Yearly Archives: 2014

1. HU Student Conducts Research on Volcano in France

   Daniel Garza Las Vegas, N.M. — Highlands University graduate student Daniel Garza is the first researcher to produce a detailed geologic map of the Puy de Dome in central France, discovering that the iconic volcanic landmark likely developed in two phases rather than one as scientists thought. At a height of 1,465 meters, Puy de…

2. Prof to Involve Students in Palestinian Research

   Erika Derkas Las Vegas, N.M. — Highlands University students will have the opportunity to work on research about the feminization of higher education in Palestine, thanks to a partnership sociology professor Erika Derkas developed during a summer fellowship in the West Bank. “I will invite my students to participate in a sociological study that will…

3. New Mexico Artists Featured in Kennedy Exhibition

   Jack Sinclair’s Federal. Las Vegas, N.M. — An exhibition of more than 50 established and up-and-coming New Mexico artists will be on display Aug. 17 – Oct. 15 at New Mexico Highlands University. “This exhibition demonstrates once again that New Mexico has a community of sophisticated artists of national importance,” said James Mann, who curated…

4. German Schools Hold Insight On Student Expectations

   Dave Braun y Harycki Germany’s rigid school tracking system provides insight to the impact of how New Mexico schools treat children from different socioeconomic backgrounds, according to Highlands’ associate dean of education. When German students are in fourth grade, they are enrolled in one of three curriculum tracks: training for service work, college-bound middle level…

5. Students’ Work Aid World Heritage Sites

   Photo: Molly Enenbach/Highlands University Media Arts This image of Aztec Ruins National Monument is one of many photographs two media arts students took to help promote the World Heritage Site in Northwestern New Mexico. Las Vegas, N.M — Two Highlands University media arts students developed a logo, took still photographs, and created a tourism video…

6. Research Trip Inspires Graduate’s Interest in Ph.D.

   Research Trip Inspires Graduate’s Interest in Pursuing Ph.D. Highlands biology masters graduates José Griego, left, and Casey Taylor observe tropical wildlife in Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve in Veracruz, Mexico. Las Vegas, N.M. — A field class at the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve in Veracruz, Mexico solidified New Mexico Highlands biology graduate José Griego’s interest in…

7. Alumni Share Memories at Summer Reunion

   Margaret McKinney/Highlands University Distinguished Highlands University alumnus Shaun Sánchez, right, visits with his former biology professor Maureen Romine at the Summer Alumni Reunion dinner June 27. Sánchez earned his B.S. in biology from Highlands in 2001 is the deputy assistant director for 129 national wildlife refuges in the 10-state Southeast Region. More than 130 people…

8. Students to Present at National NOW Conference

   Analicia Casaus and Dré Gallegos  Las Vegas, N.M. — Two New Mexico Highlands University media arts graduates will present at the National Organization of Women national conference in Albuquerque June 27 – 29. Las Vegas native Dré Gallegos and Analicia Casaus of Albuquerque will present two films at the conference, including one exploring the objectification…

9. Student Tapped for Penn Cancer Research Internship

   Melecio Perea  Las Vegas, N.M. — Highlands University chemistry junior Melecio Perea is one of only 30 students in the country selected to work on state-of-the-art cancer research in a summer internship at the University of Pennsylvania. Perea, a 20-year-old Las Vegas native, is spending 10 weeks on the Penn campus in Philadelphia for the…

10. New Eatery Opens at Gene Torres Golf Course

    Las Vegas, NM –The Rock Tap Room and Grill opened June 19 at the Highlands University Gene Torres Golf Course on Country Club Drive off of Mills Avenue. The new restaurant operates 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Las Vegas native Juan Ortiz, owner and chef of El Fidel Restaurant, operates the…

11. NMHU CARES New Name for Violence Prevention Program

    Corilia Ortega, left, advocacy and education coordinator, and Kimberly Blea, director, for the Highlands University Center for Advocacy Resources Education and Support or CARES. Las Vegas, N.M. — The New Mexico Highlands University Campus Violence Prevention Program changed its name to CARES — Center for Advocacy Resources Education and Support — to make its services…

12. HU Grad Lands Job at Major Natural History Museum

    Veronica Black Las Vegas, NM — New Mexico Highlands University media arts graduate Veronica Black landed a position as a digital educator in the Adventures in Science program at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. “I’ll be developing interactive educational games for middle school youth using the Second Life 3D computer platform…

13. Leippe Named Distinguished Emeritus Professor

    Harry Leippe Las Vegas, N.M. — Former Highlands University fine arts professor and renowned sculptor Harry Leippe will be honored at the Summer Alumni Reunion June 27. The distinguished emeritus professor and longtime Las Vegas resident will be recognized at the alumni dinner at 6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Student Union Building at…

14. Sanchez Named Distinguished Alumnus

    Las Vegas, N.M. –Shaun Sánchez, a leader in the United States National Wildlife Refuge system, was named a distinguished New Mexico Highlands University alumnus for the June 27 — 28 Summer Alumni Reunion. Sánchez will be recognized at the alumni dinner June 27 at 6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Student Union Building at…

15. Summer Alumni Reunion June 27 — 28

16. Latino Education Collaborative Meets at HU

    Photo: Margaret McKinney/Highlands UniversityTeresita Aguilar, vice president of academic affairs, speaks at the ENLACE Statewide Collaborative annual meeting at Highlands June 5.   Las Vegas — The Engaging Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE) Statewide Collaborative held its annual meeting June 4 — 5 at New Mexico Highlands University for a strategic planning and budget summit….

17. Drive Begins to Endow Dr. Amai Chemistry Fund

    Dr. Robert Amai  Las Vegas, N.M. — The Highlands University Foundation launched a fundraising campaign to raise $2,800 to make the Dr. Robert Amai Fund for Chemistry Students a permanent endowment. The fund, named after a popular Highlands professor emeritus, has provided dozens of scholarships for outstanding chemistry students. The university’s Chemistry Department and the…

18. Art Exhibit for Legendary Art Professor Ray Drew

    Ray Drew’s Pecos River Valley. Las Vegas, N.M. — New Mexico Highlands University presents an exhibit of artwork by the legendary former Highlands fine arts professor, Ray Drew. The show is in the Ray Drew Gallery named for the professor who taught at Highlands from 1958 — 1980. The gallery is in the university’s Donnelly…

19. Martí­nez Tapped for USDA Fellowship and NSF Program

    Edward Martí­nez Las Vegas, NM –Highlands University professor Edward Martí­nez was tapped for a summer fellowship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture aimed at advancing excellence at Hispanic serving institutions and developing a well-prepared Hispanic workforce. Martí­nez was also selected to participate in the new Undergraduate Visualization and Modeling Network (UVMN) program funded by the…

20. Blythe Publishes Book on Victorian-Era British Lit

    Helen Blythe Las Vegas, N.M. — New Mexico Highlands University English professor Helen Blythe published a book that explores Victorian-era British writers’ work inspired by their adventures in colonial New Zealand. Palgrave Macmillan published Blythe’s 256-page book The Victorian Colonial Romance with the Antipodes, which was released May 21. “I write about Victorian era emigration…