The University of New Mexico Alumni Association will host its annual awards banquet Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Hotel Albuquerque. Four individuals will be recognized: Gustavus Simmons, James F. Zimmerman Award; Orcilia Zúñiga-Forbes, Bernard S. Rodey Award; George Friberg, Erna S. Fergusson Award; and Susan Tiano, Faculty Teaching Award.
If you are interested in attending the event, please contact the Alumni Relations Office at (505) 277-5808.
Gustavus Simmons, James F. Zimmerman Award
Gustavus Simmons is a retired cryptologist and a Senior Fellow at Sandia National Laboratories. He pioneered the theory of authentication, used to verify adherence to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty for nuclear weapons. All e-commerce now depends upon Simmons' work in authentication.
Simmons received the E.O. Lawrence Award in 1986, one of the highest scientific honors bestowed by the U.S. government, often called the American Nobel Prize.
Simmons received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of New Mexico. He has written more than 180 professional papers and books, including the comprehensive text "Contemporary Cryptology. He wrote the entry on cryptology in the Encyclopedia Brittanica.
The James F. Zimmerman Award is given to an alum of the University of New Mexico who has made a significant contribution, which has brought fame and honor to the University of New Mexico or to the State of New Mexico.
Orcilia Zúñiga-Forbes, Bernard S. Rodey Award
Orcilia Zúñiga-Forbes was the vice president for University Advancement at Oregon State University and is now retired. She was also an administrator at Portland State University and serves as a Trustee of the Meyer Memorial Trust. She earned her BS degree in Nursing from UNM, and her MS and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oregon, and an M.P.H. degree from UC-Berkeley. Zúñiga-Forbes is a long time donor to UNM’s College of Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences.
Zúñiga-Forbes served in the capacity of VP Institutional Advancement at UNM in 1996. Her involvement in community affairs and cause-related work is distinguished by her participation on the board of the Hispanic Cultural Foundation, the National Science Coalition Management Team, the American Leadership Forum in Oregon, the World Forestry Center and the Providence Health System. Zúñiga-Forbes is one of the newest members of the UNM Foundation Board of Trustees.
The Bernard S. Rodey Award is given to those individuals who have devoted an unusual amount of time in a leadership capacity and whose efforts have contributed significantly to the field of education. The recipient need not be an alumnus of UNM.
George Friberg, Erna S. Fergusson Award
George Friberg is the senior director of Technology Ventures Corporation and has been involved in technology business endeavors for most of his career as an engineer, manager and executive. He has senior management experience in space, satellite, and missile electronics manufacturing; voice communications and remote control systems for use in steel production and mining applications.
Friberg sits on the UNM Foundation Board of Trustees and is an Adjunct Professor for Anderson Schools of Management. He has been actively involved in the UNM Lettermen and Lobos for Legislation committees and is a Past President of the Alumni Association and a recipient of the Association’s Zia Award in 1998. Friberg received his MBA from UNM in 1983 and his BSME (Mechanical Engineering) in 1962.
The Erna S. Fergusson Award is given in recognition of exceptional accomplishments, or for commitment or distinguished service to the University of New Mexico. The recipient need not be an alumnus of the University.
Susan Tiano, Faculty Teaching Award
Susan Tiano is a professor and chair of Sociology at UNM. She earned a Ph.D. in 1979 from Brown University, with a specialization in the Sociology of Development. Her work focuses on gender and development, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of capitalism, economic restructuring, and globalization on women's lives and gender roles and identities.
Tiano spent two decades working on women maquiladora workers in Mexico, research published in her book, “Patriarchy on the Line (Temple, 1994)” and various other book chapters and journal articles.
The Faculty Teaching Award recognizes outstanding teaching and service to students. The recipient shall be a faculty member currently employed full-time in any school or college at the University of New Mexico.
NOTE: The UNM Alumni Association’s Board of Directors’ meeting is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13 at Hodgin Hall in the Bobo Room from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu