DAILY LOBO new mexico
A day at the Duck Pond see page 2
summer
June 6-12, 2011
The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
Local LGBTQ advocate orchestra wins mtvU award survives setbacks Contest recognizes UNM alumnus for cultural impact
by Luke Holmen
news@dailylobo.com The New Mexico Philharmonic seeks to continue the tradition of orchestral music in the state, despite the recent financial failure of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. The NMSO filed Chapter Seven bankruptcy in April, but many of its musicians have reorganized to form the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra. Philharmonic Musicians Representative Carla Lehmeier-Tatum said the failure of the orchestra hurt the local music culture, putting many UNM musicians in difficult financial positions. “There was great concern about the ability to retain the University of New Mexico music faculty with the announcement of the NMSO bankruptcy,” she said. “There were close to a dozen UNM music faculty members who lost jobs with the
see Philharmonic page 3
by Alexandra Swanberg and Chelsea Erven news@dailylobo.com
UNM alumnus David Griffith won mtvU’s new “Top of the Class” award for his work with the LGBTQ student resource center. The award is part of a new program designed to recognize three university students nationwide whose accomplishments extend beyond academics, Carlo DiMarco, mtvU senior vice president of Strategic Partnerships, said in a press release. The award winners each receive $5,000. “As the 2011 school year comes to a close, mtvU is excited to roll out new programming that captures the spirit of today’s college students, recognizing the newsmakers who made an indelible stamp on college culture this year, and students who are on campus inspiring change,” DiMarco said. Debbie Morris, director of UNM Student Activities Center, said she nominated Griffith because he struck her as being both talented and humble. “This person, when you look at his résumé and all the stuff that he’s done,
SINKING FEELING
and there’s never him trying to shine the spotlight on himself,” she said. “He’s quick to give credit to everybody else, and he’s just one of those people you’re like, ‘Wow, this guy’s going to accomplish a lot in his life.’” Griffith is the chair of UNM’s Queer Straight Alliance and was a founding member of the UNM LGBTQ Resource Center, where he continues to work. Griffith said his efforts with the Resource Center have improved the LGBTQ student experience at UNM. “It’s really been student driven, student led,” he said. “But I do like to think that I’ve been one of the leaders of that movement. There definitely has been that rise in visibility, and it’s probably a much better climate for students now than it was two years ago.” Griffith also created the “Out and Ally” pledge for University faculty and staff as an initiative for National Coming Out day, and continues to advocate for LGBTQ rights as a “Safe Zone trainer,” according to the press release. Griffith completed his Bachelor’s Degree in sociology this May, but said he would like to continue supporting the resource center. “I’ve definitely found that it’s kind of become a passion for me, so I’d like to stay involved in this community,” he said.
African refugees adapt to NM Immigrants from sub-Saharan countries find support in each other by José M. Enríquez jenriq01@unm.edu
Dylan Smith / Daily Lobo Amani Martin clutches the leg of his father, Martin Ndayisenga. Ndayisenga hosted the event celebrating the first anniversary of the Association of Burundian Americans in New Mexico on June 4th.
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 115
issue 155
While most of the bickering over immigration stems from U.S/Mexico border issues, people from all over the world, not just Mexico, immigrate to the Land of Enchantment. The Association of Burundian Americans in New Mexico was founded a year ago to help make life easier for immigrants and refugees of Burundian descent trying to make a new life here. “There’s a large concentration coming from sub-Saharan Africa, which would be the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania,” said Rev. Trey Hammond, the minister at La Mesa Presbyterian Church. On June 4, the organization celebrated its first birthday. “Yesterday was great,” Hammond said. “There was dancing and music and food and speeches and this real recognition that they’re here. They’re part of the fabric of Albuquerque life now, and how we figure out … immigration into this society.” La Mesa Church has supported the association in various ways, such as providing financial support, legal advice, tutoring for kids, and a space where communities of refugees can meet. The association is made up of 15 families and was founded by a group
Political pawn
Business professor retires
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Zach Gould / Daily Lobo “Sinking Feeling,” performed and choreographed by Davonna Batt and Melanie Weber, is one of 12 total dances performed June 4 as part of the Wild Dancing West festival.
“If you organize yourself, you’re not depending on charity. You are advocating for your needs, your rights, your place in society. That’s what’s really going on right now with the Burundians.” ~Rev. Trey Hammond of five young men. The organization helps families navigate their new surroundings, have a stable lives in this country and continue celebrating the Burundian culture. Martin Ndayisenga, secretary of the organization, escaped widespread violence in Rwanda to live in a refugee camp called Lukole in Tanzania. He lived there for 11 years, and came to the United States in 2006 with the help of an organization called Catholic Charities. “Living in a refugee camp was too hard,” said Ndayisenga, “We were under government restrictions. We could not work, we could not go out-
side the camp to work for money. If you were a refugee, and you had to stay in the camp all the time.” Ndayisenga’s family is originally from Burundi, but due to ongoing conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu that dates back to the 1960s, his father fled Burundi in 1972. He settled in Rwanda, where conflict between the same two groups made Rwanda an increasingly dangerous place to live throughout the 90s. In 1995, Ndayisenga and his uncle had to flee to Tanzania. Although they’re far from danger,
see Refugees page 3
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