NM Daily Lobo 10 28 2014

Page 1

DAILY LOBO new mexico

The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895

TUESDAY October 28, 2014 | Volume 119 | Issue 50

If passed, state bonds to bring new jobs By Tomas Lujan

Courtesy Illustration / New Mexico Newsport

This year’s election ballot features three General Obligation Bond questions.

Professor honored for early research

Voters will choose whether or not to approve more than $50 million in funding to improve and renovate UNM Main and branch campuses. On the ballot in November are General Obligation Bonds B and C, which if approved, would grant UNM the funding to expand University libraries at all campuses as well as renovate and develop campus facilities like the Farris Engineering Building and Health Sciences Center, respectively. According to the UNM GO Bond website, Bond B asks voters to approve around $11 million to help the state’s libraries update their collections, equipment and data-

bases, $800,000 of which would benefit university libraries at UNM’s main campus. Bond C would allocate $20.5 million to renovate the Farris Engineering Building, $12 million for a design build project at the Health Sciences Center and $6.5 million for similar upgrade and renovation projects at the Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia campuses, according to the website. UNM President Bob Frank said the University is particularly interested in Bond C because it has huge implications for UNM. “The first thing that is most important for everybody to understand about Bond C — no new taxes,” Frank said. “It replaces expiring bonds to help replace our buildings, so if you vote for Bond C,

you get no new taxes, but you support university systems across the state of New Mexico.” Frank said Bond C is really about creating jobs. Engineering and health sciences are among UNM’s top producers of skilled professionals, and expanding the capability of those schools means more job opportunities. According to a report by the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, there is currently a workforce shortage of 3,000 registered nurses, 236 nurse practitioners and 365 physicians. However, with HSC already operating at capacity and a similar story at the Farris Engineering Building, funding from Bond C is

see

Bonds page 2

DELIVERING HOPE OUT ON THE FARM

By Sayyed Shah

A UNM professor has been awarded a Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association for her early career accomplishments in research. Katie Witkiewitz, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and a scientist at the Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions, was recognized for her dedication to advancing the science and treatment of addictive behaviors, as well as services to the field, according to a press release. APA President Nadine Kaslow presented the award to Witkiewitz at a Society of Addiction Psychology conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Out of 60 total recipients, Witkiewitz was one of only two who received honors in two categories: the early career award and substance abuse, according to APA’s website. “My students and colleagues have been critical to my success at UNM. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by highly intelligent and hard-working individuals,” Witkiewitz said. The award is given to scientists at varying levels of their career. She was nominated for the award by leaders in the field of addiction and was selected by a peer committee who reviewed the nominations, according to the website. “Witkiewitz is a trailblazer in the study of addiction. In 2004, she proposed a dynamical systems model of relapse which has since been supported by empirical studies and lauded by clinicians,” the release stated. Witkiewitz has challenged conventions in the analysis of alcohol treatment outcomes by incorporating newer quantitative methodology to better understand mechanisms of behavior change, according to the press release. “Witkiewitz has emerged as an enthusiastic leader, mentor and colleague, with exemplary service

see

Citation page 2

William Aranda / Daily Lobo / @_WilliamAranda

Marina Resh holds a duck near a farm house during the Haunted Barn & Fall Festival fundraiser at Mandy’s Farm in southwest Albuquerque on Oct. 18. Mandy’s Farm provides support to people with disabilities, such as residential, supported employment and day services.

President recognizes doctor, governor By Daniel Montaño

Photo courtesy John Arnold / UNM Health Sciences Center

Dr. Howard Yonas received one of UNM’s Presidential Awards of Distinction, the University announced Sunday. Yonas was instrumental in establishing a telemedicine network for neurosurgeons at UNM Hospital.

UNM President Bob Frank announced Sunday that he will be awarding his 2014 Presidential Awards of Distinction to Neurosurgery Department chair Dr. Howard Yonas and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez Frank will present the awards at UNM’s commencement ceremony in December, he said. This is the award’s second year, and Martinez and Yonas are the third and fourth recipients, respectively. The recipients were selected based on “outstanding career achievement, scholarly excellence, leadership in a profession, noteworthy public service or humanitarian endeavor,”

according to a UNM press release. “This award is about people that do bold and important things,” Frank said. “We’re recognizing both of them for what they’ve done for New Mexico and healthcare in New Mexico. We’re really thrilled that they will both get recognized at graduation in December.” Yonas received the award after establishing and drastically increasing the size of his department, which used to be a sub-department of surgery, providing better healthcare to New Mexicans, Frank said. He also established a telemedicine network that allows neurosurgeons at UNMH to provide critical consultations to patients statewide.

see

Awards page 2


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.