning an imminent trip to Mexico suspend plans until further notice due to the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, or swine flu.

Conference to Feature Multiple Perspectives on Cultural Competency for Evaluation Practice Slated

New Mexico Evaluators will present a conference titled, Multiple Perspectives on Cultural Competency for Evaluation Practice on Monday, May 18 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the State Bar of New Mexico. The conference will feature a variety of presenters including UNM’s Anthony Cahill, director, Division of Disability and Health Policy, Center for Development and Disability, UNM School of Medicine.

Animal Symbolism in the Mesoamerican Codex Tradition Symposium Cancelled

The Animal Symbolism in the Mesoamerican Codex Tradition symposium, scheduled for April 30- May 2, HAS BEEN CANCELLED due to concerns surrounding the swine flu epidemic. More information will be posted as details are confirmed.

UNM Students Build Project on Space Launch Scheduled for May 2

Five senior students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department designed and built a small space research platform that will be on board a sub-orbital launch this weekend.

Pasó Por Aquí Series Receives State Historian’s Heritage Preservation Recognition

UNM Press series represents outstanding achievement in New Mexico Heritage Scholarship

On Saturday, May 2, the Cultural Properties Review Committee hosts its annual Heritage Preservation Award Ceremony recognizing the outstanding achievements made by organizations and individuals statewide for their work in heritage preservation. The 2009 State Historian's Award will be given to the Pasó Por Aquí Series of UNM Press.

H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Travel Recommendations

Due to increased risks associated with the H1N1 influenza World Health Organization (WHO) level 5 advisory and the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) travel advisory, the University of New Mexico is immediately suspending all travel to Mexico that is related to University business or programs. This is a precautionary measure against potential exposure to the virus for staff, faculty and students and will remain in effect May 1-May 31, or until further notice. This developing situation will be evaluated continuously and further advisories will be issued as needed.

Anderson School Leads in Educating for Social Responsibility

According to a new survey the UNM Anderson School of Management is one of the top ten business schools in the nation when it comes to the number of courses offered on managing social sector organizations.

Obama’s, N.M. Congressional Delegation’s First 100 Days, ABQ Mayoral Race Update on This Week’s “New Mexico in Focus”

This week, “New Mexico in Focus,” KNME-TV, channel 5’s weekly one-hour public affairs show will take a look at and grade the first 100 days in office for not just President Obama, but also the New Mexico Congressional delegation. “New Mexico in Focus” will air on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. on channel 5/5.1 and repeat on Sunday, May 3 at 6:30 a.m.

ITS and UNM Bookstore Offer Campus-wide Discount on Microsoft Office Software

The ITS Department and the UNM Bookstore offering Microsoft Office to all faculty and staff members for an extremely low price. UNM departments, branch campuses, UNM hospital and Health Sciences can purchase MS Desktop Suite CDs from Software Distribution for $5 apiece, using an index code or purchase requisition.

Anderson School of Management Students Start Successful Businesses

Proceeds donated to local charities

At the beginning of the spring 2009 semester operations and marketing students at UNM’s Anderson School of Management were challenged to do something that over half of all new business owners can’t do - succeed and make a profit. Professor Howard Kraye presented the students in his Management 490 class with the following syllabus instructions: Using only limited financial resources, create a profit-making business that buys raw materials from at least two overseas companies to create a profit making business by the end of the semester.

Parent Workshop Explores “Back-to-School” Options for Adult Learners

Now more than ever education is key. UNM’s Parent Connection Workshop, for adult learners, parents and family members who need to retool, is Wednesday, May 6, from 6-7 p.m. in the Dean of Students’ Conference Room, rm. 290, Student Services Building, main campus.

UNM School of Law Honors Alice King Legacy

Alice King, the former first lady of New Mexico, will be honored for her role in modern New Mexico public policy at a public reception and panel presentation, Thursday, May 21 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the UNM School of Law Forum. King, wife of Gov. Bruce King, died in early December 2008 after suffering a stroke. She worked tirelessly throughout her adult life to improve the lives of New Mexico's children.

Photo: Alice King

“From Bean to Bar: The Sweet Science of Chocolate”

An interactive lecture on chocolate for children and their parents

Where does chocolate come from? Why does some chocolate melt in your mouth but not in your hand? What makes a chocolate bar smooth and creamy? The public is invited to attend a free interactive lecture from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8 in the UNM Continuing Education Auditorium, 1634 University Blvd. NE.

Free Lecture on the Impacts of Building Information Modeling

Charles Eastman will give a free lecture on the Impacts of Building Information Modeling on Design and Construction on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Centennial Engineering Center on the UNM Main Campus. This lecture, sponsored by Brycon Construction, should be of interest to engineering and architecture and planning students as well as the community at large.

University Libraries Hosts Exhibit, Speakers on Peruvian Civil Conflict

University Libraries will host an opening reception for “Yuyanapaq: Para Recordar” (to remember) on May 7, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Herzstein Gallery and 2nd floor lobby of Zimmerman Library. The exhibit will run through June 12, 2009.

PiBBs at UNM Garners Funding from National Institutes of Health

Phase II of successful program set to begin

The Program in Interdisciplinary Biological & Biomedical Sciences or PiBBs, a program at the University of New Mexico developed in the Biology Department, has received a five-year, $970,000 grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to initiate Phase II program development. UNM was one of eight institutions selected to move onto Phase II.

UNM Students to Rock 'N' Run in Undies for Charity

The UNM Collegiate Chapter of the American Marketing Association presents UNM’s first-ever Undie Rock ‘n’ Run on Thursday, May 7 at Johnson Field. The Undie Rock ‘n’ Run is an event where participants shed their clothes and run one mile through main campus in their underwear (or comfortable clothes).

UNM Announces Summer Reading Selection

UNM Provost Suzanne Ortega says “Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream" by acclaimed Los Angeles Times journalist Sam Quinones will be the inaugural work of the Lobo Reading Experience, a summer reading program for UNM Freshmen. Ortega commissioned the development of a freshman reading program at UNM after seeing its positive effects at peer campuses like the University of Missouri and the University of Washington.

Anderson School of Management Hosts Open Meeting of Investment Management Program

The Anderson School of Management will host an open meeting of its Investment Management Program for anyone wishing to learn more about courses that allow students to manage millions of real dollars under the guidance of Anderson faculty members. The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in Anderson’s Jackson Student Center.

Four Finalists Named for UNM-Gallup Executive Director; Campus Visits Set

Four candidates have been selected to interview for executive director of the University of New Mexico-Gallup. All will visit Gallup over the next two weeks to determine which best fits the campus and the community. The candidates are Robert A. Anderson Jr., Sylvia Rodriguez Andrew, Anselm G. Davis Jr. and Homer Garcia.

UNM Press Authors Honored at Zia Award Luncheon

Two UNM Press authors were honored at the Zia Award Luncheon recently as part of the New Mexico Press Women’s Association annual conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

UNM Readies for Swine Influenza

With reports of swine influenza confirmed in several states, the UNM Health Sciences Center and UNM Hospitals are preparing for the potential incidence of the flu here. There are precautions that UNM medical professionals say everyone can take.

UNM College Prep Participants receive Daniels Scholarships

Local high school scholars were surprised recently with news that they were named Daniels Scholars and will have the opportunity to attend any college or university in the nation. Derek Maestas sprung the news on Jose Miranda, Rio Grande High School; Rachel Kindell, West Mesa High School; and Ray Francia, Highland High School. Maestas is a UNM graduate student and director of a college prep program at UNM in which these scholars participate.

Photo: Rachel Kindell and Jose Miranda.

Taos Summer Writers’ Conference Includes 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner

Elizabeth Strout, one of the instructors for UNM’s Taos Summer Writers’ Conference, is the winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her novel in stories, “Olive Kitteridge.” The conference will be held July 12-19 at the Sagebrush Inn.

Harwood Museum Events Feature Dennis Hopper, Douglas Dreishpoon

Participants in a fundraiser for the UNM Harwood Museum of Art in Taos will be treated to star quality. The Artist Reunion Dinner party on Sunday, May 3 celebrates the 40 years of friendship of six important artists of the west coast contemporary art movement featured in the “Hopper at the Harwood” exhibition, May 8-Sept. 20. The exhibit, curated by Dennis Hopper, shows the work of Larry Bell, Ron Cooper, Ronald Davis, Ken Price and Robert Dean Stockwell, as well as Hopper.

Photo: Dennis Hopper

Van Buren Given Robert Wertheim Junior Faculty Research Award

Anderson alum and Chairman of the Board of Charter Companies, an Anderson National Advisory Board member, and a respected community leader Robert Wertheim presented the "Robert Wertheim Junior Faculty Research Award" to Professor Harry Van Buren at a recent faculty meeting. Wertheim called Van Buren's research "outstanding" in presenting the award.

Photo (l. to r.): Robert Wertheim, Shelly Arthur and Harry Van Buren.

University Libraries Honors Employees

University Libraries is honoring employees who have exceeded expectations and demonstrated excellence in their service to students, fellow employees, and the University as a whole. The employees were nominated by other library employees, and then chosen by a committee.

Research Links Brain Chemistry to Creativity

Scientists at the Mind Research Network (MRN) are able to predict aspects of creativity by measuring quantities of certain molecules in the brain. This same technique can be used to predict cognitive function decline in mental illness and brain disease.

Photo: Rex Jung, MRN research scientist and assistant professor, Department of Neurosurgery, UNM

Theatre and Dance Presents Ninth Annual Words Afire Festival of New Plays

The University of New Mexico Department of Theatre and Dance’s award-winning dramatic writing program announced the debut of the New American Plays Initiative, a partnership with the Drama League of New York City. Three young Drama League directors shape the premieres and readings of new plays during the ninth Annual Words Afire Festival, Friday, April 24-Sunday, May 3, in Rodey Theatre and The Experimental Theatre, UNM Center for the Arts, and the Wells Fargo Auditorium at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

UNM Departments Reflect on Successful Inaugural Sustainability Expo

The University of New Mexico recently celebrated Earth Day with an inaugural Sustainability Expo featuring exhibits and information from UNM’s Parking and Transportation Services, the UNM Physical Plant Department, Lobo Energy, the Sustainability Studies’ Lobo Grower’s Market and the City of Albuquerque among other organizations.

Photo: PATS Program Planning Manager Cynthia Martin talks with Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

UNM Convenes Leading N.M. Film, Digital Media Educators, Industry Professionals for High-Level Summit

The University of New Mexico’s new Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media Program presents the first Film and Digital Media Summit and Mini-retreat at the Los Poblanos Cultural Center on Friday, May 1. This invitation-only event brings top New Mexico film and digital media academics, administrators and industry professionals together to brainstorm the future of UNM’s film and digital media curriculum, research, industry and community partnerships and more.

'Explore A Major Fair' to Help Students Decide on Major

Undecided about a major? Need summer or fall work? Come to the "Explore A Major Fair" at the UNM Student Union Building, Ballroom B on April 27 from 12 to 5 p.m. The event is designed to help students make academic and work connections in a one-stop environment.

Anderson School to Host Native American Career Fair

The 3rd Annual Native American Career Fair will take place on Thursday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Jackson Student Center located west of the Anderson School of Management on the UNM Campus.

Comadre A Comadre to Hold Free Educational Class

A free educational Comadre platíca (talk) titled, “How Cancer Affects Hispanic/Latinos: How to Take Better Care of Ourselves,” will be held Saturday, April 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the West Mesa Community Center located at 5500 Glenrio Rd., NW in Albuquerque. Door prizes and refreshments will be available. The Comadre platíca is sponsored by the Comadre A Comadre in the College of Education at the University of New Mexico, the UNM Cancer Center and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Central New Mexico.

Kiva Club to Honor Alumni at Nizhoni Days Pow Wow

UNM’s Kiva Club celebrates Native American Heritage this week with the 54th annual Nizhoni Days. The festivities culminate with the Honoring Our Alumni Pow Wow on Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Johnson Field.

UNM History Ebony Jones Receives Gilder Lehrman Fellowship

Ebony Jones is one of 15 scholars nationwide selected to receive a prestigious scholarship from the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History. As a Gilder Lehrman fellow, Jones will spend five weeks in New York City this summer, where she will meet with prominent historians, conduct archival research, and prepare primary source documents related to President Abraham Lincoln for publication. Jones, a senior at the University of New Mexico, is currently writing a senior honors thesis about enslaved African American women and free labor during the Civil War.

Photo: Ebony Jones

Presidential Interruptions in Latin America Focus of LAII Sponsored Talk

Leiv Marsteintredet, Department of Comparative Politics at Bergen University in Norway, presents, “Presidential Interruptions in Latin America: Social Origins and Implications,” Wednesday, April 29, noon, SUB Lobo B.

Photo: Leiv Marsteintredet

UNM-G Construction Tech Sponsors ‘Green Gallup’ Home and Garden Show

The Green Gallup Home and Garden Show, sponsored by the University of New Mexico-Gallup Construction Technology program, is scheduled for May 1-2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Gurley Hall.

International Careers Focus of Talk

The UNM Office of Student Affairs presents a special reception and talk by Sherry Mueller, president and CEO, National Council for International Visitors and co-author of “Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange and Development,” Tuesday, April 28, at 3 p.m. in Hodgin Hall’s Bobo Room, located on the 3rd floor. Refreshments will be served.

Photo: Sherry Mueller

UNM’s F. Chris Garcia among Senior Silver Horizons’ 2009 Senior Hall of Fame Inductees

F. Chris Garcia, former UNM president and distinguished professor emeritus in political science, is among the Silver Horizons New Mexico, Inc. 2009 Senior Hall of Fame inductees, who will be honored at a luncheon on May 21. The luncheon will be held at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North Hotel and will begin with a silent auction at 10:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and award ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

Photo: F. Chris Garcia

College of Arts & Sciences Names Recipients of Teaching Excellence Awards

Phillip Gonzales, senior associate dean, College of Arts & Sciences, recently announced the recipients of the college’s 2009 Awards for Teaching Excellence. The award is given competitively to college faculty members and graduate teaching assistants who have made contributions to the college's instructional mission.

Photo (l. to r.): 2009 Awards for Teaching Excellence - Margaret Connell-Szasz, professor of history and Mary Domski, assistant professor of philosophy.

UNM Nets 14 N.M. Press Women Awards

UNM brought home 14 prizes from New Mexico Press Women’s 2009 Communications Contest. All first place winners are entered in the National Federation of Press Women contest. In addition, two UNM students received NMPW scholarships.

Traditional Media vs. New Media Among the Topics on This Week’s “New Mexico in Focus”

Can traditional media compete with new media? With the quickening pace of news outlets closing down or reducing staff members, what’s the future of journalism in the United States? On this week’s “New Mexico in Focus” co-host David Alire Garcia sits down with broadcast journalist and author Amy Goodman to discuss the future of the media. “New Mexico in Focus,” KNME-TV’s weekly one-hour news show, will air on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. on channel 5/5.1 and repeat on Sunday, April 26 at 6:30 a.m.

UNM Bookstore Hosts Summer Camp Adventure Children’s Book Fair

The UNM Bookstore’s Annual Children’s Book Fair is set for Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the UNM Bookstore, on Cornell and Central NE. This year’s theme is Summer Camp Adventure and the bookstore will host a number of activities related to those lazy days of summer, friends and fun.

UNM School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education Receives Accreditation with Commendation

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) granted the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Accreditation with Commendation. Only five medical school continuing-education providers in the U.S. received the special designation. Ninety-seven providers have been reviewed under the 2006 ACCME Accreditation Criteria.

University Libraries 2009 Center For Regional Studies Fellows Presentations

University Libraries will host the 2009 Center for Southwest Research and Regional Studies Fellows presentations on April 27, April 30 and May 1 in the Willard Reading Room in Zimmerman Library.