Now that students have returned for fall classes, Residence Life and Student Housing continues to make positive changes to their homes here on campus. Residence Life plans to spend a whopping $4.8 million this year to expand the quality and visual appeal of various residence hall facilities for students living on main and south campus.
Photo: A view of the furnishings in one of the student residence halls.
“Lots of interior projects, combined with exterior landscaping initiatives, are virtually changing the face of student housing,” said Patrick Call, director of Residence Life and Student Housing.
In the fall of 2008, a survey reported that a small number (13 percent) of student residents said they were dissatisfied with their overall UNM housing experience.
Call explains, “While survey results show that the majority of student residents are satisfied, we want to insure that we surpass every student’s expectations.”
This year the department plans to focus its’ spending on building renovations and landscaping initiatives specifically selected to enhance life-safety and increase student satisfaction.
Over the summer, Residence Life and Student Housing completed various life-safety and infrastructure projects. Approximately $3 million was spent to replace and repair outdated water lines, and to install more than 220 heating and air-conditioning units, and ventilation systems in the Student Residence Center (SRC) apartments. Another $400,000 was invested in upgrading the fire safety and alarm systems in Santa Ana and Santa Clara halls.
Residence Life and Student Housing has budgeted $1.8 million to use on a variety of on-going visual improvement projects for UNM’s residential community.
“We want students to see the changes we are making with their own eyes” Call said. Nearly $500,000 was spent this summer on the interior demolition and modernization of 36 SRC apartments, while another $160,000 went to upgrading wireless for laptops in Laguna/DeVargas, Santa Clara Hall and the La Posada Dining Facility.
“However, probably the most visible project, hands-down,” said Call, “has been the new comfortable furniture that we purchased and installed in various common areas throughout the Residence Halls.”
Currently, the department is close to completion of several special projects focused on student satisfaction, comfort and convenience including significant enhancements to Hokona Hall bathroom fixtures, faucets, counter-tops and sinks; carpet installation in a new common study area in Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Alvarado and Redondo Village Apartments; and new cherry and silver signs in front of residence halls on main and south campus.
Aside from significant renovations on main campus, an estimated $800,000 is being spent on recreational and safety improvements at the Student Family Housing complex on south campus including upgrading the fire alarm enunciation system and stairwells, brand new roofs and the re-paving of the basketball courts and parking lot areas.
“We even installed a shorter basketball goal for younger children” Call said. “We want to make significant visual changes in our residence halls to better serve all of our residents and families,” Call said smiling.
Residence Life and Student Housing is in the middle of a major transformation.
“By improving the quality of our facilities and by making them more visually appealing, we are actively serving and promoting student comfort and satisfaction. We want to increase student’s academic achievement and retention to the university," Call says, “and we want students to be excited about living on campus!”
For more information on visit: UNM Residence Halls.
Media Contact: Bobby Childers, (505) 277-8588; e-mail: childers@unm.edu
The UNM Harwood Museum of Art in Taos presents two new exhibitions: “Desert Passage,” featuring the work of three Dutch artists, Anne Ausloos, Gerco de Ruitjer and Jeroen van Westen, and “Risk Hazekamp / Valley of the Gods: Contemporary Analog Photography In and Around Taos.” Both exhibits run Friday, Oct. 9-Sunday, Jan. 24. A public reception will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, 2-5 p.m.
“Desert Passage” explores issues of land, water and culture specific to the arid environment of the southwestern high desert of New Mexico. The three participating artists have exhibited extensively in Europe and beyond.
The exhibition developed after years of work, many trips to New Mexico and an artist book by the same title. The project’s goal was to investigate the enormous difference as well as the surprising similarities between the Dutch (wet) lowlands and the New Mexico (dry) high desert.
The contrast between the Dutch polder system and the Hispanic acequia system became a subject for each of these artists. The Dutch practically drown in water and have to create structures to manage and release its abundance, while New Mexicans are plagued by drought and have created efficient irrigation systems to lead the little water there is to the places where it can be best used. Both the Dutch and New Mexicans have created democratic organizations for water management. In both places, nature itself plays a dominant role and often disturbs these human regulating measures.
Risk Hazekamp participated in the Harwood Museum’s Artist in Residence program this summer. “Valley of the Gods” includes work created during her stay in Taos. Hazekamp uses photography to explore issues of identity and in particular the way gender and identity intersect. By evoking and drawing upon mass media and popular visual language – advertising, fashion and movie genres, she questions the construction of gender identities.
Born in The Hague, Hazekamp works primarily with photography and video. In her work, the language of Hollywood is directly engaged on the issue of gender. Her entire photographic process is analog: from the negative to the final print work no computer is used.
During her residency at the Harwood, Hazekamp photographed herself in the New Mexico landscape, functioning as an ultimate symbol for nature. Emptiness stands here for a non-defined space, based on the desire to step outside existing linguistic and physical borders. Hazekamp’s self-portraits express that identity should not be understood as a logical and coherent thing, but as a dynamic, fragmented and changeable process.
Call (575) 758-9826 ext. 105 or visit Harwood Museum of Art of UNM. The Harwood Museum is located at 238 Ledoux Street in Taos, N.M., and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m. Admission $8, or free on Sundays to New Mexico residents.
Media Contact: Lucy Perera, (505) 758-9826, ext. 105; e-mail: lperera@aol.com
UNM Health Sciences Center presents “Global Health Partnerships,” the first Southwest Regional Symposium on Global Health, Tuesday, Oct. 13-Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education.
The Southwest Regional Symposium on Global Health is a free public event hosted by the UNM Global and Geographic Medicine Program with support from the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Internal Medicine. The event highlights international cooperation in research, education and clinical medicine between the UNM School of Medicine and partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Speakers include UNM faculty and international partners from the disciplines of biology, anthropology and civic government, as well as the fields of medicine and infectious diseases.
Topics include Malaria in African Children: A Genetics Approach, Schistosomiasis in Africa, Project ECHO and India, Kala Azar in Bihar State: A Paratransgenic Approach, Hantavirus in New Mexico and South America, West Nile Virus, Anthropological Research in Bolivia, and Telemedicine in Ecuador.
For more information visit: UNM Global and Geographic Medicine Program or call (505) 272-8207.
The UNM Harwood Museum of Art in Taos presents a three-session Kitchen-Sink Printmaking Workshop with local artist Beth Haidle on Saturdays Oct. 3, 10 and 24 or Nov. 7, 14 and 21, 3-5 p.m. The class is open to any skill level, from novice to professional. Learn new techniques using nontoxic materials in a creative, exploratory environment.
The fee is $5 per class, with an additional one-time $5 material fee. Pre-registration is recommended. Call (575) 779-3791.
Other Harwood classes by Haidle include Wearable Art, a weekly afterschool teen art class held Fridays, 4-6 p.m. Known for her delicate pen and ink drawings on clayboard which recall Victorian pattern books and are inspired by flora, fauna and creatures – both animal and man-made. Her work is on view in Taos at the Love Apple Restaurant and Café Loka. Haidle also produces a series of mini-hand-sewn comic books.
Curator of Education Lucy Perera said, “The Harwood has been looking for ways to provide some specialized classes for older students. Beth’s Kitchen-Sink Printmaking Workshop is designed for older teens and adults of all ages. We are encouraging all levels of experience, including people with absolutely no artistic bones, but who want to explore art and new techniques in a low-stress creative environment.
The Fern Hogue Mitchell Education Center is a magical place and for years parents of the Harwood’s kids program participants as well as people who stumble in off the street have been asking for art classes that are budget conscious and don’t require a huge time-commitment. Beth has designed this class with these goals in mind.”
The workshop compliments the Harwood’s Museum Adventures in Art program, which in October also focuses on printmaking. Artist instructors Amy Rankin and Jocelyn Martinez teach a monoprint class for children of all ages on Saturday, Oct. 3, 10-11:30 a.m. and a two-part etching workshop for teens on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Wednesday, Oct. 14, 10-11:30 a.m. The Museum Adventures in Art program is funded in part by New Mexico Arts.
For more information call (575) 758-9826 ext. 105 or visit: Harwood Museum of Art of UNM. The Harwood Museum is located at 238 Ledoux Street in Taos, N.M., and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission $8, or free on Sundays to New Mexico residents.
Media Contact: Lucy Perera, (505) 758-9826, ext. 105; e-mail: lperera@aol.com
The Department of Theatre and Dance ushers in the haunting season with “The Land Beyond the Forest: Dracula” and “SWOOP,” two vampire plays by Mac Wellman, Friday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 11, in the Carlisle Performance Space. The plays feature the Tricklock Company, UNM’s theatre company in residence, and are directed by the theatre department’s new Head of Performance Bill Walters.
“Dracula” is an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel that veers wildly into new vampire territory. Using Wellman’s wickedly clever language, the Tricklock Company and an ensemble of UNM students create a nightmarish world of music, madness, blood and lust.
“Dracula” is paired with “SWOOP,” where seven miles above the streets of Manhattan, vampires circle over the metropolis, seeking prey and reminiscing about their long past and all things vampiric. The New York Times writes, “Wellman’s text swings through the centuries, culling catalogues of words and images that suggest a varied dust heap of cultural detritus, with particular emphasis on the relationship of the Victorian era and our own.”
Walters is an associate professor of acting, directing and movement. He has taught at Yale University, University of Wisconsin, Tulane University and Hunter College and worked professionally in theater and film internationally. He holds black belts in Tai Chi, Chi Gong and Kung Fu and is certified by both the American and British Societies of Fight Directors. Walters’ interests lie in interdisciplinary performance for the stage and screen.
The performances include music by Bill Clark, scenic design by Christopher Sousa-Wynn, costume design by Dorothy Baca, and lighting design by William Liotta.
Both plays include adult language and content.
Tickets are $15 general, $10 faculty and seniors, or $8 staff and students and are available at UNM Ticket Offices, (505) 925-5858 or unmtickets.com.
Other fall productions of the Department of Theatre and Dance include “Marat/Sade” at the Experimental Theatre Oct. 22-Nov. 1; “Dancing On,” a concert of UNM dance alumni choreographers Oct. 23-24 in the South Arena, Carlisle Gym; Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” at the Experimental Theatre Nov. 5-Dec. 6; “Rent” at Rodey Theatre Nov. 20-Dec. 6; and “Leverage,” a student choreography showcase Dec. 4-6 in the South Arena, Carlisle Gym. Visit theatre.unm.edu or call (505) 277-4332.
Story by Kathleen Clawson
Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593; e-mail: michal@unm.edu
Information Technologies (IT) is upgrading NetID password change requirements for all UNM users starting Oct. 4, 2009. These new requirements are effective immediately for all new and renewing passwords, and existing passwords will remain valid until they expire at their six-month expiration date.
Please note that all NetIDs and passwords are case-sensitive. The new requirements are as follow:
Passwords must contain between 8 and 20 characters
Passwords cannot repeat a character more than twice in a row. For example, RR is acceptable, but RRR is not.
Passwords must contain characters from at least 3 of these characters sets:
* Numbers
* Upper case letters such as A, B, C...Z
* Lower case letters such as a, b, c...z
* Special characters such as ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / : ; < = > ? @ [ ] ^ _ ` { | } ~
Please note that Oracle account users can only use # and _ as their special characters.
IT also hopes to streamline the challenge-response system (the sub-system that lets a user reset their lost password by responding to security questions). Many users have complained they have trouble remembering answers they provided originally, and IT is working to develop a more user-friendly system.
For additional information, contact the IT Support Center at 277-4848 or visit NET ID.
Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu
English Professor Gary Harrison starts work this week as associate dean for Graduate Studies. In the half time position, Harrison will supervise current student support programs, including the Teaching Assistants’ Resource Center and fellowship, scholarship and assistantship awards. In addition, he will lead in developing new initiatives to enhance the success of graduate and professional students.
Dean for Graduate Studies Amy Wohlert said, “We’ve made exciting plans to enhance the services we offer to students and graduate programs, and Gary has the right mix of skills and experience to make them happen. It’s going to be a very productive partnership.”
Harrison comes to the Office of Graduate Studies following years of involvement in graduate education and administration. He served more than five years as director of graduate studies in the Department of English where he had a major role in developing comprehensive orientation and professional advisement programs for a large and ethnically diverse graduate student population.
He was part of the team that developed UNM’s BA/MD program, serving first as the BA/MD curriculum director, then as the student outcomes assessment and program evaluation coordinator. He also served as associate chair for curriculum in English.
His many teaching awards culminated with the university’s highest award, the Presidential Teaching Fellowship, which he currently holds. A specialist in romanticism and world literature, he is co-editor of three major world literature anthologies currently used nationwide.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Representatives from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VI, Trey Rozelle and Bart Moore, accompanied by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management State Hazard Mitigation Officer Sophia Beym, visited the university last month to meet the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Team.
Photo: FEMA officials Trey Rozelle (l.) and Bart Moore (r.) talk with Wesley Stallcup from the Earth Data Analysis Center.
The purpose of the visit was to discuss the process of developing the mitigation plan and explain what projects FEMA may fund when the university’s plan is approved and implemented.
Don Duszynski, Biology Professor Emeritus and Special Assistant to the UNM President, welcomed the FEMA Team, explained the importance of UNM completing a mitigation plan and stressed the President’s support and willingness in implementing this plan across the campus.
Shirley Baros, UNM PDM Planning Team Co-PI, provided a background on the mitigation process from the beginning saying, “It’s important for the university to recognize natural hazards that may cause damage to UNM structures and harm the lives of faculty, students, staff or visitors to the campus. Having a plan that we can implement enhances the campus’ overall awareness where we can be proactive instead of reactive.”
Rozelle said he was very impressed with the university’s commitment to the mitigation process stating, “FEMA has many project dollars available and once UNM has their plan approved and adopted, it is eligible to receive such funds to enhance its infrastructure to mitigate against natural hazards.” Beym added she is very impressed with UNM’s commitment to the mitigation project and developing a plan.
UNM has been working on the mitigation process for the last 18 months and is in the final stages of developing the PDM Plan for submission to NMDHSEM and FEMA for approvals.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Vladimir Ivantsov, a short term scholar in the UNM Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, was the featured speaker at a recent International Luncheon. Ivantsov, who was born in 1981, delivered a talk, "Growing Up in Turbulent Times – Russia from the 1980s to the Present."
Photo: Byron Lindsey, professor emeritus, Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Vladimir Ivantsov, a short term scholar from St. Petersburg State University, visit following Ivantsov's presentation at an International Luncheon.
He presented a perspective on the way things changed – and didn’t – following the fall of communism and answered questions from the audience about influences from the Western world, the Russian literary scene, freedom and quality of life.
Ivantsov is an assistant professor at St. Petersburg State University in St. Petersburg, Russia and is the author of numerous publications on Russian and Comparative Literature. His monograph Organizational Principles of Space and Time in the Artistic World of Vladimir Makanin was published in 2009.
Ivantsov’s talk was co-sponsored by the International Studies Institute (ISI) and serves as a prequel to this year’s ISI lecture series on “Revolutions of 1989.”
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
All UNM students, faculty and staff are invited to the kick-off reception for the fifth annual UNM Technology Business Plan Competition on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 3 – 7 p.m. in the Jackson Student Center located west of the Anderson School of Management.
Top prize for the April competition is the $25,000 Michael Gallegos Prize for Entrepreneurship, and interested students only need be enrolled in one UNM course in either the fall or spring semester to be qualified to compete.
Everyone is welcome to learn more at the kick-off reception. Students will have the opportunity to network with potential teammates face-to-face, to sign up for workshop notices, and to meet business community supporters of the competition.
For more information visit: Technology Business Plan.
The UNM Technology Business Plan Competition is designed to encourage UNM students from areas such as Business, Medicine, Biotechnology, Engineering, Law, and other disciplines to collaborate on teams that commercialize technology products developed at Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Lab, and UNM. These student-owned startup firms bring inventions from lab to market and can boost economic development in New Mexico.
The valued business and community supporters of the competition include American Property Management Corporation – APMC and Michael Gallegos; Technology Ventures Corporation – TVC, Lockheed Martin, and Sherman McCorkle; vSpring Capital, the KickStart Seed Fund, and Gavin Christensen; the NM Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development – WIRED - Initiative, and Gregory Scheib; The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) Endowment, and Raymond Radosevich; the Miller Financial Group of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network; Bank of the West; Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; EPIC Ventures; and Flywheel Ventures.
The 2010 UNM Technology Business Plan Competition will take place on Friday, April 16, 2010. The winners will be announced that evening at the awards reception and banquet.
Media Contact: Leslie Venzuela, (505) 277-7117; e-mail: venzuela@mgt.unm.edu
Campus police have resolved the report of a gun on campus. All clear.
The Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center (COSMIAC) is now doing collaborative research efforts with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. COSMIAC and NASA have submitted a joint proposal to help develop the next generation of small form factor programmable logic board for space called SpaceCube.
Photo: A deployed SpaceCube
SpaceCubes are small satellites that measure 12” by 4” by 4” and can be sent into space for about $30,000. The satellites will carry a special Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) computer chip that can reprogrammed again and again.
For example, a SpaceCube might be sent into space to monitor the gamma rays that are a major part of space weather, but a change in mission could allow the owners of a SpaceCube with that capability to reprogram the satellite computer chip to send alert messages to telephone companies whose service might be disrupted by a burst by gamma rays.
COSMIAC is part of the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UNM and the Phillips Technology Institute. COSMIAC Director and Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Professor Steve Saddarth said, “SpaceCubes will provide new capabilities for satellites to use FPGA chips in ways that were not available before. FPGAs chips may allow us to build small, cheap satellites that can be launched quickly. We’ve never had the technical means to do this before.”
COSMIAC’s work with NASA is designed to make this possible by producing a new style of small circuit card to do this type of work. FPGAs are like chameleon chips where a chip becomes the hardware that is designed into it. An FPGA is a reconfigurable chip which can be programmed using a variety of different design methods. This can be accomplished an unlimited amount of times. COSMIAC funds undergraduate and graduate students to do this type of research.
COSMIAC has a long history of successfully creating FPGA learning laboratories and they were recently selected to develop the FPGA learning center within the NASA Goddard Center. COSMIAC’s role is to promote aerospace innovation through the reliable and responsible use of configurable technology in military and aerospace systems.
For more information visit: http://www.cosmiac.org or contact Craig Kief at, (505) 242-0339 or craig.kief@cosmiac.org.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Dieter Patt, governor of the German county of Kreis Neuss, is the featured speaker at the next International Luncheon, set for Tuesday, Oct. 13 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Scholes Hall Roberts Room. Patt will be accompanied by his colleague, Juergen Steinmetz, since Patt steps down as governor of Kreis Neuss in October, making this Patt’s final official visit in his current capacity.
Photo: Dieter Patt
“Mr. Patt will continue working at the state level in North Rhine Westphalia, and also working to establish formal ties between the American Academy between the European Union and New Mexico. This follows a corresponding document he and Governor Bill Richardson signed in Berlin two years ago,” said Peter Pabisch, professor emeritus, German Studies, and provost’s office.
Patt’s visit, Oct. 9 to 15, recognizes his work with UNM and New Mexico in educational, cultural and economic areas. His latest and most known project has been Schloss Dyck which was developed by the Provost’s Office, OIPS, Paul Nathanson, Kathryn Padilla and Professors Christine Sauer, Melissa Bokovoy and Peter White. He plans to meet all in special meetings.
Pabisch said, “The reception on Tuesday is to welcome Dieter Patt and Juergen Steinmetz by our international group. Mr. Patt will summarize his contributions to UNM and New Mexico in a short statement – and there will be a few short talks by others. Otherwise, the meeting is really meant to encounter Dieter Patt personally once more.”
RSVP by Friday, Oct. 9 to Kathryn Padilla at, katapd@unm.edu or 277-2613.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Table sponsorships available
De Colores, Inc. is hosting its annual leadership awards banquet on Friday, Oct. 16 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Individuals and organizations are invited to sponsor a table for this year’s event, titled, “Celebrando Nuestra Herencia: Celebrating Our Heritage.” The banquet will include a book signing by UNM Law Professor Laura Gomez, author of, “Manifest Destinies: The Making of the Mexican American Race.”
De Colores, Inc. is a non-profit, all volunteer organization, helping the community celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by offering month long series of community activities held September 15 through October 15.
The benefits of sponsoring a table include supporting Hispanic Heritage Month programming; sponsoring a table for youth to attend; and building community with local and statewide organizations. Cost for a table for 10 is $600. Individuals may purchase tickets for $60.
Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, UNM’s Title V program director, is chair of the City of Albuquerque’s Hispanic Heritage Month committee. She said that additional benefits include receiving a copy of the official De Colores festival poster. “Individuals and groups can also display their company’s banner at the banquet and be formally recognized in the banquet program,” she said.
The Leadership Awards Banquet on Friday, Oct. 16, begins at 6 p.m. at the Albuquerque Grand Hotel on Yale Blvd SE (by airport). During this ceremony, the festival organizers and the community will pay tribute to the achievements and leadership of the award recipients.
Event sponsors include De Colores, The University of New Mexico, UNM Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, UNM Bookstore, UNM El Centro de la Raza, The Hispanic Statement of Cooperation, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee and Organizations, ENLACE New Mexico, Intel, Albuquerque Public Schools and Atrisco Heritage Foundation, Atrisco Companies.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Nominations for the Gerald W. May Outstanding Staff Award are due by Monday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. to the Staff Council email, scouncil@unm.edu. The award was established in 1991 by then UNM President Richard Peck, who worked with Staff Council Rewards and Recognition Co-chairs Kathy Meadows and Raqui Martinez, in finalizing the Gerald W. May Staff Award Program.
Any current UNM employee on permanent appointment, part-time or full-time, who does not have faculty status and has completed probation, is eligible for nomination by any current UNM staff, faculty or student. Self-nominations are not permitted.
Criteria for nomination are exceptional service to the UNM community; positive, effective representation of UNM; demonstration of initiative and innovative performance of job duties; involvement, dedication and exemplary commitment as a UNM staff member; additional contributions such as those in the areas of customer relations, community service, professional development, teamwork, reliability, loyalty, self-motivation, communicative skills, etc.
The University established an endowment through funds earmarked by former President Gerald W. May specifically for staff recognition. A matching amount was made available from the Regents’ Endowment Fund, designated at the end of President May’s tenure, in recognition of his service and assistance in creating a UNM Staff Council. Income from the endowment is used by the Office of the President to recognize outstanding staff members who have made significant contributions to the University.
For nomination criteria and an entry form, visit: Gerald May Outstanding Staff Award.
A 24-hour system outage, originally scheduled for the Information Technologies (IT) building for October 2009, has been rescheduled at the request of the Physical Plant Department (PPD). In order to better accommodate the academic calendar, this work has now been scheduled for late-May 2010. Additional reminders will be sent out closer to the date.
The outage, for electrical maintenance, is anticipated to impact many centrally-hosted IT services, such as e-mail, WebCT, LoboWeb, my.unm.edu, Libros, test scoring, and Instructor and Course Evaluations. IT is currently working to identify the costs associated with keeping some core services available if funds become available. Scheduling the outage in late May will ensure final exams, spring graduation and end-of-fiscal-year processes will be completed without any break in IT services. The weekend after graduation is likely to become the potential window of annual downtime for routine IT building or data center work in the future.
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions and answers about the outage visit: Powerup 2010. Individual and or departments may also contact the IT Support Center at 277-4848.
Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu
Larry D. Miller, research historian/data analyst at the Spanish Colonial Research Center at the University of New Mexico, died Monday, Aug. 17 in Eldorado, at Santa Fe, NM. Miller, who was born February 13, 1950, died after a battle with cancer. A memorial service is set for Sunday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m., at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, 334 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe.
Photo: Larry D. Miller
For the past six years, he contributed his impressive editorial and research skills also as a staff member of Colonial Latin American Historical Review (CLAHR).
Miller also interpreted and demonstrated the history and art of blacksmithing at the Rancho de Las Golondrinas and Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. He was a graduate of UNM and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Spanish Literature.
For 18 years, Miller worked as a compiler, paleographer and translator on the Vargas Project at UNM which yielded several books with John L. Kessell, Rick Hendricks, and Meredith D. Dodge. His most recent publication, co-authored with Joseph P. Sánchez, was Martineztown, 1823-1950: Hispanics, Italians, Jesuits & Land Investors in New Town Albuquerque (2008).
Sánchez, director, Spanish Colonial Research Center, said, “We will miss Larry’s keen eye, attention to detail, dedication and loyalty to his work at the Center.”
Miller is survived by his partner, Lolly Martin of Santa Fe, and mother and sister of Roswell and El Vado, NM, respectively.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Jorge Pérez-Gómez, conductor of the UNM Symphony Orchestra, recently participated in benefit concerts for victims from the April earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy, when the city of L’Aquila was destroyed. The concerts were co-sponsored by the Italian Red Cross, the government of the Province of Rome, the city government of Monte Porzio Catone, the University of Tor Vergata, Rome, and the Italian Air Force.
Photo: Italian conductor Silvano Mangiapelo conducts for the concert at the Basilica of Saint Giovanni Bosco in Rome. Soloists included Corrado Stocchi and Carmelo de los Santos, UNM assistant professor of music.
Pérez-Gómez, UNM violin professor Carmelo de los Santos and Italian violinist Corrado Stocchi all offered master classes to Italian students and UNM students who made up the orchestra for the three concerts offered early this month. De los Santos was soloist in Astor Piazolla's “Four Seasons” and collaborated with Stocchi, in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola and orchestra. Four of the wind players in the orchestra were from the Conservatory of L’Aquila, which was totally lost in the earthquake.
“The concerts were a concrete gesture to the vicinity in need. None of the musicians received monetary rewards for their effort, but all were grateful to be able to share their talents to benefit this hard-hit region,” Pérez-Gómez said.
Pérez-Gómez has had a long-term relationship with musicians and has developed several projects for the UNM Music Department in Italy . He and Italian Maestro Silvano Mangiapelo, conductor and artistic coordinator of the “ Iseo Illari School of Music” in Monte Porzio Catone, obtained support from diverse Italian government agencies for the realization of the orchestral laboratory project “ Music from the other part of the Ocean “ in which UNM students benefited from playing and exchanging ideas from their Italian colleagues.
During the same week in September, the orchestra integrated with UNM students, Italian students and professionals also offered a concert in benefit of the orphans of the pilots of the Italian Air Italian Air Force at the Basillica of Saint Giovanni Bosco in Rome. This project had such success that Pérez-Gómez and de los Santos are being invited to return in September 2010.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
“Juan the Bear and the Water of Life: La Acequia de Juan del Oso,” by Enrique Lamadrid, Juan Estevan Arellano, and with illustrations by Amy Córdova, was selected by the New Mexico State Library to represent New Mexico at this year’s National Book Festival held recently in Washington, D.C. The book was published by University of New Mexico Press.
Image: “Juan the Bear and the Water of Life: La Acequia de Juan del Oso"
Each year the festival’s organizers ask state participants to choose one children’s or young adult book to represent them at their booth. “Juan the Bear is an ideal choice,” said New Mexico State Library Publications Director Robert Upton. “It is a beautifully illustrated children’s book with bilingual text, a story representing important cultural values and history, and which is published by a New Mexico press.”
The tale, a thoughtful retelling of the celebrated New Mexico legend of the stouthearted man who moved mountains and rivers to create La Acequia del Rito y la Sierra, the most famous traditional irrigation system in New Mexico, is just one of many stories featuring the exploits of Juan the Bear (Juan del Oso) and his superhuman friends that folklorist Enrique Lamadrid, chair, UNM Department of Spanish & Portuguese, and agriculturalist Juan Estevan Arellano grew up hearing.
“The power of Juan del Oso intrigues us all, even the youngest children,” Lamadrid said. “Estevan Arellano and I decided to link Juan’s story to the historic story of the acequias and the culture which they nourish.” Lamadrid also credits the eye-catching illustrations of New Mexico artist Amy Córdova that inevitably draw people to the story. “From the beginning we knew we were on to something everyone could appreciate.”
“I feel honored that ‘Juan the Bear and the Water of Life’ will be recognized as the State Book at the 2009 National Book Festival,” Arellano said. “It’s not only an honor for the authors and the artist, but I feel it’s recognition of what makes New Mexico so unique and wonderful.”
"Juan the Bear and the Water of Life" is the second UNM Press title to be chosen to represent New Mexico at the National Book Festival. In 2008, “The Voyage of the Beetle: A Journey around the World with Charles Darwin and the Search for the Solution to the Mystery of Mysteries, as Narrated by Rosie, an Articulate Beetle,” by Anne Weaver and with illustrations by George Lawrence was featured at the New Mexico State Library booth.
For more information on “Juan the Bear and the Water of Life,” contact Katherine MacGilvray, UNM Press publicity, at 272-7177 or katm@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Nicaraguan artist and activist Winston Miranda will visit UNM from October 3-13. In conjunction with his visit, an exhibition and two presentations will take place. UNM students, staff and the public are invited to hear Miranda speak Wednesday, Oct. 7, noon-1:30 p.m. at the Department of Art and Art History Gallery, Room 203, sponsored by SOLAS, Student Organization of Latin American Studies. Miranda will discuss his work in front of his paintings that he is bringing from Nicaragua.
These paintings will be on display at the Department of Art and Art History Gallery from Monday, Oct. 5 through Friday Oct. 9. The second presentation is set for Thursday, Oct. 8, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., in Pearl Hall Auditorium.
Miranda’s visit is sponsored by the Latin American and Iberian Institute and the Department of Art and Art History. To get a glimpse of Miranda’s work visit: Winston Miranda.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
America’s national parks headline this week’s episode of “New Mexico in Focus.” In advance of the new Ken Burns PBS series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” (premiering on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.) “New Mexico in Focus” features an exclusive interview the Dayton Duncan, award-winning writer and co-producer of the new series. “New Mexico In Focus” is KNME-TV’s weekly hour-long public affairs show airing on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. on KNME-TV channel 5.1 and repeating on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 a.m.
Then, “New Mexico in Focus” will take a look at some of New Mexico’s most enchanting locations: the Puye Cliff Dwellings, an historic National landmark on the Santa Clara Pueblo; explore on horseback our nation’s first proclaimed wilderness, New Mexico’s Gila National Forest; and take a walk back in time with historical re-enactors through the ruins of New Mexico’s Fort Union National Monument.
Gene Grant and regular “The Line” panelists Margaret Montoya, with the University of New Mexico Law School, UNM Health Sciences Center and CUNY Law School, and Jim Scarantino, investigative analyst for the Rio Grande Foundation are joined by David Alire Garcia, with the Center for Independent Media, and Marco Gonzales, an attorney with the Modrell Sperling Law Firm to discuss the impact of the war in Afghanistan on New Mexico, the Albuquerque mayoral race and more.
“New Mexico in Focus” is produced by Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer and closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1812; e-mail: etodd@knme.org
Understanding the past can be a gateway to shaping a better future. During Hispanic Heritage Month, El Centro de la Raza at the University of New Mexico presents "Adelante: Celebrating 40 Years of El Centro de la Raza and Creating a Vision for Latina/o Students, Faculty, Staff, Parents/Families, Alumni and Community for the Next 40 Years," Monday, Oct. 5-Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Student Union Building.
The 40th anniversary celebration will bring together multiple generations of the UNM Latina/o community, with tracks designed for Latina/o K-12 students, UNM students, student organizations, faculty, staff, alumni, community, community groups and allies. The goal is to build and share skills, academic research and community service models and develop a vision or call to action for Latina/o
student access and success for the next 40 years.
Monday's events include workshops and poster presentations on research, student leadership, organizing, and campus and community program models. Students in K-12 and their families can also take a tour of campus and participate in simulated classes. All are welcome to a legislators and alumni reception in the evening.
On Tuesday, all participants come together for a summit and call to action for the future of Latina/o education.
The celebration is cosponsored by Albuquerque Partnership; ENLACE; UNM Chicana/o, Mexicana/o, Hispana/o Studies; UNM Community Learning & Public Service/Service Corps; UNM Division of Enrollment Management, Admissions/Recruitment; UNM Office of Equity & Inclusion; UNM Office of Government & Community Relations; UNM Office of the President; UNM Parent Relations; UNM Title V; UNM Women's Resource Center; and other campus and community partners.
Media Contacts: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593; e-mail: michal@unm.edu or Christopher Smith-Lopez, (505) 277-3995; e-mail: cslopez@unm.edu
Margaret Moore Booker will present a lecture and sign her new book “The Santa Fe House” on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. in the Willard Room of Zimmerman Library on the UNM campus. A resident of Santa Fe since November of 2004, Booker is a free lance scholar, writer, copyeditor, proofreader, and indexer. She is also researching and writing a number of artist and term entries for the Oxford University Press’s Grove Encyclopedia of American Art. Since moving to the Southwest, the region’s art, architecture and history have become the main focus of her research and writing.
Her book, “The Santa Fe House” presents 40 architecturally rich and picturesque residences, ranging from the earliest one-story adobe structures, with flat roofs and an emphasis on utility, to today’s bungalow and Mission style showing deep roots in Pueblo, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo traditions. It includes the best of the so-called “Southwest Territorial Style” introduced by newcomers from the East after 1846, as well as homes revealing ornate Victorian architectural influence.
The book has color photographs of Santa Fe’s most beautiful houses and features historic black and white photographs, maps, floor plans and other illustrations. Booker shows the best examples of traditional designs through private residences and historic house museums.
This event is organized by the University Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections and is open to all. For more information contact Audra Bellmore at abellmor@unm.edu or call 277-6451.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Allen Fuhs will speak about “Alternate Fuels: Optional or Mandatory?” in a talk hosted by the UNM School of Engineering at noon in the Mechanical Engineering Lecture Hall. He will talk and sign books at the UNM Bookstore on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 2 – 4 p.m. Fuhs is the author of the book “Hybrid Vehicles and the Future of Personal Transportation.”
Image: Hybrid Vehicles and the Future of Personal Transportation, by Allen Fuhs
Fuhs' talk will address the future of personal transportation in relation to global warming and the finite limit of petroleum.
Fuhs is a graduate of UNM and has served as the President of the American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics. He says graduating from UNM opened many doors for him in his professional career.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
The Department of English and the English Graduate Student Association present “The Erotic Politics of the Lusiads,” a research lecture by Assistant Professor Carmen Nocentelli on Friday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. in the Student Union Building, fiesta rooms.
Photo: Carmen Nocentelli
The presentation traces the literary and historical contexts of the Isle of Love episode – quite literally the climax of Luís de Camões’s famous epic poem, “The Lusiads” – locating the first in the reception of Ovid, the second in the experience of colonialism. Imaginatively engaging with the intermarriage policies that characterized Portugal’s early expansion into Asia, the Isle of Love episode elaborates a power erotics that delicately registers the cleavages and contradictions of the imperial enterprise.
Nocentelli earned a doctorate in comparative literature at Stanford University and holds a joint appointment in the Department of English and the Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies program at UNM. She has published in Nuevo Texto Crítico, the Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Rereading the Black Legend, and has an article forthcoming in PMLA. Her current book project focuses on the role of interracial romance narratives in the discourses of Europe’s eastward expansion.
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jesse Alemán, Department of English, (505) 277-3209.
Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593; e-mail: michal@unm.edu
University of New Mexico organizations and community partners join in support of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, as part of a national day of action campaign sponsored by DREAMactivists.org, on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Many students on the UNM campus in support of the DREAM Act will be promoting a “Call Your Congressman Campaign” on Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UNM’s Smith Plaza, south of Zimmerman Library. A press conference will be held at the same location at noon.
UNM’s “Call Your Congressman Campaign” is one of more than 120 events taking place across the country to inform the public of this important piece of legislation, which will keep the United States from losing college and university students who lack proper documentation. The DREAM Act will increase American competitiveness and provide some of the country’s future engineers, doctors, lawyers and educators with a path to achieve their career goals.
The DREAM Act would allow “conditional residency” for undocumented immigrant students who entered the United States before age 16, graduated from high school or received their GED, have no criminal history, and enroll in either higher education or military service. During this period of conditional residency, qualifying applicants could then apply for full citizenship through naturalization.
UNM and community organizations that have signed on as co-sponsors of the event include: El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos, El Centro del a Raza, ENLACE New Mexico, ENLACE Comunitario, Interested Ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha Latina Sorority Inc.-Gamma Kappa Chapter, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc., Hispanic Business Student Association, Lambda Theta Phi Latino Fraternity Inc. -Alpha Upsilon Chapter, Mariachi Lobo de la Universidad de Nuevo México, Mexican Student Association, Movimiento Estudiantíl Chicana/o de Aztlán, New Mexico Media Literacy Project, Raza Graduate Student Association, Somos un Pueblo Unido and many more that have not confirmed at the time of this release.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
A new exhibit is in place in the Herzstein Latin American Reading Room Gallery on the 2nd floor of Zimmerman Library. There will be a formal opening for the exhibit, “Of Guns and Dreams: Reflections on Migration between the U.S. and Mexico” on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 4 – 6 p.m.
The exhibit reflects the issues raised in the book for the Lobo Reading Experience “Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s dream: True Tales of Mexican Migration” by Sam Quinones. Photographs and posters on display come from the Sam L. Slick Collection of Latin American and Iberian Posters, the Douglas Kent Hall U.S.-Mexican Border Photograph Collection and the Collection of Photographs of Mexico and Mexican People by Contemporary Photographers – all housed in the Center for Southwest Research at Zimmerman Library.
The map of Mexico exhibited in the Herzstein Gallery comes from the Map and Geographic Information center located in the Centennial Science and Engineering Library. The news stories posted in the gallery are from various resources including licensed databases offered through the University Libraries at: elibrary.
For more information visit: Lobo Reading Experience Library Guide including chapter summaries, book reviews, interviews, and lists of books and DVDs on themes relevant to this remarkable book. Many of the books are on display in the reading room and the DVDs are available for checkout at the Fine Arts and Design Library.
Associated events...
Tuesday, September 29
12 p.m. - Herzstein Reading Room, Zimmerman Library
Brown Bag Discussion: Sin Fronteras: The Border, Immigration and Latinas/os
Friday, November 6
1:30 p.m. - Lobo Room, Student Union Building
Lecture: “Human Rights in Mexico: Killing You Softly with Aid”
Carlos Spector, Immigration Lawyer & Activist, El Paso Texas
All events are free and the public is welcome.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Tamarind invites UNM alumni and the community to a special tour on Oct. 23, 1:30 to 3 p.m. to experience the exhibit titled, “NM Keepsakes.” The exhibit showcases works with a focus on New Mexico themes, and artists who have a connection to New Mexico. “NM Keepsakes” will be on view from Oct. 22 through Nov. 13 at the Tamarind Institute Gallery. Both events are free and open to the public.
For many alumni returning for homecoming this year, this will be the last opportunity to visit Tamarind in its original Albuquerque location, where lithographs have been created by many outstanding New Mexico artists, including Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Fritz Scholder, Clinton Adams, Emmi Whitehorse, Robert Kelly, and Tom Joyce. In the spring of 2010, Tamarind will move into its new home at 2500 Central, which is currently under construction.
Tour participants will learn about the concept of this collaborative art form, tour the workshop and browse the gallery. To reserve a place for the Oct. 22 tour call (505) 277-3901, or e-mail, tamarind@unm.edu.
From New Mexico landscapes to charming images by New Mexico santero artists, “NM Keepsakes” is bound to have something for everyone with a love for New Mexico. The signature image of the Frontier Restaurant, Open All Night, an original, hand printed lithograph by Karen Beckwith, is one that all UNM alums and students will appreciate.
Other artists included in this exhibit include Leroy Neiman, famous sports artist who created Lobo Layup during his visit in 2008; Frederick Hammersley, who lived and worked in Albuquerque for many years and received the NM Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts in 2005; Nick Abdalla, professor of art at UNM from 1968 to 1997; and Ramón José López and daughter, Miller López, santeros from Santa Fe. A complete list of works included in this exhibit is available. All work is available for sale.
Tamarind Institute, a division of the College of Fine Arts at UNM, is a nonprofit center for fine art lithography that offers the only master printer training program in the world, and houses a professional collaborative studio for artists.
Established in 1960, Tamarind continues to play a significant role in ensuring the future of this unique artistic medium. Tamarind is a “jewel in the crown” of excellence at UNM, publishing important resource materials in the field of printmaking, providing residencies for some of the nation’s most important contemporary artists, and sponsoring community projects with Albuquerque. Public Schools, senior centers, Working Classroom, Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, the Albuquerque Public Arts and many others.
The Tamarind Institute Gallery is located at 110 Cornell Drive SE (south of the Frontier). Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit: Tamarind Institute or call 277-3901.
Contact: Shelly Smith, (505) 277-3792; e-mail: sjsmith@unm.edu
UNM students, alumni and community members will have an opportunity to connect with representatives from graduate and professional programs from New Mexico as well as schools from across the nation at the UNM Graduate and Professional School Fair. The fair is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will take place at the UNM Student Union Building Ballrooms.
For those thinking of graduate or professional school this is a great place to gather information and get questions answered. More than 80 schools are registered, making this an opportunity to meet with recruiters and discuss a wide range of graduate issues including programs of study, admission requirements and financial assistance.
In addition, UNM Career Services will be conducting a series of workshops for Career Week to help prepare individuals for the Graduate and Professional School Fair. The workshops cover various graduate and professional school topics such as deciding if graduate school is right for you, the application process, as well as the academic job search.
For a complete list of workshops and an up-to-date detailed list of registered schools visit: Career Services.
For more information contact Cassandra Costley in the Employer Relations Office of Career Services at, (505) 277-2531.
Reengineering enrollment processes and closer collaboration with the academic enterprise has produced significant enrollment increases for the University of New Mexico. UNM is seeing record growth this semester, with 34,674 students enrolled for all campuses, a 5.93 percent increase over fall 2008. At the Albuquerque campus, enrollment rose by 5.75 percent to 27,304.
UNM main campus also broke records in new beginning freshman – 3,409, a 5.71 percent increase – and undergraduate transfers – 1,291, a 29.75 percent increase. There also is an increase of more than 20 percent in new graduate students, with that number climbing from 932 to 1,120.
The Enrollment Management Division at UNM has been aggressively focusing on improving services to all students and staff. The initial phase of reengineering processes began last year with recruitment and admissions, followed by financial aid and current work focusing on registration and advisement projects.
Revitalization of the recruitment plans, more robust communication to students, quicker turn-around time on application processes, and general service improvements have contributed substantially to the enrollment gains, according to information released by the Enrollment Management Division. Prospective students applied from all 50 states and more than 40 foreign countries. This signifies that the university has national and international recognition and is valued not only in our great state but also outside the state and country, said Vice President for Enrollment Management Carmen Alvarez Brown.
When asked what other factors influenced this significant change in enrollment, Alvarez Brown is quick to point out that collaborative work with the academic enterprise and the leadership and vision of President David Schmidly, Provost Suzanne Ortega and the deans have contributed to this success.
The university’s merit-based scholarship programs have attracted highly competitive students. Improvements in recruitment efforts have lead the way to a 92 percent increase (from 38 in 2008 to 73 in 2009) in national scholar enrollments including National Merit, National Achievement, National Hispanic Recognition, and the first ever class of National American Indian Scholars.
Student credit hours at main campus are up 6.52 percent to 317,377. That’s an average of 11.62 credit hours per student, a slight increase from last year’s average of 11.54 credit hours. Higher course loads are commonly thought to improve retention and graduation rates.
At branch campuses, enrollment increased as follows: Gallup is up 1.27 percent to 2,873 students, with a 10.26 percent increase in credit hours. At Los Alamos, enrollment rose seven percent to 718, with students taking 15.18 percent more credit hours. Taos increased enrollment by 7.56 percent to 1,523 students taking 15.94 percent more credit hours. Valencia saw the highest head count increase with 2,256 students, 13.48 percent more than last year, and a 14.97 percent rise in credit hours.
These figures come from the fall 2009 preliminary enrollment report as of the census date, Sept. 11.
ROTC units to compete in Commander’s Cup, flag football game
The University of New Mexico Army ROTC announces its 3rd Annual Football Run, the ROTC contribution to the Rio Grande Rivalry. UNM Army ROTC cadets and New Mexico State University ROTC cadets run the game ball for the NMSU/UNM football game.
This year, the run – which covers a distance of more than 220 miles – begins with NMSU cadets running the ball from Las Cruces to mile marker 114 in Truth or Consequences. The UNM cadets will then run the ball from that halfway point to University Stadium.
Public Relations Cadet James McBreen said that they anticipate receiving the ball on Thursday, Sept. 24 around 9 p.m. and will run in shifts with the ball up I-25 until they arrive at UNM. UNM cadets will then run the football directly into the stadium prior to the start of the football game on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.
In good military fashion, the cadets have a clear schedule: Shift one cadets pick up the ball and run to mile marker 138; shift two cadets depart from UNM on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 11 p.m. and receive the ball at mile marker 138 and run it to mile marker 162; shift three cadets depart from UNM on Friday, Sept 25 at 3:30 a.m., receive the ball at mile marker 162 and run to mile marker 186; and finally shift four cadets depart from UNM on Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. to receive the ball at mile marker 186 and “RUN UNTIL COMPLETE”.
After the run, the two universities’ Army and Air Force ROTC units will compete in the Commanders’ Cup beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 on Johnson Field. “The event involves a one-mile run, water balloon toss, combat relay, dizzy bat race, three-legged race as well as push-up and sit-up competitions,” said James McBreen, UNM Army ROTC public relations cadet. He said the winning unit gets year-long bragging rights.
The ROTC units aren’t finished with their own version of the Rio Grande Rivalry, however. Following the Commanders’ Cup, at 3:30 p.m., the ROTC units will compete in a flag football game.
For more information, contact McBreen at 974-7919.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
The University of New Mexico will host a public lecture, titled “The Mysterious Universe, Exploring our World with Particle Accelerators,” on Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Anthropology Lecture Hall, Room 163. Professor James E. Brau, Knight Professor of Natural Science at the University of Oregon, and co-chair of the American Linear Collider Physics Group will discuss “Dark Matter” and Dark Energy.”
The lecture is part of a five-day international conference on future accelerators organized by the American Linear Collider Physics Group and sponsored by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Fermilab and UNM.
While modern science has established deep understanding of the matter we know, it is the elements we do not know that dominate the structure of the universe, its behavior and its destiny. What are these curious elements? Scientists are now searching for answers to these and other challenging questions with experiments at particle accelerators on Earth, and with satellites in space. Results of this research may revolutionize our view of nature as dramatically as the theories of Einstein and other quantum pioneers one hundred years ago.
Brau’s lecture is aimed at a general audience; high-school students are especially welcome. He will explain the mysteries and present our current understanding of the underlying science. The presentation will be at an introductory level, appropriate for anyone interested in physics and astronomy.
For information on the international conference on future accelerators, go to Linear Collider Workshop of the Americas.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholars in Health Policy Research program is looking for highly qualified individuals for two-year fellowships at one of three nationally prominent universities with the expectation they will make important research contributions to future health policy in the United States. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The RWJF scholars program is designed to help develop a new generation of creative health policy thinkers and researchers.
The program invites recent graduates of doctoral programs in economics, political science and sociology, including junior faculty, to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously worked extensively in health or health policy research.
Applicants must have received a doctoral degree after Jan. 1, 2005, but no later than July 2010. For those expecting to receive degrees in 2010, all degree requirements must be completed by July 15, 2010.
All applicants must be citizens of the United States or its territories or have permanent residency status at the time of application. Applications are encouraged from candidates who come from groups that historically have been underrepresented in the three disciplines. Scholars will receive stipends from their university of $89,000 a year.
Complete program information is available at: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Assistant Professor of Political Science Michael Rocca discusses congressional decorum, President Obama's recent speech to Congress, Representative Joe Wilson's response and the potential influence of recent Town Hall meetings with UNM Live's Benson Hendrix. To view the video visit: Rocca Discusses Speech.
Photo: Assistant Professor Michael Rocca
Media Contact: Benson Hendrix, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: bhendrix@unm.edu
U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich spoke on the House floor recently to congratulate the University of New Mexico for its national recognition as a top university by Hispanic Business Magazine in the fields of engineering, business, law and medicine.
Photo: U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich
“I am proud to stand here today to highlight an example of a New Mexico institution of higher learning that is doing a tremendous job of serving our Hispanic students,” said Rep. Heinrich. “I congratulate the University of New Mexico for its national recognition as a top university by Hispanic Business Magazine and I wish them continued success in serving our community and our country.”
To view the video visit: Heinrich Congratulates UNM.
For the full story visit: 2009 Hispanic Business Rankings.
The Mind Research Network expects to create 50 new positions after winning $35.8 million in awards this year to advance the MRN mission of improving the lives of individuals and families facing mental illness, brain disease and brain injury.
“The awards underscore that MRN is uniquely qualified to deliver important discoveries about brain disease and injury,” said MRN President and CEO John Rasure, PhD. “The grants also bring job growth to our region and secure MRN’s world-class status in the international bioscience industry.’
MRN employment and payroll already support 170 jobs and almost 16 million dollars in salary income in our region. The awards will create new positions for post-doctoral research associates and technicians. Job announcements will be posted on the MRN website in upcoming months.
The National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are among the agencies that awarded the research dollars to MRN. The grants fuel MRN researchers’ dedication to develop tools to more accurately classify and identify brain disorders. The MRN goal is to give clinicians better ways to treat and ultimately cure mental illness, autism, addiction, epilepsy and brain injury.
MRN is a nonprofit organization founded in Albuquerque 11 years ago as a result of the vision of U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (Ret., N.M.). Since 1998, MRN has expanded into a multi-million dollar facility housing state-of-the-art neuroimaging systems and a neurogenetics lab.
For more information visit: Mind Research Network. You can also contact MRN Director of Development Lisa Breeden at, lbreeden@mrn.org or (505)-681-7110.
Nearly one in five of New Mexicans are still without health care insurance. As a result, any national health care reforms will likely have a huge impact on our state. In conjunction with a PBS Special Report on health care reform, “New Mexico in Focus” will take an in-depth look at the state of health care in New Mexico. This special “New Mexico in Focus” will air on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. on KNME-TV, channel 5.1 in Albuquerque.
Also, host David Alire Garcia will investigate the impact that national reforms might have on New Mexico, as well as look at New Mexico’s future health outlook.
After the “New Mexico in Focus” special, KNME-TV will broadcast a PBS Special Report on health care reform. This 90-minute show, a collaboration of “The Nightly Business Report,” “NOW on PBS,” and Tavis Smiley, will take an in-depth look at the topic of health care reform in the U.S. “The Nightly Business Report,” team will examine the costs and controversies of employer-provided health care, while “NOW on PBS” correspondents will consider how reform may change the way we live. Tavis Smiley will investigate the issues of childhood obesity, especially within communities of color.
“New Mexico in Focus” is produced by Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer and closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.
Mayor Chávez to Proclaim ‘Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Day’
Dr. Antonio R. Flores, president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, is the featured speaker at a luncheon at the University of New Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 12 – 2 p.m. UNM President David J. Schmidly hosts this HACU on the Road: Destination Hispanic Higher Education Success event at University House, 1901 Roma NE.
Photo: Antonio Flores, president and CEO, HACU
Prior to Flores’s address, Mayor Martin Chávez will read an Executive Order proclaiming Sept. 22, 2009 “Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Day.”
Flores will address invited educators, corporate leaders, elected officials and supporters that can participate in championing Hispanic higher education success.
Schmidly said, “The University of New Mexico is a proud member of HACU, and I have the privilege of serving on their governing board. We are pleased that New Mexico is one of the stops for HACU's tour of major metropolitan areas across the country with high percentages of Hispanics.”
UNM has deep ties to HACU. Vice President for Student Affairs Eliseo "Cheo" Torres was one of the originators who met in San Antonio, Texas, in 1986 to develop the concept and the name and he continued to be active in HACU when he came from Texas A&M, Kingsville to UNM.
Additionally, UNM has the largest concentration of HACU/Kellogg Leadership Fellows. Torres, Jerónimo Domínguez, UNM vice provost; Josephine DeLeon, vice president, Equity and Inclusion; and Rita Martinez-Purson, dean, Continuing Education all participated in a Kellogg Foundation sponsored HACU program to train the next generation of minority education leaders.
All participated in a year-long program that prepared us to assume executive level leadership positions in higher education. Domínguez and DeLeon were part of a group of fellows that traveled to South Africa to visit minority serving and traditionally-White institutions of higher education post-apartheid. Both found it to be an extremely valuable experience.
Former UNM President Louis Caldera also served on the HACU governing board, and he, Torres and Tim Gutierrez, director of Special Programs, were all members of the organizing committee for HACU's biannual international conference held in Santa Fe in 2005.
HACU was founded in 1986. The Association's nearly 450 member colleges and universities today enroll approximately two-thirds of the two million Hispanic students in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
KNME -TV has been nominated for five Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter Emmy Awards. The winners will be announced at the 2008-2009 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards ceremony, set for Saturday, Oct. 24 in Phoenix, Ariz.
The nominations by category:
The Musical Adventures of John Donald Robb
Kelly Kowalski
Category: Documentary – Cultural
Artisode 1.8: Barrett Martin
Kelly Kowalski, Deborah Wakshull
Category: Arts / Entertainment - Advanced Media
Artisodes
Kelly Kowalski
Category: Arts / Entertainment - Advanced Media
Strictly New Mexico
Kelly Kowalski
Category: Advanced Media - Documentary / Historical / Cultural
The Musical Adventures of John Donald Robb
Kelly Kowalski, Jason Skinner
Category: Advanced Media - Interactivity
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is the only professional association representing television professionals from all disciplines of the industry, serving as the common meeting ground for individuals dedicated to advancing the art and science of television. The Chapter region serves Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and El Centro, California.
Per the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, each year, NATAS chapters across the country recognize and reward excellence in their broadcasting communities. For more than 30 years, the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter has done this through the annual Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards.
The Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards is not a competition in the traditional sense. Entries do not compete against each other. Rather, each is judged individually on its own merit against a standard of excellence.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1812; e-mail: etodd@knme.org
Anderson School of Management finance students attended the first meeting of the Investment Management Program (IMP) on Sept. 14. Three Anderson finance courses allow students to manage millions of real dollars under the guidance of Anderson faculty members, who are lead by IMP Director Sul Kassicieh. Funds are managed on behalf of the UNM Regents and the NM State Investment Council. This was the initial meeting for the 2009-10 year for the students and the Investment Advisory Committee.
Students will present stock and portfolio reviews and recommendations to the Investment Advisory Committee, a group of investment professionals who offer first-hand feedback and guidance while evaluating recommendations made.
These professionals represent the NM State Investment Council, Sandia National Laboratories, PNM Resources Inc., Thornburg Investment Management, Wells Fargo Private Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors, the Rikoon Company, RBC Dain Rauscher Inc., and Davis Selected Advisers. Committee members will continue to meet with students throughout the fall and spring terms.
KNME-TV co-hosted – with KUNM-FM, the New Mexico Independent and the Weekly Alibi – a debate featuring Albuquerque mayoral candidates R.J. Berry, Richard Romero and incumbent mayor Martin Chavez on Wednesday, Sept. 16. KNME-TV will air the debate in its entirety on “New Mexico In Focus,” Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m and Sunday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 a.m.
The New Mexico Independent also hosted a liveblog of the event at their Web site New Mexico Independent, getting observations and thought from NMI writers and online viewers.
The debate was moderated by KNME-TV’s Gene Grant, Jim Williams from KUNM-FM, Marisa Demarco of the Weekly Alibi, and the New Mexico Independent’s Gwyneth Doland.
Also, KNME-TV is collecting YouTube questions to be incorporated into the debate as well. Interested viewers are encouraged to post a video question to their personal YouTube page, and send an email with a link to the video to abqmayoraldebate@gmail.com. For those interested in seeing questions that have already been submitted, they can check out KNME-TVs debate YouTube page at Debate Hosts.
Viewers not interested in submitting a video question can also submit questions to KNME-TV via email to infocus@knme.org.
“New Mexico in Focus” is produced by Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer and closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1812; e-mail: etodd@knme.org
UNM's Anderson School of Management of Management is co-sponsoring the New Mexico Technology Council 2nd Annual Women in Technology Recognition Awards breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 5. Nominations for Woman in Technology Awards are open through Friday, Oct. 2. Student scholarship nominations and early event registration close Thursday, Oct. 15. A limited number of discounted tickets are available for all students.
The breakfast, which will be held at the Marriott Pyramid North, will feature Dr. Teresa Cullen, CIO, Indian Health Service; Jennifer Smith, SAIC; and Diane Bauer, Cisco Systems, who will provide the keynote panel discussion of current technology issues and opportunities. The Marriott Pyramid North is located at 5151 San Francisco Rd., NE.
For more information contact MIS Professor Laurie Schatzberg at, laurie@mgt.unm.edu or visit: Women in Technology.
Media Contact: Leslie Venzuela, (505) 277-7117; e-mail: venzuela@mgt.unm.edu
Faculty and students in the Educational Linguistics doctoral program invite the University of New Mexico community to celebrate 30 years of Educational Linguistics at UNM with its Anniversary Symposia Series. The series, titled "Educational Linguistics 30th Anniversary Symposia Series," features four different symposia over the course of the next two months. It begins with an Edcuational Linguistics Student Poster Session on Friday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Isleta Room at the Student Union Building.
The series continues on Friday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Isleta Room at the SUB with a symposium titled, “Bilingual Preschool Language Development: Research for Applied Contexts.” The symposium features Janet Patterson & Barbara Rodriguez from UNM’s Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences.
On Friday, Oct. 23, Christine Sims & Carlotta Penny Bird from the College of Education’s American Indian Language Policy Research and Teacher Training Center will host a symposium titled, “Taking Back our Languages: Tribal Language Perspectives on Maintenance and Revitalization Efforts.” It will be held in the Isleta Room from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
The series concludes on Friday, Nov. 13 with a symposium titled, “Celebrating 30 years of Educational Linguistics at the University of New Mexico: Past, Present and Future.” The symposium features Garland Bills, Alan Hudson, Kathryn Manuelito & Vera John-Steiner from the Department of Linguistics and Department of Language, Literacy & Sociocultural Studies. It will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in Lobo A in the SUB.
The Educational Linguistics 30th Anniversary Symposia Series is sponsored by the High Desert Linguistics Society. For more information e-mail, schwartz@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
KNME-TV invites one and all to a special Spanish-language screening titled, “Untold Stories from America’s National Parks.” The film, with English subtitles, will be shown Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bank of America Theater at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, and will be followed by a discussion. This film is connected with the KNME broadcast of Ken Burns,’ The National Parks: America's Best Idea.
Untold Stories from America’s National Parks is designed to bring to light stories from the national parks focusing on the role of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in the creation and protection of individual parks.
Two guest speakers, - Joseph P. Sánchez, superintendent of Petroglyph National Monument and Frank Torres, Chief of Interpretation Fort Union National Monument will tell stories in Spanish and English about the history and future of their sites as part of the screening.
Ken Burns’ series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea premieres Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7 to 9 p.m. and repeats 9 to 11 p.m. and airs each night – Sunday, Sept. 27 and Friday, Oct. 2.
For more information, contact Laurel Wyckoff , KNME Education & Outreach
Manager, at 277-8296 or lwyckoff@knme.org.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1812; e-mail: etodd@knme.org
The University of New Mexico Department of Institutional Support Services will be holding two open houses for the UNM Master Plan on Monday, Sept. 21. The first open house, for UNM students, staff and faculty, will be held in the downstairs atrium of the Student Union Building from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The second open house, for local neighborhood communities, will be from 5-7 p.m. in front of the SUB ballrooms.
To view the plan visit: UNM Master Plan.
Media Contact: Benson Hendrix, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: bhendrix@unm.edu
UNM'S Optical Science and Engineering Program will participate in the New Mexico State Fair’s – Science and Technology Day, Celebra la Ciencia day at Expo New Mexico on Friday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This is a day where the industry's leading labs, government agencies and colleges share the wonders and mysteries of science with New Mexico children and their families. State Fair organizers anticipate 2,000-3,000 to attend.
Optical Science and Engineering Program faculty and students will demonstrate innovative and creative optical devicess. UNM Professor Majeed Hayat will perform a demonstration with infrared spectral sensors and imagers. Stephen Myers will lead a beading exercise using solar/UV beads. Maya Kutty will show and explain the optical science behind kaleidoscopes. Andreas Velten and Koji Masuda will create a rainbow using light, prisms and water vapors. Brianna Klein will demonstrate solar cells as evidienced by a volt meterhave a hands-on solar cell demonstration and discuss applications. Other student participants include
Rajeev Shenoi, Nishant Patel, Freddie Santiago, Eric Jang, Erika Cooley and Nutan Gautam. The OSE booth will be located on the Avenue of the Governors just east of the Indian Arts building.
The OSE program is an interdisciplinary graduate program jointly administered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and affiliated with the Center for High Technology and Materials.
Student participation at this event was made possible by the UNM student chapters of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers and the Optical Society of America.
The event was organized by Doris Williams, OSE program advisor. For further information, contact Doris Williams at (505) 272-7764.
Acclaimed poet and author Jimmy Santiago Baca will be at the UNM Student Union Building, Ballroom C on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. to discuss and sign his new novel A Glass of Water, which deals with Mexican immigration. The event is in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15). The author of numerous, award-winning books of poetry, A Glass of Water is Baca’s first novel.
Photo: Jimmy Santiago Baca
Born in New Mexico of Chicano and Apache descent, Baca was raised first by his grandmother and was later sent to an orphanage. A runaway at age 13, it was after Baca was sentenced to five years in a maximum security prison at the age of 21 that he began to turn his life around. While there he learned to read and write and found his passion for poetry. Like many Southwestern writers, Baca identifies with the land around him and the myths that are part of his culture.
He is the winner of the Pushcart Prize, the American Book Award, the National Poetry Award, the International Hispanic Heritage Award, and, for his memoir A Place to Stand, the prestigious International Award.
A Glass of Water is a gripping tale of family, loyalty, ambition, and revenge, offering us a glimpse into the tragedies unfurling at this very moment at and around our country's borders. The promise of a new beginning brings Casimiro and Nopal together when they are young immigrants, having made the nearly deadly journey across the border from Mexico.
They settle into a life of long days in the chile fields, and in a few years their happy union yields two sons, Lorenzo and Vito. But when Nopal is brutally murdered, the boys are left to navigate life in this brave but capricious new world without her. Lorenzo follows in his father's footsteps, devoting himself to the land, and falling in love with a beautiful, idealistic student who comes to the migrant camp to study and improve the lives of its workers. Vito, hot-blooded and restless, breaks away and soon finds fame as an itinerant boxer, gaining notoriety in the ring and out.
The brothers' journeys will eventually converge and bring them face to face with a common enemy.
A Glass of Water is a searing, heartfelt tribute to brotherhood, and an arresting portrait of the twisted paths people take to claim their piece of the ever-elusive American dream.
This event will be co-sponsored by the UNM Bookstore and De Colores Hispanic Culture Festival. Copies of all of Baca’s books will be available for purchase at this event, which is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the discussion.
For more information call Lisa Walden at 505-277-7494 or e-mail lwalden@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
The Department of Linguistics presents, “Applied Linguistics in Healthcare Settings: Problems in Written and Spoken Discourse,” Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. in Humanities room 112. The presenter is Holly E. Jacobson, currently conducting research for the National Institutes of Health on improving healthcare access to language minority patients by revealing underlying obstacles to healthcare provider-patient interaction.
Of the financial, structural, and personal barriers that limit access to healthcare, language is one of the most persistent. Research exploring the complexities of human interaction in healthcare settings is scarce, and many of the studies that do exist pose serious limitations and are unsophisticated in the light of current linguistic theoretical frameworks.
During the presentation Jacobson will provide an overview of the problems in healthcare discourse, both written and spoken, that are the focus of her research. She will briefly discuss the body of written health materials that show significant differences between the linguistic features of translated and non-translated texts.
These differences appear to have a direct impact on reading comprehension. She will also discuss discourse analyses of mediated provider-patient interaction which suggest that healthcare professionals clearly control the direction of discourse. However, the profile of the interpreter directly influences his/her ability to effectively mediate and direct the conversational flow, pointing to important implications for training and testing.
Jacobson will discuss her upcoming five-year project funded by the National Institutes of Health. The aims include identifying points of breakdown in healthcare interaction, with and without mediation, and determining the relationship between the interpreter profile, breakdown in communication and achievement of interactional goals.
This ethnographic research is grounded in concepts derived from interactional sociolinguistics and conversation analysis, and will involve the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data in clinical settings.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Parking spaces become parks, reflect ‘Hope’s Borderless Expressions’
Albuquerque will have 13 fewer parking spaces on Friday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. when University of New Mexico graduate students in landscape architecture and freshman learning community students participate in Park(ing) Day, the annual, one-day global event that brings artists, activists and citizens together to transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.
SOCLAS, the Society of Landscape Architecture Students, worked together to design three spaces. Chance Munns, SOCLAS president, said, “The designs are interactive, whimsical and provide temporary relief from the concrete world in which we live.”
SOCLAS spaces:
“Alice in Parking Land,” located on the south side of Central Ave. between Cornell and Stanford
“Post‐Industrial Parking Puzzle,” in Nob Hill, 3215 Central Ave. NE, in front of Peacecraft
“Refuge,” on Gold Ave. downtown, west of 2nd St.
Two Freshman Learning Community courses are participating in Park(ing) Day through the theme, “Hope’s Borderless Expressions,” drawing inspiration from metaphorical designs gleaned from the book, “Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream” by Sam Quinones, the title selected for the first Lobo Reading Experience program.
The Freshman Learning Community class Earth Arts: People, Places & Purpose, taught by Ramsey Lofton, community arts instructor and Carolyn Byers, reading instructor; will install five spaces on campus.
Earth Arts spaces:
“Velvet Painting,” on Redondo by the Communication and Journalism building
“Lobo Read and Share,” near University House, on Las Lomas
“Heritage Melting Pot,” near University House, on Las Lomas
“Dancing across the Border,” in the southwest corner of A-lot, off Central and Girard
“There’s No Place like Home,” on Redondo by the Art Annex building
Another Freshman Learning Community class, Taking Dramatic Action, taught by Susan Pearson, theatre education professor, and Samantha Tetangco, English instructor;
will install four Park(ing) Day sites around UNM and in downtown Albuquerque.
Taking Dramatic Action spaces:
“Puppy Parking,” on Central near Harvard by Satellite
“Releasing Your Inner Art,” on Cornell by Frontier Restaurant
“Putt-Putt for the Planet,” on Gold Ave. downtown
“Carnival,” on Las Lomas by Dane Smith Hall
Munns said, “All are sites that will challenge the typical notion of parking as infrastructure and encourage interaction from visitors throughout the day.” He added, “Park(ing) Day also provides free food, live entertainment, refuge from the street, and plenty of social interaction.”
Park(ing) Day began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art collective, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in an area of San Francisco that is underserved by public open space.
Back then the project was named simply PARK(ing), and was devised as a creative exploration of how urban public space is allocated and used. For example, up to 70 percent of San Francisco’s downtown outdoor space is dedicated to the vehicle, while only a fraction of that space is allocated to the public realm. Paying the meter of a parking space enables one to lease precious urban real estate on a short-term basis.
For more information on the national event, visit http://www.parkingday.org/.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; email: cgonzal@unm.edu
Lobo WiFi, Lobo-Guest, and Lobo-Sec will be temporarily unavailable Thursday, Sept. 17 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. for a system upgrade. The upgrade will increase the number of IP addresses on Lobo-Guest and implement the most recent wireless controller software.
All wireless services will be unavailable during this upgrade. Contact the IT Support Center at 277-4848 with any questions.
Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu
A new exhibit of 26 mixed media prints by artist Kathamann – a Santa Fe artist, and retired registered nurse and histology technician – will be on display in the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education auditorium lobby, Sept. 25, 2009 – Aug. 31, 2010.
These colorful and sometimes whimsical artist interpretations of histological slides are a study into the human form. The auditorium lobby is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Media Contact: Luke Frank, (505) 272-3679; e-mail: lfrank@salud.unm.edu
Interested in a career in Accounting, Finance or MIS? Attend the 30th Annual Accounting Career Fair Thursday, Sept. 17, sponsored by the Anderson School of Management Career Services.
The Accounting Career Fair is open to students from the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) who are pursuing degrees (2 year, 4 year & Masters) in the areas of accounting, finance and management information systems. The fair is also open to alumni and professional members looking to make career moves.
More than 20 accounting leaders from across New Mexico will be on hand to meet with students and potential employees about opportunities in the accounting field including jobs and available internships.
There is no admission charge to attend the fair and professional business attire is strongly recommended. For more information visit: Accounting Fair for more information or contact Karin Kase at kase@mgt.unm.edu in the Anderson Career Services Office.
The Corporate Sponsors for the 2009 Fall Accounting Career Fair are: Atkinson & Co., Grant Thornton, KPMG, LLP, Meyners + Company, and REDW LLC the Rogoff Firm.
Media Contact: Leslie Venzuela, (505) 277-7117; e-mail: venzuela@unm.edu
The Mind Research Network (MRN) is sponsoring a talk by Wang Yu-Ping, Ph.D. an assistant professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Missouri – Kansas City on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 11:45 a.m. in the large conference room at Pete and Nancy Domenici Hall on the UNM North Campus.
Photo: Wang Yu-Ping
Ping will ways in which a new field of genomic imaging information is emerging as a result of new imaging techniques. His talk will review the latest progress in multiscale genomic imaging and he will discuss bioinformatics challenges and show new imaging processing approaches to address the challenges.
His current research focuses on genetic imaging, genomic signal processing, wavelets and applications to various biomedical imaging problems. Details about his research can be found at Wang Yu-Ping.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the UNM Bookstore with four UNM faculty authors, on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. Included are Laura Gomez, UNM Law School; Sylvia Rodriguez, Anthropology; Gabriel Ramon Sanchez, Political Science; and Neddy Vigil, Spanish and Portuguese.
Image: “Hispanics and the U.S. Political System: Moving into the Mainstream,” by F. Chris Garcia and Gabe Sanchez.
Laura Gomez, law school, authored, “Manifest Destinies: The Making of the Mexican American Race.” Gomez said, "Many Americans view Manifest Destiny as a moment of national triumph before the dark years of conflict over slavery that culminated in the Civil War, but the truth is considerably more complicated. Manifest Destinies, as used in the book's title, is at once a reference to the ideology of Manifest Destiny as wrapped up in race and racism and is, at the same time, about how the competing destinies of many groups--including Pueblo Indians, other Indians, Euro-Americans, African Americans, and Mexican Americans - came together to ultimately produce the Mexican American race and permanently change the American racial order at the turn of the twentieth century."
Sylvia Rodriguez, professor, anthropology, authored “The Matachines Dance,” a book about a ritual drama performed on certain saint's days in Pueblo Indian and Mexicano/Hispano communities along the upper Río Grande valley in New Mexico and elsewhere in the American Southwest. The dance involves two lines of masked dancers, a young girl in white and her crowned, masked, male partner, a bull and two clowns. Accompanied usually by violin and guitar, these characters enact a choreographic drama that symbolizes encounter, struggle and transformation-resolution.
Gabriel Ramon Sanchez, assistant professor, political science, is the co-author of, "Hispanics and the U.S. Political System: Moving into the Mainstream." The book focuses on the political manifestations of Hispanics in the United States. It addresses the roles that Latinos have played in our political system, both in the past and present. The text is a comprehensive overview of how the Latino populations interact with the political system. This includes a discussion of Latino political culture, partisanship trends, policy preferences, and prospects for coalition formation with other groups. The book's primary author is F. Chris Garcia, former UNM president and professor emeritus, political science.
Neddy Vigil, research professor, Spanish & Portuguese, is a co-author of, “The Spanish Language of New Mexico and Southern Colorado” He said, “The Spanish language and Hispanic culture have left indelible impressions on the landscape of the U.S. Southwest. The role of cultural and geographical influence has had dramatic effects on the sustainability, development and change of the Spanish language. A new book explores the evolution of the region’s Spanish language. History shows the condition of New Mexican Spanish and what the future holds for its speakers. With two major dialect regions, one in the north and one in the south, detailed maps illustrate the geography of linguistic variation for the Spanish spoken in the region.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
José Luis Alonso Ponga, chair in Anthropology for the Study of Tradition and director of the Center for the Study of Popular Religiosity at the University of Valladolid, Spain, will speak at UNM on Friday, Oct. 2 from 10:30 to noon in Hodgin Hall’s Bobo Room.
Photo: José Luis Alonso Ponga
Ponga’s talk, “Popular Religiosity in Spain and Latin America: An Iberian Perspective/La Religiosidad Popular en España y Latinoamérica: Una Perspectiva Ibérica,” will be delivered in Spanish with a translator provided.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Ponga’s presentation is sponsored by UNM American Studies, Institute for Medieval Studies, Religious Studies, Spanish and Portuguese, College of Arts and Sciences.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
The University of New Mexico, in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, has released UNM crime statistics for 2008. These numbers include campus residents as well as other locations, including some areas adjacent to campus.
UNM Police Chief Kathy Guimond says, "Our student population changes each year by about 25 percent as new students enter and others graduate. That impacts fluctuations in UNM's reported crimes from year to year."
For more information visit: 2008 Crime Statistics.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
The novel Ghosts of El Grullo, University of New Mexico Press, by Patricia Santana of San Diego, Calif., is a winner of the 2009 American Book Awards. Ghosts of El Grullo is the sequel to Santana’s first novel Motorcycle Ride on the Sea of Tranquility, which won the Chicano/Latino Literary Prize and was an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults.
It is the story of Yolanda Sahagún’s initiation into womanhood. Having left her much-beloved San Diego barrio, Yolanda is living in the university dorms when a series of events—her mother dies and her erratic father sells their family home—forces her to re-examine her life. She travels to El Grullo, Jalisco, the Mexican village where her parents grew up, and struggles to understand the ghosts in her life—her mother, her father, and her seemingly idyllic childhood. As she strives to keep her family from disintegrating, Yolanda must also learn to hold herself together in spite of the chaos that surrounds her.
Santana is chair of the foreign languages department and professor of Spanish at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, Calif. Her books are available at bookstores or from UNM Press: (800) 249-7737 or online at, UNM Press.
The American Book Awards were established in 1978 by the Before Columbus Foundation, a non-profit educational and service organization dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary American multicultural literature. The awards recognize outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community. Award winners range from well-known and established writers to under-recognized authors and first works.
The 2009 American Book Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony and reception on Sunday, Oct. 11 in New York City.
The State of New Mexico is currently offering the State Coverage Insurance Program to U.S. citizens and legal residents who are between the ages of 19 and 64. This program has comprehensive medical coverage at little or no cost to the participant. If you are currently not insured through your employer group insurance plan, you may be eligible.
Certified agents will be available at the Student Union Building to process applications at the following times and locations:
Tuesday, Sept. 15, Amigo Room from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, Scholars Room from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17, Alumni Room from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Because this program has citizenship and income guidelines, the following documents will be required to complete the application process: A US Passport or Birth Certificate & ID and Paycheck Stubs for the past four weeks.
Don't pass up this opportunity to obtain health insurance at no cost. For more information, visit the SCI website at Insure New Mexico.
Ten departments at the University of New Mexico will sport Lobo Bikes around campus this year as part of an annual bike share program offered by the UNM Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) to encourage use of more sustainable transportation.
“By taking advantage of the Lobo Bikes program, participants can reduce traffic and congestion around campus while improving community air quality and getting in some exercise,” said Cynthia Martin, PATS program planning manager.
The “Lobo Bike” program, now in its second year, is available to all UNM departments. Each year PATS issues a call for participation, reviews applications and makes selections.
This year PATS selected the following departments:
· Vice President for Student Affairs Office
· Title V - Educational Initiatives
· Office of the President
· College of Nursing
· Speech and Hearing Sciences
· Psychology
· Prevention and Population Sciences
· Student Employment
· UNM Children's Campus
· University Libraries
PATS reviewed applications and participants were selected based on the number of people within the department interested in using the Lobo Bike, connectivity to the program’s purpose, and demonstrated need, such as departments with regular business across main, north, and south campuses.
A requirement of participating in the Lobo Bikes program is a mandatory half-day bicycle safety course. This year, PATS posted a segment from the course on YouTube for bicyclists to use as a resource. The video, “The ABCDQ: A Pre-Inspection For Each Bike Ride” gives quick and easy pointers for catching safety hazards before a user gets on a bike. To view the video visit: UNM Parking.
For more information visit Parking and Transportation Services Lobo Bike Page online at Lobo Bikes or contact Danielle Gilliam at dgilliam@parking.unm.edu .
Media Contact: Benson Hendrix, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: bhendrix@unm.edu
The Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health Policy at UNM presents “Healing Mind and Body: Navajo Ceremonies and Culture,” by Lori Arviso Alvord, M.D., associate dean of Student and Multicultural Affairs Dartmouth Medical School, on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 12:30 - 2 p.m.
UNM Student Union Building Theater. The event is part of the RWJF Center’s 2009 lecture series, “Plural Perspectives on Health and Health Policy.”
Alvord is a member of the Navajo Tribe; she belongs to the Tsi’naajinii clan (Black Streaked Wood), and Ashihii Dine’ (Salt People) clan and was raised in Crownpoint, N.M. Alvord is an assistant professor of Surgery and of Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School, and a board certified practicing general surgeon. She earned her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and received her medical degree from Stanford University (1985).
In this presentation Alvord will explore Navajo ceremonies from the perspective of mind-body medicine. She will describe how various elements help to develop mind states that are pure and whole, and consider the effects that the ‘mind states’ of ceremony have on a person’s physiology. She will also show how Navajo culture promotes the physical health of the body through direct teachings that emphasize physical strength. Navajo ceremonies also embody some of the earliest examples of sustainability theory, as well as concepts of developing human cultures that live harmoniously with their surrounding environment.
For more information contact the Center at 505–277–0130 or hpolicy@unm.edu or visit: http://healthpolicy.unm.edu.
UNM’s technology transfer office, STC.UNM is hosting a free fall seminar lecture on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. The lecture, titled “Doing a Start-up on the Cheap: the Fifty250 Method (aka Cheap Bastard Start-up),” will be in the Stamm Common Room at Centennial Engineering Building from 12 to 1 p.m. Bruce Fryer, CEO of ProtoHit, Inc. will be the speaker. Fryer is a serial entrepreneur whose company has optioned medical treatment management software from STC.UNM.
Photo: Bruce Fryer
The product allows health providers identify standard protocols for routine injuries and can reduce the number of physician visits. It was developed by a physician from his own private practice in California. The physician moved to UNM, then decided to license his technology through STC.UNM.
For more information on the seminars and to register online, visit the STC.UNM website at: Seminar Registration or contact Denise Bissell at 272-7310 or dbissell@stc.unm. Box lunches will be provided.
New process ensures network security
Using Lobo-WiFi now requires authorized users to log in with their UNM NetID and password. This process is part of a Network Access Control (NAC) system that helps ensure network security by requiring users to authenticate their identities. Authentication helps ensure there is sufficient wireless bandwidth for all authorized users, while providing limited guest web services for users without a NetID on the guest wireless network.
Information Technologies has received telephone calls from the UNM community expressing some concern that NAC implementation on Lobo-WiFi could be used to monitor students, faculty and staff computer use. IT does not monitor wireless users on the Lobo-WiFi network or elsewhere on campus. In the future, NAC features will be deployed to help assure security measures are in place, such as antivirus software with recent updates, and operating system and program security patches.
For more information visit: Network Access Control for a list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding NAC and Lobo-WiFi, or contact the IT Support Center at 277-4848 with any technical issues.
Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu
Homecoming is right around the corner and now is the time for your department to start thinking about the annual Homecoming Decorating Contest. This year's theme is "Lobo Knights." Decorate your office or design a coat of arms that best represents your department.
Great prizes for the top three winners! Each department participating will receive a commemorative 2009 Homecoming poster.
For contest rules visit: Homecoming Campus Decorating Contest or for more information contact, Laura Montoya, lmont@unm.edu or 505-277-4347 or Lisa Delgado, ldelgado@unm.edu or 277-7870.
Join the fun on campus!
The Latin American and Iberian Institute at UNM hosts a talk by Governor Bill Richardson on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 12:15 p.m. in Dane Smith Hall Room 120, on the UNM campus.
The governor will report on his recent trip to Cuba and share his understanding of the future of U.S.-Cuba relations. Governor Richardson's talk will be followed by a brief question and answer period.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Maia chapter at the University of New Mexico was honored for their excellence at the 2009 Mortar Board National Conference this summer. The group was one of 32 chapters to take home the Golden Torch Award, an award based on devotion to the Mortar Board’s three key ideals of scholarship, leadership and service.
Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors’ outstanding achievements.
Chapter President Devaraj Aran and Advisor Andrea Hart were present to accept the chapter’s award.
Story by Jazmen Bradford
Graduate Shay Beasley was selected to be a leadership consultant for Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity. During the 2009-10 school year, she will visit 30 chapters of Kappa Kappa Gamma to aid in organization and programming including goal setting, leadership development, risk management, relationship building and group dynamics.
Beasley was chosen for her leadership skills, academic achievement and contributions to her college and community during her years as a member of the Gamma Beta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at UNM.
As a member of the Gamma Beta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma, she served as president, nominating committee member and Panhellenic delegate. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, Golden Key and Order of Omega honor societies as well as International Student Volunteers.
Beasley earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UNM in May 2009.
Story by Jazmen Bradford
Eighty teachers from across the country to take part
The National Endowment of the Humanities has awarded UNM’s College of Education a Landmarks of American History and Culture grant for more than $160,000 to bring schoolteachers from around the country to Santa Fe to study the history and interactions between Native Americans and European settlers in weeklong workshops. The project, titled “Contested Homelands: Unpacking the Knowledge, History and Culture of Historic Santa Fe, New Mexico,” will be directed by Assistant Professor Rebecca Sánchez. The award is unique for the college because the NEH generally funds museums and humanities scholars.
Photo: Rebecca Sanchez
The project has also received the participation and support of the Palace of the Governors, the State Historian’s Office and others who were instrumental.
“We prepared a grant application and developed a project that was deeply rooted in the humanities,” said Sánchez, who teaches in the Department of Teacher Education at the CoE. “The NEH funds projects to provide teachers with summer workshops that combine the study of the humanities with historically significant places. We thought with our rich state history including the Pueblos and the many historic sites such as the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and the Palace of the Governors, that we might be able to get funding for the project.”
Two separate workshops will be conducted next summer. Eighty K-12 teachers will come to Santa Fe to study its history in depth through exploration, interpretation and hands on through available documentation. The workshops will be structured around the concept of homelands and will include the study of historic sites, artifacts and stories in historic Santa Fe, New Mexico and surrounding communities. The teachers will put historical sites, documents and resources of the Santa Fe historic area into context through a focused conceptual study on homelands.
The workshops also coincide with the 400th anniversary (based on European settlement) of Santa Fe. However, settlement in the area by Pueblo Indian groups predates even this milestone occurrence, as they settled along the banks of Rio Grande as long ago as the 6th century CE noted Sánchez.
“This celebration is a timely opportunity for teachers from around the country to study the complex history and culture by investigating the historic sites of Santa Fe and surrounding Pueblos,” said Sánchez, a native New Mexican. “Santa Fe is often introduced into the discussion of American History around the topic of European exploration and expansion or sometimes later yet as a discussion about the establishment of the trading route along the Santa Fe Trail.
“However, vibrant communities flourished in this place long before European exploration and later settlement. As this region moved toward statehood, the United States inherited the memory and material creations of the region. When it became part of the U.S., the country had to incorporate this history into the national narrative of American history. The place is itself a homeland with a larger story,” she added.
Sánchez said the following essential questions would help guide the work of participants in the workshop. What are homelands? How do homelands stretch, shrink and shift over time? What happens when homelands overlap with one another? How does (perpetual) colonization, conquering, and resistance transform homelands and create new ones? What is the spiritual story of a homeland? How do the artistic products and structures of a homeland tell a story? What connections do people have to a homeland and how are these connections manifested in history and in present-day? And importantly, for the purpose of this workshop, how do the Camino Real and the Palace of the Governors exemplify the multifarious and layered unfolding of homeland in an area that had a vibrant system of Pueblo communities prior to European Settlement?
“Specifically, the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and the Palace of the Governors will be interpreted, studied and contrasted with the Pueblo history of the region to understand the complexity of historical homelands,” said Sánchez. “Additionally, structures, museums, centers and libraries in the historic district of Santa Fe, New Mexico that house artifact and document collections, will be utilized to foster deeper understandings.
“It’s exciting for me to be able to research and learn about my home state and to look back into all the documents that are available. I’m glad I can collaborate with other institutions such as museums and libraries committed to education. It’s exciting and professionally rewarding for me.”
The workshops will be held next summer from June 13-19 and June 20-26. The Palace of the Governors Museum complex has offered classroom and auditorium space for the workshops.
For more information e-mail, homeland@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Patricia Jones has had a lot of practice communicating; as an environmental consultant, as a mother and as a graduate student seeking a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. She came to UNM because the Civil Engineering Department has a strong reputation for working well with non-traditional students, allowing her to work toward her master’s degree without forcing her to complete another bachelor’s degree as a prequisite.
Photo: Patricia Jones
Jones recently presented her research at the 2009 Rocky Mountain Water Environment Federal/American Water Works Association Annual Student Conference, where she took first place for Best Oral Presentation. She is also presenting this month at the Rocky Mountain section meeting of the American Water Works Association and will present in October at a national conference.
Jones’ research involves seasonal changes in the process operations of wastewater plants along the Rio Grande. She spent the last year frequently sampling bioreactors at eight plants to compare biomass densities and settling characteristics. She wanted to know whether these properties changed as the seasons changed.
She has determined that biomass density does indeed change with the seasons in systems she studied, and that these variations help to explain changes in settling rates. These results are important because they govern performance and could help advise operators how they might better control their systems for improved effluent quality and energy savings.
As part of her research she is recommending process changes that have been demonstrated to make settling of the solids more efficient, and noting the greater efficiency of the activated sludge plants. Jones plans to defend her thesis in mid-October, and hopes to return to her consulting career next year.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
“UNM chose me.” That – plus a full scholarship and challenging, community-oriented degree programs – is why more of the nation’s top students are choosing the University of New Mexico. The number of national scholars at UNM has doubled in each of the past two years, from 14 admitted in 2007 to 77 in 2009.
UNM Today spoke with five freshmen – National Achievement Scholar Arly Parent, National American Indian Scholar Julian Benavidez, National Hispanic Recognition Scholars Rashelle Brownlee and Kathleen Zamora, and National Merit Scholar Adam Trujillo – about their first two weeks at UNM.
To view the video visit: National Scholars Enrich UNM.
Brownlee, from Bakersfield, Calif., had never considered UNM until she got the offer of a full scholarship. “UNM, really, it chose me,” she said.
The economic downturn hit California particularly hard, forcing colleges there to turn away many of the state’s top students. “But UNM looked like a really good option anyway. I also heard that they had a really good nursing program,” she said.
Brownlee is considering becoming a doctor, nurse practitioner or veterinarian. “I’ve always been interested in helping people, and medicine is a great way to do that.”
Helping others was a common aspiration among these students.
UNM’s graduate occupational therapy program was what initially attracted Zamora to the university. The field “fit what I wanted to do and is a good way to help people,” she said.
Zamora, from Clovis, Calif., is majoring in psychology with a minor in biology. She expects the scholarship to help her beyond the bachelor’s degree. “My parents always said if I got my undergraduate paid for, they’d pay for my graduate school.”
Benavidez, from Isleta Pueblo, came to UNM to study medicine through the B.A./M.D. program. As is true for many students, Benavidez’ personal experiences shaped his goals. He became interested in medicine when his grandmother experienced complications from diabetes.
The B.A./M.D., a combined undergraduate and medical degree program, seeks out students with a personal commitment to serving New Mexico communities to address the state’s physician shortage.
Benavidez used to work in the Pueblo of Isleta Governor’s Office. He said he would like to combine his interests in health and government someday by working for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Parent, from Florida, is majoring in astrophysics. “My whole life, I’ve always wanted to be an astronaut,” he said. “My love of space and how the universe works translated into astrophysics.”
Trujillo, from Chimayo, plans to major in sociology and to teach high school or college students.
Some of these students are taking classes in the University Honors program, which offers the intellectual advantages of a small liberal arts college within the diversity of a large research university.
Parent said the honors course he’s taking, Legacy of Exploration: In Search of New Worlds and a Distant Future, “really makes you think.” He believes everyone should go beyond their major. “You’re here to learn, but you’re also here to grow.”
Of course, even the hardest-working students need to relax. Brownlee likes to play pool with friends at the Student Union Building or the Cellar in Hokona Hall, where she lives. Trujillo said, “I just like to play video games and listen to music, much like any other teenager.”
Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593; e-mail: michal@unm.edu
Special platform ready for boarding and deboarding
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is ready to open its Lobo Special Events Platform. The Lobo Special Events Platform is located on Commercial Avenue almost directly beneath Avenida Cesar Chavez. For the Tulsa game only, fares for the Lobo train and bus service will be the normal discounted zone fare for Saturday.
“This is yet another way the New Mexico Rail Runner Express can help New Mexicans attend special events at the University of New Mexico”, says Governor Bill Richardson. “Many people will be able to discover the ease and convenience the Rail Runner offers to those who want to enjoy these events without the headache of fighting traffic or finding a nearby parking spot.”
More than a year ago, the University of New Mexico and the Mid-Region Council of Governments collaborated on an idea to create a special events platform for Lobo Athletics. The MRCOG then worked with the governor and legislators to procure an additional half-million dollars in funding, and UNM matched that funding with another half-million dollars.
While the new platform will not be a regular stop on the Rail Runner route, it will be available to provide a valuable transportation alternative for those wanting to attend events in the university corridor, and avoid the hassle of finding parking.
“What’s great about this platform is that it will be available to use at athletic events and other events at university facilities”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “It will also be available for use in the future for events at the Albuquerque Isotopes Stadium, so this will be a very convenient stop for our citizens.”
To view this week's schedule for the New Mexico Rail Runner and stops at the new Lobo Special Events Platform visit: Tulsa Game.
The beginning of a new semester is often full of frenzied activity for UNM students, faculty and staff. Between starting new classes, settling into a new schedule and routine, and getting to know fellow students, fellow professors and colleagues, it is easy to get caught up in all the commotion.
Unfortunately, this time also often brings an increase in spam e-mail and hacker attempts, as spammers send out mass e-mails asking for personal information or by embedding viruses in attached hyperlinks. You can help us to protect both your personal information and the UNM network by following a few simple rules.
• If you do receive a message you think is spam, forward it to spamdrop@unm.edu.
• Don’t click on hyperlinks within e-mail messages - this is a primary way that hackers spread viruses and spyware.
• Don’t open e-mail from people or sources you don’t know, and don’t download files sent by strangers.
• Don’t respond to any e-mail that asks you for your date of birth, UNM NetID and/or password, or Social Security number. Many hackers send out mass e-mails pretending to be from UNM’s IT Department, but IT will never send you an e-mail asking you to give us any of this personal information. If in doubt, delete the e-mail and contact the IT Support Center at 277-4848.
• Make sure you have a firewall and antivirus software on your computer. UNM provides Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) antivirus software to all UNM students, faculty and staff at no cost. Visit Symantec Endpoint Protection to get your copy of SEP.
Media Contact: Vanessa Baca, (505) 277-0987; e-mail: vjbaca1@unm.edu
Group discussions set for Lobo Reading Experience
All freshmen have been asked to read the book “Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream” as part of the Lobo Reading Experience. The author, Sam Quinones, will be on campus to talk about his book and sign copies on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Continuing Education Building at 1634 University Blvd. NE. There are several opportunities to meet and talk with Quinones on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Photo: Sam Quinones, author, Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream
In the meantime, meet your friends to eat and talk:
Monday, Sept. 14
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Communication & Journalism Building, Room #219 (Free boxed lunch)
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Zimmerman Library, Herzstein Room, 2nd floor (Free snacks)
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. - Student Residence Center Commons Room #112 (Free snacks)
Wednesday, Sept. 16
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Student Residence Center Common Room #112 - Meet Sam Quinones (Free snacks)
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Hokona Hall, Cellar Ballroom - Meet Sam Quinones (Free taco bar)
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. - Zimmerman Library, Herzstein Room, 2nd Floor (Free snacks) Discussion group.
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Sam Quinones Book Signing, UNM Bookstore
For more information on Sam Quinones visit: Lobo Reading Experience Author Sam Quinones.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; kwent2@unm.edu
School principals play an important part in any child’s education, playing multiple roles from managers to motivators, disciplinarians, visionaries and more. This week, a “New Mexico in Focus” special will go inside the world of school principals and find out the challenges they face, the role they play in student success, and what makes some principals more successful than others. “New Mexico In Focus” is KNME-TV’s weekly hour-long public affairs show airing on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. on KNME-TV channel 5.1 and repeating on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 a.m.
This week’s episode will feature video profiles of three New Mexico principals and their vastly different schools.
The three profiled administrators are:
· Kara Bobroff, Principal, Native American Community Academy
· Blanca Lopez, Principal, West Mesa High School
· Lee Mills, Principal, Eagle Nest Elementary Middle School
Then a panel of educators will discuss what it takes to be a principal. The panel discussion will be filmed before a live studio audience and will consist of:
· Winston Brooks, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent
· Kelly Callahan, 2008 New Mexico Principal of the Year
· Veronica Garcia, New Mexico Secretary of Education
· Cyndee Gustke, Education Chair, New Mexico PTA
· Richard Howell, Dean, UNM College of Education
This “New Mexico in Focus” special is part of the “P.O.V. “The Principal Story” outreach campaign, made possible by a grant from the Wallace Foundation. Viewers are encouraged to tune in Saturday, Sept. 19 at 10 p.m. at KNME-TV will present “The Principal Story,” exploring what it’s like to be a principal in the 21st century.
Please note: there will be no “The Line” panel discussion on this episode of “New Mexico in Focus.”
“New Mexico in Focus” is produced by Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer and closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1812; e-mail: etodd@knme.org
Ecology researchers to share ideas and discuss results from long term research
Interactions among ecosystem services and human behavior, how to influence policy makers, and teaching ecological complexity through field science inquiry, are just a few of the subjects to be addressed at the 7th Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) All-Scientists Meeting (ASM), to be held from September 13-16, 2009, in Estes Park, Colo. The meeting is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds LTER.
Approximately 800 scientists, who conduct long-term ecological research are expected to attend the meeting. Their theme is “Integrating Science and Society in an Ever-Changing World.” The theme derives directly from LTER’s current Decadal Science Plan, which recognizes and is working to enhance understanding of the interactions between ecology and social-economic human conditions.
The ASM is held every three years to enable LTER and collaborating ecological scientists a chance to get together and share ideas and results, and plan for the future of long term ecological research.
“The triennial All Scientists Meeting is the town hall meeting for the LTER Network,” observed Robert B. Waide, Executive Director of the LTER Network Office, which is coordinating the meeting. “The ideas that drive new experiments and observations are often formalized at these meetings through peer interactions and brainstorming.”
Participants include U.S. LTER researchers and students, as well as international researchers from 38 national LTER networks around the globe. Among those scheduled to speak are James Collins, NSF Assistant Director for Biological Sciences, and Henry Gholz, the LTER Program Director at NSF.
The highlights of special plenary sessions include: “Pre-History of LTER” by Dave Coleman (the Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia); “Thirty years of long-term ecological research” by Phil Robertson (chair of the LTER Science Council); “Integrating science, society, and education” by William Clark (Harvey Brooks Professor of International Science, Public Policy and Human Development at Harvard University); "Continental-scale network level research” by David Schimel (CEO of the National Ecological Observatory Network, NEON); “Successful integration of ecological and social sciences within the LTER” by Laura Ogden (Florida Coastal Everglades LTER/Florida International University); “How to Inform, Influence, and Communicate with Policymakers” by Jenna Jadin (American Institute of Biological Sciences, AIBS); and “Science and education” by Carol Brewer (University of Montana).
More than 75 workshops and working group sessions will also be held. For a complete agenda and schedule please visit the 2009 ASM website at http://asm.lternet.edu.
The LTER Network comprises 26 sites located in the world's major biomes, from the coldest desert to tropical coral reefs. The network also includes sites that address the range of human influence on ecosystems, from almost none in Antarctica to significant in urban Phoenix and Baltimore. The research is funded primarily by NSF's Directorate for Biological Sciences, with additional support from the Directorate for Geosciences, Office of Polar Programs, and Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences.
Media Contacts: McOwiti Thomas, (505) 277-2638; e-mail: tmcowiti@lternet.edu or Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Travis Price III, FAIA, has been selected as 2009 School of Architecture & Planning Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Travis, a 1975 UNM graduate with a Master of Architecture, will be recognized Friday, Sept. 11 at the school’s Honors and Awards Convocation in the Student Union building, Ballroom B beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event honors the school’s outstanding students, scholarship recipients, as well as the donors who make these awards and scholarships possible.
Photo: Travis Price
At 4 p.m. on the same day, Price will present an illustrated lecture in the George Pearl Hall auditorium based on his new book, The Archaeology of Tomorrow: Architecture and the Spirit of Place, a work guided by a humanist-based perspective and desire for sustainability that honors nature and culture. The Archaeology of Tomorrow follows Price’s quest for the mythic modern while offering inspiration for a reinvigorated architecture of the 21st Century.
Price is the founding principal of the award-winning and nationally acclaimed firm Travis Price Architects (TPA), based in Washington, D.C. Recognized as an author, teacher, philosopher and environmental pioneer, Price shapes an international architecture informed by ecology and mythology that restores the spirit of place to modern design. Over the past three decades, the firm has designed buildings ranging from residential projects to large commercial and institutional architecture. TPA projects span the United States as well as Asia, Europe, and South America.
In addition to his practice, Price is the Director of Cultural Studies & Sacred Space Concentration in Architecture at the Catholic University of America and has served as adjunct faculty at Carnegie Mellon University. Price also leads the Spirit of Place/Spirit of Design studios. His architectural firm co-sponsors and develops global design-build expeditions ranging from Nepal, to Peru, to Ireland.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales (505) 277-5920; cgonzal@unm.edu
The Anderson School of Management is inviting the Albuquerque community to attend a special breakfast and discussion with Independent Scholar and Leadership Advisor Robert Cooper. Cooper’s presentation titled, "Winning in a Changing World: Five Keys to Exceeding Everyone’s Expectations," takes place at the Jackson Student Center on the UNM Campus on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Admission is free.
Photo: Robert Cooper
Cooper has devoted three decades to studying how the most exceptional individuals, teams, and organizations achieve what everyone else thinks they can’t. His scientific insights, ultra-practical tools, counterintuitive wisdom, and disciplined metrics have enabled leaders and teams in many industries and fields to produce breakthroughs while everyone else is struggling just to keep from falling behind.
He is the chair of Advanced Excellence Systems, LLC, a leadership consulting firm, and serves as CEO of Dashboard Metrics, LLC. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Other 90%: How to Unlock Your Vast Untapped Potential for Leadership and Life and has been called “the ultimate business guru for the new millennium” by USA Today.
Seating at the presentation is limited and reservations are required. Space can be reserved at rsvp@mgt.unm.edu or call (505) 277-6413 for more information. Parking spaces in the lot immediately north of the Anderson School are available free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additional spaces may be found at the parking structure next to Popejoy Hall for a nominal fee as well as paid meters along Las Lomas.
This presentation is made possible by support from Northwestern Mutual – The Miller Financial Group.
Media Contact: Leslie Venzuela (505) 277-7117; venzuela@mgt.unm.edu
The National Science Foundation has granted UNM a $2.4 million, three-year grant to partner with Central New Mexico Community College and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute Advanced Technology Programs to continue the work of the Southwest Center for Microsystems Education. The center educates instructors and students about micro systems and the way they work.
SCME is located at the UNM Manufacturing Training and Technology Center (MTTC) which operates a clean room facility to educate future technicians and engineers while providing small tech industry and researchers a place to develop new Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Examples of MEMS devices include micro pressure sensors, cantilever based sensors, actuators, small mirror arrays, and microfludic pumps with applications in biomedical, homeland security, aerospace, automotive and gaming systems.
This fall SCME will host two workshops to teach how to build micro pressure sensors.
“It’s a great opportunity for instructors to learn and subsequently give their students an understanding of how MEMS devices are fabricated. It’s an experience that will let them actually build a MEMS device. The instructors are given hands-on kits and educational materials to bring this experience back to the classroom,” says Matthias Pleil, the principal investigator of the grant. “Having a chance to work in a real clean room environment makes the whole field come alive for the students.”
The center draws students and instructors from across the southwest region and most recently hosted a group of community college students from San Antonio, Texas. The students learned about Microsystems - how they work, how they are created, how they can be used in devices to entertain or to make life easier for people. Their nanotechnology instructor, Qiaying Zhou, who attended with her students was so pleased with the experience she even sent the facility testimonials from the students.
Testimonials...
Tim – “…this trip was one of the coolest trips I have ever been on, I got to learn so many interesting things it really surprised me, it was really cool.”
Marcus- “This trip to UNM was an eye opening experience for me, as well as everyone else that took part in the field trip. I remember in my introduction to nanotechnology class reading about semiconductors and doing energy band gap calculations. As well as reading about Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems and wondering what it all means in the real world. I started at North West Vista College going towards a biology degree and after introduction to nanotechnology my interest quickly changed because of the need for people in this degree plan."
Akeem- “On the first day we entered the lab everything seemed amazing!! So much information and so many things that we didn’t know how to do at first in making pressure sensors. In every experience in the clean room, we were given hands on experience with a lecture, and teacher guides to help us if we had any problem or question."
Students who like the work and want to go further can take classes at CNM, SIPI or UNM and can go as far as they want in the field. Senior research engineers for companies can make over $60 an hour for their expertise and technicians receive $25 an hour with a two year degree.
Companies also use the MTTC clean room on a contract basis to make prototypes or do limited manufacturing of parts. Companies that have worked on projects in the clean room include AgilOptics, Defiant, Emcore, HT MicroAnalytical, Incitor, K-tech, Mechtronic Solutions, MicroNano Platforms, Qynergy, Radiant, Advent Solar and Sandia National Laboratories.
If you are interested in learning more visit: Southwest Center for Microsystems Education or contact Matthias Pleil at, mpleil@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; kwent2@unm.edu
The U. S. Department of Education recently named University of New Mexico College of Education graduate student Elaine Romero as one of 13 teachers selected as a 2009-10 Teaching Ambassador Fellow through the Office of Innovation and Improvement. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made the announcement recently. Three were named Washington Fellows and will become full-time U.S. Department of Education employees for one year. Ten, including Romero, will participate part-time while remaining in their classrooms throughout the school year.
Romero is currently an Instructional Coach at Wherry Elementary School in Albuquerque. Her work will also be tied to her final semester of UNM graduate work in Education Leadership under academic advisor and Assistant Professor Allison Borden.
“It is such an exciting and critical time to participate in this Fellowship as we near the reauthorization of ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act),” said Romero. “The Department is reaching out for input from educators on this important reauthorization and one certainty is that they are listening.”
“Enlisting the support of teachers and other educators is crucial to the success of the national movement to reform American education,” said Duncan. “I look forward to working with this year's fellows as partners as we discuss how to recognize and reward teachers, professional advancement, high standards and other key issues.”
The fellows participated in a four-day summit in August at the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C. During the school year, the teachers will engage in education policy discussions, work with Education Department officials in various program offices and participate in a variety of education projects.
Each Fellow is developing a one-year action plan. In collaboration with three other Fellows, Romero’s particular action plan is in determining ways to strengthen support structures and multiple communication pathways between the many levels of educators, from the classroom teacher, district administrators, state leaders, the Department of Education, and education researchers to improve our high priority schools, particularly low-performing Hispanic schools New Mexico.
“We are each passionate and committed to school improvement and collaborate with each other to increase our learning and ideas,” said Romero. “The opportunity to continuously converse and exchange ideas with my Fellow colleagues has already increased my learning and perspectives tenfold.
Now in its second year, the Teaching Ambassador Fellowships were created to give outstanding teachers leadership opportunities to learn about national education policy and to contribute their expertise to those discussions.
For more information visit: U.S. Department of Education.
Media Contact: Steve Carr (505) 277-1821; scarr@unm.edu
Former president of Mexico to lecture on immigration
Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico, will speak on Monday, Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Popejoy Hall on the UNM main campus. His lecture, “Legacy and New Trends in Migration Public Policy in the New Century,” will explore the topic of immigration. The community is invited to attend.
Photo: Vicente Fox, former president, Mexico
Additionally, Fox will have a special presentation for interested UNM faculty, staff and students at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, in the Centennial Engineering Center Auditorium, room 1041. He will reflect on his legacy in politics and education as well as on the future of Mexico.
Following his presentation, there will be a question and answer period moderated by Sociology Professor Susan Tiano, director of the Latin American and Iberian Institute. Seating is limited and will be on a first come-first served basis.
Fox was elected president of Mexico in 2000, breaking the hold of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party that had run the country for seven decades. Fox is credited with playing a vital role in the democratization of Mexico and with strengthening the county’s economy.
Fox founded the Fox Center, Mexico’s first presidential library and museum in 2007. He also released his autobiography, “Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President.”
Lobo Reading Experience
Fox’s lecture is part of a series of lectures and discussion groups connected to the Lobo Reading Experience. Fox’s lecture is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Sept. 15 at the ticket office at the new UNM Student Services Center located at 1155 University Blvd., SE., and at the UNM Ticket Office at the UNM Bookstore on main campus.
Tickets will also be available online at: UNM Tickets or at area Albertson’s stores, but service fees may apply. Parking is available in the Cornell Parking Structure next to Popejoy Hall on Redondo just east of Stanford.
For more information visit: Lobo Reading Experience.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; kwent2@unm.edu
STC.UNM, the University’s technology-transfer office will be hosting its fall seminar series in September, October and November. The first is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9. It features John Chavez, president, Board of Directors, New Mexico Angels. His lecture titled, “Venture Capital and Angel Investors: What You Should Know,” will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. in Room 3010, at the Health Sciences Domenici Education Center.
Photo: John Chavez
Chavez will discuss his experiences as an investor in start-up companies and how university inventors can most effectively present to angel investors. The seminars are free and open to the UNM community and the public. Box lunches will be provided.
For more information on the seminars and to register online, visit: STC.UNM or contact Denise Bissell at 272-7310 or dbissell@stc.unm.edu.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; kwent2@unm.edu
The University of New Mexico has created a new faculty/staff meal plan for breakfast and lunch at La Posada, the university’s primary on-campus restaurant. Three different plans, starting at $60, have been designed for use including the Bronze Plan, Silver Plan and the Gold Plan.
Photo: La Posada Hall
La Posada provides food-court style with ample seating space and a light-filled atrium. La Posada serves breakfast, lunch and dinner offering a wide variety of entrees on a five-week cycle so patrons have a variety of choices throughout the course of a month. Some of the options include Global Cuisine, Trattoria, Fresh Grill, Menu-tainment, Market Carvery, Sandwich Central, and a taco, salad and dessert bar. Vegan items are also available.
Walt Miller, UNM’s associate vice president for Student Life, came up with the faculty/staff meal plan after a visit to Colorado State.
“The idea came when we were looking at the food service program at Colorado State,” said Miller. “They mentioned a faculty/staff meal plan and I thought it would be a good idea at UNM. La Posada is part of the campus community of resources. It is fairly close and within walking distance. We’re opening the door for wider campus usage.”
The plans build on an existing $6 price for an all you can eat benefit extended to faculty/staff on Fridays at La Posada. Meals plans start with the Bronze Plan at $60 (+ tax) for 10 meals. A Silver Plan goes for $180 (+ tax) and is good for 30 meals and a Gold Plan is also available. It provides 50 meals for $300 (+ tax). An added bonus for interested faculty/staff gives additional meals, two in the Silver Plan and five in the Gold Plan for those plans purchased by Oct. 1, 2009.
“The meal plan allows people to stay on campus and enables faculty, staff and students the chance to meet and have a meal in a different and quieter atmosphere,” said Miller. “It also gives faculty and staff the opportunity to have a meal at a reduced rate with expanded choices.”
Hours for La Posada are Monday – Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The faculty/staff meal plans can only be used during the week for breakfast and lunch. To purchase a meal visit: Dine on Campus.
University Libraries will host a talk, titled “Exploiting and providing research data: finding strategies to help researchers,” on Friday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. in Centennial Science & Engineering Library. Malcolm Atkinson, director, e-Science Institute and National e-Science Centre and professor of e-Science, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, and David De Roure, professor, Computer Science, School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton, UK, are the featured presenters.
They will be in the United States visiting a number of universities and corporations during the month of September and have arranged to visit UNM.
This topic is critical for young scientists and any researcher using large data sets and/or researching Internet data. Data-intensive science is emerging as a leading new research method and a focus of NSF, DOE, DOD, NIH, NEH, and other national funding agencies.
The speakers are both players in the global research environment. The effective use of data is key to advances in almost all disciplines. There are opportunities for significant advances as a result of the pervasive growth in digital data, communication and devices, however, there are many challenges in enabling researchers to become adept in this new fast-changing context.
Professor Malcolm Atkinson plays a leading role in UK science and data policy making, and is on numerous European Union advisory boards such as the Baltic Grid and GEON. He leads training and education of EU-funded projects such as the International Collaboration to Extend and Advance Grid Education. He is a member of the Global Grid Forum Steering Group and Data Area Director for GGF.
Professor David De Roure has developed myExperiment which is designed to preserve and share scientific workflows. A founding member of the School's Intelligence, Agents, Multimedia Group, he leads the e-Research activities and is a Director of the Pervasive Systems Centre, and is involved in the UK e-Science and e-Social Science programs. His work focuses on creating new research methods in and between multiple disciplines, and his projects draw on Web 2.0, Semantic Web and workflow technologies.
“We are very lucky to have these two leading figures in the field of e-science lecturing at UNM. This is a great opportunity to hear about cutting edge work”, says Johann van Reenen, University Libraries Associate Dean for Research, Science and International Initiatives. For information about the lecture, contact Johann van Reenen, 277-4241, jreenen@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; kwent2@unm.edu
UNM students, alumni and community members interested in working in the technical and business industries will have an opportunity to meet with recruiters over two days during the UNM Engineering and Science Career Fair and Business Career Fair. The career fairs are scheduled back-to-back beginning with the Engineering and Science Career Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 15, while the Business Career Fair is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16. Both fairs run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held at the UNM Student Union Building Ballrooms.
With over 40 recruiters registered for each event, this is the perfect opportunity for job seekers to connect with multiple employers over two days. Job seekers should come prepared, professionally dressed and with plenty of copies of their resume.
For an up-to-date detailed list of registered recruiters and their openings visit: Office of Career Services. For more information call, 277-2531.
The Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA) recently circulated its “Special Centennial Issue” in celebration of the planning profession’s 100 years, 1909-2009. In the Vol. 75 No. 2 Spring 2009 issue, JAPA editors listed and reviewed 20 books called “... Influential Planning Books: The Power of the Published Idea.”
Among the book reviews, Philip Berke chose Rural Environmental Planning by Frederic O. Sargent and its revised 1991 edition Rural Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities by Frederic O. Sargent, Paul Lusk, Jose A. Rivera, and Maria Varela (Island Press book).
Lusk is an emeritus professor of planning from the UNM School of Architecture and Planning; Varela taught as an adjunct in the school at the time the book was underway. Rivera was director of the Southwest Hispanic Research Institute at UNM at the time and taught in both community and regional planning and public administration. He was also teaching the course, Rural Community Development, which he is teaching again this semester as CRP 569.
The original book was one of the first publications in the planning field to integrate land use and environmental planning with the broader concepts of sustainable communities.
Rural Environmental Planning offered what author Frederic Sargent called a “how-to-do-it” approach for environmental planning practitioners and the public. He developed an innovative system of land classification and suitability analysis for agricultural lands, natural areas, lake and river basins, scenic vistas and recreational areas. The book demonstrated the use of this system in 30 towns.
The Review
In the follow up edition, Rural Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities, Sargent advanced the idea that environmental planning should stand conventional urban land use planning on its head. He maintained that conventional urban planning devoted too much attention to developing projections of population and employment growth to be accommodated by a plan for land use.
He gave ecological function priority over growth projections as the primary driver of land use. Protecting and conserving the natural landscape and its life support systems can only be achieved by initially identifying, classifying, and valuing lands that support critical natural system values.
Sargent believed in grounding land use decisions on ecological functions, but Rural Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities offered practitioners a step-by-step approach to the translation of ecology to a vision of sustainable communities. For each land use goal, such as farmland preservation and lake basin water quality protection, the book specified characteristics for classifying landscapes, standards for classification, straightforward procedures for computing composite land suitability indexes, data sources readily accessible to local planners, and a rich array of case study applications.
In all cases, Sargent devoted considerable attention to public participation grounded on democratic procedures. He showed how environmental planning could be carried out through specific proposals aimed at ensuring public access to a quality environment and improving community livability for all. Indeed, Rural Environmental Planning and Rural Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities provided a novel framework for the practice of planning,
and should be considered essential reading in the history of environmental planning.
Media contact: Carolyn Gonzales (505) 277-5920; cgonzal@unm.edu
The University of New Mexico has joined more than 40 different local, state and national Hispanic, education, government, civic, military and business organizations to form an alliance to promote a variety of events and activities taking place from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in Albuquerque.
Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, UNM’s Title V program director, is chair of the City of Albuquerque’s Hispanic Heritage Month committee.
“UNM is one of just a few educational institutions hosting educational forums to inform the community about the demographics of our student body. We want people to understand who our students are and how we incorporate and connect the understanding of that into the classroom and the educational experience,” she said.
The Title V grant is designed to engage the community, students, staff, and faculty, to promote innovative programs leading to increased retention and graduation rates of Hispanic and low income students.
UNM plans to have a number of events that are open to community members of all ages and backgrounds as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. “We have a unified calendar so people can see what’s being offered throughout the celebration at a glance,” she said. She added that most events are free and open to the public.
“This is the third year that there has been a unified effort to promote and raise awareness for all of the culturally rich Hispanic Heritage Month activities, events and programs taking place in Albuquerque,” said Mayor Martin Chavez. “In the past, these organizations have conducted individual efforts. For the third year, the Hispanic Heritage Month committee will bring all of the events together on one Calendar of Events and promote them in a combined effort, which is great for our community.”
Mayor Chavez and representatives of the organizations have been invited to speak at the news conference as the community comes together to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month. Other speakers include: Secretary of State Mary Herrera; Clara Apodaca, president and CEO National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation; Cathy Illian, regional director of U.S. Census Bureau; Andrea Robles, ENLACE student; and Alex Romero, executive director Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
Media Contacts: John Cordova, (505) 266-5637; e-mail: cordova@cordovapr.com or Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, (505) 280-3125; e-mail: jengomez@unm.edu or Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Landscape architecture graduate student Chance Munns is putting the “park” in parking spaces with help from others from SOCLAS, the Society of Landscape Architecture Students. They are participating in Park(ing) Day, Friday, Sept. 18. The annual, one-day global event brings artists, activists and citizens together to transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.
The students are competing to determine which designs get built. The competition is set for Monday, Sept. 7.
Munns and the landscape students aren’t the only UNM Park(ing) Day participants. Two College of Fine Arts faculty members, Ramsey Lofton, community education supervisor, and Susan Pearson, Theatre and Dance professor, are involving students in their respective Freshman Learning Community courses, Earth Arts, and Taking Dramatic Action, in Park(ing) Day.
Lofton and Pearson are approaching the project by bringing in characters from the book “Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream” by Sam Quinones. The book is the first Lobo Reading Experience selection – a book recommended for reading by all incoming freshmen.
“The ‘rented’ parking spaces will be transformed into communal spaces. They will explore perceptions of space – civic, public and open space – as well as perspectives on resident status – indigenous, birthright, naturalized and alien,” Pearson said.
The students will look at the interplay between urban design devoted to privately owned vehicles, and the perceptions of immigrants seeking access to economic and social opportunities “just over the border,” Lofton said.
The students will be in teams designing their parking spaces. Munns and other SOCLAS students will visit Pearson’s and Lofton’s classes to critique their parking space designs. Munns offered to share donated artificial turf and pavers he arranged to receive. Since he participated in Park(ing) Day last year, he advised the women on making arrangements with parking and police officials and how to maintain safety, especially on Central Ave.
“We are grateful for the help Chance and the other landscape architecture students are providing. Our freshmen will get that much more out of the project by working with graduate students – soon-to-be professional landscape architects,” Pearson said.
The specific parking spaces haven’t been determined yet. Lofton’s and Pearson’s students are scouting on and off campus locations. Munns said his group plans to have one on Central Ave. and perhaps two more downtown on Gold St. Munns will design and distribute a map of all the UNM official Park(ing) Day spots so that people can visit them.
Park(ing) Day began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art collective, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in an area of San Francisco that is underserved by public open space.
Back then the project was named simply PARK(ing), and was devised as a creative exploration of how urban public space is allocated and used. For example, up to 70 percent of San Francisco’s downtown outdoor space is dedicated to the vehicle, while only a fraction of that space is allocated to the public realm. Paying the meter of a parking space enables one to lease precious urban real estate on a short-term basis.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; email: cgonzal@unm.edu
Professor of Anthropology at Emory University George J. Armelagos will present the Journal of Anthropology Lecture “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Evolution of the Brain & Determinates of Food Choice “on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the UNM Anthropology Lecture Hall (Room 163).
Photo: George Armelagos, professor, Anthropology, Emory University
Armelagos will explore the evolutionary history of human diet in relationship over time to changes in human guts and brains. As humans abandoned foraging for farming, this posed a conflict with the way the evolving anatomy intestinally resolved earlier demands for diets necessary to feed a growing brain. Food preparation methods in industrialized countries have led to badly adapted eating habits with major health consequences.
Armelagos will give a specialized seminar on “Genomic at the Origins of Agriculture” on Friday, November 6, at noon in Anthropology Room 248. In this seminar, he will examine the origins of agriculture, including novel information provided by genomics, with data drawn from many fields. The impact of the origins of agriculture extends beyond animals and plants and considers the effect on human pathogens and on the migration and mixing of early agriculturalists.
Both lectures are free and open to the public.
Armelagos is the Goodrich C. White Professor of Anthropology at Emory University. His research has focused on diet and disease in human evolution. He is specifically interested in changes in adaption with the origins of agriculture that lead to a major epidemiological transition in human evolution. Armelagos researches the long-term interaction between humans and pathogens in light of changes in diet, and the implications for current human health problems.
He had published more than half a dozen books. He has been awarded the prestigious Viking Fund Medal of the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the Franz Boas Award of the American Anthropological Association and the Charles Darwin Award for Lifetime Achievement to Biological Anthropology from the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
The University of New Mexico Ronald E. McNair and College Enrichment and Outreach Programs hosts the 3rd Annual Research and Leadership Conference Thursday and Friday, Oct. 1- 2, on the UNM campus.
This year's conference, "Cultivating Leadership through Research" is open to New Mexico high school seniors and 2-year and 4-year college students involved in Federal TRiO Programs including College Assistance Migrant Programs and undergraduate research scholar programs from across the country.
The conference fee is $75 which includes a welcome reception on Wednesday, Sept. 30, dinner on Friday, Oct. 2, and breakfasts and lunches throughout the conference.
Conference participants will learn about research and leadership success strategies, see oral and poster research presentations, and attend a graduate and professional school fair where they will have the opportunity to speak with more than 50 graduate school recruiters.
For more information on the conference call the Ronald E. McNair Program at, (505) 277-5491 or (505) 277-3098 or visit McNair Conference.
Media Contact: Dorene Dinaro, (505) 277-5299; email: ddinaro@unm.edu
The Lobo Reading Experience is the University of New Mexico’s inaugural attempt at a freshman recommended book. This year, Sam Quinones’ 'Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream: True Tales of Mexican Migration' (UNM Press) has been chosen for its relevance to New Mexico and the Southwest, its engaging writing style and its accessibility to a broad range of readers. Quinones will be on campus Sept. 15-16.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, he will give a talk and sign books at the UNM Continuing Education Center at 1634 University Blvd. at 7 p.m. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Quinones will also be at the UNM Bookstore on Wednesday Sept. 16 from 3-4 p.m. for a discussion and book signing.
A series of discussions will also be held as part of the Lobo Reading Experience. For a complete list visit: Great Group Discussion … And Free Food.
Quinones calls on the sunburned village of El Cargardero where dollars finish roads the Mexican government can’t and a tomato king from Sacramento becomes an unexpected political warrior; a rough neighborhood in Tijuana where an opera café is one act in the city’s burgeoning opera scene; and the shabby Juárez studio of a velvet painter of yesteryear. This Mexico in full-color reveals a land still entrenched in PRI ideology, where the people most capable of evoking change—those with gumption and foresight—tragically leave.
Throughout the book, Quinones weaves in the life of a modern-day Huck Finn—a Mexican boy named Delfino—whose journey begins at age 12 as he trudges down the mountain into Mexico City and continues all the way to Los Angeles.
Delfino’s story is an endearing tale of a brave boy transformed into the man-of-the-house as he learns to provide for his family, build houses and break dance. In Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream, Quinones uncovered stories that help illuminate all that Mexicans seek when they come north. He does so with the flair of a social observer who’s seen it, all the while exposing the human face of the real people who’ve lived it.
Freelance journalist Sam Quinones is a staff writer for The Los Angeles Times. He has contributed stories to The Baltimore Sun, the Houston Chronicle, and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is the author of True Tales from Another Mexico: The Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings, Chalino, and the Bronx (UNM Press).
The UNM Bookstore is located at 2301 Central Ave. NE at the intersection of Cornell and Central. Parking will be validated in the parking structure for up to one hour with purchase. For more information call Lisa Walden at 505-277-7494.
Media Contacts: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu or Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627; kwent2@unm.edu
Emily Haynes has been named the first recipient of the Phyllis Perrin Wilcox Endowed Scholarship, a scholarship established by students in the Signed Language Interpreting Program and named for a professor in the linguistics department.
Photo: Emily Haynes and Phyllis Perrin Wilcox.
Haynes, a senior planning to graduate in December, has maintained a GPA at or above 4.0 throughout her undergraduate career. In May, she received the UNM Signed Language Program Research and Publication Award and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, UNM Chapter.
“Emily has readily and easily assumed a position of leadership amongst the diverse student body in our department. Her many schoolmates cherish their friendship with her,” said Perrin Wilcox.
Haynes is fluent in spoken French and American Sign Language. She plans to become a certified interpreter for the deaf community.
She interned for an art company in San Francisco, designing posters for music festivals and bands – which, Perrin Wilcox notes, “are strong indications that she was prepared to serve the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf this past summer in Philadelphia, Penn.”
She was one of the few support staff participants selected from interpreting education programs across the nation. She provided the 3.000 conference attendees and presenters with information and directions during the workshops, colloquiums, legislative movements and public education about the interpreting profession.
Perrin Wilcox said, “The announcement of the scholarship named in my honor two years ago was the most heartwarming surprise of my life. To now be able to offer financial support to young students with a passionate desire to interpret for other deaf people is gratifying beyond description. I am grateful to the many people who have contributed to this scholarship and feel great joy in awarding the Dr. Phyllis Perrin Wilcox Scholarship to its first recipient, Emily Haynes.”
Sherman Wilcox said, “Although they started with no money, an anonymous donor provided seed money. Several local agencies made generous donations, to bring the fund close now to $20,000, which allows us to award our first recipient.” He added, “We plan to make this award during our ‘meeting of the majors’ -- a meeting at the beginning of each year attended by all of our signed language majors and the faculty in the interpreting program.”
Photo by Dan Martinez
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; email: cgonzal@unm.edu
Learn about supplemental retirement plans
All faculty and staff employees are eligible to participate in UNM's supplemental retirement plans. To encourage employees to learn more about this valuable benefit, the Division of Human Resources is sponsoring a Retirement Vendor Fair. On Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the SUB Ballrooms B and C, Faculty and Staff will have the opportunity to meet UNM's 403b and 457b vendors, ask questions, and learn about supplemental retirement benefits.
VALIC, TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, MetLife, ING Life (AETNA), and Waddell & Reed will have representatives on campus to discuss employee's 403b and 457b options.
These tax-deferred annuities are designed to help all Faculty and Staff members build extra savings by allowing employees to reduce their current taxes and increase their retirement earning potential. For more information on visit: Tax-Deferred Annuities.
In addition to UNM's supplemental retirement vendors, demonstrations of Retirement Manager will be every 30 minutes starting at 9:00 am. To learn more visit: Retirement Manager.
For questions regarding the Retirement Vendor Fair, please call 277-MyHR (6947).
The University of New Mexico was ranked in HispanicBusiness Magazine’s 2009 top 10 schools for Hispanics in engineering, business, law and medical. For the third consecutive year, the UNM School of Law ranks No. 1.
The article states, “The University of New Mexico School of Law performs virtually no specialized minority recruitment. Instead, diversity at this year’s No. 1 law school for Hispanics has developed organically from surrounding communities. For the last 30 years the school has maintained close to a 25 percent Hispanic student population. From that has emerged a strong alumni base that acts as the institution’s voice to attract minority applicants. Recruitment strategies and advertising are not as necessary.”
Kevin Washburn, dean, School of Law, notes that New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Petra Jimenez Maes and former attorney general Patricia Madrid are “superstar alumni” who are “walking advertisements” for the school’s diversity.
The magazine ranked UNM’s School of Medicine No. 6 for the second year. Anderson School of Management also ranked No. 6. ASM was not ranked last year. The School of Engineering ranked No. 7 this year.
Jozi DeLeon, UNM vice president for Equity and Inclusion, said, “The University of New Mexico has focused on enhancing the diversity of its student population for a number of years. The rankings in HispanicBusiness magazine are a clear indication that it takes the work of dedicated deans, department heads and faculty to attract diverse and talented students. UNM is a prime example of inclusive excellence.”
The rankings appear in HispanicBusiness Magazine’s September issue. For more information visit: 2009 Top Schools for Diversity.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; email: cgonzal@unm.edu
The National Science Foundation has awarded the Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center (COSMIAC) a $474,000 grant for the Research for Engineering Undergraduates (REU) program. The Center is part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UNM and Professor Christos Christodoulou is the Chief Research Officer.
During the next several weeks the center will be hiring electrical and computer engineering majors to work at the Center’s office near the South Campus. The research/work opportunity involves analyzing and building components for satellite systems designed to monitor elements of space weather.
COSMIAC Deputy Director Craig J. Kief says, “This offers undergraduates an opportunity to follow an unusual career path. The Air Force Research Laboratory is moving the Hanscom Space Weather Directorate to Kirtland Air Force Base, and they will need employees with expertise in the field. By the time these students graduate, they will have a firm background in the instruments that will drive the information coming from the satellites.”
A major industrial use for the computer chips the students will work with is in Global Positioning Systems. The measurements of the far atmosphere will provide scientists with information about the effect of the Ionosphere on radio waves.
Research at the center is driven by the changes in satellite technology. Geospacial satellites today are large, roughly the size of a car, but a new generation of satellites, called Cubesats, are becoming the new launch standard. They measure 12” by 4” by 4” and can be launched for about $30,000. Kief says that paradigm shift is going to mean much greater interest from industry and there will be battles to hire engineers who can design and analyze the chips that allow the satellites to function.
The chips the students will work with can actually be reprogrammed remotely so that a satellite already in space can change its function as research needs alter. COSMIAC Director and UNM Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Professor Steve Suddarth says they will begin hiring students as soon as the NSF releases the grant money.
UNM students will not be the only group eligible for the grant opportunity. COSMIAC works with NMSU, NM Tech, SIPI, CNM and a number of community colleges throughout the Southwest. COSMIAC is also a component of the Air Force Research Laboratories Phillips Technology Institute.
Students interested in the program should contact Craig Keif at (505) 934-1861 or craig.keif@cosmiac.org.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
It's an art project of global proportion. This week New Mexico In Focus explores in-depth the months-long project called LAND/ART, where more than 60 artists and 25 arts organizations explore the relationships of land, art, and community. The show airs Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. on KNME, Ch 5.1 and repeats Sunday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 a.m.
Additionally, co-host Gene Grant visits one-on-one with David Brancaccio, host and senior editor of NOW on PBS. Find out what he thinks about the future of journalism in an online age.
The Line panelists weigh in on The Governor's Latest Proposal To Balance The State's Dwindling Budget, and also, “Is It Better To Be A Democrat Or Republican In New Mexico Today?"
Special guests include Brancaccio, Sherri Brueggemann, City of Albuquerque Public Art program manager, Nina Dubois, LAND/ART Artist, Bill Gilbert, Lannan Chair, UNM Land Arts of the American West, Suzanne Sbarge, executive director, 516 ARTS. Also, special guest panelist Michael Coleman, staff writer, Albuquerque Journal Washington Bureau, stops by for a visit.
“New Mexico in Focus” is produced by Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer and closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1812; e-mail: etodd@knme.org
Donald Puffer, program project manager at the Mind Research Network will speak on “Neurosystems for National Security” on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 11:45 a.m. in MRN’s Large Conference Room. NeuroSystems for National Security is a new research and development program at the Mind Research Network (MRN). This is a brown bag lunch event.
NeuroSystems for National Security is a new research and development program at the Mind Research Network (MRN). The goal of this program is to combine neuroscience and systems engineering (neurosystems engineering) to provide people-dependent solutions for critical national security problems.
MRN possesses the unique ability to utilize and combine functional imaging and brain scanning techniques (fMRI, MEG, EEG), computer modeling and simulation, cortical brain stimulation and genetics to investigate how the brain functions and how it can be made to function better for the safety, security, and reliability of our military and national security interests.
One potential benefit involves helping military and national security personnel make better decisions under stress. Biological changes occur in the brain and body in response to stress. These stress responses are intended to serve adaptive functions, but can also have a negative influence on cognition and behavior. One of our goals is to develop methods and techniques to leverage and modulate stress to optimize decision making. The ability to better modulate stress in times of crisis would be invaluable to both the foot soldier under fire and the general commander making critical national security decisions.
Securing cyberspace is another example. In collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, the Mind Research Network would like to transform cybersecurity by creating optimized teams of human cyber-defenders to augment existing computer security algorithms. Our goal is to develop a human-team-optimizing system that will monitor and optimize the interaction and effectiveness of human cyber-defender teams within cyberspace.
Support the Lobos and wear school colors every Friday
UNM President David Schmidly is asking students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the New Mexico to show their pride in living color by issuing a Presidential Decree that recognizes every Friday as “Lobo Red Fridays.”
Beginning Friday, Sept. 4, the proclamation encourages everyone at all UNM campuses and sites throughout the state to wear apparel and display items that bear the university’s colors and logos.
UNM supporters, including the Albuquerque community, are invited to participate, and local business owners are also encouraged to have their employees partake in the Friday celebrations in the workplace.
UNM fans and supporters in Albuquerque may purchase officially licensed UNM products at the following Albuquerque retail outlets:
UNM Bookstores
Finish Line
New Mexico Look
Walmart
JCPenney
Fanzz
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Lids
Sam’s Club
Kmart
Dillard’s
UNM Championships Course
Oshman’s
Sports Authority
In support of President Schmidly’s Lobo Red Friday’s, available at north and main campus UNM Bookstores (in-store purchases only), the official store of Lobo Athletics, are back again with the Original Game Day Fridays! Every Friday before home and away games throughout the football season, get 25 percent off all LoboWear and Spirit Items. *
DomeFest 2009 returns to Albuquerque Friday, Sept. 25-Sunday, Sept. 27 with a program of artistic and technological innovations for large-format, immersive digital dome theaters, or fulldome. The 2009 festival includes the U.S. premiere of “DomeFest Retro5pective,” global premiere of the DomeFest 2009 juried show and coveted “Domie” awards, and a special performance of J-Walt’s new 3-D “Omnicentric Universe” for DomeFest Plus attendees.
“With all the major Hollywood studios now producing 3-D content, continued improvements in processing power and projection capabilities, the fulldome medium is reaching critical mass,” DomeFest founder David Beining said. “This year’s DomeFest will really define where we are now and the promise of the future.”
Main shows and making of talks will be held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Technical talks, discussions and small dome presentations will be held at UNM’s ARTS Lab.
The festival is produced by ARTS Lab with support from Sky-Skan, Inc., the City of Albuquerque, IMERSA, Elumenati, Global Immersion and others.
The cost to attend is $175 for DomeFest or $195 for DomeFest Plus. For more information and registration visit: Domefest.
The Signature Program for Child Health Research a series of brief presentations and round table discussions led by successful UNM Health Science Center researchers. Plan to learn more about research at UNM, network with colleagues, establish collaboration, find a mentor/mentee or just enjoy some stimulating discussion. The event, titled ‘3x5x5’ (3 speakers, 5 slides, done by 5), will be held Thursday, Sept. 10 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in rm. 2112 at the Domenici Center.
Speakers and topics include:
Rebecca Rogers, professor, OB GYN Urogynecology and associate professor of Surgery
Topic: Alterations in the Pelvic Floor During Pregnancy and the Ensuing Years; What Happens to Pelvic Floor Function after Delivery? (APPLE)
Lance Chilton, associate professor, Pediatrics, Young Children’s Health Center,
Topic: Keeping Kids in School: Immunization to Prevent Influenza
Katie Vadnais, SPCHR Apprenticeship Awardee
Mentors: Jessica Goodkind, Ph.D.
Topic: A Qualitative Exploration of the Effectiveness of Mutual learning and Advocacy in a Mental Health Intervention Model with African Refugee Children and Adolescents
For more information contact Leslie Trickey at 272-4462 or e-mail, letrickey@salud.unm.edu.
The Provost's Committee for Staff is hosting the UNM Volunteer Fair on Tuesday Sept. 8 from 11 to 1:30 p.m. in the SUB Ballrooms A & B. This is an opportunity for staff, faculty and students to "One-Stop-Shop" for the agency or group that best fits their personal interests. Make a difference. Create a memory. Be a volunteer. Refreshments will be served.
More than 55 agencies will be set up tables for the UNM community to consider volunteering their time. For instance, there are volunteer-for-a-day choices, for instance at the New Mexico Jazz Workshop or the Duke City Marathon, or become a regular face at the Museum of Natural History, Children's Grief Center or Albuquerque Reads. Faculty, staff and students - everyone is welcome. Truly there is something for everyone.
For more information visit: UNM Volunteer Fair or contact Lina Sandve, (505) 277-1516 or at lsandve@unm.edu.
UNM’s Anderson School of Management is now accepting nominations for the 21st annual Hall of Fame awards ceremony and dinner. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 29, 2009. The Anderson Hall of Fame ceremony and dinner will take place on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the UNM Student Union Building.
The Anderson Hall of Fame honors alumni whose distinguished careers serve as a model to the next generation of business leaders. Anderson also recognizes outstanding young alumni under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in the short time since graduating from the Anderson School.
Prospective alumni candidates must have demonstrated a commitment to continuing education and community service matched by their commitment to professional success.
Nominees should meet the following criteria...
Professional Success
Status in organization, level of responsibility, entrepreneurial success (if applicable), demonstrated impact on organizational growth, success resulting from professional activities.
Contribution to the Community
Public service, involvement and leadership in community activities, involvement and leadership in professional organizations. Individuals running for or are in political office are not eligible.
Involvement/Support for Continuing Education (including Anderson/UNM)
Ongoing personal & professional development, support continuing education for themselves and their community, participate/support to lifelong learning opportunities for others.
To nominate an Anderson alumnus send their name, title, Anderson affiliation and address to:
Anderson School of Management Development Office
1 University of New Mexico
MSC05 3090
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Nominations are also being accepted via e-mail at: Armijo@mgt.unm.edu.
For more information visit www.mgt.unm.edu or contact Tina Armijo at (505) 277-6413.
Media Contact: Leslie Venzuela, (505) 277-7117; e-mail: venzuela@mgt.unm.edu
The UNM Center for English Language and American Culture (CELAC), UNM’s intensive English as a Second Language program, is currently looking for people interested in being conversation partners with students.
The program’s students come from across the globe —Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and places in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East—so they represent a smorgasbord of languages, one of which you – or maybe your students – may wish to practice.
CELAC is located in Mesa Vista Hall. If interested, please contact Ben Sienicki at, bsienick@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
The administrative, editorial, production, marketing and sales, and IT departments of the University of New Mexico Press are moving from their current location in the Science and Technology Park at 1312 Basehart Road SE to the main campus of UNM at 1717 Roma NE. The warehouse, customer service and business office will remain at the Basehart location.
“There are both financial and operational advantages to having these offices in the heart UNM’s campus,” said Wynn Goering, vice provost for Academic Affairs. “It serves our strategic interests by enabling the Press to be an even more integral part of UNM’s scholarly activities.”
While there will certainly be challenges in making the transition, UNM Press Director Luther Wilson looks forward to the opportunity for the press to improve its on-campus visibility. “Our new location will put us in closer contact with faculty members, many of whom are also our authors.”
Approximately 21 employees, including staff and students, will relocate to campus in mid-September.
Media Contact: Katherine MacGilvray, (505) 272-7177; e-mail: katm@unm.edu
Study investigates the effects of practice in the brain using two imaging techniques
Researchers at the Mind Research Network have announced the findings of a scientific study that used brain imaging and Tetris to investigate whether practice makes the brain efficient because it increases gray matter.
Over a three-month period, adolescent girls practiced Tetris, a computer game requiring a combination of cognitive skills. The girls who practiced showed greater brain efficiency, consistent with earlier studies. Compared to controls, the girls that practiced also had a thicker cortex, but not in the same brain areas where efficiency occurred
“One of the most surprising findings of brain research in the last five years was that juggling practice increased gray matter in the motor areas of the brain,” said Dr. Rex Jung, a co-investigator on the Tetris study and a clinical neuropsychologist. “We did our Tetris study to see if mental practice increased cortical thickness, a sign of more gray matter. If it did, it could be an explanation for why previous studies have shown that mental practice increases brain efficiency. More gray matter in an area could mean that the area would not need to work as hard during Tetris play.”
“We showed that practice on a challenging visuospatial task has an impact on the structure of the cortex, which is in keeping with a growing body of scientific evidence showing that the brain can change with stimulation and is in striking contrast with the pervasive and only-recently outmoded belief that our brain’s structure is fixed,” said Dr. Sherif Karama, a co-investigator at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
This study, published in the open-access journal BMC Research Notes, is one of the first to investigate the effects of practice in the brain using two imaging techniques. The girls completed both structural and functional MRI scans before and after the three-month practice period, as did girls in the control group who did not play Tetris. A structural MRI was used to assess cortical thickness, and a functional MRI was used to assess efficient activity.
“We were excited to see cortical thickness differences between the girls that practiced Tetris and those that did not,” said Dr. Richard Haier, a co-investigator in the study and lead author of a 1992 study that found practicing Tetris led to greater brain efficiency. “But, it was surprising that these changes were not where we saw more efficiency. How a thicker cortex and increased brain efficiency are related remains a mystery.”
The areas of the brain that showed relatively thicker cortex were the Brodmann Area (BA) 6 in the left frontal lobe and BA 22 and BA 38 in the left temporal lobe. Scientists believe BA 6 plays a role in the planning of complex, coordinated movements. BA 22 and BA 38 are believed to be the part of the brain active in multisensory integration—or our brain’s coordination of visual, tactile, auditory, and internal physiological information.
Functional MRI (fMRI) showed greater efficiency after practice mostly in the right frontal and parietal lobes including BAs 32, 6, 8, 9, 46 and BA 40. These areas are associated with critical thinking, reasoning, and language and processing.
According to the researchers, Tetris was a useful tool for brain research.
“Tetris, for the brain, is quite complex,” said Haier. “It requires many cognitive processes like attention, hand/eye co-ordination, memory and visual spatial problem solving all working together very quickly. It’s not surprising that we see changes throughout the brain.”
A number of previous scientific studies also have used Tetris.
The researchers chose to use adolescents in this study because it is more likely to see changes in developing brains. Girls were chosen because boys tend to have considerably more computer game experience and, therefore, may not show detectable brain change after game practice. All 26 girls in the study had limited computer game experience.
“We hope to continue this work with larger, more diverse samples to investigate whether the brain changes we measured revert back when subjects stop playing Tetris,” said Jung. “Similarly, we are interested if the skills learned in Tetris, and the associated brain changes, transfer to other cognitive areas such as working memory, processing speed, or spatial reasoning.”
The study, “MRI assessment of cortical thickness and functional activity changes in adolescent girls following three months of practice on a visual-spatial task,” will be published by Biomedical Central (BMC) Research Notes on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
BMC Research Notes is a peer-reviewed, open access online journal. Before being published, the study was reviewed by two experts in the research field, and all original research articles published by BMC are made freely and permanently accessible online immediately upon publication.
To read the study visit: BMC Research Notes.
This study was funded by Blue Planet Software, Inc., the sole agent for the Tetris Company, where Haier is currently a consultant. For more information on Haier’s past research and published studies visit: Haier's Research.
The Mind Research Network (MRN) is an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and brain injury. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, MRN consists of an interdisciplinary association of scientists located at universities, national laboratories and research centers around the world and is focused on imaging technology and its emergence as an integral element of neuroscience investigation.
The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (MNI) is an academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience. It fosters multidisciplinary teams of basic and clinical scientists that generate fundamental information about the nervous system and apply that knowledge to understanding and treating neurological diseases. It has 11 research units closely integrated with clinical activities and is engaged in the full spectrum of contemporary neuroscience research and patient care.
Media Contact: Rex Jung, e-mail: rjung@mrn.org
Comadre A Comadre, the University of New Mexico’s College of Education program that provides education, resources and breast health support for Hispanic/Latina women, has received a grant for $50,000 from the Central New Mexico (CNM) Komen for the Cure Foundation. The grant titled, “Addressing the Barriers to Education, Resources and Support among Hispanic/Latina Women with Breast Cancer,” will increase peer mentor navigators at two local facility sites by partnering with Lovelace Women’s Hospital Breast Care Center and UNM’s Cancer Center at Lovelace Medical Center.
“We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with the Comadre program,” said Sandra Arellano, Breast Care Navigator at Lovelace Women’s Hospital. “A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming, and having community resources, such as the Comadre program, to refer our clients to is extremely helpful. We are able to work together to enhance each other’s services in an attempt to better meet the needs of each patient.”
“Throughout the years, we have seen through our Comadre program, the benefits of having someone there to support you – someone who has already ‘been there,’ said Elba Saavedra, Comadre program director. “This is especially important in our culture where we often find ourselves facing this disease alone and not knowing where or how to seek emotional support. The support of the Comadre peer mentor navigator is invaluable.”
According to the 2007 New Mexico Facts and Figure the most common cancer among New Mexico Hispanic/ Latina women is breast cancer. This grant effort is consistent with Comadre a Comadre’s goal to help improve breast cancer outcomes for Hispanic/Latina women, who often face language and socio-cultural barriers.
To help achieve the desired results for this effort, Comadre Peer Mentor Navigators will be available at Lovelace Women’s Hospital Breast Care Center and UNM Cancer Center at Lovelace Medical Center. Comadre peer mentor navigators are Hispanic/Latina breast cancer survivors, who are trained to provide emotional support and help newly-diagnosed cancer patients “navigate” through the healthcare system through available state-of-the-art information including diagnosis and treatment, cancer resources, and also to support in a culturally and linguistically competent manner.
Approximately 75 percent of the funding for the CNM Komen for the Cure grant program, comes from the proceeds of the annual Komen CNM Race for the Cure to support cancer programs like Comadre. The 10th Annual event will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, at Isotopes Park. For more information or to register for the race visit: CNM Race for the Cure.
Additionally, the 12th Annual Breast Care Symposium will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Lovelace Women’s Hospital – 4701 Montgomery Blvd. NE. For more information call, 505.727.6933.
For more information visit: Comadre a Comadre.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Digging ditches isn’t how UNM students usually expect to spend their summers. But this low tech task is part of an ISTEC, Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium program to remap and reestablish the old acequia system that Spanish and Tlaxcalteca settlers once used to irrigate Albuquerque’s South Valley with water from the Rio Grande.
The project started in 2008 when Jorge Garcia, ISTEC vice president for program development began working with James Maestas, founder and president of the South Valley Regional Association of Acequias. Maestas was looking for a way to bring back traditional small farms in the South Valley.
That was not as simple as it sounded. Through the years many families in the South Valley have sold their water rights or have simply stopped irrigating. To the state of New Mexico, a farmer who simply stops irrigating eventually loses his right to water from the river. That meant Garcia and Maestas had to begin reestablishing the rights of the paracientes, land owning water users, and to them the first step on that journey was to remap the old South Valley acequias.
After working meetings between officials from ISTEC and the SVRAA, the organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding that led them to develop a geospatial project aimed at mapping the old laterals so SVRAA could begin putting water back into them.
Garcia and Maestas realized they needed to do the project correctly, so working with Judith Van der Elst and Heather Richards from the UNM Department of Anthropology and Amy Ballard with the Geographic Information Technology Program at Central New Mexico Community College, they designed a college course to teach members of the community how to map the old acequias and put the information into an electronic database that anyone could use via the internet.
They quickly found partners.
“ISTEC and SVRAA worked with the Office of Environmental Health and the Center for Raza Studies at the UNM School of Architecture and Planning to help set up the mapping system,” says Garcia. “We borrowed equipment from the Health Department and worked with Derick Betsie and Fernando Ortega, members of the Partners for Environmental Justice, and Carlos Bustos from the New Mexico Rural Water Users Association to begin the mapping process.” The group worked on mapping the old acequias throughout the summer of 2008, and this summer moved on to the low-tech part of the process - digging out acequias that haven’t been used for 50 years to connect them back to the main acequia system.
They haven’t completed the ditch yet. Garcia says they are raising money to put in a culvert to allow water to flow beneath a road, and they are also looking into other sites that need help with reopening their acequias. But the process for reopening one of the acequias is well underway, and the next phase is to raise consciousness about water use for small farms as a way to reinforce the farming culture of the South Valley to grow local and organic vegetables and fruits for the local markets.
This is already in progress. Ten families are raising blueberries and produce, and a program with the American Friends Service Committee and e-merging communities, a local organization, is helping train local families on soil preparation and how to grow small gardens. This training also includes teaching families how to grow crops over the winter using cold frames.
The project has also attracted students from the South Valley Academy, CNM, the UNM Community and Regional Planning department, and the Community Service and Learning Corp. These organizations and their students have been instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between high technology mapping and farming.
Garcia says that the final goal of the project is to develop a virtual system that will allow SVRAA to help water users to claim their water rights, while the data collected can be managed using a combination of GIS/GPS technology integrated into a community virtual management system. This process will allow ISTEC to do knowledge, information and technology transfer so community members have the technical expertise to maintain and use the database of all water systems and water users in the South Valley.
This is an example of the kind of projects that ISTEC, under its Information Technologies for Social Development program, is creating to bridge the digital divide and develop long lasting community-university relations and partnerships. The Consortium fosters scientific, engineering and technology education, joint international research and development among its members. ISTEC was organized in 1990 as a non-profit organization comprised of educational, research, industrial, and government agencies throughout the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula.
ISTEC’s XVII General Assembly will take place at UNM on Oct. 27-28. This event will bring practitioners, academics, and representatives from government and multilateral agencies from around the world. For more information visit: ISTEC Events.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu
Funding to help students through UNM Foundation’s General Scholarship Fund
It’s called “Hook You Up” salsa, and Paul Panas wants to hook up the University of New Mexico and its students with a donation through the sales of his specially bottled salsa. Panas, who operates the barbershop downstairs in the UNM Student Union Building, has started a semester-long campaign to sell as much of his homemade salsa as possible. For every $4 bottle of salsa he sells, he’ll donate $1 to the General Scholarship Fund at the UNM Foundation.
Panas says the idea came from his desire to give back to the UNM community. “I thought if I could get people to buy the salsa, I wanted to give back to those who bought it. Giving to the UNM Foundation’s general scholarship fund seemed like a great way to give back in a way that would benefit students.”
As an added incentive, Panas says that under specially marked lids of his salsa are rewards for $1 and $5. If sales go well, he plans to put an incentive for $100 under one of the lids.
Panas has been making his unique brand of salsa for six years.
“I was in the barbershop and between lunch and dinner, I decided to make the salsa using a home recipe,” said Panas. “I use eight different ingredients in my salsa. It’s hot. If you eat enough, your tongue will hang out like my picture on the bottle.”
Panas, an aspiring actor who loves comedy, also had his salsa featured on the sets of the movie ‘Wild Hogs,’ and the television series ‘Wild Fire.’ On the set of Wild Hogs, Panas said they needed a chile scene and they liked his salsa, so it was included on the set.
Panas says group discounts are available for those organizations interested. He also sells the hot stuff in cases of 12 for $46 each. For more information visit: Hook You Up Salsa or contact Panas at, (505) 203-8625 and or e-mail:, hookyouupsalsa@comcast.net.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Trotter’s ‘Recent Work from the Arid Southwest’ featured
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy at the University of New Mexico is pleased to announce the opening of: Recent Work from the Arid Southwest, a photo exhibit by John A. Trotter. Trotter is deputy executive vice president for Health Sciences at the UNM Health Science Center.
He received his Ph.D. in biological structure from the University of Washington and has been on the faculty of the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine for more than 30 years.
The exhibit, featuring photos from California’s Death Valley National Park and New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument, opens this week with a reception on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5-7 p.m. and will run through December.
Trotter describes his photographs as pointing toward “the world hidden in the world.” His works are influenced by the Zone System, as formulated by Ansel Adams, and inspired by the abstract expressionist, Louis Aiello, whose life was devoted to the search for meaning through art. In 2004, Trotter’s interest in contemplative photography became an effective form of art therapy for him after he was diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer.
Art therapy has many benefits for patients and caregivers with both emotional and physical illnesses. It offers a means to express thoughts, feelings and concerns, divert attention from long treatment regimens, reduce anxiety, improve coping skills, reduce stress, increase self-awareness and a variety of other benefits. Trotter’s photography has been an important part of his own healing process and he hopes that exhibitions like this one will aid in the healing of others.
Recent Work from the Arid Southwest - Photos by John A. Trotter RWJF Center for Health Policy Located on the first level of Johnson Gallery at 1909 Las Lomas Rd. NE The exhibit is open Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Also featured at the exhibit opening will be Senators Sue Wilson Beffort and Mary Kay Papen reading Senate Memorial 49, which recognizes the RWJF Center for its achievements and future promise.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
The next Ethics, Law and Medicine Forum titled, ‘Refusing Blood,’ will be held Thursday, Sept. 10 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., in rm. 203 at the Basic Medical Science Building. The forum is free and open to the public.
Featured speakers include Bob Jordan, Jehovah’s Witness Hospital Liaison Committee; Tom Howdieshell, M.D., UNM SOM Department of Surgery; and C.T. “Terry” Spalding M.D., UNM SOM Department of Internal Medicine. Also, members of the UNM Hospitals Biomedical Ethics Committee including Rev. Gail Joralemon, United Church of Christ and Patricia McE. Stelzner, Esq., will be present.
The forum is sponsored By UNM HSC Institute for Ethics and the Biomedical Ethics Committee, and Advancing Ethics, Scholarships, Education and Service.
For more information call, (505) 272-4566.