The University of New Mexico Alumni Association and its Lobos for Legislation committee have selected New Mexico State Senators Cynthia Nava and Cisco McSorley as the first recipients of their new Higher Education Distinguished Legislator Award. The awards were presented at the Alumni Association’s annual Volunteer Thank You reception on June 3.
The purpose of the award is to recognize New Mexico legislators who make an extraordinary and exemplary contribution to higher education at the University of New Mexico. A $500.00 scholarship in the legislator’s name will be awarded to a student from the legislator’s district.
UNM alumni recognized Senator Nava who, as Senate Education Committee Chair, tabled lottery scholarship “decoupling” legislation during the 2005 session. That legislation would have adversely impacted UNM’s lottery scholarship recipients. Nava is also lauded for sponsoring and securing the passage of legislation that created a funding mechanism for UNM Hospital and for the UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center, allowing $60 million in bonds and an additional $15 million to be repaid by cigarette taxes.
Senator Nava has represented Senate District 31 in Las Cruces since 1993. She has served on the Senate Education committee during her entire tenure and as chair since 1997. Nava also serves on Corporations and Transportation and on the Committee’s committee. She is an educator and deputy superintendent of Gadsden Public Schools in Las Cruces.
UNM Alumni credited Senator McSorley for helping obtain $4.8 million for the Centennial Engineering Building during the 2005 session, as well as another $1.3 million in funding for UNM’s Alfonso Ortiz Center, the linguistics program, Hodgin Hall, Manufacturing Training and Technology and athletics facilities.
An attorney in Albuquerque, Senator McSorley has served Senate District 16 in in the city since 1996. Previous to that, he served in the N.M. House of Representatives from 1985 to 1996. McSorley chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and also serves on the Indian and Cultural Affairs Committee.
Contact: Susan McKinsey, (505) 277-1989
Posted by scarr at June 8, 2005 04:01 PM