
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, 277-1593, michal@unm.edu
Oct. 12, 2006
UNM Professors and Alumnus to Receive Awards at NM Hispanic Bar Association Banquet Oct. 27
Event Features Keynote Speaker Governor Bill Richardson
The 2006 New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association Awards Banquet will present awards to two University of New Mexico professors and a UNM alumnus on Oct. 27 at the Hilton Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd. NE.
Following a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., dinner and award presentations will be held from 7-9 p.m., featuring a keynote address by Gov. Bill Richardson.
The Attorney of the Year Award will be presented to UNM School of Law alumnus Benedicto Naranjo. The Liberty and Justice Award will be presented to UNM School of Law professor emeriti Frederick Hart and Robert Desiderio.
Benedicto Naranjo graduated from the UNM School of Law in 1977. He has practiced law for more than 30 years. After retiring from private practice, he became a public servant and activist. He is an assistant district attorney in 13th Judicial District. Naranjo works toward eradicating Methamphetamine production and use in Valencia County . He also works with school Boy Scout chapters and other bipartisan public service activities to educate families and children.
During his 37 years on the UNM law faculty, Frederick Hart worked to increase enrollment of Native American and women law students and to improve the student-faculty ratio. He served two terms as dean in addition to contributing expertise in contracts and commercial law. Hart has been active in the Law School Admission Council for more than 30 years and served on the Law School Accreditation Committee of the Section on Legal Education of the American Bar Association , among other national committees.
Robert Desiderio joined the UNM law faculty in 1967, contributing expertise in tax law. While serving two terms as dean, he led a massive fund-raising effort to build the $10 million Frederick M. Hart Addition, increased the number of faculty and established a successful annual fund-raising program. He has served as UNM's acting vice president for academic affairs and as faculty representative to the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the former Western Athletic Conference. He co-chairs the New Mexico Public School Capital Outlay Task Force and is the only academic member of the Exempt Organization Advisory Council of the Internal Revenue Service in Dallas .
The New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association was incorporated more than twenty years ago to promote the education and development of Hispanic legal professionals in the State of New Mexico , to develop and promote full participation of Hispanics within the legal profession and to grow the talent pool of highly qualified people interested in state and federal leadership positions.
Ticket prices for the banquet are $55/member, $75/nonmember and $750/table. For tickets and information, call (505) 797-6077.
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