** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Thomas Mishler Music Scholarship Winners Perform March 1

Three outstanding New Mexico Highlands University music students will perform at the Thomas Mishler Scholarship Recital March 1, at 3 p.m., in the Margaret Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave.This year’s scholarship recipients include Eliza Woodyard, Joseph Chavez and Lisa Cisneros. Retired Highlands anthropology professor emeritus Robert Mishler and his wife, Ann, established the scholarship to honor their late son, Thomas, a gifted musician who played trumpet and guitar. The scholarship is intended to encourage and reward promising Highlands University students in their pursuit of music. Competition for the coveted scholarship is rigorous, including performing in convocation, submitting a resume and essay, and providing references from music professors and others.  Students selected for this year’s Thomas Mishler Scholarship demonstrate impressive musical talent and potential. started at Highlands University in the fall of 2008.  She is a member of the Madrigals and Concert choirs and is active with the HU Singers and Performing Arts Club.  Woodward recently won first place in the Vocal Artistry Art Song Competition in Albuquerque. She started singing classical and church music in Catholic school when she was 8-years-old and began singing opera when she was 12. Woodyard has soloed in Russia, Prague and Finland. plans to graduate in two years with a degree in music performance. Since returning to Highlands, Chavez formed The Performing Arts Club to get students involved in extra-curricular musical and theatrical venues. The club, through Chavez’ leadership, performed An Enchanted Disney Journey, A Night with Tim Burton, Oedipus Tex and Lots of Laughs, all shows that he arranged and choreographed. Chavez has also performed solos in several choir concerts. He is planning a career in musical theater.  plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in music this fall 2009.  She has performed in the NMHU choirs and the NMHU Mariachi group. Cisneros is talented member of the HU Singers and is one of the driving forces behind the Performing Arts Club. She also participates in theater productions with Highlands Theater Director Robert Woods, and community theater productions with the Nat Gold Players. Cisneros recently won best supporting actress at the Theatre New Mexico American Association of Community Theatre Festival in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Donations will be accepted at the door to add to the Thomas Mishler Scholarship Endowment Fund.