F. Chris Garcia, former UNM president and distinguished professor emeritus in political science, is among the Silver Horizons New Mexico, Inc. 2009 Senior Hall of Fame inductees, who will be honored at a luncheon on May 21. The luncheon will be held at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North Hotel and will begin with a silent auction at 10:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and award ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
Photo: F. Chris Garcia
In 1982, Silver Horizons began the Senior Hall of Fame to honor outstanding individuals over the age of 65 for their lifetime commitments to the community.
Silver Horizons will induct four individuals for 2009, including: F. Chris Garcia, Betty-Mae Hartman Richard W. Kirschner and Anne M. Nokes.
F. Chris Garcia, born on April 15, 1940, in Albuquerque, N.M., earned his bachelor's degree in government and citizenship in 1961 and his master's in political science and education in 1964 from UNM. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of California at Davis in 1972.
He returned to UNM in 1970 as an assistant professor in political science, a subject he still teaches.
During his professorial career at UNM, Garcia has also held various administrative positions, including:
· assistant director of the Division of Government Research (1970-72)
· assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1975-1976)
· associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1976-1980)
· dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1980-1986)
· vice president for Academic Affairs (1987-1990)
· provost and interim vice president for Academic Affairs (1993; 1998-2000)
Garcia sought a stronger relationship with the state’s congressional delegation, which increased the UNM’s federal funding in 2002-2003.
In 2002, Garcia was named president of the university, during which the university grew in record-setting numbers in both students in attendance and diplomas received.
By 2003, the Graduation Project, which Garcia had inaugurated in 1997 to encourage students who had dropped out to complete their degrees, had brought 1,684 students back, 1,124 of whom graduated.
His served as a member of numerous boards, committees, and task forces in and around the Albuquerque area. Garcia was also active in many organizations that promoted education and economic development, including:
· the Golden Key International Honor Society
· the Phi Beta Kappa Society
· the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
· Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science
Garcia’s career is one of service to the community, education, development and UNM.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu