UNM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HONORS ALUMNI AND FACULTY

Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816

May 28, 2004

UNM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HONORS ALUMNI AND FACULTY

Seven distinguished alumni and faculty from the University of New Mexico College of Education were honored recently for their contributions to the field of education during the College's 75 th Anniversary Gala.

The Chester C. Travelstead Endowed Faculty Fellowship Award was presented to Leroy I. Ortiz, UNM associate professor of language, literacy and sociocultural studies. Travelstead, who was the dean of the UNM College of Education from 1956 to 1968, attended the event.

Ortiz began his career in 1963 as an elementary teacher with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Chinle, Ariz. He came to UNM in 1972 as a supervisor of student teaching with the department of elementary education. His work is in teacher education and language education with specialization in literacy development, bilingualism and sociolinguistics. Ortiz has written and directed many education grant awards totaling more than $9 million. He is the director of the Multicultural Education Center and developer of a new graduate level class titled Issues in Latino Education.

The Leadership in Education award was presented to Veronica Garcia, Ph.D., the state's first secretary of Public Education Department. The award recognizes leadership is key to improving education and that education is the path to a better life for all New Mexicans.

During a career that spans 30 years, Garcia has been a highly effective teacher, counselor, principal and superintendent. Each of Garcia's three collegiate degrees was earned at UNM.

Louise Adelstone was honored for her contributions to school counseling. At Comanche Elementary School, Adelstone combines daily classroom lessons with small group therapy and individual sessions. She started a peer-tutoring program to help at risk students and created “Girls and the Media” to help girls find both a voice and self-confidence. In 1998, Adelstone earned a master's in counseling from UNM.

Kevin Cronk was recognized for his work in Community Development. As a high school teacher in Los Lunas, he organized a food drive, which took him into the homes of his students. It served as an introduction to the need for decent, affordable housing for hundreds of adults and children in Valencia County. Cronk founded and serves as president of Habitat for Humanity of Valencia County. In 1991, Cronk received a master's in community development from UNM..

The award for excellence in educational policy was presented to Rep. Gail Beam. Beam taught in the Albuquerque Public Schools for five years after receiving her master's in special education from UNM in 1972. She earned her doctorate in 1981 and has since worked in various model projects to improve educational offerings for young children. She is co-founder of Alta Mira Specialized Family Services in Albuquerque. In 1996, she was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, where she continues to serve.

Catherine Cross Maple was honored for her contributions to educational administration and leadership. Maple has been a teacher and administrator for more than 25 years and currently serves as the assistant secretary for vocational rehabilitation in the Department of Public Education. Dr. Maple has served public school students for more than 25 years as both teacher and administrator. Her concern for students led to the directorship of the Charter School Program for APS, currently with 17 charter schools operating in Albuquerque with 3,500 students enrolled. Maple earned her doctorate in administration and leadership from UNM in 1980.

Celia "Jo" Thomason was honored for her work in international service. After dedicating 45 years to teaching special education in New Mexico classrooms and universities worldwide, Thomason died in July 2003. She was a special education administrator for the Albuquerque Public Schools from 1969-1986 and executive director of the International Council of Administrators of Special Education. Her many honors include the New Mexico School Administrators Outstanding Leadership Award. Her husband Tom Thomason was present to accept the award.

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