FALL 2015
M A G A Z I N E THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO I ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni Director Karen Abraham Says Goodbye CNN’s Go-To Guy Helping Refugees Help Themselves An Architect Designs For The Soul Lobo Mission To Mars
Digging Deep into Lost Gallina
Contents
Nina Lanza
4 LETTERS 5 ALBUM
8 CAMPUS CONNECTIONS
Keeping current with classmates
7 REACHING NEW HORIZONS
12 READY FOR HIS CLOSE UP
message from UNM President A Robert G. Frank
What’s going on around campus
Poli Sci grad Miguel Marquez is CNN’s go-to guy By Leslie Linthicum
16 SPIRIT OF PLACE
Architect Travis Price designs for the soul By Leslie Linthicum
18 LOBOS IN SPACE
UNM has strong connections to Mars exploration By Leslie Linthicum
On the cover: On the cover: Karen Abraham, retiring after spending 45 years at UNM, the last 28 at the helm of the Alumni Association. Photo: Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
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Mirage was the title of the University of New Mexico yearbook until its final edition in 1978. The title was then adopted by the alumni magazine, which continues to publish vignettes about UNM graduates.
M A G A Z I N E
24 REFLECTIONS ON A CAREER
34 LOBO FOOTBALL Football team hopes to fill stadium
Fall 2015, Volume 35, Number 2
Robert G. Frank, President
Karen Abraham looks back on 45 years in UNM administration By Mary Conrad
32 EXTENDING A HAND
Refugee class changes lives By Leslie Linthicum
By Frank Mercogliano
36 SHELF LIFE
Books by UNM alumni and faculty
38 GLOBAL GREENING
Alum Peter Nardini brings green technology to developing world By Anna Adams
40 ALUMNI OUTLOOK Travel packages and alumni events 41 BIG PLANS A message from Alumni Association
President Ann Rhoades
42 ALUMNI NETWORK
A photo album of Alumni Association events
44 IN MEMORIAM
The University of New Mexico Karen A. Abraham, Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations Leslie Linthicum, Editor Wayne Scheiner & Company, Graphic Design UNM Alumni Association Executive Committee Ann Rhoades ’85 MBA, President James Lewis ’77 MPA, President-Elect Brian S. Colón ’01 JD, Past President Tom Daulton ’77 BS, BBA, Treasurer Members at Large Sandra Begay-Campbell ’87 BSCE Harold Lavender ’69 BA, ’75 JD Rosalyn Nguyen ’03 BBA, ’07 MBA, JD Henry Rivera ’68 BA, ’73 JD Alexis Tappan ’99 BA Executive Director Karen Abraham ’67 BS, ’68 MA, ’71 EdD
Brandon Baca
Mirage is published two times a year by the University of New Mexico Alumni Association for the University’s alumni and friends. Address all correspondence to UNM Alumni Relations Office, MSC 01-1160, 1 University of New Mexico, 87131-0001, or alumni@unm.edu. You may also contact us at (505) 277-5808 or 800-ALUM-UNM (258-6866). Web: unmalumni.com. Facebook: facebook.com/ unmalumni. Twitter: @unmalumni. To comply with the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, UNM provides this publication in alternative formats. If you have special needs and require an auxiliary aid or service, please contact the Alumni Relations Office using the contact information listed above.
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Feedback Our Spring cover story featured Jacqueline Kocer, a National Science Foundation fellow in the Department of Anthropology. Several readers were offended by a description of Kocer’s appearance and took the time to tell us about it. Others weighed in on what they liked about the issue. Whatever you have to say, we want to hear from you. You may send correspondence to mirageeditor@unm.edu or Mirage Editor, UNM Alumni Relations, 1 UNM, MSC01-1160 Albuquerque, NM 87131. Letters may be edited for space.
SPRING 2015
M A G A Z I N E THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO I ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Nutritionist Takes on Big Apple Alum Heads Uphill UNM’s Ebola Connections New Mexico Artist’s Colorful Career The Value of A Diploma
Digging Deep into Lost Gallina
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DOUBLE STANDARD As a fellow anthropologist, I have much appreciation for Jacqueline Kocer’s archaeological research, which you featured in the Spring 2015 issue of Mirage Magazine. However, I find it surprising that even in the 21st century, a (female) researcher’s looks and appearance are not only commented upon in a piece about her research, but are actually juxtaposed with her work—as if a person’s appearance has anything to do with the quality (or nature) of her work. Rhetorical strategies like this contribute to the perception that women’s appearances are an essential part of their existence and, ultimately, to the continued objectification of women and their bodies. I expect higher standards from a publication published by an institution of higher education that prides itself on its commitment to ideals of diversity and support for minorities (as women in academia continue to be). Sincerely, Vanessa Will, PhD Senior Human Research Review Analyst Human Research Protections Office University of New Mexico
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I am writing to express my extreme disappointment at reading the opening paragraphs of your article “Unlocking Ancient Mysteries” in the Spring 2015 issue of Mirage. I looked forward to a field-based piece on a woman PhD student, having finished UNM as a field-based geologist. Imagine my dismay to spend two paragraphs-worth of reading about Ms. Kocer’s looks before knowing the important contributions she is making and has made to her field. I challenge Mirage to find a single article that describes the looks of a male scientist (outside of the context of his work; lab coat etc.) in any other article. I expect such subtle discrimination in normal media outlets, but for a university to not recognize the offense and outright harm that such casual, seemingly positive statements can provoke in young women is outrageous. Martha-Cary Eppes PhD Earth and Planetary Sciences, UNM 2002
Look for a friend on every page! Send your alumni news to Mirage Editor, The University of New Mexico Alumni Association, MSC 01-1160, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001. Or better yet, email your news to mwolfe@unm.edu. Please include your middle name or initial! Deadlines: Spring deadline: January 1; Fall deadline: June 1
SOCIAL ESCALATOR I enjoyed reading the “Dollars and Sense” article in the recent Mirage magazine. Nice balance, and I thought it brought out some relevant benefits of having a college degree that often are overlooked or ignored in similar articles. The way our local high school principal put it, “Education is the last, great social escalator.” I’d previously never looked at it this way; but I think he’s right. Also, UNM has a great nursing program, from which my wife graduated years ago. If financial gain is paramount, a graduating nurse used to be able to earn a six-figure income directly out of college (if she wanted to work the less-desirable shifts) and nursing is a quite portable career. Again, really fine article. Regards, Jeff Stewart Univ. of Calif., Berkeley, ’69
1940s Carol W. Sallee (‘44 BBA, ‘51 MBA), Albuquerque, was inducted into the Anderson Hall of Fame as the first woman to earn a degree from the UNM business school.
1950s
Carol W. Sallee
Fran Cassidy (‘50 BA), Tabernash, Colo., has published two books of short stories, “A Kaleidoscope of Short Stories” and “Twice Told Tales from Tabernash.” He is a watercolorist with his paintings represented in many galleries. Jack E. Golsen (‘50 BS), Oklahoma City, is executive chairman of the board of directors of LSB Industries, a manufacturer of chemical products for agricultural, mining and industrial markets. David F. Romero (‘50 BSCE), San Luis Obispo, Calif., was named Citizen of the Year by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for his 52 years of service, including 16 years on the City Council and eight years as mayor. Frank E. McCulloch (‘53 BS), Albuquerque, was featured at a New Mexico Highlands University exhibition showcase titled “Frank McCulloch 50-Year Retrospective: The Abstract Years.” His “Rio Chama” is featured on UNM’s 2015 Homecoming poster.
THANKS! Thank you! The new Spring 2015 issue of Mirage is really wonderful! I loved the range of articles and the variety of people covered, from Dave Hammack on the mountain to Jacqueline Kocer digging in the dirt, to Joanie Weissman covering the floors of New Mexico. The photos are terrific, especially the full-page color portraits. The writing is engaging and I really liked the layout. Thanks for an issue that inspires pride in the varied and important work that New Mexico alums are doing. I look forward to future issues. Sincerely, Enid Howarth, PhD ’67
1960s Nasario Garcia, Jr. (‘62 BA, ‘63 MA), Santa Fe, N.M., received the Historical Society of New Mexico’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also published his 23rd book, “Hoe, Heaven, and Hell: My Boyhood in Rural New Mexico.” Marcela J. Sandoval (‘62 BSED, ‘79 MA), Albuquerque, is the president of the Hispanic Women’s Council and is chair of the council’s Latino Education task force.
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“ I am convinced—the doctors and nurses here saved Carla’s life.” — Doug and Carla K. UNM SRMC patients
“My wife, Carla, had been in terrible abdominal pain for months. We had seen several doctors back home in Alamogordo but no one could identify the problem — until we came to UNM Sandoval Regional. They diagnosed the problem and began treatment that same day. Learn more about our story at UNMHSLifeStories.org.”
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Reaching New Horizons Dear Fellow Alumni:
O
ne of UNM’s many attributes that keeps our institution advancing is our drive to push boundaries in the fields that we touch, especially higher education. It goes without saying that this “don’t stop achieving” attitude is ever present in our alumni. When we talk about reaching new horizons, one great example is the work that has connected UNM to exploration beyond our own planet. Our students and faculty have long been involved in space exploration with projects like our Mars Rover partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory. In March, I met with a remarkable alumnus, Zachary Gallegos (BS ’10), whose curiosity and tenacity have led him to be among 100 candidates to colonize the Red Planet. What struck me the most about this young man was his excitement for discovering new frontiers. I know that Zach is one of many Lobo alums who are thrilled by the prospect of doing something that has never been done, and achieving something that was previously thought impossible. Closer to home, Robert DelCampo (’99 BUS, ’00 MBA) was announced in February as the first director of the Innovation Academy—the academic component of Innovate ABQ, which will undoubtedly lead New Mexico to new levels of success. Robert is another excellent example of a Lobo alum tackling uncharted territory and paving the way for entrepreneurial students to study at a leading institution. As you read some of the outstanding stories in this magazine, including one about Zach and other alums and faculty leading research on Mars, remember that these successes are shared here because we are all a part of one exceptional family. We can all share pride for what fellow Lobos are accomplishing. And remember to share your adventures with all of us.
Kind regards,
Robert G. Frank ’74 BS, ’77 MA, ’79 PhD President, The University of New Mexico
Charles M. Atkinson (‘63 BFA), Arts and Humanities distinguished professor of music and university distinguished professor at The Ohio State University, was awarded the Charles Homer Haskins Medal of the Medieval Academy Charles M. Atkinson of America at the academy’s meeting last March. He received the award for his book, “The Critical Nexus: Tone-System, Mode, and Notation in Early Medieval Music,” which was published by Oxford University Press. Darlene Kerstetter Morris (‘63 BA), Camp Hill, Pa., has published an exhibition catalogue, “Masterworks Renaissance, Baroque and Early Modern Prints and Drawings from the Darlene K. Morris Collection.” J. Ernest Simpson (‘63 BS, ‘67 PhD), Claremont, Calif., has retired after 55 years of refereeing high school basketball. He taught chemistry at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, from 1968 to 2008. Thomas E. Baca (‘64 BA), College Station, Texas, has published the book, “In the Beginning Did God Create Man or Did Man Create God?” Carlos E. Cortés (‘65 MA, ‘69 PhD) has published “Multicultural America: A Multimedia Encyclopedia” in four volumes. Victoria F. Dickinson (‘67 BAR, ‘69 MA), Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is among the country’s top Charles E. Cortés U.S. Masters Swimming swimmers and swam in the Masters Spring National Championships in San Antonio. Maneck N. Bhujwala (‘68 MSEE) is a retired engineer currently serving as a board member of the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council, the South Coast Interfaith Council and the North American Interfaith Network. Joel A. Glassman (‘68 BS), Los Angeles, is an artist with work in the permanent collections of the Getty Research Institute, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian, Boston Museum of Fine Arts and many others. The Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena, Calif., exhibited his early work in a show titled “Joel Glassman: Humdrum Poetry.” Steven F. Havill (‘69 BA, ‘83 MA), Datil, N.M., has written “Blood Sweep,” a Posadas County mystery and action novel. It was published by Poisoned Pen Press.
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Campus Connections Innocence projects in and out of law schools have been freeing the wrongly convicted for more than 20 years, but the UNM program is the only one of its kind in New Mexico. And Rahn thinks it stands apart from some of the nearly 60 programs currently operating throughout the country. “What separates us from the rest is the depth of investigation,” he says. Last year, for example, seven students enrolled in the class and each devoted the entire year to one case. This fall, 10 students will handle 10 cases. Since the seminar began in 2011, 73 students have investigated 80 cases.
UNM School of Law Innocence and Justice Project Professor Gordon Rahn and Adjunct Professor Molly Schmidt-Nowara (standing) with some of the students who took the class in 2014-2015. Seated, left to right: Sophie Asher, Mesa Lindgren, Emily Finsterwald, Hadley Brown, John Mitchell and Cory McDowell.
REAL-LIFE CSI Students who take the year-long Innocence and Justice Seminar at the University of New Mexico School of Law get hands-on experience analyzing criminal cases for errors— and their coursework has possible real-life consequences. Students are assigned a prison inmate who insists he or she is innocent and whose case has some of the red flags signaling possible wrongful conviction—eyewitness testimony, questionable scientific evidence, co-defendants who took plea deals. Students then dig in, building a case file from police reports, criminalistics
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data, witness statements, crime scene photos and court records. Gordon Rahn, a research professor and director of UNM’s Innocence and Justice Project, encourages students to learn their cases thoroughly so they can spend the year retracing the investigation with an eye toward uncovering new evidence that might exonerate their clients. “The primary goal is to identify somebody who may be innocent and has been wrongly convicted,” says Rahn, who ran a similar program in Kentucky before coming to UNM. “Our secondary goal is giving the students practical experience.”
While the program has yet to spur exoneration and see an innocent person released from the penitentiary, Rahn says it has identified potential factual problems in several cases. In one, a double homicide from the 1980s, the student was able to find two pieces of evidence to submit to modern DNA testing. The client was eliminated as a source of one piece of evidence and the test on the second piece was inconclusive. Operating with a Department of Justice grant, the project limits its potential clients to prison inmates in New Mexico serving time for homicide, rape or both. In addition to investigative legwork, students attend seminars focused on how to conduct an investigation and how to spot the most common causes of wrongful convictions. Once the students have run down all the evidence in their cases, Rahn accompanies them to prison. “We
William Jones (‘69 BS), Albuquerque, was named Optometrist of the Year for 20152016 by the New Mexico Optometric Association.
go to the prison and the student interviews the client,” he says.
1970s William A. Cain (‘70 William Jones BAED, ‘78 MMGT), Colorado Springs, Colo., is regional vice president and chancellor of Colorado Technical University’s Colorado Springs and Denver campuses.
While many law students who sign up for the seminar aim for jobs as prosecutors or defense attorneys, Rahn says some have aspired to careers in patent or intellectual property law. “This is not just about being a district attorney or a defense lawyer,” he says. “This is about being a stakeholder in the criminal justice system and helping to make sure justice is served.” After all, he notes, “If someone is in prison who did not commit that homicide, that means the person who did is free.”
HOT TOPIC A University of New Mexico scientist was part of a research team that recently discovered a huge magma reservoir under Yellowstone National Park—and the discovery was explosive news.
Joseph D. Little (‘71 BA ‘75 JD) is chief tribal judge for the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Brandon Schmandt in the field.
While Assistant Professor Brandon Schmandt and the rest of the team were all engaged in serious science, news of the gigantic and hot magma chamber went viral and fed a recurring doomsday meme—that the park could blow at any minute and create a modern-day Pompeii. Their article published in the prestigious journal Science in April didn’t predict any incipient activity at the Yellowstone supervolcano, which last erupted about 70,000 years ago.
Gregory R. Montgomery (‘72 BUS), Albany, N.Y., is the subject of a special exhibit entitled, “Greg Montgomery: 30 years of the Travers,” on display through 2015 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. His series of Travers Stakes posters is the longest continuing series of art featuring a single event by a single artist in racing history. Montgomery has worked as an art director for General Electric and Capital Region magazine, as well as design editor for the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union. Samuel L. Baca (‘72 BBA) is an expert in forensic accounting and president of Baca and Redwine, CPA, an Albuquerque firm. He was inducted into the Anderson Hall of Fame. Greg L. Foltz (‘73 BBA), Albuquerque, is vice-chairman of the New Mexico Real Estate Commission. Herbert J. Hammond (‘73 BS), Dallas, an attorney with Thompson & Knight LLP, has been Greg L. Foltz named by 2015 Chambers USA as a leader in his field. The firm specializes in the energy industry. Larry W. Greenly (‘74 MA, ‘78 MS) was included in the American Library Association’s Booklist magazine’s Top 10 Multicultural Books for Youth in 2014 for his biography, “Eugene Bullard: World’s First Black Fighter Pilot.” Len R. Kravitz (‘74 BAR ‘94 PhD), Albuquerque, is a UNM exercise science professor looking at longevity and how to put “healthspan” before lifespan.
The Yellowstone hot springs. (Credit: Robert B. Smith, University of Utah)
Elaine D. Solimon (‘74 BUS, ‘76 MA), Albuquerque, former executive director of ARCA, was awarded the PNM/Ackerman Award for Individual Excellence in Ethical Business Practice at the New Mexico Ethics in Business awards dinner.
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Campus Connections But it did reveal that any Yellowstone eruption would be much larger than earlier imagined.
largest water reservoir. That paper was also published in Science.
Using seismic technology, the team was able to create a newer, more accurate map of the geothermal structure under the Wyoming park. Their new map reveals a large reservoir of hot rock beneath a smaller, already-documented magma chamber. The deeper chamber is sandwiched between the shallower chamber and the plume of magma deep in the Earth’s mantle, essentially connecting them.
GET OUT IN FOUR YEARS, SAVE BIG
$50,000 to more than $90,000 because students on a six-year schedule take many more non-required courses.
“It encourages students to graduate sooner and get into the workforce faster,” Regent Rob Doughty said. “I UNM has a new tuition structure that think it will also be a good marketing rewards students who graduate in four tool for UNM to recruit students and years. Along with a 3 percent hike in increase enrollment, too.” tuition that took effect for the 2015 The board also unanimously 2016 academic year, UNM’s Board of approved a 4.6 percent increase in Regents approved an incentive of free fees to pay for programs and initiatives tuition for a student’s eighth semester supported by students. Along with the if the student completes the degree increase in tuition, students this fall are within four years. paying an extra $217 for 15 credit hours. “We’re confident that this approach “In the past we’ve had strong evidence of a shallow magma chamber is one of the most comprehensive OH, MUCK financial incentive packages in the at about 5-to-15-kilometer depth country offered by a public flagship and hot upper mantle at greater than Every two years in the early spring, 60-kilometer depth, but there was a big university,” President Robert G. members of UNM’s Physical Plant gap in our understanding of how melts Frank said. “Starting with the Bridge Department put on their rubber boots, from the mantle make their way upward scholarship for incoming freshmen, get out their pumps and begin the through the lithosphere (tectonic plate) complimented by the Legislative process of emptying and cleaning the Lottery Scholarship and UNM’s financial beloved Duck Pond. of North America,” said Schmandt, a aid packages and ending with a fourseismologist in the Department of year graduation incentive of a free final And every two years we are Earth & Planetary Sciences. reminded of an elementary equation: semester, it makes UNM’s degree a The new magma chamber is more A large pond + College students = A tremendous value for our students.” than four times larger than the one weird compulsion to drop stuff in the With a budget shortfall of $3.6 above it and that gives a new picture million predicted, along with flat of just how catastrophic a Yellowstone eruption would be. While the previously enrollment projections, it might seem counterintuitive to give away free known chamber contains enough lava semesters. But the university also to fill the Grand Canyon 2.5 times, this has an incentive to offer students new chamber would fill it 11.2 times. encouragement to graduate early. A year ago, Schmandt, working Only 17 percent of UNM’s students with a geophysicist at Northwestern graduate in four years and it is much University, found deep pockets of more costly for UNM to educate a magma located about 400 miles student who graduates after six years beneath North America, leading them rather than on the traditional four-year to speculate that water bound up in schedule. Provost Chaouki Abdallah the molecular structure of the rock’s The pond, clean and ready for another has said the cost balloons from around two years, is a focal point of campus. minerals could amount to the planet’s
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Duck Pond. They captured 300 fish (the largest was 28 inches long and weighed 24 pounds), 30 turtles, eight domestic ducks and 10 crawfish. The wild ducks from whence the Duck Pond gets its name, took off during the cleaning and returned once the ponds were clean and full again. Of the 300 or so fish pulled out of the pond this year, this was the whopper, at 24 pounds.
water. The pond, built in 1975 on what had been a parking lot, has been a magnet for cast-offs and accidental drops ever since.
Think back to your days on campus. What did you drop in the Duck Pond?
BYOB TO CAMPUS (OF WATER, THAT IS) Staying hydrated often has enormous economic and environmental consequences.
As they lowered the water level and began scraping this year, what came out?
That bottle of water you buy costs anywhere from 1,500 to 2,400 times as much as tap water. Some 54 billion barrels of oil are used in the United Six cell phones, seven Frisbees, States to produce and transport plastic three radios, 15 pairs of sunglasses, 30 cans, 70 bottles, two sets of car keys bottles. And seven out of 10 plastic water bottles end up in the garbage. (one with a remote), two chairs, two golf balls, three bicycle locks, three No wonder colleges across the pairs of underwear, six socks (no pairs), nation are phasing out plastic water six shoes (no pairs), seven balls and bottles on their campuses and two collars. Workers fished out one encouraging reusable bottles that can of each of the following items: Coffee be filled at clean water stations. cup, helicopter, bike tire, bike seat, At UNM, Lobo BYOB (Bring Your fishing pole, Slinky. And they scooped Own Bottle) partnered with Food and numerous big red Solo cups, plastic Water Watch’s “Take Back the Tap” bags, food wrappers, plastic forks initiative, asking students, faculty and spoons. and staff to compete in a nationwide Also collected were 50,000 gallons of organic sludge and truckloads of twigs, leaves and other organic debris. In the course of the cleaning, 450,000 gallons of water were pumped to the lawns at Zimmerman and Scholes Hall and around the
contest to win funding to install more water filtration stations on campus. Student Gabriel Saenz, a member of UNM BYOB, roamed campus in the spring dressed in a dolphin costume to drum up encouragement to text in votes.
Dominic J. Salerno (‘75 BA), San Diego, is a veteran airline pilot who has flown the B727, DC-10 and B757. He recently checked out as captain in the widebody B767 aircraft at FedEx Express. Scott H. Reitz (‘76 BA), Los Dominic J. Salerno Angeles, is the lead firearms and tactics instructor for International Tactical Training Seminars. R. Paul Harris (‘77 BA Arch), Oak Hill, Va., has completed a photography project titled “The Sesquicentennial Photographic Project 20112015,” documenting the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The project raised funds to preserve historic battlefield sites. Lee Seth Scham (‘77 MA) is a retired attorney living in Houston, Texas. John I. Allen (‘77 MD), New Haven, Conn., is the clinical chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Yale Medical Group and professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Albert A. Hale (‘77 JD), St. Michaels, Ariz., is an Arizona State Representative for District 7. He sponsored legislation signed by the governor to codify recent action by the Arizona Department of Health Services to make it easier for Native Americans to obtain a delayed birth certificate in the state. Bobby E. Keogh (‘77 BSED), Tijeras, N.M., is an ultra long-distance runner, often running 86 miles in a day while competing in events across the United States. Thomas W. Swetnam (‘77 BS), Tucson, Ariz., is known for historical reconstruction of fire history in forests from the Southwest to Siberia. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. E. Diane Torres-Velasquez (‘77 BSED, ‘82 MA, ‘88 PhD), Albuquerque, is a professor of education at UNM and chair of the Latino education task force and vice president of the Hispanic Women’s Council. Larry D. Borgeson (‘79, BAFA, ‘81 MA), Kelly K. Borgeson (‘79 BAFA, ‘83 MA), Rio Rancho, N.M., are owners of Rockefeller’s Cleaning and Restoration Co., a family business employing 60 people. John A. Coons (‘79 MARCH), Irvine, Calif., has joined AECOM’s architecture practice as managing principal for the Southern California district.
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Photo: Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
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On The Air Miguel Marquez goes where the story is - By Leslie Linthicum -
M
iguel Marquez packed his bag for Baltimore the way he often does for a CNN assignment: “Four shirts, four pants, four pairs of socks, four underwear.” Marquez is a national correspondent for the cable news network and his Twitter profile gives his location as “NYC, but mostly the road.” When he gets the call to fly off to cover a breaking story, Marquez expects to be gone for two to three days but plans for extra, just in case. But when he and his crew, a producer and cameraman, got to Baltimore in late April to cover the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, Marquez found a story that just wouldn’t quit. As Baltimore erupted in peaceful protests, then violence, looting and arson, Marquez, a 1991 UNM political science graduate, became a nonstop, on-air chronicler of the chaos. He stayed in Baltimore for 16 days and, in one marathon live shot, he was on the air for 10 hours straight. Marquez, a former war correspondent, essentially became embedded in Baltimore. He even had to run out and buy a suit when his changes of clothes ran thin. Over the course of the story, Marquez toured the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood where Gray lived and died and brought on-the-street interviews with angry and frustrated Baltimoreans— mostly poor and African-American—to a global audience. On one especially tense day, an angry protester grabbed Marquez’ microphone
Steven W. Keene (‘79 BA, ‘81 MBA) is the managing partner of the Albuquerque office of Moss Adams, LLP and was inducted into the Anderson Hall of Fame. John T. Sandager (‘79 JD), Albuquerque, is the managing partner of Westward Energy, LLC and is responsible for all legal, financial and administrative oversight and operations. Sandager was the founder and CEO of Santa Fe Trust. Brian D. Taylor (‘79 MFA), Monte Sereno, Calif., is a professor of Art and Design at San José State University and a photographer whose work has been extensively exhibited, published and collected.
and unleashed a series of F-bombs on live TV. Two days later, Marquez was on the air with the same protester, accepting his apology, discussing the high level 1980s of emotion in the neighborhood and Jay P. Jolly Lynn Haynes (‘80 BSN, ‘98 MS) talking about peace. They also took some received a New Mexico Nursing Award for Excellence in Community Service. She is the grinning selfies. administrative director of the Cancer Center By the time Marquez left Baltimore at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces. in early May, he had become a de facto Greek chorus for the longstanding social Kim E. Hedrick (‘80 BS, ‘97 MEMBA), Corrales, N.M., is chief operations officer for Molina ills of the city. And he had raised his Healthcare of New Mexico. profile as a live reporter who can keep his Christine M. Mermier (‘80 BUS, ‘89 MS, ‘03 PhD), cool in a conflict zone. Nicholas P. Gannon (‘14 BS), and Christina N. Trujillo (‘10 BS, ‘15 MD), collaborated on a study It’s just the thing the Santa Rosa, involving the protein irisin and exercise, which N.M., native lives for. showed an association between exercise and “I love telling stories,” Marquez said improved cancer rates. as he visited the UNM campus this Marc Seidman (‘80 BUS), Bethesda, Md., is the summer. “I love digging in. I love vice president of global accounts for Hospitality knowing everything.” Performance Network Global, an international site selection and meeting procurement company. Marquez was on a rare hiatus from Cora B. Harms (’81 BME, ‘94 MMU), Cerrillos, chasing the news, stopping off in N.M., was the guest conductor for the spring Albuquerque for some red and green season of the Sangre de Cristo Chorale. chile at El Patio while on his way home to Santa Rosa to deliver the commencement Vangie Samora (‘81 BAR, ‘90 MPA), Albuquerque, is the secretary of the Hispanic Women’s Council. address to the graduating seniors of Santa Marianne R. Kugler (‘82 MA), Goleta, Calif. Rosa High School—all 34 of them. is president of the board of the Santa Barbara Marquez, who has family roots in Community College District Board of Trustees. Santa Fe, Española, Anton Chico and Paul R. Nielsen (‘82 MMU), Albuquerque, is Las Vegas, grew up in the small eastern president of Guitar New Mexico. New Mexico city. His dad owned a local Audie E. Hittle (‘83 BSEE), Tyngsboro, Mass., is grocery—The Square Deal. Marquez federal chief technology officer, Isilon Storage Division, for EMC Corporation. His responsibilities hunted, fished and built tree forts along span defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. the Pecos River. Wade H. Wilson (‘83 BAEPD), Houston, “I tell people I’m of New Mexico, not established Wade Wilson Art in 2006 to bring work from New Mexico,” he says. of the highest caliber from artists in national and Marquez, now 47, treasures his small- international contemporary art circles to Houston. town, rural upbringing, but wonders how Jerry A. Armijo (‘84 JD) is serving his third it produced such a gregarious, inquisitive, consecutive term on the Board of Regents of New Mexico Tech in Socorro, N.M. driven globetrotter.
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Marquez, in action on the streets of Baltimore and visiting Hodgin Hall. Photos: Courtesy CNN and Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
“I scratch my head at this because I’m from a very small town. It makes no sense,” Marquez says. But, “I always was interested in the world, in United States government, in politics, generally. Why people did things. Why things happened. Just a natural curiosity.” He finished his last year of high school at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell and stayed an extra two years there to get an associate’s degree, despite being disciplined twice for drinking. Marquez arrived on the UNM campus as a junior and dived into the political science curriculum. After he graduated, he headed for the heart of political power: Washington, D.C. He had no plans beyond making some money as a bartender, but Marquez says, “That’s where a mad political scientist goes.” As luck would have it, Professor Gil St. Clair arranged an introduction for Marquez with someone at the Congressional Research Service. Marquez got a job there as a researcher, which led to a staff job with then-U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson and soon Marquez was helping to organize the New Mexico congressman’s foreign trips, answering questions from reporters and even
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traveling with Richardson to North Korea on a diplomatic mission. “It built my confidence in a huge way,” Marquez says, “and showed me that I could function in that world.” His dealings with news reporters sparked an interest in reporting and he spent two years getting a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs with the goal of becoming a foreign correspondent. In New York, he met the news director of WNBC, who saw a young, attractive Latino and gave him an on-air shot even though he had no experience. “That was a bust,” Marquez says. “I was awful.” He went to the Fox station in Phoenix to get some practice under a smaller spotlight and eventually moved to CNN in Atlanta, then ABC in London. For the past three years, he has been a roving national correspondent for CNN. Over the course of his foreign career he covered the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the Arab Spring. “I was a kid in a candy store,” he says, “wanting to do more and more and more.” In Bahrain in 2011, he was attacked by government police and beaten with billy
clubs while covering anti-government protests. Marquez, who was sending a feed to ABC News radio, stayed on the line during the nearly four-minute attack, yelling, “No, no, no! Journalist! Journalist!” But Marquez is not a thrill seeker. “Nothing scares me more than a mob. It’s just chaos and you don’t know when it’s going to turn against you,” Marquez says. “In a war at least you know who the good guys are and the bad guys are.” But he found himself caught up in the rush of reporting from conflict zones. “It was intense. I can see how people get addicted to it and I could feel myself getting addicted to it. The more you do that stuff, the more you want to do that stuff.” Instead, Marquez decided to come back to the U.S. and to CNN, where the appetite for news is insatiable. Increasingly, he is the face and voice of conflicts, oddities and natural disasters east of the Mississippi. In 2015 alone he has chased major blizzards up and down the East Coast, reported from Norman on the University of Oklahoma racist fraternity chant scandal, covered a deadly explosion in New York’s East Village and a plane
Nicholas J. Bahr (‘84 BSME), McLean, Va., is a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton responsible for the firm’s civil government infrastructure business in the Middle East and North Africa. Leslie A. Brown (‘84 MA), Temecula, Calif., juried the Redlands Art Association’s 46th annual MultiMedia Mini Show of 100 works measuring 14 ½ inches or less. Mike A. Hamman (‘84 BSCE), Albuquerque, is the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District’s CEO and chief engineer. Joseph O. Quintana (‘84 BBA), Albuquerque, was promoted to captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve following a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
On the set with anchor Wolf Blitzer during the 2012 presidential election.
crash at LaGuardia. He also covered pot legalization in the District of Columbia and reported from Indiana on controversy over that state’s “religious freedom act.” “In the last month,” Marquez confides, “I have slept one night in my bed.” The frenetic pace doesn’t leave much time for a life outside of work, but Marquez finds time to ride his bike in New York and lend a hand to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association. Marquez, who came out professionally as a gay journalist when he was working in Phoenix in the early 2000s, has become a bit of a gay celebrity. He made Boy Culture’s list of 50 “superhot hosts, newsmen and presenters” (along with Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo) and he was ranked No. 5 by the website “Dude, You Are So Hot” on its list of hunky newsmen. Marquez accepts his sex-symbol attention graciously. “It’s great,” he says. “People have sent nice messages and marriage proposals. It’s really sweet.”
He’s seen no downside to sharing that aspect of his life publicly and many upsides, including being told by younger gay reporters that he has been a role model for them. And, he says, “As a reporter I just feel you owe it to your viewers. You can’t very well get to truth and justice if you can’t face your own truth.” He is currently single and attributes that, in part, to the nature of his career. “It’s not a very good job for forming a relationship,” Marquez says. “I wish I could have a normal life, but I’ve sort of accepted that I don’t—and I have a really exciting life.” Marquez relishes being allowed into story subjects’ lives, be it on the streets of Baltimore or in an Eskimo fishing village in Alaska or an elders council in Afghanistan. “What a treat to be able to see their life and for them to lift the curtains on their life and show you everything.” It’s a good life for a gregarious person who is curious about the world and thrives on adrenaline. “I love a good chase,” Marquez says. “I love what I do. And as I get older I find that I love it more.” ❂
Leslie L. Small (‘84 BS, ‘85 AASCP), Albuquerque, is chief operations officer of Bohannan Huston, Inc.
Joseph O. Quintana
Carlo A. Lucero (‘85 BA, ‘86 MBA), Albuquerque, is president of Sparkle Maintenance, Inc., the largest contract cleaning service headquartered in New Mexico. He is a founding member of New Mexico Connections Academy, a statewide virtual charter school with more than 800 students. Richard Morales (‘85 BSCE), Alpharetta, Ga., is director of engineering at LB Foster Piling and was named the “2015 Georgia Engineer of the Year for Industry.” Virginia Olcott (‘85 BA), Santa Fe, N.M., owns Olcott Appraisal, Inc. and has been appointed to the New Mexico Real Estate Appraisers Board. Chris Schueler (‘85 MA), Albuquerque, is president and CEO of Christopher Productions and has received 20 Emmy Awards for his work. His latest documentary is “Everyone’s Business: Protecting Our Children,” which concludes that child abuse is 100-percent preventable. Edward Tafoya (‘85 BA, ‘92 MA) is the author of “Finding the Buddha,” published by Pen-L Publishing. The novel is set in Albuquerque and chronicles the exploits of a mysterious comedian. Tafoya is a professor at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. Barbara A. Lewis (‘86 BSEE), Albuquerque, is the head of the audit department and quality control at Atkinson & Co. Paul W. Fonken (‘87 MD), Estes Park, Colo., is chief of staff of the Estes Park Medical Center. (continued on page 25)
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Photos: Ken Wyner
Spirit of Place Travis Price
Architecture grad designs for the soul
He is hiking near Pueblo Bonito one cold day and sits to watch as the sun moves across the adobe walls of the Anasazi ruin. rchitect Travis Price can talk for He notices that the snow melts much hours about myth, creation stories faster on the curved south face than it and the role of cultural touchstones in does on the north side or on any southern where and how we live. surface that isn’t curved. When he looks at his own life and For a class at UNM he surveys 31 career, he finds an important creation story prehistoric pueblos. All but two are in the high desert of New Mexico. built in C-shaped formations oriented It is the early 1970s and Price, a Georgia to the south. native, has come west to study philosophy Hmmm. at St. John’s College in Santa Fe. He is “A curved surface is reflective,” Price drawn into the master’s program in UNM’s says today. “If you take a sheet of metal and architecture school, which is buzzing with curve it, it will focus higher temperatures new ideas about alternative energy and inside the curve.” experimental design. Price, who was working with a group Price finds peace in Chaco Canyon, of alternative energy radicals in where he goes to camp and hike and Albuquerque while attending UNM, think about Jung, Plato and the other began to think about focusing and philosophers who are deepening his collecting that energy in buildings to understanding of design. keep heating costs down. - By Leslie Linthicum -
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“At Chaco,” he says, “everything came together.” His master’s thesis in 1975, which he simply called “Barranca,” envisioned a village of 200 adobe homes designed much like the ruins at Chaco Canyon, except with expanses of glass to collect and focus all that sunlight into heat and adobe mass to store it. He called the design “passive solar.” Another UNM architecture graduate —Edward Mazria (’77 ARCH)—would go on to write the book on what would become a household term for living spaces that work with the sun and the seasons to capture the sun’s energy. “The Passive Solar Energy Handbook,” published in 1979, is still considered a classic. But Price didn’t think too much of the term at the time. “It’s just descriptive of what happens,” he explains. “The word ‘passive’ just came out of my mouth.”
Price, now 66, lives and works in Washington, D.C., far from the natural landscape of Chaco Canyon. But he finds himself closer than ever to the belief that architects and designers have a lot to learn from ancient cultures and the natural world. In addition to running his own architecture firm, Travis Price Architects since 1980, Price is also 20 years into a groundbreaking design-build program at The Catholic University’s School of Architecture and Planning, where he is an adjunct professor. “Spirit of Place/Spirit of Design” matches Price’s students with a client somewhere in the world. Each project begins with a proposed function and a deep look into the natural landscape and the cultural traditions of the place. After the students work out the design, Price travels with them to the site and, with an audacious nine-day deadline, they build the structure. Students have constructed a sweat lodge on South Trail Island in Vancouver, British Columbia; a floating house on the Amazon in Peru; a meditation temple outside of Kathmandu, Nepal; a stargazing temple at Machu Picchu and a number of shrines and chapels in remote parts of Ireland. Many of the installations have won American Institute of Architects design awards. While every new building that is constructed need not be as integrated into the landscape and deeply meaningful as “The Sea of Souls,” a rock and water shrine to Magar ancestors in Nepal—the students’ 2011 project—Price believes every house, office or retail outlet can shoot for that ideal. If clients and designers don’t, Price believes they are contributing to a deadening of the spirit. One of the chapters in an anthology of Price’s work—“The Archaeology of Tomorrow”—is titled “Sprawl, Mall and Tall: Assault on the Spirit.” Inquire of Price what he means by sprawl, mall and tall and he is off and running on a critique of the soul-sucking nature of modern life in America:
Travis Price
The unassuming front of Price’s own home in the District of Columbia hides a four-floor glass tree house. Photos courtesy Travis Price Architects
“Today, people get up and they look into glass to see what the weather and the news is. They drive to work behind glass and then they go into work behind glass and they drive home behind glass and wrap up the evening by looking into glass and watching reruns of ‘Friends’—and that’s their only friend.” He continues. “The pursuit of loneliness is perfected. And there’s an isolationism in industrial consumption and in sprawl. There’s no ‘there’ when you get there. It’s all feeding into dehumanization and the numbing factor. That’s the poison.”
Price’s antidote? That is a design philosophy he calls sunshine, temples and highways. Sunshine equates to nature, of being in an environment that incorporates night turning to day and the seasons changing. Temples represent timelessness, or as Price says, “digging back into deep stories that outlast time.” And highways? Going, moving and adapting to changes. “All this philosophy permeates every single project we do in the office,” he says. His firm’s portfolio includes a number of modern homes tucked into natural settings within historic districts in the District of Columbia. Many of them, like Price’s own four-story glass “tree house” that cantilevers over Rock Creek, are only minutes from a Metro station. All those years ago at UNM, Price was one of the founders of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association. Shortly after he received his architecture degree, he moved to New York and was instrumental in getting the first solar water heaters and an energy-producing windmill installed on the roof of a residential co-op in Lower Manhattan. And he designed what is still the world’s largest solar building, the one-million-square-foot Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear division office space in Chattanooga, Tenn. With his alternative energy bona fides, Price doesn’t have to wear his green credentials on his sleeve. He decries what he calls the “green bling trend” where everything from cars to clothing to bottled water is stamped with a green label. While every building he designs today is attuned to energy savings, Price likes to think of that as a fundamental aspect of his designs, often invisible, not as a showy centerpiece. “Yes, it’s green. That’s just embedded in it. Hopefully you won’t even notice it,” Price says. “The goal now is to shape space around our deep culture values with modern material and modern building technologies. We’ve moved into a deeper, richer storyboard.” ❂
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Nina Lanza (’11 PhD) with a replica of the ChemCam’s laser spectrometer at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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Mission: Mars Lobos Look to Space - By Leslie Linthicum Photos : Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
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ooking up at the night sky and all those mysterious points of light has inspired awe in poets, set philosophers off on intellectual journeys and prompted many a backyard star-gazer to wonder at the role of mere mortals in a grand and infinite universe. Riding in the back seat of the family sedan in Virginia and looking out at the moon hanging in the dark sky put little Suzi Gordon on a path to Space Camp, which she still remembers as the best two weeks of her life. Looking through a telescope for the first time one night in Boston blew 7-year-old Nina Lanza’s mind. She declared it totally awesome and was off on a lifelong fascination with space ships, aliens and science fiction. For Horton Newsom, it was a trip to the backyard in 1957 to get a peek at the Soviet satellite Sputnik that sparked a passion for space. All it took was a TV show about the Galileo probe peering into Jupiter’s orbit to get 5-year-old Zachary Gallegos fashioning his Legos into star ships. There was something about the night sky that led those four University of New Mexico Lobos—and many others—into careers in space.
Newsom, a research professor in UNM’s Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, and Lanza, Gordon and Gallegos, all graduates of the department, are now on a mission to explore Mars. “I’ll show you a cool picture I took last week,” says Newsom, sitting in front of two jumbo-sized computer monitors. He retrieves a black-and-white image of a gray disc with a white stripe, a photo snapped by the Curiosity rover, a mobile NASA science lab that is rolling around a crater on the surface of Mars. Newsom, in one of the Mars mission’s daily science conference calls the previous Friday, had asked that the rover give him a close-up of the rock, which he had noticed in previous photos and wanted a better look at. The rock, about the size of a silver dollar, was a mudstone and that stripe was sulfate. It was another piece of the scientific puzzle about the history of water on Mars. Newsom and other scientists working at Los Alamos National Laboratory, along with colleagues in France, designed the instrument on the rover that has been photographing and analyzing Mars’ surface since the rover landed there in 2011.
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Suzi Gordon
Zachary Gallegos
Nina Lanza
Their instrument, mounted on a tall mast, is called “ChemCam,” which stands for chemistry and camera. The camera is just what it sounds like. The chemistry is in the form of a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy tool that is a bit more complicated. Asked for a simplified description, Newsom says, “The laser fires a laser beam that vaporizes the rock or soils that it hits and we record the light that comes from the plasma that is produced.” Using a spectrometer, scientists can determine the composition of the laser’s target. The machine took years to develop, refine and test. “Compared to previous Mars rovers,” Newsom says, “this is an order of magnitude of greater complexity. This is one of the most complex space vehicles ever produced.” The same group has been selected to develop an improved version of the instrument for the next Mars mission in 2020. Working on an active Mars mission has been all-consuming. Newsom is part of a group of scientists who gather each day to hash out the assignment for the rover for the next day, then hand that mission over to a team of engineers who devise a plan to carry out the tasks. The rover sends its data to two satellites that pass over Mars daily and the data is relayed back to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, and then disseminated for analysis. It’s heady stuff—telling a device you invented to grab some snapshots from a planet 200 million miles away—and Newsom’s excitement is still obvious, even though, at 63, he has been working with space missions for decades.
“The primary goal is finding habitable environments where life might have existed on ancient Mars,” Newsom says. “When was water present? When did the water disappear? Why did it happen? “It’s possible that terrestrial life originated on Mars and transferred to Earth. It’s also possible that early terrestrial life was transferred from Earth to Mars. And even more interesting is that astronomers have identified literally thousands of planets around other stars, so the question is how does this relate to life in the universe? How abundant might life be? It’s amazing stuff that we’re doing.” Suzi Gordon, who wanted to study martian meteorites, started graduate school at UNM a week after Curiosity landed and Newsom’s ChemCam began sending back images and data. “It was perfect timing,” she says. “I could jump right in.” Her master’s work with Newsom involved a martian meteorite that had landed on Earth known as NWA 7034, after the area in northwest Africa where it was found. Using the Los Alamos laser, she was able to compare the meteorite on Earth to rocks shot with the ChemCam laser on Mars. It was a piece of a larger body of science that Newsom ponders: If we can understand the geologic transitions on Mars, perhaps we can better understand the past and the future of our own blue planet. The connection between UNM’s Earth & Planetary Sciences Department and Los Alamos is well tested and Gordon made a seamless move from the university to the Los Alamos workforce. She defended her thesis in May and immediately started work on the
ChemCam engineering team at Los Alamos, where she parks her Honda with the license plate “MARSROX.” She is now part of the daily meetings to make sure the rover can safely carry out the experiments chosen by the science team. Nina Lanza has a small star tattoo on her left arm, she got married in front of a model of the Saturn V rocket and the license plate on her Volvo reads “MARTIAN.” By her own description, she is a certified space nerd. “It’s a lifestyle,” says Lanza who can get so revved up talking about Mars that she invites innocent bystanders to let her know if they need a time out from what she calls “my insane enthusiasmslash-obsession.” Since even before she began her PhD at UNM in 2006, Lanza has been focused on martian geology. Her master’s thesis at Wesleyan University was on martian landforms. She worked on a Los Alamos project using data from the Mars Odyssey orbiter and then collaborated with Newsom on calibrating the ChemCam instrument in anticipation of the Curiosity launch. Lanza said she put UNM at the top of her list of PhD applications because of the Institute of Meteoritics’ involvement with ChemCam. “It was important to me to go to a place that had involvement with an active Mars mission,” Lanza says. “That is, like, my life’s dream.” With her PhD, she went to work at Los Alamos using a model of the ChemCam’s laser spectrometer to investigate the properties of rocks similar to those found on Mars. Lanza is 35 and most likely won’t ever get to make a trip to the Gale Crater, the
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The Mars Curiosity Rover in action on the Red Planet in a “selfie” provided by NASA.
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spot on the Red Planet where the rover is investigating. But, she says, “If I went there, I would recognize every rock.” In a basement of one of the innumerable nondescript buildings inside the laboratory’s secured perimeter, Lanza uses a replica of ChemCam to work on rock and soil analyses on Earth in parallel with the Mars data. Lanza’s special interest is in manganese, which seemed like a bit of reach when she first began studying the element because it hadn’t been identified as an important constituent of minerals on Mars. When high concentrations of manganese were found in Mars’ Gale Crater, Lanza began zapping manganese samples with the Los Alamos instrument to help calibrate the rover instrument to make sure it is accurately analyzing the manganese it finds. Manganese was just one of the surprises the rover has uncovered. It also has found puffs of methane, another possible clue to terrestrial life. “We think we know everything about Mars but every time we go there, our understanding is turned upside down,” Lanza says. “It’s very easy to make generalizations about a huge planet. But this is essentially at its heart a discovery mission. We don’t go there because we know what’s there. We go there because we don’t know what’s there.” Lanza was first hooked on space the last time Halley’s Comet neared Earth in 1986, but it was the 1996 Pathfinder mission that orbited Mars that really captured her imagination. “These pictures that came back were so beautiful,” she says, “and I was like, ‘That is a place I could go. That is a place I could imagine standing.’” Since then, she’s been all about Mars. Her focus is on serious science, but she concedes, “Part of it’s the romance of Martians and spaceships. Mars is this planet that if you’re into science fiction, you read about it a lot. Just because we haven’t found aliens doesn’t mean we couldn’t find aliens. That would be something that would be life-altering for all humans on Earth. That would be amazing.”
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Assessing the habitability of Mars is one of Curiosity’s main tasks—and scientists are quick to distinguish that mission from searching for little green—or maybe red—men. “It’s a question of habitability—could life as we understand it theoretically exist there? Lanza says. “Not specific life.” One clue to habitability and the possible presence of terrestrial life is manganese, Lanza’s special element. It’s a key component of photosynthesis, and is closely associated with water and with life on Earth. Finding it on Mars, Lanza says, is just another clue in a long scientific road. “It doesn’t mean we found life on Mars.”
to send people to colonize Mars within the next 10 years. In his application video, Gallegos stands against a big New Mexico sky and says, “Hello, my name is Zachary Gallegos. I’m an explorer, adventurer, planetary geologist and future astronaut. I want to go to Mars, not just to be a part of history, but to be on frontier of exploration so that I can do science on Mars and inspire people around the world.” From more than 200,000 applicants from around the world, Gallegos made the whittled-down list of 100 finalists. He’ll now join 49 men and 50 women to train in a replica of the Mars outpost—a self-
UNM grads use this laser spectrometer at Los Alamos National Laboratory to help calibrate the one currently in use on Mars.
UNM graduate Zachary Gallegos hopes that life is found on Mars—soon. And he hopes that life will be him. Gallegos, a native of Bosque Farms and a 2010 graduate in Earth and Planetary Science, has dreamed of becoming an astronaut since he was fashioning spaceships from his Legos. “The idea of space exploration has captivated me since I can remember,” Gallegos says. While he has applied to NASA’s astronaut program, Gallegos is also pursuing a more direct path to Mars. He applied to the independent, nonprofit Mars One mission, which aims
contained world where the first four-person crew of Mars astronauts will be expected to grow their own food, mine their own water and conduct scientific experiments. The catch to Mars One is that it’s a one-way mission. If Gallegos goes to Mars, he won’t be coming back. Gallegos, who is now taking graduate classes and working with Newsom on ChemCam experiments, has been thinking a lot more about the finality of a Mars mission since making the list of finalists. “It’s hard to deal with thinking about giving up everything like this,” he says, motioning to a shady grove of trees outside Northrup Hall on campus. “Human
UNM’s involvement in space exploration goes back to work by Wolfgang Elston, now an emeritus professor, at the dawn of space travel. At the beginning of the space race, he began work on answering the question: What caused craters on the moon? More NASA contracts followed. Now in his 80s, with a publication record that spans more than 50 years, Elston is in large part responsible for creating the bridge between UNM and NASA that helps turn out space scientists today. Two of his students, Larry Crumpler and Jayne Aubele, now work at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, which boasts an impressive collection of Mars exhibits. Aubele, an educator at the museum, was principal investigator on NASA’s Venus Data Analysis Program. Crumpler, the museum’s research curator, has had a hand in the Viking and Pathfinder missions and he is now a member of the science team on the Mars Exploration Rover where, like Newsom on the Curiosity team, helps plan daily explorations. “Larry’s Lookout” on Mars is named for him. ➞ UNM professor Horton Newsom helped design the Mars rover’s scientific instruments and is active in its daily scientific mission.
interaction, being able to go outside without a space suit on, fresh air, water, food that I like. But ultimately the goal that I have had my entire life kind of trumps that. And ultimately it’s led me to have a really good outlook on life because I appreciate everything a lot more knowing that I have a possible expiration date here on Earth.” His parents are not pleased with the notion of saying a final goodbye to their young son and never meeting their Martian grandchildren. And Gallegos has found that volunteering to leave the planet for good is a great icebreaker with women, but quickly turns off anyone looking for a commitment.
It also elicits Martian jokes and gallows humor. But Gallegos is a serious scientist. While an undergrad and working on a summer internship with NASA, Gallegos coauthored an 80-page chapter in “A Global Lunar Landing Site Study to Provide the Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon,” a tome that details the best places for the space agency to send future human missions to the Moon. His work at UNM has focused on analyzing rocks from an impact crater in the Arctic associated with hydrothermal systems. But he also has a philosophical bent. “People ask me if I’m worried about dying on Mars and I say that I’m really worried about not dying on Mars,” Gallegos
says. “Living on Earth is great, and if I spend my life doing that, then that’s fine too. But doing something that extraordinary is I think what I’m meant to do.” He is willing to sacrifice his life on Earth, he says, “To make sure that humanity keeps going with exploration, because I believe that if we don’t keep exploring, then our only option is to stay here on Earth. And I think that leads to our ultimate destruction, either at the hands of ourselves, be it war or environmental issues, and so I think it’s my responsibility as a person to make sure that we push forward to Mars, to other solar systems. I think it’s my responsibility to preserve our form of life and keep it going.” ❂
Planet Mars has volcanoes, mountains, canyons and deserts – a familiar topography for New Mexican geologists to study.
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Photo: Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
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Karen Abraham
Dean W. Duane (‘87 BA) is a lieutenant at the Tinton Falls N.J. Police Department. He was a pitcher for the Lobo baseball team. Tinamarie R. Sapien (‘87 BSN), Albuquerque, received a New Mexico Nursing Award for her work in Health/Hospice Nursing. She is a home-based, primary care registered nurse for the VA Health Care System in Albuquerque. Everett Trollinger (‘87 BSCE), Santa Fe, N.M., was honored by the U.S. Department of Energy with the Federal Project Director of the Year award for his oversight of a $200 million project delivered on time and under budget.
Reflections on a
Career - By Mary Conrad -
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half century after she entered UNM as a freshman, Karen Abraham is retiring from her position as associate vice president of alumni relations and executive director of the Alumni Association. A beloved campus and community leader, Abraham earned three degrees from UNM—a BSE in 1967, an MA in 1968 and an EdD in 1971. She began her career as assistant, then associate, dean of students/director of student activities. Asked to head the Alumni Relations Office and the Alumni Association in 1987, Abraham has remained there since, watching the UNM alumni population grow from just under 70,000 to nearly 200,000. Among the association’s many accomplishments
Jim R. Keene (‘88 BM), West Point, N.Y., a lieutenant colonel, is the commander and conductor of the U.S. Army Field Band, the premier touring musical representative of the Army. Kelly J. Ortman (‘88 BBA) and her husband Rob are the owners of downtown Albuquerque’s new grocery store, Silver Street Market. Steven Scaglione (‘88 MS), Astoria, N.Y., is associate vice president, New York construction services manager and a judge for Engineering News Record’s New York Top 20 under 40. Patrick Conlon (‘89 MSN), Mesa, Ariz., presented a poster and group project titled “Linking Concept and Theory to Develop a Theory of Resilience” at the Western Institute of Nursing’s Annual Communicating Nursing Research Conference. Damon P. Martinez (‘89 BA, ‘92 JD, ‘93 MBA), Corrales, N.M., is the U.S. attorney for the District of New Mexico. He has been appointed vice chairman of the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys.
during her tenure, the Alumni Association Roy Solomon (‘89 BUS), Albuquerque, is the established a $7 million endowment; founder and developer of Green Jeans Farmery and Hodgin Hall was renovated for a second founder and former CEO of 505 Southwestern Chile Products. He hosted Stella’s Triathlon, which raised time and officially designated the UNM $35,000 to fight cancer, in honor of his mother. Alumni Center; countless alumni have volunteered on behalf of the association 1990s Stephanie M. Cameron (‘90 BAFA), Albuquerque, and the university; hundreds of alumni is co-owner and publisher of edible Santa Fe, a have been honored; scholarships have bi-monthly publication about local foods in grown; and Mirage Magazine, The Howler New Mexico. e-newsletter and a robust website have Nancy Chick (‘90 BA) is university chair in kept UNM graduates informed about teaching and learning and academic director of the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the their alma mater and fellow graduates. University of Calgary. In this Mirage interview, Abraham William T. Cooley (‘90 MS), Los Angeles, a talks about her life at the university, the brigadier general, is director of the Global most important accomplishments of the Positioning Systems Directorate at the Space and Alumni Association, the challenges that Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. The GPS remain and the importance to the Alumni program maintains the largest satellite constellation Association of keeping people at its heart. in the Department of Defense.
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In Her Words
I’ve been at the university for 52 years, since I was 18. That’s an unbelievable span of time. How did that dash between 1963 and 2015 happen? I remember deciding whether or not to go to the University of New Mexico. For my parents, there was no thought I’d ever go anyplace else. It was the University of New Mexico, it was 60 miles away and it was affordable. My sister had gone there and had a great experience. How could one imagine, at 18, walking into a place and then being interviewed 52 years later, being asked, “How was it? What about it changed your life?” Well, probably just about everything. I started my job as assistant dean of students in 1970, in the midst of the Vietnam crises and the shutting down of the university. There was the civil rights movement. And the women’s movement. Certainly you would experience those changes anyway, but working at the university you had to learn to negotiate them. How do you respond in ways that make the university and the campus better? How do you keep a continuity of education? How do you keep the university afloat and still doing what it needs to do, and yet be proactive about the issues at hand, since the university, really, is a place for the exchange of ideas? We’re all trying to find ways to live together, to have conversations, to define issues that are important to us so they aren’t forgotten, to understand the complexities of the things that get in the way of our being good to each other. What I like more than anything about the university is the vibrancy that diversity creates and the ever-evolving energy of the environment.
A “Value-Added” Career
I’ve had an incredible life because I’ve been part of a community that is value-added,
Photo: Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
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in terms of learning, exchanging ideas, and meeting and knowing incredible people. Many—students, faculty, staff, community leaders and, of course, alumni—have become friends. You are part of the tapestry of their lives and they are part of the tapestry of yours. They enrich you as they share their dreams, stories, conversations, thoughts and experiences. As the alumni director, one of the privileges I’ve had is to see the difference the university makes in people’s lives over a long period of time. Then I’ve seen it again in the lives of their children and now in those of their grandchildren. Others represent the first generation in their family to go to college. I’ve watched their lives unfold and witnessed how they’ve enriched their communities and created their own footprint. That’s what it’s about. It’s about people’s lives and well-being. I think each of us is on a journey, alone and with others. On that journey we always want to continue improving ourselves and our lives. The university is a platform not only to transfer and create knowledge about the world but also to expand our knowledge of ourselves. When we leave the university, we continue our journey in a more enlightened way and create our own legacies. Presently we are so embroiled in questions about the value of an education, about whether it accomplishes, politically, all that it should. I think we complicate the beauty of what it does for the human spirit, for one’s understanding and quality of life and for the landscape of the world at large.
Staying in Place
Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I’d gone elsewhere. I considered it on occasion. When those opportunities arose, I asked myself, “Do I feel challenged? Yes. Am I happy? Yes. Do I like who I work for? Yes. Do I feel my life
is enriched? Yes. Are my friends and family here? Yes. What am I trading for? A title and money. Are they in my value system? They’re important, but all those other things hold higher value for me.” Why would I go? I stayed. That may mean I’m not a risk-taker, but really it means that what was important to me was here. This job is priceless. It’s about being in a place I like and being able to make a difference for people.
Everyone Is Included
One of the things I’m happiest and proudest about is that this Alumni Association decided to be more inclusive than exclusive. Because of that, everyone is a member. Everyone belongs. Everyone gets the benefits. Everyone is thought of as an individual of worth. It was always the right thought, but it’s hard when the bottom line becomes the prevailing goal for so many people. If you base your decisions exclusively on money and not on the principles of why you exist, then you choose the short-range solution to your immediate needs instead of the longrange vision of what you really should be. It’s important for alums to be aware that we don’t have dues, as is the practice for a lot of associations. Every time there was a money issue, we
Jessica A. Eaves Mathews (‘90 BA), Corrales, N.M., is CEO of the Leverage Legal group and Untoxicating Beauty. Mary E. Mead (‘90 MA), Albuquerque, and her husband Richard are celebrating 50 years of marriage. Adam Rusek (‘90 BS, ‘95 PhD), Rocky Point, N.Y., is a physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory. He presented “An Overview of the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory” at the 2015 NASA Future In-Space Operations telecom. Lisa J. Adkins (‘91 BBA), Albuquerque, is chief operating officer of business incubators FatPipe ABQ and The BioScience Center. She is chairwoman of the New Mexico Technology Council. Theodore C. Blashak (‘91 BA, ‘92 MA), Denver, is group vice president of operations-shared services for Bridgepoint Education. Merrilee Foreman (‘91, BS), Albuquerque, is the owner of the Chiropractic Lifestyle Center and has been elected to the board of the Hispanic Women’s Council. Brian K. Gonzales (‘91 BA), Santa Fe, N.M., is co-owner of the new Equicenter de Santa Fe and hosted a Grand Prix horse race this summer. Craig A. McChesney (’91 BSCS), Santa Fe, N.M., is now head of the engineering team at Prediction Company, a quantitative trading desk for the hedge fund Millennium Management. Samuel S. Obenshain (’91 MA, ‘94 EDSPC), Albuquerque, is executive director of Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School.
Craig A. McChesney
James P. Quinones (‘91 BUS), Phoenix, is the chief weather forecaster for 12 News Today. Brent C. Ruby (‘91 MS ‘94 PhD), Missoula, Mont., is director of the Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism and a partner in Omnivore, Inc., producer of popular Omnibars. Lisa H. Schultz (‘91 BSN), Sandia Park, N.M., received a New Mexico Nursing Award for her work in Critical Care Nursing. She is a cardiac surgical staff nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. Mary J. Blessing (‘92 BSN, ‘98 MS), Albuquerque, was named the 2014 New Mexico Distinguished Nurse of the Year for her work in residency, education and research at the University of New Mexico Hospital.
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our programs and services and, most The University Different importantly, the association’s independence, I hope that if the new alumni director viability and sustainability. comes from somewhere other than New Mexico, he or she will understand, Living Endowment appreciate and embrace what makes our We have this incredible organization state and university so special. Our different that represents the university’s living cultures live side by side. At graduation, endowment. We have built a huge corps watching the procession, watching all the of individuals who have given us hours or different costumes that peek out from years of their time and talent to make the underneath the robes, you realize that university a better place, in ways unique to New Mexico is diverse in such a grand way. alumni. I look back at the scores of people When you come to New Mexico, you who have answered their phones, opened have to realize that people are tremendously their doors and given of their resources proud of what they have. Some of us say without any other qualification than New Mexico is different, and others say bettering the university. that’s just an excuse. But the reality is we It’s humbling when you call individuals are different! You need to take into account up who’ve been in all these high places what makes New Mexico unique and in New Mexico or elsewhere and they build upon our strengths rather than say “Sure, I’ll sit on the board” or “Sure, change the footprint. I’ll do that for you.” And to them it’s an honor. For so many, the university marked Hope for the Future the beginning of adulthood or a major My greatest hope is that the association transition in their lives. It’s family. It’s in never loses its heart. That the value and their DNA. importance of people, with their individual stories, stations in life and cultures, is Engaging and Connecting never defined by anything other than The UNM Alumni Association is all about who they are. The university needs more the vastly important relationships between resources, and alums should be asked to the university and its constituents, help with those resources. My concern particularly its graduates. The always has been not to forget that everyone challenge is how to empower this is a member of the family, and that the incredible group of individuals university serves and benefits alumni just on behalf of the university. In the as alumni serve and benefit the university. long run, the strength of alumni The University of New Mexico is an ties predicates the viability and extraordinary place. The impact it has on the excellence of the university. quality of life in the state is immeasurable. Alumni support and influence Alumni should be ever so proud of include voting, advocating, their university, know and celebrate its recruiting students, enhancing accomplishments and those of its graduates, the student experience, know and celebrate its history, and be promoting university spirit, confident in its future. In many ways, alumni hiring graduates, acting really are the university. They are the lifelong as exemplars of UNM, stakeholders. How alumni wear and use preserving university their degrees has everything to do with the history, wearing the brand or university’s success. The more the university colors and giving financial thrives and excels, the greater value their support. In its vision and degrees hold. of t esiden right, with Vice Pr operation, the association an De Karen Abraham, nt The best thing alums can do for the ta sis As ede Johnson and l ina ig or Administration Sw reflects individually and e th d university is unfold their lives to the beth Baldizan—an s. of Students Eliza 80 19 rly ea collectively the university’s e greatest of their potential, become civically Lucy—in th Lobo Louie and living heritage. involved wherever they are and make the world better. ❂
were asked, “Why not?” On three occasions before my tenure, the association initiated dues programs, but these had never been successful. While dues create money flow, they also wind up segmenting alumni into dues-paying and non-dues-paying; each group gets different services. At the end of the day, the association decided that having everyone on equal footing, and not having their membership defined by their capacity to give financially, was more important. In 1998, we negotiated a really dynamite credit card contract that became the key to our financial security and to the sustainability of our belief in alumni, in people and what they bring to the institution. We knew it was a moment in time that wouldn’t repeat itself: after the seven years of the contract ended, we wouldn’t be able to find another equivalent source of funding. So we saved all of the proceeds and established an endowment. Additionally, we built up our affinity programs so that after the flow of cash from the credit card contract ended, the income from the endowment and the affinity programs would equal what the yearly income from the credit cards had been. And, indeed, it has turned out to be true: we secured
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Last Words
Retiring director on managing, education and those “Wow!” moments On Hodgin Hall: Hodgin Hall’s becoming the alumni center in 2005 is high on the list of our most important accomplishments, following the human and financial sustainability of the association. Alumni saved Hodgin Hall from destruction in the late 1970s, then renovated and reopened it in 1982. Three decades later, alumni raised additional funds through the state Legislature and other means to renovate it further and to re-commit it as the home of the Alumni Association and a place to showcase alumni and the university’s history and traditions. It tells the story of who we are and how the people of New Mexico, in 1889, believed enough in having an educated population, in bettering the citizenry, to create this university on the mesa.
On earning a degree: A degree is a gift to yourself, and what’s so wonderful about it is that no one can take it away from you. It’s probably the biggest investment you’ll make in terms of your personal time and, perhaps, your money. It’s an enduring achievement, and one to be constantly nourished. Once you’ve earned your degree, I believe you have the responsibility to “pay it forward” by helping others do the same and by using the knowledge you’ve gained to make the world a better place.
On management: Everyone comes to the table with different strengths. If you value and treat people well, they’ll value and treat other people well. It goes along with my philosophy of life.
You have to recognize that staff have lives outside the university and appreciate that they spend their critical waking hours in your office. You have to recognize them as individuals. You embrace them for what they bring. They work hard because you let them be who they are. You create an environment where people understand they have a responsibility to each other and where they respect each other. Everyone has idiosyncrasies; basically, though, the office works like a family, sometimes dysfunctional, but almost always supportive. We have laughter and fun. We celebrate the individuals on the staff. I see and listen to the way our staff members treat people who walk in or attend an event. The staff makes everyone feel valued and important. You create inside what you want outside.
On Feedback: I’ve received wonderful letters from people through the years, most of them having to do with the success of the office and of the people who work in it. So many say, “Some of the best events I’ve attended have been with the Alumni Relations Office, because you treat us as individuals and not as prospects. Because you recognize and embrace our history. Because you care.”
The Wow! Moments There are so many “Wow!” moments, so many exclamation points to each day. I think “Wow!” whenever I look at—or in the case of the chapel bells, hear—the enhancements the association has made to the campus: Hodgin Hall and the U in Hodgin Plaza, the Lobo in Tight Grove, the addition of the patio to the Alumni
Holly A. Finlay (‘92 MA), Albuquerque, was named a “2015 Woman of Influence” by Albuquerque Business First. Howard C.W. Geck (‘92 BUS), Mustang, Okla., is a colonel and serves as a brigade commander for the Army Reserve 800th Logistics Support Brigade. Jean Q. Jiang (‘92 PhD), Valparaiso, Ind., is associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology at Purdue University. Raquel Montoya-Lewis (‘92 BA), Bellingham, Wash., was appointed to the Whatcom County Superior Court. She is from Isleta Pueblo/Laguna Pueblo, and is the only Native American Superior Court judge in Washington. Michael W. Stockham (‘92 BA), Dallas, is an attorney at Thompson & Knight, LLP, and has been named one of D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2015. Kathleen Marie Kimball (‘93 BSN, ‘01 MSN), Loveland, Colo., is senior director of case management services in the western region for Banner Health. Raghu R. Kopalle (‘94 MS), Albuquerque, is CEO and founder of InnoBright Technologies, marketing technology developed at UNM that speeds the rendering process for video animation. Vaadra M. Martinez (‘95 BBA), Albuquerque, is the U.S. intern program manager for Intel Corporation. She has been recognized as a 2015 Woman of Influence by Albuquerque Business First. Theresa M. Bacon (‘94 BSN, ‘08 MSN), Albuquerque, received a New Mexico Nursing Award for her work in Research/Academia. She is a unit-based educator for UNM Hospital. Edmund E. Perea (‘94 BUS, ‘08 JD), Albuquerque, has been appointed special assistant district attorney for the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He was elected to a threeyear term as a director for the Albuquerque Bar Association.
Edmund E. Perea
Jeffrey D. Neidhart (‘95 MD), Farmington, N.M., is developing the state-of-the-art Neidhart Cutting Horses ranch in Weatherford, Texas. Rhawn F. Denniston (‘95 MS), Iowa City, Ind., is a professor of geology at Cornell College with published research on a technique to create a 2,200-year record of flood events from examining layers of mud in stalagmites in Australia.
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Memorial Chapel, the flags around the campus drive, the Presidents’ Clock by the Duck Pond. I think “Wow!” every time I think of the myriad programs the Alumni Association has built. They start before students enter the university, with student recruitment. They carry on as students go through the university, enriching their student experience. And, of course, they continue after students become alumni. They are all about community, connection, engagement, spirit and enhancement. I think “Wow!” about all the celebrations and significant anniversaries of the association and the university. For example, when we dedicated Hodgin Hall as the Alumni Center, when we put up the U, when we held the Alumni Memorial Chapel’s 50th anniversary celebration, honoring the families of the soldiers whose names are on the memorial wall, when the next day 80 or 90 couples who had married in the chapel renewed their vows. In a people organization, you’re a part of those happy and sad moments that are the dichotomy in life. I thought “Wow!” in 1997, when we honored 100 alumni through the decades on the 100th anniversary of the Alumni Association. Every year, we honor people who have been recognized throughout their lives by their colleagues and by higher places than what you might consider their undergraduate or graduate school to be. But every time, I’m “wowed” when I hear them accept their awards and when I understand how clearly important being honored by their alma mater is to them. They are all thankful, and they all have wonderful stories about the difference the University of New Mexico made in their lives. I always think “Wow!” about the staff and our corps of volunteers. How dedicated, energetic, talented, hardworking and caring they are and have been throughout the years. Their passion for what they do and who they serve is evident in every successful event, program, publication, service and leadership decision. I think “Wow!” when I look at the growth of the university: the campus, the students, the outstanding faculty and staff, its transformational research and its stature as a whole. And I think “Wow!” with gratitude that the university has been my home for 52 years. ❂
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Notes of Appreciation David Schmidly
alumni. Karen is a special person who has
UNM president 2007-2012
contributed to the mission of UNM in so
“Karen’s devotion and passion for UNM
many unique ways. Her legacy stands
has been a powerful part of the university’s
apart and her impacts on UNM’s success
success. She personifies what it means to
are indefinable!
be a Lobo.” Marty Wilson Brian Colon
Former president,
Past president,
UNM Alumni Association
UNM Alumni Association
“To many of us, Karen Abraham personifies
“Karen embodies the pure spirit and
the spirit of UNM. Her warmth, her caring,
heart of a UNM alum. For thousands of
her humor and her sharp intelligence are
staff, faculty, administrators and, most
the qualities that we want to believe are
importantly, students, Karen has been a
always present in this unique institution.
sincere, engaging and long-term friend
All over the country, UNM alums feel a
and confidant. Her capacity to embrace
lasting connection to the university because
and mentor students and alumni is
of the gracious hospitality of the Alumni
boundless. Karen’s friendship and the
Association under Karen’s long tenure
opportunity to work with her have
of leadership. The beautiful Hodgin Hall,
been two of the most cherished gifts
the enduring Alumni Chapel and all the
I’ve ever received.”
activities there only reflect the love and respect that Karen has fostered for the
Gerald May
university and its alumni.”
UNM president 1986-1990 “Karen Abraham is a very special person
Katharine Winograd
who has probably served as alumni director
President,
for more years than any in UNM’s history.
Central New Mexico Community College
She came forward as we searched for a
“Those of us who lead organizations often
director of alumni services in 1987 and in the
say people are our greatest resource. Karen
ensuing 28 years of her tenure she proved
Abraham is a powerful example of why this
to be just the right person for the important
is true. From the time Karen started at UNM
function of interfacing with alumni and the
as a student, she used her magical spirit to
community. With her integrity, she effectively
foster, nurture and advance the university
represented UNM in greatly strengthening
she loves. Karen’s focus on building and
its links to its growing body of alumni. We all
treasuring relationships has kept many of us
salute Karen for a job well done and wish her
connected to the Lobo community. UNM
a fulfilling retirement.”
is fortunate to have benefited from her joy, wisdom, loyalty and service and, most
Brian Burnett
importantly, her magic. Karen leaves
Former president,
a vibrant and lasting legacy at UNM.”
UNM Alumni Association Karen means the world to UNM! She has
Ann Rhoades
been a gracious and passionate ambassador
President,
for a place that means so much to so many
UNM Alumni Association
people. Karen’s love for UNM has spilled
“When people hear the name Karen
over each and every day of her outstanding
Abraham, they immediately start smiling!
career. She has been a wonderful friend and
Karen is always fun and her infectious laugh
cheerleader for thousands upon thousands
is often heard throughout the campus. For
of administrators, faculty, staff, students and
all of us who have known, worked with and
she’s been there ever since, essentially ‘on call’ – the first contact for thousands of UNM alumni and visitors and friends. The stability she’s provided, and her knowledge of UNM history, policies and events has been invaluable. I’ve asked her dozens of times how to contact an alumnus, or friend, and even whom to contact, when I didn’t know. She always had the answer. I can’t guess how many people it will take to replace her. Or—really—to ‘succeed’ her; replacing her isn’t likely. For all those years, and all those answers, I owe Karen many
Robert Frank UNM president “Karen Abraham has served as an iconic come to admire and love Karen during her
representative for the University of New
tenure at UNM, we can attest that her name
Mexico, and we are profoundly grateful
is synonymous with great relationships,
for her inspired service and unflagging
fabulous commitment to our history,
commitment to UNM over the past four
untiring efforts on behalf of all alums,
decades. I have tremendous admiration for
highest level of integrity and respect and,
her remarkable success in connecting our
of course, the ultimate party giver!
alumni, volunteers and the community to
all the above wonderful and deserved
Chapin B. Miller (‘95 BA), Washington Depot, Conn., is the academic dean of The Gunnery, a private school. Robert A. Efroymson (‘96 MS), Santa Fe, N.M., is CEO of Dynamics Photonics, a startup company that has developed an avalanche photo diode technology solution that increases the speed of fiber optics-based communication with less distortion and cost. Diane Villegas (‘96 BA, ‘01 MBA), Albuquerque, is owner of Big Picture Marketing Strategies and is an actress with recent roles in “House of Cards” and “The Messengers.”
thanks. We all do.”
While Karen’s legacy at UNM includes
Bryan P. Konefsky (‘95 MFA), Albuquerque, is an instructor in UNM’s Department of Cinematic Arts, president of Basement Films and serves on the board of advisor for the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
UNM, and to each other. Karen’s love for UNM is evident in the
accolades, I would simply add that she is
legacy she leaves. During her tenure, the
one of the most wonderful human beings
bonds between our alumni and UNM have
I have ever known!”
been strengthened immeasurably. Karen led and collaborated to build a strong
Ruth Schifani
foundation of alumni engagement that
Former president,
will be pivotal to the university’s continued
UNM Alumni Association
progress. She is a true Lobo, and will always
“Karen is the kind of person I want to
be a dear member of our family.”
be. She is kind; she is smart; she is funny. She quietly does what needs to be done
Judy Zanotti
without the need for fanfare or praise. Her
Former president,
moral compass is never in question. She
UNM Alumni Association
has dedicated the greater part of her life to
“Karen has been the heart, soul and
making UNM a better place. UNM has no
conscience of UNM for more than 30 years.
better friend.”
She has led the Alumni Association and the Alumni Relations Office with passion,
Richard Peck
professionalism, integrity, strong values,
UNM President 1990-1998
love and deep caring—and a delightful
“In 1990, one interview that led to my
sense of humor. Karen’s love and unfailing
joining UNM took place in Hodgin Hall. I
support for UNM has always been
met Karen Abraham then and there. And
grounded in her love of students and her
Marcy J. Graham (‘97 BA, ‘02 MBA), La Jolla, Calif. is vice president of investor relations and corporate communications for aTyr Pharma, a biotherapeutics company. Tammy J. Martinez (‘97 AAS, ‘00 BBA, ‘06 MPA), Albuquerque, received a Women in Technology award from the New Mexico Technology Council. She is the customer support services director for UNM. Criostoir S. O’Cleireachain (‘97 BA), Albuquerque, is a partner in the Carter & Valle Law Firm. Hashem B. El-Serag (‘98 MPH), Bellaire, Texas, is a professor of medicine and chief of the gastroenterology and hepatology section at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Kristian Johansen (‘98 BBA, ‘99 MBA), Oslo, Norway, is the new COO of TGS, one of the largest geoscience data companies in the world. Brian A. Lewis (‘98 BBA), Parker, Colo., is principal architect at Verizon Cloud, Verizon Terremark, specializing in IT service migrations and transformations to new service delivery platforms. Joseph R Mills (‘98 MA), Winston Salem, N.C., published his fifth collection of poetry, “This Miraculous Turning,” a book, in part, about being a white, born and bred Northerner raising black, born and bred Southerners. In April, his publisher, Press 53, released the second edition of “Angels, Thieves, and Winemakers,” which The Washington Post called a “must-have for wine lovers.” Ryan Stark (‘98 BA), Albuquerque, has been named the public affairs officer of the year for the Civil Air Patrol’s Southwest Region. He is a volunteer in the Albuquerque Senior Squadron II at Kirtland Air Force Base.
(continued on page 43)
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Extending a Hand - By Leslie Linthicum -
UNM class fosters relationships with newest Americans
T
he Refugee Well-being Project, a two-semester class that pairs UNM undergraduates with recently resettled refugee families in Albuquerque, is unique in higher education. Offering psychological support and practical help for refugees facing new languages, cultures and government systems, the class promotes a smoother transition for traumatized refugees while opening new worlds for students. It is the brainchild of Jessica Goodkind, an assistant professor who holds joint appointments in UNM’s Department of Sociology and the School of Medicine. Goodkind previously worked in a refugee camp in Thailand, preparing Hmong refugees to come to the United States. When she returned home, she took a road trip to check in on the refugees and got a good look at their struggles in adjusting. From that, the Refugee Wellbeing Project was born. Students who are enrolled in the course, offered since 2007, are each paired with a refugee family and work as their advocates, helping them connect with community resources to aid in finding work, housing and medical care. Through weekly learning circles, students and newly settled refugees share information and insights about their cultures. Refugees’ progress and well-being are tracked through quarterly interviews. In addition to helping ease the transition to a productive life in America for refugees, Goodkind sees important
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collateral benefits for the undergraduates who take the course each year. “I think that the project tends to attract students who want to help others and who are interested in global issues, human rights issues and social justice. But most of these students have vague ideas about wanting to help others and what the issues are,” Goodkind says. “This project contextualizes these issues and helps students understand them both intellectually and through the real-life experiences of refugee families with whom they work.” For many students, the course is literally life-changing. That was the case with Brandon Baca, an Albuquerque native who was a senior psychology major at UNM when he enrolled in the Refugee Well-being Project. “I knew I wanted to do something with my life that was positive, to make the world a better place,” Baca says. “But I didn’t know how, of course.” He thought he might become a therapist. Within a few weeks of enrolling in the course in 2007, Baca was on a new career path—international humanitarian work. Baca was paired with a family from the Central African nation of Burundi. The United States at the time was prioritizing Burundian refugees, who had fled the country in 1972 as genocide killed more than 200,000 people in just three months. “They had languished in refugee camps for 35 years with no end in sight, really,” Baca says. The family with which Baca was paired lived in an apartment complex in southeast Albuquerque that is home to many refugee families.
Brandon Baca Photo: Roberto E. Rosales (‘96 BFA, ‘14 MA)
He was mostly involved with the large family’s 16-year-old son, helping him apply for jobs and become more proficient in English. “I just had an excellent experience learning from the family,” Baca says. Refugees by definition have been forced to leave their country by fear of persecution due to civil or religious turmoil. “They leave their countries with their kids and what’s on their backs,” Baca says. “But the class isn’t focused at all on the past. We don’t ask about the past. It’s a real sore subject. If people bring it up, which they often do, then of course we’re there to listen. But the class focused on moving forward.” Families come to Albuquerque with a range of experiences and abilities. But they all arrive as strangers in a new land, with limited resettlement support for a limited amount of time. Students in the Refugee Well-being Project work to understand what families need, investigate resources that could help, and then help families learn how to access those resources. By the time he graduated with a BS in psychology in 2008, Baca was investigating the Peace Corps as a way to get abroad and put his skills to use to help others. He was accepted and assigned to Rwanda, joining the first Peace Corps class to be sent there since the United States pulled out due to security concerns in 1993, a year before the nation was torn apart by genocide. Baca worked in health and community development, mostly focused on HIV prevention, malaria prevention and the promotion of safe water and family planning.
Even though nearly 15 years had passed, “The genocide was definitely very, very fresh,” he says. “Bullet holes in government buildings, people missing limbs, people with scars.” Still, Baca returned after his two-year stint ready to get a nursing degree and return to Africa to do more work. “I had an amazing experience in the Peace Corps,” he says. “I think more than anything you just make connections with people and begin to understand them in ways you never thought of before. You make some really good friends and connections and you learn a real visceral sense of what it means to experience poverty, which I hadn’t experienced before.” His plans changed when the Refugee Well-being Project added another component—a five-year research project being funded by a $1.87 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Baca took a job as the research coordinator and he is now working on
campus to coordinate the qualitative and quantitative study of how the class affects its refugee participants as well as students. Goodkind says Baca—“an extremely kind, patient, calm, and open person who works well with people from diverse backgrounds”—is ideal for the job. Refugee Well-being Project families will be compared with a control group of refugees settled in Albuquerque who are not paired with UNM students. Baca, who is now 29, says data collected in the program over the years has already shown great benefits to refugee participants—better English skills, less stress and an enhanced sense of integration into American life. By comparison with a control group, the project can show that it is the involvement of UNM students that made the difference. “It’s a really good opportunity to show that this project works,” Baca says. “I know it does; I’ve seen it. It definitely changed my life and I know that it changed the life of the family that I worked with.” ❂
Brandy L. Davis (‘99 BBA), Winnetka, Calif., is a partner with SingerLewak Accountants and Consultants and an active member of Women in Film. She is a Young Alumni Honoree in Anderson Hall of Fame. Robert G. DelCampo (‘99 BUS, ‘00 MBA), Albuquerque, is the director of the University of New Mexico’s forthcoming Innovation Academy. Brent C. Earnest (‘99 BA), Santa Fe, N.M., is cabinet secretary for the Department of Human Services for the State of New Mexico. Jessica M. Hernandez (‘99 BA, ‘02 JD) is Albuquerque’s city attorney.
Sammy A. Hurtado
Sammy A. Hurtado (‘99 BA, ‘00 MPA, ‘03 JD), Albuquerque, recently celebrated five years as an assistant United States attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque. He is assigned to the General Crimes Section of the Criminal Division.
Manuel R. Montoya (‘99 BA), Albuquerque, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Rhodes Scholar and a Truman Scholar and currently a UNM professor of global structures and an interdisciplinary scholar of globalization. Peter J. Nardini (‘99 MA, ‘99 MCRP), Albuquerque, the Green World Health Netfounder and executive director, was awarded the 2014 Paul Re Peace Prize. Jennifer L. Riordan (‘99 BA), Albuquerque, received the Bill Daniels Award for Ethical Young Leadership for her work as director of community and media relations at Wells Fargo. Gregory S. Sheff (‘99 MD), Austin, Texas, was named chief medical officer and senior clinical leader for AccentCare, Inc. Jaime Tamez (‘99 EDD), Albuquerque, has been named to the International Commission on Education Reform in South America.
2000s Freddie J. Bitsoie (‘00 AALA), Gallup, N.M., is a culinary innovator pairing traditional North American indigenous foods with contemporary cooking techniques. He is owner of FJBits Concepts, a firm that specializes in Native American food education. Hongyou Fan (‘00 PhD), Albuquerque, is a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories. He has been chosen to deliver the 2015 Fred Kavli Distinguished Lecture in Nanoscience.
Baca, kneeling, with members of the family he worked with as an undergraduate, along with two other class members. Photo: Courtesy Brandon Baca
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Lobo Football Looks to Fill The Stadium By Frank Mercogliano
W
ith momentum from a thrilling end to the 2014 season, a sevengame home schedule in 2015, some national TV attention and plenty of preseason honors, things look to be lining up just right for the University of New Mexico football team. The good tidings for this season all started back at the tail end of the 2014 season, when UNM’s defense dialed up a goal line stand in the final minute to preserve a 36-30 win over Wyoming. The momentum continued on National Signing Day in February when the football team, in conjunction with LoboTV, put on a 2½-hour signing day TV extravaganza,
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complete with highlights, taped segments and introductions of the entire 22-man signing class, that served notice that this program means business. Also putting a bounce in the step of the team this season: three Lobo games are scheduled to be broadcast on the CBS Sports and ESPN networks. The renewed attitude even showed up in Spring Camp, where, for the first time under Head Coach Bob Davie, all practices were open to the public. Davie said he hoped seeing the Lobos in action might help fill University Stadium on game days. “If we can get one more person interested, one more excited about Lobo
football—which means maybe one more person in the stands come September to help us win a game—then I’m all for it,” Davie said. Davie, entering his fourth season as head coach for New Mexico and under contract until 2019, has been rebuilding. In his first three seasons he has won 11 games after the team went 3-37 over the previous three-plus seasons. Last season’s 4-8 record was the team’s best record since 2008. With the majority of the team returning this year, Davie hopes to continue to build. “The great thing is because of the amount of guys back, we don’t have to spend a lot of time implementing and
putting things in,” Davie said. “We can go and really teach and grow and really continue to improve.” Spring Camp ended with well over 1,000 fans at Branch Field at University Stadium for the 2015 Spring Showcase, and season ticket sales are ahead of last year’s pace. It helps that UNM this season has seven home games for just the seventh time in school history. One of those is the annual Rio Grande Rivalry game with the New Mexico State University Aggies, where Davie and company will look for a fourth straight win in the series. The season opens with a pair of home games, against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 5 and Tulsa on Sept. 12. Those two home games can set the tone for the entire 2015 season, according to Davie. “Those games are important, and we need to have our fans out there filling up the stadium behind this team,” he said. “I know the weather will be great, and our kids are going to fight and compete and I hope this town gets behind them, especially with the amount of New Mexico players we have contributing.” Contributing might be an understatement. UNM’s starting quarterback the last three years has been Sue V. Cleveland High School’s Cole Gautsche. Gautsche has moved to the tight end position and, nursing a foot injury, will redshirt this season. Perhaps the best pure football player on the team is tight end Reece White, also from Cleveland in Rio Rancho. Fan favorite David Anaya, a state champion from Goddard High School in Roswell, is back for his senior campaign. And so is kicker and punter Zack Rogers, a standout from Rio Rancho High School, who 10 years ago sat in the stands with his YAFL teammates watching the Lobos play, dreaming of a chance to don the cherry and silver. Now he knows there
is a whole new generation of young fans watching him run out the tunnel onto the turf having those same dreams. “I’ve been coming to Lobo games since I was four years old,” said Rogers. “It’s always been a dream of mine to actually play for the Lobos. To get out on the field for my first playing time was awesome. It was a dream come true.” Along with “When do the Lobos play New Mexico State?” the biggest schedule question is always “When is Homecoming?” This year, the game falls perfectly on the calendar, on a Saturday in mid-October, the 17th, against Hawai’i. Attendance at last year’s Homecoming game was hurt by a Friday night kickoff. This year, UNM insisted to all TV partners that the game be played on Saturday as the focal point of Homecoming weekend, with the court being crowned at halftime. There will be dances and receptions, reunions and other festivities over the course of the weekend, but Davie hopes everyone will also get out to Branch Field at University Stadium to watch the Lobos in action. ❂ Mercogliano is UNM’s assistant athletic director for communications. Follow the Lobo’s season at golobos.com.
Dan Gold (‘00 MA) has joined Wilson Elser’s Miami office as a partner. Since 2009, he has made repeat appearances on the Super Lawyers “Rising Star” list. Sarita Nair (‘00 MCRP ‘03 JD), Albuquerque, is the chief legal counsel in the Office of the State Auditor. James A. Noel (‘00 JD), Corrales, N.M., is the court executive officer for the 2nd Judicial District. Celina C. Bussey (‘01 BA), Albuquerque, is the cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. George T. Place II (‘01 BS) is Catawba County’s Cooperative Extension director, providing outreach for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University and the School of Agriculture at North Carolina A&T State University. Seth D. Melgaard (‘02 BS, ‘11 MS, ‘13 PhD), Belen, N.M., is a National Research Council postdoctoral fellow specializing in cryogenic optical refrigeration materials at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Brett P. Robison (‘02 MMU), Decorah, Ind., has joined Waldorf College as the director of choral activities. D. Scott Simonton (‘02 PhD), Charleston, W. Va., is a professor and program coordinator for environmental science, at Marshall University and is vice-chair of the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board. Pilar M. Thomas (‘02 JD), Tucson, Ariz., has returned to Lewis Roca Rothgerber’s Tribal Affairs and Gaming and Tribal Lands and Natural Resources practice groups. She recently served as the Deputy director for the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Nathaniel P. Bonfanti (‘03 BA, ‘10 MD) is an attending physician and assistant professor in the Emergency Department of Mt. Sinai Queens Hospital in Queens, N.Y. Andres Calderon (‘03 MBA) joined the U.S. Foreign Service as a consular officer. He is serving in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Coach Bob Davie
Brandon D. Draper (‘03 MMU), Kansas City, Mo., was special guest star in the Bethany College performance of “Jesus Andres Calderon Christ Superstar” as part of the 2015 Messiah Festival of the Arts.
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Shelf Life
Books by UNM Alumni
Rock With Wings Anne Hillerman (BA ’73) HarperCollins, 2015 Anne Hillerman launched the continuation of her late father Tony Hillerman’s series of Navajo mysteries in 2013 with “Spider Woman’s Daughter,” which included familiar characters Navajo cops Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito.
Miziker’s Complete Event Planner’s Handbook Ron Miziker (BAED ‘65) University of New Mexico Press, 2015 Ron Miziker offers some priceless tips: At an evening cocktail reception before a dinner, guests consume two to four appetizers per person. But they eat twice as much of anything made of shrimp.
That book, like many of her father’s, jumped onto The New York Times best-seller list and was quickly published in paperback.
The most efficient layout for banquet tables is five feet apart—just enough room for chairs to be pushed back and servers to move through.
Hillerman’s second installment in her mystery series finds Chee and his wife Manuelito trying to take some time off from police work. Their vacation is interrupted and they are caught up in two separate cases—one near Shiprock (known as “rock with wings” in the Navajo language) and the other among the iconic sandstone formations of Monument Valley.
When stocking a two-hour cocktail party, plan for 50 percent cocktails, 20 percent beer, 15 percent white wine, 10 percent red wine and 5 percent soft drinks.
Bernie Manuelito again takes a more active role in the narrative and the traditional life and landscape of the Navajo reservation, along with modern issues of drug running and a solar energy development, are front and center. About the author: Anne Hillerman, a resident of Santa Fe, was the author of nine non-fiction books, some with her photographer husband Don Strel, before she launched the Leaphorn/Chee series. She is also the director of the Wordharvest Writers Workshops and the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference.
Women Drug Traffickers: Mules, Bosses & Organized Crime Elaine Carey (PhD ’99) University of New Mexico Press, 2014 Well into Elaine Carey’s nearly 300-page examination of the role women have played in drug trafficking, she displays a full-page story from American Weekly magazine. “Fall of the Opium Queen” is about a tortilla maker in Jalisco, who was found to be the leader of one of the biggest dope rings in Mexico. The date on the story is 1948. Carey began the investigation that resulted in this book with a simple question: If women dominate the secondary labor market, why are they absent from historical accounts of drug trafficking? Through her research, she found that women—narcas—have always been important actors in the drug trade and not just as mules or mistresses of drug kingpins. One of the most fascinating tales is of Lola la Chata, who followed her mother’s footsteps in the marijuana trade in Mexico City and built a large thriving heroin enterprise that lasted more than 30 years until her arrest in 1957. About the author: Elaine Carey chairs the Department of History at St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. A historian who researches crime and human rights, she also holds the Lloyd Sealy Research Fellowship at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
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How does Miziker know all this? Because he has spent more than 40 years putting on shindigs, from Super Bowl halftime shows to news conferences and conventions to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Miziker’s handbook is a practical guidebook aimed at anyone, from the professional party planner to the young couple putting on their own wedding. Weighing in at 450 pages, the handbook is easy to digest thanks to its A-to-Z arrangement of topics. About the author: Ron Miziker is the founder and creative director of the Miziker Entertainment Group in Los Angeles. He is an award-winning director and producer and recipient of the 2015 Buzz Price Thea Award for lifetime achievement from the Themed Entertainment Association.
Eighth Grave After Dark Darynda Jones (BS ’01) St. Martin’s Press, 2015 As the title implies, this is the eighth installment of Darynda Jones’ popular Charley Davidson series that began with Jones’ debut novel, “First Grave on the Right,” in 2011. The genre is paranormal romantic suspense and critics have called Jones’ contributions “sexy,” “sassy,” “wickedly funny” and “hilarious, terrifying and poignant.” Her protagonist Charley has a special gift—she sees and talks to murder victims, trying to point them “to the light.” Along the way, she works to solve their murders. And she has a mysterious recurring dream lover who’s got her hot and bothered. All of this has landed Jones on the best-seller lists of The New York Times and USA Today. About the author: Darynda Jones has been writing stories since she was old enough to pick up a pencil but pursued a career as a sign language interpreter before launching her writing career. Jones recently moved back to New Mexico with her husband and two sons.
The Women’s National Indian Association: A History
John C. Kynor (‘03 BBA) is an Anderson Hall of Fame young alumni honoree for his work in real estate in the Albuquerque area. He has his own agency, Qrealty.
Valerie Sherer Mathes (BA ’63, MA ’65) University of New Mexico Press, 2015 You’ll be forgiven if you’ve never heard of the Women’s National Indian Association, a collection of well-meaning white Protestant women from the East Coast, who had a remarkable role in shaping Indian policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dylan A. Miner (‘03 MA, ‘07 PhD), East Lansing, Mich., is a professor at Michigan State University, where he coordinates the Indigenous Contemporary Art Initiative.
Mathes, a scholar of Indian history and especially the era of reform, begins this collection of well-documented essays with her own on Mary Bonney and Amelia Quinton, the two evangelicals from Philadelphia who “concluded that the power of the Christian religion could transform Native Americans into ‘civilized’ citizens” and in 1879 formed the Women’s National Indian Association to that end. Their goal was to convert Indian men to Christianity and make them farmers in order to integrate them and their wives into the melting pot of America.
James L. Smuda (‘03 BS), Tampa, Fla., is an athletic trainer for Team USA of the U.S. Soccer’s U-20 Men’s National Team.
As Mathes and other historians explain, they and the hundreds of thousands of Americans who signed their petitions had good intentions. Reacting to the overrunning of Indian lands by white settlers moving west, they wanted American Indian men granted citizenship and ownership of lands. Eventually the Office of Indian Affairs recognized the group’s efforts and granted the women parcels of land on reservations for the building of chapels. The women also built schools and hospitals, funded irrigation projects and promoted civil rights for Indians. The women’s legacy? While its members furthered the positive goals of citizenship and education, looking through the modern lens of tribal self-determination, Mathes says, the group is “decidedly out of favor.” About the author: Valerie Sherer Mathes is professor emeritus at City College of San Francisco. She taught American Indian history and history of the American West for more than 40 years and is also the author “Helen Hunt Jackson and Her Indian Reform Legacy” and “Divinely Guided: The California Work of the Women’s National Indian Association.”
In Search of Nampeyo: The Early Years, 1875-1892 Steve Elmore (BA ’71) Spirit Bird Press, 2015 Nampeyo—born in 1856 or 1857 on First Mesa to a Hopi father and Tewa mother—was a great potter who was known as “the Picasso of the Southwest.” Using designs found on potsherds in archaeologists’ excavations of the prehistoric ruin of Sikyatki, Nampeyo resurrected the style and led the Sikyatki Revival in Hopi pottery. Author Elmore, a collector, digs into Nampeyo’s past as well as the history of Anglo traders who sold her work, especially Thomas Keam, who made Nampeyo famous. About the author: Steve Elmore, a native of Carlsbad, N.M., is a painter and Indian art dealer in Santa Fe.
ATTENTION PUBLISHED ALUMNI AUTHORS: We would like to add your book to the alumni library in Hodgin Hall and consider it for a review in Shelf Life. Please send an autographed copy to:
Kim Feldman UNM Alumni Relations 1 UNM, MSC01-1160 Albuquerque, NM 87131
Fabian N. Aragon (‘04 BBA, ‘06 MCCT), Albuquerque, is the manager of the CIO & IT Business Operations department at Sandia National Laboratories. He was honored as a young alum by the Anderson Hall of Fame. Jessica L. Austin (‘04 BBA, ‘09 MBA) is vice president and commercial real estate relationship manager for the Bank of Albuquerque. Uday V. Joshi (‘04 MWRA, ‘04 JD), Santa Fe, N.M., is a hearing examiner who oversees and regulates dilemmas facing water resources in New Mexico. Joseph Martin Padilla (‘04 BA), Albuquerque, works with Youth Development Inc., as the program manager for The Neutral Corner. Azucena Rascón (‘04 BA) graduated from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Shawnadine K. Becenti (‘05 BUS, ‘08 AS ‘14 MSN), Gallup, N.M., is a nursing instructor at the Navajo Technical University. Gabriel A. Gonzales (‘05 BAED, ‘08 MA) is principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy High School in Albuquerque. He was honored as the New Mexico School Administrator of the Year at the New Mexico Student Council Summit and he was selected by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents to represent New Mexico. William Vasquez Mazariegos (‘05 MA, ‘06 MS, ’07 PhD), Trumbull, Conn., is an associate professor of economics at Fairfield University specializing in environmental issues and economic development in Latin America. Elisabeth A. Stone (‘05 MA ‘11 PhD) is curator of education for the Branigan Cultural Center in Las Cruces, N.M. Sarah C. Gosler (‘05 BBA, ‘07 MBA), Los Angeles, is vice president and head of marketing for Wedbush Securities, one of the nation’s leading financial service providers. James C. Mills (‘05 BA), Albuquerque, returned to UNM to play the lead in the touring cast of “H.M.S. Pinafore,” performed at Popejoy Hall.
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UNM Alumnus Wins Peace Prize for Green Innovations in Developing World By Anna Adams “The green movement Based in New Mexico, the is connected to peace,” said program offers two workPeter Nardini, winner of the study positions for students. 2014 Paul Ré Peace Prize, To find participants for the administered biennially by project, Nardini returned to the University of New Mexico UNM, where his wife, Katrina, Foundation. “There is a lot is currently working on her more violence in the world master’s degree in public when resources are scarce.” health. “We are very much The prize, endowed by artist trying to involve UNM in Paul Ré, recognizes a UNM our work,” Nardini said. student, faculty or staff member, Recycle Health New alumnus or retiree who has Mexico rescues medical promoted peace, harmony equipment that would and understanding among otherwise be thrown away. Peter Nardini greets staff at Nana Dikya Hospital in Dixcove, people of the world. It then partners with Project Ghana, as they receive a shipment of much-needed medical Nardini was chosen for his C.U.R.E., an organization supplies and equipment from Direct Relief International and Green World Health Net. work with Green World Health that sorts, fixes and then Net, a nonprofit organization he distributes the supplies founded in 2008 with one massive goal: to use green technologies and equipment to hospitals in developing countries. to improve health in underdeveloped countries around the world. In 2013 alone, Recycle Health New Mexico kept approximately He has served as the nonprofit’s executive director ever since. 13 tons of medical supplies and equipment—estimated to be worth Nardini was first inspired to create the nonprofit while nearly $4.5 million—from going into New Mexico landfills. Instead volunteering in Ghana in West Africa, but broadened his mission it ended up helping under-resourced hospitals provide better to an international scale. “We realized that we wanted to have a health care. “It’s very much a local project,” Nardini said. “We are larger, more global impact,” he said. solving a problem in New Mexico and globally.” One Green World program, Recycle Health New Mexico, Other work in New Mexico includes workshops at UNM and works not only on a global scale but also involves UNM students. with the general public where participants are taught how to make
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Melanie E. Moses (‘05 PhD), Albuquerque, is a UNM associate professor of computer science who studies ants and uses that knowledge to program robots. Her formulas are now being used by NASA in space exploration.
Katrina and Peter Nardini take a break from their work with Green World Heath Net with a walk on Lagoon Beach in Akwadaa, Ghana.
their own solar panels for household use and charging mobile devices, as well as how to make LED lights. The Boko Bed Net Project, one of Green World’s first programs, provides solar-powered cooling systems to malaria nets that are otherwise too hot to use comfortably in tropical climates. This year has seen a significant expansion of the project and it has garnered a lot of attention with the release of a short film, “The Boko Bed Net Project.” (Clips from the documentary can be watched at GreenWorldHealthNet.org.) The film also discusses Nardini’s first trip to Ghana in 2006, when he was inspired to found Green World. He and Katrina volunteered there for three months at Nana Dikya Hospital in the coastal community of Dixcove. “The people of Ghana are wonderful,” Nardini said. “They make the best of what they have.” After designing and building a water system for the hospital, Nardini realized he wanted to do more development projects in the country; he had previous experience with such work while in the Peace Corps. After receiving a dual master’s degree in community and regional planning and Latin American studies from UNM, Nardini volunteered with the Peace Corps from 2001 to 2004. He served as a basic sanitations specialist in Bolivia, designing and building water systems among other side projects, such as introducing highly nutritious peanut butter to the local diet.
“I’d known that I wanted to join the Peace Corps ever since I was a kid,” Nardini recalled. “And I did it backwards. Most people join the Peace Corps before they get their master’s degrees, but I did it after.” It was during his service in the Peace Corps that Nardini met Katrina. The couple later moved to San Francisco, where Katrina studied to become a nursemidwife and he began work as managing director of Volunteers for Inter-American Development Assistance, an organization that sends medical supplies to hospitals in Latin America. Looking for a new volunteer opportunity around this time, the couple decided to make their first trip to Ghana, which they chose for its English-speaking populace. “In some ways Bolivia prepared me for Ghana,” Nardini said, “but the scale of poverty was much more extreme than I was expecting. It was an eye-opener.” Nardini believes it is important for people in developing countries like Ghana to gain their first exposure to technology through alternative technologies to build a connection between quality of life and environmental practices. “This is completely necessary work,” Nardini said. “It is our future, and we don’t have another choice.” ❂ A version of this article first appeared in the UNM Foundation’s Developments newsletter.
Sara A. Stratton (‘05 BSEE, ‘08 MBA), Albuquerque, is a PNM project manager and received the New Mexico Technology Council’s Women in Technology award. Claudia I. Torres (‘05 BSN) has been chosen by the International Nurses Association to represent Los Alamitos, Calif., in their latest publication of the “Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare.” Carmen L. Tsabetsaye (‘05 BA) received a Native Lab fellowship at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Aaron J. Clauset (‘06 PhD), Louisville, Colo., published in Science Advances a study that quantifies the percentage of faculty members who work at institutions deemed more prestigious than their PhD-granting alma mater. Trent Dimas (‘06 JD), Albuquerque, was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame for his 1992 Olympic gold medal performance on the high bar in Barcelona, Spain. Shane P. Flanagan (‘06 BUS), Lawrence, Kan., is head basketball coach for the women’s team at Haskell Indian Nations University and was recently named Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Lara Katz (‘06 JD) was named a “2014 Rising Star” in Super Lawyers. She has joined Montgomery & Andrews.
Lara Katz
Jason S. Lenzmeier (‘06 BUS), Albuquerque, is the offensive line coach for the Lobo football team.
Emily N. Luke (‘06 BA, ‘11 JD), Albuquerque, has joined the Harvey & Foote Law Firm. Kole D. McKamey (‘06 BA), Albuquerque, is director of major gifts for UNM’s Lobo Club. Kirsten R. (Muncy) Marino (‘06 BBA) has joined Coldwell Banker as a Realtor in San Pedro, Belize. Rachael A. Perea (‘06 PHARM), Rio Rancho, N.M., is Prime Therapeutics’ senior director of operations. Heather L. Bateman (‘07 PhD), Gilbert, Ariz., is a field ecologist, conservation biologist and associate professor at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus. She received the 2015 Award for Professional Service from The Wildlife Society.
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Alumni Outlook UNM Alumni Association 2015-2016 Travel Program Old-Time Holidays in the South December 5-10, 2015 Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana
Jewels of Central America January 22-31, 2016 San José (Puerto Caldera) to Cartagena
Events Calendar SEPTEMBER September 1
Howler E-newsletter in your mailbox!
September 5
Las Vegas Chapter Green Chile Roast, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
Rotary Park, 901 Hinson St.
September 13
D.C. Chapter Green Chile Roast and Taco Picnic, 11 a.m., Ft. Ward Park
September 18
Football Tailgate at ASU, kick off at 7 p.m., Sun Devil Stadium
OCTOBER October 1
Taste of Anderson, Anderson School of Management,
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Hotel Albuquerque
October 3
Atlanta Chapter Green Chile Roast, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.,
Decatur Square, Decatur, Ga.
Scottish Highlands and English Lakes
October 10
Greater Albuquerque Area Alumni Chapter New Mexico Brew Fest,
May 23-June 3, 2016
1 p.m., Expo New Mexico
October 12-17
Homecoming Week
October 14
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon, SUB 11:30 a.m.
October 14
UNM Men’s Soccer game and tailgate
October 15
Board of Directors’ Meeting, Hodgin Hall, 8:30 a.m.
Maine and Canada
October 16
Black Alumni Chapter Living Legends Trailblazer Awards, 5 p.m.,
Country and Blues
Centennial Engineering Auditorium
October 16
Open House, Hodgin Hall, 5:30 p.m.
October 17
All University Breakfast, Hotel Albuquerque, 9:00 a.m.
October 17
Homecoming Game UNM vs. Hawai’i, 5 p.m.
(See all Homecoming events and celebrations in enclosed program.)
Portraits of the Past May 9-20, 2016 Italy, France, Monaco, Spain
Scotland and England
Coastal Maine and New Brunswick June 22-29, 2016
October 23-31, 2016 Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri
Paris Immersion October 24-November 4, 2016 France
Holiday Markets December 6-17, 2016 France, Luxembourg and Germany
NOVEMBER November 7
San Diego Chapter Game Watch, UNM vs. Utah (CBSSN), McGregor’s
November 14
San Diego Chapter Game Watch, UNM vs. Boise State (ESPN), McGregor’s
November 14
Austin Chapter “Hill Country Wine Tasting Tour”
November 28
San Diego Chapter Game Watch, UNM vs. Air Force (ESPN), McGregor’s
DECEMBER This is a preliminary schedule. Trips, dates and pricing are subject to change. For additional information, contact Kathie Scott at the Alumni Relations Office at 505-277-5808 or 800-258-6866.
View details, itineraries and pricing online: UNMAlumni.com/Travel
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December 4
Hanging of the Greens: Main Campus/Hodgin Hall Alumni Center
December 10
Graduate Commencement, Wise Pies Arena (aka The Pit), 6 p.m.
December 11
Undergraduate Commencement, Wise Pies Arena (aka The Pit), 6 p.m.
December 12
Austin Chapter Holiday Party and New Mexico Potluck
Events, dates and times are subject to change. Please contact the Alumni Relations Office at 505-277-5808 or 800-258-6866 for additional information. Get up-to-the-minute information on activities and events and at UNMAlumni.com
A Message from Our Alumni Association President A
s the incoming president of the UNM Alumni Association, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you. Please know that it is a real pleasure and privilege for me to be able to serve the university through the Alumni Association. The work that has been done by the association over the last 118 years is simply amazing. The leaders that have served before me have been talented, loyal alums who have helped create an energized organization filled with committed supporters of our wonderful university. In the spirit of transparency, I wanted you to know that there are specific areas of interest that I have for the Ann Rhoades coming year. While it may not sound sexy or exciting, the Alumni Association along with the UNM Foundation will be working this next year to validate the accuracy of our database. In order to reach all of our alums, it is critical that we maintain accurate contact information. You will be hearing more about this in the near future. We plan to expand our exposure even further by scheduling more events in the cities and states where we have a significant number of alums. In some cases, in large cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles or Denver, it may mean we hold more than one event on the same day at two—or more—different locations. The Alumni Association, the UNM Foundation and the President’s Office will work together and hopefully have a schedule out in the near future so you can all plan to attend one or several events! Continuing to enhance the brand of the University of New Mexico is a university-wide project, but one that the Alumni Association is committed to support. Remember, at the end of the day, UNM is also part of our personal brand as graduates and therefore we should all help enhance the UNM brand at every opportunity. Lastly, this is a year when we say goodbye to a very special leader who has left a lasting legacy for all of us as alumni to share. Karen Abraham will be retiring after spending her entire professional career at UNM. She has been the driver behind the Alumni Association for the last 28 years. Each time you enter our Alumni Chapel or Hodgin Hall, you have Karen to thank. While many assisted her in these efforts, Karen was the driving force behind both renovations. These are just two of the many, many contributions Karen leaves behind to remind us every day what a difference she has made at UNM. Karen will be leaving a piece of her heart with us and taking a piece of ours with her. We invite all of you to be active alums and continue supporting this wonderful university we all belong to. A perfect opportunity comes in mid October when campus comes alive with Homecoming festivities. Check out the insert in this Mirage for a complete schedule. Hope to see you there! Thank you for allowing me to serve.
Ann Rhoades ’85 MBA
UNM Alumni Association President
Cipriano Botello (‘07 BSN), Albuquerque, received a 2014 New Mexico Nursing Award for “Excellence in Medical/Surgical.” He is nurse supervisor, UNM Hospital in Albuquerque. Paul W. Carlson (‘07 MMU), Macomb, Ill., plays tuba with the Dallas Brass. Joaquin A. Encinias (‘07 BA), Albuquerque, is the artistic director of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Reperatory Company. Rey J. Lumibao (‘07 AS, ‘10 BSN, ‘14 MSN), Gallup, N.M., is a nursing instructor at Navajo Technical University. Jamie Lynn Padilla (‘07 BS), Albuquerque, works at UNM as an associate scientist in the Analytical and Translational Genomics Shared Resource Facility. Christine M. Chin (‘08 MFA), Ithaca, N.Y., was granted tenure in the Art and Architecture Department of Hobart and William Smith Colleges Kristina G. Fisher (‘08 JD), Santa Fe, N.M., is associate director of Think New Mexico. Paul L. Hooper (‘08 MS, ‘11 PhD), Atlanta, an anthropologist at Emory University, published a study on the Tsimane people of Bolivia in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The study shows the critical support role grandparents play and the evolutionary benefit derived from the amount of food calories they contribute to their extended families. Glover F. Quin (‘08 BBA), Detroit, represented UNM at this year’s NFL Pro Bowl. The former Lobo led the NFL with seven interceptions this season and is just the 7th former Lobo player to have been selected to the Pro Bowl. Christina Salas (‘08 MS, ‘14 PhD), Albuquerque, is a professor in UNM’s Department of Orthopedics. Alexander T. Zubelewicz (‘08 AA, ‘11 BBA) was recognized with a Community Asset Award as part of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation’s Assets in Action Program. Alya Reeve (‘09 MPH), is the medical director for United Counseling Service of Bennington, Vt. Christopher J. Sanchez (‘09 BA), Albuquerque, is communications director for New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. Angelina V. Velarde (‘09 BA), Santa Fe, N.M., completed two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa.
2010s Garrett J. Kerwin (‘10 BSN), Fontana, Calif., has completed his MA in nursing and is working with Kaiser Permanente of Southern California.
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Alumni Network Snapshots from Alumni events
From left, Barbara Simmons, Brian Col贸n, Karen Abraham and Sam Johnson.
Abraham, Jaymie Roybal and Heidi Overton.
Ann Rhoades and Abraham wear the colors.
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MIRAGE MAGAZINE
Abraham rallies the troops.
Ruth Schifani and Abraham share a laugh.
Abraham and George Brooks.
Notes of Appreciation (continued from page 31)
strong belief that the university exists to
leadership style that truly penetrates
develop and grow happy and productive
others’ lives.”
individuals. Her attitude of service for alumni and the greater community is
G. Randy Boeglin
unsurpassed. Karen has earned the love
UNM Dean of Students Emeritus
and respect of all with whom she comes in
“When I think of what Karen Abraham
contact. She is truly one of a kind!”
has meant to UNM, I am reminded of the mountain folklore tale of the witness
William C. Gordon
tree. Witness trees are those mountain
UNM President 1998-2002
sentinels located on promontories that
“One of Karen’s greatest strengths has
give them vistas from which they observe
always been her ability to make all of our
and bear witness to the happenings of
alumni feel like family. As a result, over the
their world. Witness trees are not passive
years literally thousands of UNM graduates
observers; they are proactive parts of their
have formed lasting relationships with each
environments. For me Karen Abraham
other, and a deep connection with UNM
embodies the essence of the witness
itself. Karen clearly understands something
tree-she has been an observer and more
that many others do not – that the truest
importantly an agent for making UNM a
measures of any university’s greatness are
better place. Her long-term leadership
the quality of its alumni, their life successes
role at the helm of UNM alumni relations
and their ongoing commitment to the
reflects her unwavering dedication to
university that nurtured them. In that sense
UNM as a place worthy of a lifetime career
alone, Karen’s contribution to UNM over the
commitment. Almost a half century of
years have been enormous, and everyone
service, sustained efforts to make UNM
associated with the university, both past
a better place and deep, deep roots reflect
and present, should be so very grateful to
Karen’s belief in the value and importance
her for all she has accomplished in her
of UNM as a place. All this earns Karen
time on the campus.”
Abraham the sobriquet of UNM’s witness tree.”
Duffy Swan Former president,
Chris Schueler
UNM Alumni Association
Former president,
“Karen embodies the essence of alumni
UNM Alumni Association
relations at UNM. Alumni relations and
“When you think about the number of
Karen are inseparable. Thus when I think
alumni who have passed through the
about her and her leadership, the two
university during Karen’s tenure as executive
words that come to mind are ‘grateful
director, the diversity, the careers begun,
connections.’ Karen expresses incredible
the lives changed, the families created—
appreciation and gratitude for UNM’s
and then realize the ability she has had
alumni and their many different roles on
in shepherding all these amazing people
the university’s behalf. In that regard, she
as they have journeyed after UNM and
is constantly looking for ways to create
continually reconnected them to our
ongoing connections to UNM (and its
institution in truly amazing ways—you begin
many wonders) among alumni, faculty,
to understand the monumental work she
staff, students and the community. She is
has done. She has been a constant for this
like a server on the network—always on
university and has been invaluable for both
and always making high-value connections.
alums and UNM through her years here and
She wraps all of this in a warm and loving
will be long into the future.”
Amanda A. Sutton (‘10 MA), Albuquerque, is the marketing and events director for Bookworks and freelance editor with West End Press. Gabriel Chavez (‘11 BA), New York, owns his own film production company and is working on “Urge,” with Pierce Brosnan and “Freeheld,” with Julianne Moore and Ellen Page. His short film, “More than Words,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Dynette M. Cordova (‘11 BBA, ‘12 MBA, ‘15 JD), Albuquerque, is the national chairwoman of the National Latina/o Student Association. Elizabeth A. Greig (‘11 MD), Albuquerque, is a family physician at First Choice Community Healthcare and an attending physician at UNM Hospital in maternal and child health. Andrea D. Harris (‘11 JD), Albuquerque, has joined the Carter & Valle Law Firm. Allegra S. Love (‘11 JD), Santa Fe, N.M., is an attorney with Santa Fe Public Schools’ Adelante Program, providing tutoring and other services to homeless students. Meaghan McDevitt (‘11 BA), Lake Oswego, Ore., is a manager at Wells Fargo Bank in Portland and established the Meaghan McDevitt Chance Fund at UNM’s College of Arts and Sciences to help students who need financial backing. Anita N. Bringas (‘12 AA), Taos, N.M., is the Institutional Research and Title V Program specialist at UNM-Taos and has been the national secretary of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators. Lawrence R. Bustos (‘12 BSE), Los Angeles, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His first salute was given by Patrick Conroy (‘71 MATS), president of the Los Angeles UNM Alumni Chapter. His ranks were pinned by his wife, Amanda Bustos (‘09 BA). Nialls C. Chavez (‘12 BSCS), Albuquerque, has written an app called “Drive Control” that activates itself and tells a parent about their teen’s driving behavior. Chris Kennedy (‘12 BA), Appleton, Wis., is the administrative analyst for Cypress Benefit Administrators serving as a third party administrator for affordable health benefits for small businesses. Erin D. Muffoletto (‘12 BA) is the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce senior vice president of public policy and leadership. She was recognized as a Woman of Influence in New Mexico.
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In Memoriam We remember the alumni who passed away between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2015. 1930 - 1939 Kathryn (Fell) Stolarevsky, ‘35 Natalie A. (Murdoch) Darwin, ‘38 Robert Avery Sieglitz, ‘38 1940 - 1949 Billie (Springer) Werntz, ‘40 Maurice L. Hughes, ‘41 Helen Doris (Graves) Jackson, ‘41 Mary C. (Penix) Rich, ‘42 James W. Walker, ‘42 David T. Benedetti, ‘43, ‘47, ‘71 Martha J. (Henry) Harris, ‘43 Frank F. Hash, ‘43 Molly G. MacGillivray, ‘43 Mary Margaret (Harrison) Oshier, ‘43 Lloyd M. Pierson, ‘43, ‘49 Barbara (Fisher) Waggoner, ‘43 Frances Gomes-Cassino, ‘44 James Hutchinson, ‘44 Robert A. Jay, ‘44 Max McWhirter, ‘44 Manuel A. Pino, ‘44 Stephen E. Watkins, ‘44 John M. Kagy, ‘45 Thomas Reed Murray, ‘45 Fred H. Owensby, ‘45 Charles K. Sayler, ‘45 Robert Daniel Statler, ‘45 Vicente Francisco Arroyo, ‘46 Raymond J. Orr, ‘46 Martin Felipe Salas, ‘46 Cassie L. (Stiles) Dallas, ‘47 Sarah Louise (Palmer) Harrington, ‘47 Tomme M. Matotan, ‘47 Nadine R. (Mutch) Miller, ‘47 Anthony J. Vasilakis, ‘47 Donald D. Campbell, ‘48 Janet West Campbell, ‘48 Francis E. DePauw, ‘48 Tillie Irene (Sanchez) Foreman, ‘48 Sallie Jo (Carlock) Kaiser, ‘48 Kenneth J. Powers, ‘48 Frank J. Primer, ‘48 Peter Thomas Vlachos, ‘48 Asa Calvin Wilson, ‘48, ‘51 Alice (Duff) Wood, ‘48 George R. Fischbeck, ‘49, ‘55 Roger W. Martin, ‘49 William G. Pickens, ‘49 Sigfred Sandberg, ‘49, ‘50 Betty Lou (Schade) Schenck, ‘49 Earl E. Sterzer, ‘49 1950 - 1959 Elmer H. Baltz, ‘50, ‘53, ‘62 Hester Fuller Eastham, ‘50
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MIRAGE MAGAZINE
William S. Fulton, ‘50 Charles J. Graham, ‘50 Marilyn M. Hanson, ‘50 Rodney Burton Higgins, ‘50 Marilyn Izzard Hildebrandt, ‘50 Thomas K. Keenan, ‘50, ‘54 Henrietta Agnes (Perea) Martinez, ‘50 Henry Horacio Pedroza, ‘50 John H. Smelser, ‘50 Ernest Szabo, ‘50, ‘53, ‘68 Glenn A. Wershing, ‘50 Mary Jean Yager, ‘50, ‘62 James Harold Bottorff, ‘51 Phyllis (Fryer) Diebenkorn, ‘51 Leroy C. Shelhamer, ‘51 Virginia Mignon Stevens, ‘51 Carl W. Swan, ‘51 Wayne E. Welch, ‘51 Edward Mitchell Wells, ‘51 Elizabeth (Armstrong) Yocom, ‘51 Robert O. Butler, ‘52 William C. Marchiondo, ‘52 Richard E W Adams, ‘53 Ralph J. Birkelo, ‘53 Alice (Welch) Daggett, ‘53 Charles Robert Kennedy, ‘53 Thomas Emerson Montgomery, ‘53 Eugene W. Peirce, ‘53 Yvonne T. (Marko) Russell, ‘53 Gilbert S. Sanchez, ‘53 Marie Spencer Wells, ‘53 Eileen Corbett Brown, ‘54 Paige Walrath Christiansen, ‘54 Helen Lily Martinez, ‘54 Lewis “Red” T. Richardson, ‘54 Leo M. Bartolucci, ‘55 Charles W. Brown, ‘55 Doris Vernon (Roland) Buell, ‘55 Royce J. (Balch) Martin, ‘55, ‘71 Susan A. (Heflin) Stewart, ‘55 Connie (Sanders) Alexander, ‘56 Jane (O‘Connell) Thom, ‘56 Orlando P. Miera, ‘57 Joyce R. Silver, ‘57 Jerry P. Stephens, ‘57 John Richard Street, ‘57, ‘61 Buddie Gene Chappell, ‘58, ‘60 Thomas D. Clark, ‘58 Patricia J. (Espinoza) Mares, ‘58 Eric Thor McCrossen, ‘58 Julian Palley, ‘58 John H. Tenbrink, ‘58 George Goss Yeager, ‘58 E. Aniseto Anglada, ‘59 Wayne C. Perry, ‘59 William B. Slocum, ‘59, ‘65
Philip G. Vargas, ‘59 James E. Womack, ‘59, ‘61 1960 - 1969 William L. Griego, ‘60 Clyde J. Jones, ‘60, ‘64 Richard Ballard Lodewick, ‘60 Salomon Luna, ‘60 Ernest Anthony Mares, ‘60 Samuel E. Russell, ‘60, ‘06 Stephanie J. (Kimbrough) Bowyer-Spinks, ‘61 J. Harold Forrester, ‘61, ‘68 Jeannette R. (Vidal) Gartner, ‘61 William J. McMurray, ‘61 Katherine V. McNerney, ‘61 Harry J. Williams, ‘61 John F. Bowdish, ‘62 Carson H. Creecy, ‘62 Raymond Martin Vargas, ‘62, ‘71 Linda Jo (Grimes) Cox, ‘63 John P. Grillo, ‘63, ‘71 Leeland H. Hogue, ‘63 Margaret E. (Garcia) Salazar, ‘63, ‘69 Edward E. Wood, ‘63 Jacqueline P. K. Bishop, ‘64, ‘67 Allen S. Roth, ‘64 Carl L. Schuster, ‘64 Mary J. (Witeck) Scott, ‘64 Michele (Millard) Kendall, ‘65 Victor Lee Scherzinger, ‘65 James “Doc” R. Shiveley, ‘65 Robert E. Stevens, ‘65 Robert W. Blair, ‘66 James P. Blank, ‘66 Larry K. Johnson, ‘66 Barbara E. (Nolting) Koons, ‘66 Thomas J. Merson, ‘66 S. Maggie (Bradley) Sarber, ‘66 John Britt Fraim, ‘67 Ralph L. Kemp, ‘67 Walter L. Smith, ‘67 James Kendrick Wilson, ‘67 Gerald M. Campbell, ‘68 George L. Meyers, ‘68 Dorothy Duncan Smith, ‘68 James E. Vaughan, ‘68 Fernand A. Bibeau, ‘69 John Winthrop Cassell, ‘69, ‘81 Douglas E. Fast, ‘69 Carmoline A. Grady, ‘69 Esther Pineda, ‘69 Craig DeLos Platz, ‘69 Jim V. Romero, ‘69
1970 - 1979 Audrey M. Gilleland, ‘70 Robert John Hoff, ‘70 Lonnie G. Juarez, ‘70 Donna May (Smith) Shiplet, ‘70 Albert W. Smith, ‘70 Dorothy W. Trester, ‘70 Ronald L. Camden, ‘71 Vadim “Vic” George Canby, ‘71 Jane C. Champagne, ‘71 Mary N. Cook, ‘71 Mary Elizabeth Homet, ‘71 Mary Jo Shivel LaPointe, ‘71 Daryl Leon Nehler, ‘71 Anthony L. Ryan, ‘71, ‘75 Richard Schafer, ‘71 Edward R. Ziegler, ‘71 Robert N. Garcia, ‘72 Janine L. Gossett, ‘72 Harold A. Johnson, ‘72 Osley Bird Saunooke, ‘72 David L. Bleakly, ‘73, ‘94 Susan Cook, ‘73 Joanne M. Davis, ‘73 Walter Reid Keller, ‘73 John J. Ryan, ‘73 Gerard. Thomson, ‘73 Gilbert Jose Vigil, ‘73 Tony M. Baca, ‘74 Jeffrey M. Bradley, ‘74 Arthur J. Jackson, ‘74 George J. Kominiak, ‘74 James P. Miller, ‘74 Stephen H. Neff, ‘74 Elizabeth A. Szalay, ‘74, ‘78 Edward Dean Lee, ‘75 Tonita T. Lujan, ‘75, ‘78 Charles A. Truxillo, ‘75, ‘80, ‘91
Eddie H. Mike, ‘76 Ray D. Rodman, ‘76 Mary Lynn B. Tratechaud, ‘76 Betty O Blackwell, ‘77 James S.l. Cooper, ‘77 Carleen C. Lazzell, ‘77, ‘84, ‘96 Gordon D. Coffing, ‘78 Herman P. Ortiz, ‘78 Lona P. Cappis, ‘79 Cecelia (Birdshead) Junker, ‘79 1980 - 1989 Danny A. Ferrell, ‘80 Margaret S. Halleck, ‘80 Karolyn K. Sailer, ‘80 Judith Kay Smith, ‘80 Donald L. Thacher, ‘80 Vicente N. Davis, ‘81 Cindy R. Earl, ‘81 Carol A. (Coffey) Adler, ‘82, ‘84 Beverley J. (Smith) Rodgers, ‘82 John K. Wigger, ‘82 Jerome G. Beckman, ‘83 Miriam T. Egbert, ‘84 Emily Ann Hickman, ‘84 Sandy J. Kelton Pitts, ‘84 Shirley Ann Seymour, ‘84 Craig A. Wacknov, ‘84 Thomas McKee Williams, ‘84 Mark J. Wolfsberg, ‘84 Monica Jean Davis, ‘85 Linda E. Ettinger, ‘85, ‘92 Christopher A. Gonzales, ‘85 Katrina Anne Koch, ‘85 Laura L. Megah, ‘85 Thomas H. Twietmeyer, ‘85 M. Kathryn (Smith) Ballard, ‘87 Christopher J. Hendley, ‘87 Jeffery L. Wagg, ‘87
Ethan G. Rule (‘12 BA), Albuquerque, is the director for New Mexico and a member of the board of directors of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Megan Hearting (‘13 MBA), Albuquerque, has launched her own coaching and consulting practice working with managers and business leaders. Michael A. Marcelli (‘13 MBA), Albuquerque, was elected to the Megan Hearting Executive Committee for the National Association of State Budget Officers. He is the state budget director of New Mexico. Jason L. Marshall (‘13 BA), Albuquerque, is an account executive for The Waite Co. Taylor J. Trodden (‘13 BBA, ‘15 MBA), Albuquerque, is host of the 2015 Albuquerque “Diner en Blanc.” Justin D. Nolan (‘14 MFA), Daytona Beach, Fla., teaches photography at the University of Central Florida. His photos are in many private collections. Elizabeth Piazza (‘14 JD), Albuquerque, has joined Montgomery & Andrews. Jack L. Powers (‘14 BA) is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy and is training as a student Naval aviator. Aaron J. Walker (‘14 BBA), Albuquerque, designed the “Twist Resist” exercise machine for joint strengthening and won the 2015 UNM Business Plan competition.
Elizabeth Piazza
Lyndsay M. Stapleton (‘15 BSCHE), Albuquerque, is a National Science Foundation fellow.
Have a Good Howl Our monthly email newsletter, The Howler, keeps Lobos up-to-date with Alumni Association news and events, as well as additional alumni profiles not published in Mirage. You can read it online at unmalumni.com/the-howler.html
Colton J. Treharn (‘15 BSCM), Peralta, N.M., received the Mortensen Pinnacle Award from the Associated Schools of Construction student competition, recognizing his performance and dedication in the construction industry. He competed against more than 1,300 students for the award.
or subscribe to the email version by emailing a request to alumni@unm.edu.
FALL 2015
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In Memoriam Laura Rae Deming, ‘88 Betty Ann Kendall, ‘88 Joanne D. Dowler, ‘89, ‘92 1990 - 1999 Bessie W. Holtsoi, ‘90 Celeste J. Howell, ‘90 Gilbert Don Pohl, ‘90 Ann Marie W. Thornton, ‘90 Virginia M. Coupe, ‘91, ‘97 Darrell D. McGee, ‘91 Patricia A. Ortega, ‘91 Ione Opal Runyan, ‘91 Judith Anne Vejvoda, ‘91, ‘98 Alex J. Gonzales, ‘92 Christine McGarvin, ‘92 Brenda Padilla, ‘92 Maureen (Crawford) Kivlen, ‘93 Ralph E. Luna, ‘93 Mikel K. Stone, ‘93 Donald L. Wasilewski, ‘94, ‘96 John F. Brackbill, ‘95, ‘02 Lara Lee Calloway, ‘95 Manuel R. Marquez, ‘95
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MIRAGE MAGAZINE
John Yard Anderson, ‘96, ‘10 Josephine Anna Ervin, ‘96 Robert J. Mitchell, ‘96, ‘05 Ned Morris, ‘96, ‘98, ‘01 Debra M. Zengerly, ‘96 Christopher R. Crazythunder, ‘97 Jason C. Franscella, ‘97 Shirley Ann Vandergust, ‘97 Leda M. Silver, ‘98 Marie G. Kirtley, ‘99 Vashti Aisha Lowe, ‘99, ‘03 Marshall T. White, ‘99 2000 - 2009 Nellie R. Kanesta, ‘00 Dudley E. Cornell, ‘03 Adam P. Ortiz, ‘03 Jennifer Yardman, ‘03 Colin T. Buckley, ‘04, ‘08 Dawn M. Witiuk, ‘04 Jedidiah C. Lopez, ‘07 Rebecca A. Browne, ‘09 Jeannie M. Kear, ‘09 Nathanael G. Wood, ‘09, ‘12
2010 - 2015 Eliana Marie Herrera, ‘14 Matthew Grant, ’15 Briana Hillard, ‘15 OTHER ALUMNI Christine L. Campbell Ralph H. Carey George W. Case Joe Pat Cherino Robert J. Costarella Beverly Cottle Charlotte Cornish Edmunds George E. Fay Norman C. Heywood Taiji Kawazu Nancy E. (Gentry) Nalda Michael Owen Julian Cathal Redditt Sofia Chmura Stone Arthur C. Upton Carroll C. Varner John M. Veitch
UNM Homecoming Court 2014
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The University of New Mexico Alumni Association MSC 01-1160 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
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“Rio Chama” by Frank McCulloch (‘53 BS) Signed limited edition: $50. Unsigned limited edition: $35. Order using the form in the enclosed homecoming schedule or at UNMAlumni.com/homecoming.
he 2015 UNM Alumni Association Homecoming poster features noted Albuquerque painter Frank McCulloch’s “Rio Chama.” McCulloch was born in 1930 in Gallup, N.M., and grew up in Albuquerque, surrounded by the big skies and mountain vistas of the desert Southwest. So it’s no wonder that he draws inspiration from the outdoors and that landscapes dominate his work. McCulloch graduated from UNM with a BA in 1953, and taught biology before he took a career turn and became a
high school art teacher in Albuquerque as well as a prolific painter, illustrator and print maker. Over a career that has spanned more than 50 years, McCulloch has captured and interpreted mountain and valley scenes, red rock landscapes and the vast openness of the Valles Caldera. He is a recipient of the New Mexico Governor’s Award in the Arts and the Albuquerque Arts Alliance Bravos Award among many others. His work is in the collections of art museums across New Mexico and in private collections around the world.