Monthly Archives: November, 2016

1. Original Music Concert December 2, Madrigal Choir Concert December 4

   Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Department of Music presents two concerts in December featuring original music and the Christmas classic, Navidad Nuestra. The Original Music Concert is Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building Ballroom, 800 National Ave. The Madrigal Choir performs Navidad Nuestra, a folk music rendition of the…

2. Monthly Accreditation Forum November 21

   Las Vegas, N.M. – Highlands University’s monthly accreditation forum Nov. 21 highlighted the new accreditation website and ways for the university community to volunteer with the accreditation process. Highlands English professor Brandon Kempner is directing the university’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation and presented the forum. He and Highlands President Sam Minner are co-chairing the steering…

3. Recycling Center Coordinator Earns Statewide Recognition

   Las Vegas, N.M. – The recycling coordinator at Highlands University earned top honors as the New Mexico Recycling Employee/Operator of the Year in 2016. The New Mexico Recycling Coalition named Carmen Lopez for the award, which recognizes individuals and entities for their outstanding work to promote recycling, composting and solid waste best practices. “Aside from…

4. U.S. Forest Service Hires Students at Society of American Foresters Convention

   Las Vegas, N.M. – The U.S. Forest Service hired three Highlands University forestry majors on the spot at the Society of American Foresters National Convention. Fifteen Highlands University forestry students participated in the convention Nov. 2-5 in Madison, Wisconsin. “There’s a very high demand nationwide for forestry and natural resource graduates,” said Highlands forestry professor…

5. Native American Students Collect Food, Clothes for Standing Rock Protesters

   Las Vegas, N.M. – Students in the Native American Club at Highlands University stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock protest over the Dakota Access pipeline with a fundraiser of canned food and winter clothes for the protesters. Since August, members of the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota and other Native American tribes from…

6. Concert Choir Performs Christmas Favorites November 20

   Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Concert Choir presents a Christmas Favorites concert Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. in the university’s historic Ilfeld Auditorium at 900 University Ave. Some of the selections include traditional arrangements of Silver Bells, Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, and Oh Holy Night. “Another highlight of this concert will be modern-day…

7. Geology Prof Leads NSF Geoscience Grant Funding Panel

   Las Vegas, N.M. – A Highlands University geology professor will help lead a nationwide National Science Foundation panel to determine grant funding for geoscience research. Michael Petronis will serve at NSF’s Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities funding meeting Nov. 17-18 in Berkeley, California. “Our responsibility is to critically evaluate the grant proposals in terms of…

8. Highlands Honors Its Veterans at Veterans Day Ceremony

   Highlands University exercise and sport sciences professor Jay Lee, right, and Raymond Sanchez, an ITV engineer with Educational Outreach Services, are two of the university’s veterans honored Nov. 11 during a Veterans Day ceremony the Alumni Office sponsored. Lee served four years of active duty during the Vietnam War as a corporal with the U.S….

9. Record Student Turnout for Fall Career Fair

     Highlands University forestry sophomore Alanie Rael, left, gets information about BLM careers and internships from Elyssa Duran at the university’s Fall Career Fair Nov. 10 in the Student Union Ballroom. Duran, who earned her M.S. from Highlands in natural resource management, is a forester for the BLM’s field office in Taos, New Mexico. A…

10. Yjastros Flamenco Dance Company Performs at Highlands November 18

    Las Vegas, N.M. –  Highlands University presents Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company in concert Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in the university’s historic Ilfeld Auditorium, 900 University Ave. Yjastros, now in its 31st season, is an internationally acclaimed flamenco company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Flamenco is visually exciting with beautiful costumes and powerful…

11. Highlands Alumna Named New Mexico Teacher of the Year

    When Stephanie Gurule-Leyba told her dad, a teacher, that she wanted to be a teacher, too, he gave her a warning. Read the full story at Santa Fe New Mexian.

12. Spanish Prof Publishes Anthology of International Poetry

    Las Vegas, N.M. – A Highlands University Spanish professor and award-winning poet published a book featuring top international poets. Carlos Velásquez Torres co-edited Multilingual Anthology: The Americas Poetry Festival of New York 2016 from Artepoética Press. “This anthology is very special because it combines multiple voices from different parts of the planet like Latin America,…

13. Retention Summit Nov. 3 – 4

      Las Vegas, N.M. – A Retention Summit at Highlands University Nov. 3 – 4 launched a campus wide effort to identify new strategies to enhance the university’s existing retention plan and increase the number of students returning each semester. The university’s Office of Strategic Enrollment Management sponsored the summit. “The overall purpose for this…

14. Jazz Ensemble Concert November 11

      Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Department of Music presents the university’s Jazz Ensemble in concert Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave. Ticket prices are $5. Highlands University students with valid IDs are free along with other students with IDs. Highlands University music professor Edward Harrington…

15. Career Fair Nov. 10 for Students and Alumni

    Ron García Las Vegas, N.M. – Forty employers will be at New Mexico Highlands University Nov. 10 looking to hire the university’s students and alumni. The free Career and Internship Fair will be from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, 800 National Ave. “Students can get the inside scoop on how…

16. Halloween Costume Contest Fun

    Highlands University music technology major Nita Lujan reacts after winning the Halloween costume contest Oct. 31 in the Student Union. Lujan also earned her M.A. in counseling and her B.A. in vocal performance at Highlands. The Office of Campus Life sponsors the Halloween costume contest each year.

17. Halloween Event Benefits Cancer Foundation

    Highlands University biology junior and 2016 homecoming queen Estrella Gutierrez delivers a pie in the face to Highlands’ President Sam Minner for a Halloween cancer benefit Oct. 31 in the Student Union. Looking on are English professor and Faculty Senate President Brandon Kempner, left, and Bill Taylor, dean of the School of Business and Technology….

18. Bond B Would Help Donnelly Library and Local Libraries Expand Collections

    Las Vegas, N.M. – Highlands University’s Donnelly Library and all Las Vegas libraries will receive funding to expand collections if voters approve Library Bond B. Bond B is a statewide measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that is not a new tax, but instead would replace funding from bonds set to expire. “Library general obligation…