Yearly Archives: 2015

1. Geology Prof Part of Arctic Circle Research on Snowball Earth

     Las Vegas, N.M. – The Earth was not covered from pole to pole with ice 650 million years ago as was previously thought, according to new research by a Highlands University geology professor. Professor Michael Petronis worked with an international team of scientists investigating the Snowball Earth hypothesis in Svalbard in the Norwegian High…

2. Highlands Leads State in 120-Credit Bachelor’s Degree Programs

    Highlands University offers its students the chance to complete college sooner with less debt, thanks to having the highest percentage of 120-credit bachelor’s degree programs of any public university in New Mexico. “The previous minimum degree requirement was 128 hours at Highlands, and our average was more than 150 credits for students who completed their…

3. New Mexico Painters Exhibition Continues Through October 15

     Las Vegas painter Kim Reed-Deemer, right, talks about her paintings, Charging Dante and Wind, at the opening reception for the Second Invitational New Mexico Painters Exhibition at Highlands University Sept. 6. Reed-Deemer is one of 42 painters featured in the exhibition that continues through Oct. 15 in Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave. Photo…

4. PBS Latino Americans Film to Screen September 15, October 13

   Las Vegas, N.M – Two episodes of the landmark 2013 PBS documentary Latino Americans, the first to chronicle the rich history and experiences of Latinos in the United States, will screen at Highlands University Sept. 15 and Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. The Sept. 15 episode is titled “Foreigners in Their Own Land,” while the…

5. Highlands Celebrates Homecoming September 18 – 27

   Las Vegas, N.M – Highlands University’s homecoming is just around the corner, with a full slate of traditional and new festivities planned for Sept. 18 – 27 aimed at attracting more alumni, students and residents of the Las Vegas Community. The theme for homecoming this year is Paint the Town Purple – Spirits of the…

6. Highlands Awarded $3.3-Million National Science Foundation Grant

   Las Vegas, N.M. – More Highlands University students will have a solid foundation for pursuing doctorate degrees in science and math thanks to a $3.3-million National Science Foundation grant. The five-year NSF Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials, or PREM, grant is a collaboration with Ohio State University and incorporates chemistry, geology, computer science,…

7. 2015 Homecoming Honorees

   Dr. Margaret Vázquez-Geffroy Distinguished Professor Emerita Homecoming 2015   Cultural anthropologist Dr. Margaret Vázquez-Geffroy joined the Highlands faculty in 1974, the beginning of a 29-year career with the university. Vázquez-Geffroy’s parents migrated to the United States from Puerto Rico, and she grew up in Spanish Harlem in New York City. “Growing up in New York…

8. Mozart Old and Young Opera Performance September 12

   Las Vegas, N.M. – Highlands University presents Mozart Old and Young Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. for an evening of vocal selections from the classical composer’s operas Bastien and Bastienne and The Magic Flute. The performance will be in the university’s Student Union Ballroom, 800 National Ave. Featured soloists include tenor Andre García-Nuthmann, who directs…

9. Rep. Salazar Joins Highlands in Welcoming Freshmen

   Among the speakers waiting to welcome incoming freshmen at “Fall Convocation: Celebrating the Class of 2019” are from the left, New Mexico State Rep. Tomás Salazar, a Highlands education professor emeritus, West Las Vegas School District Superintendent Gene Parson, and Las Vegas City Schools Superintendent Ruben Cordova. The convocation was Aug. 21 in Ilfeld Auditorium….

10. Book Group Explores New Mexico Literature

    Las Vegas, N.M – An upcoming reading group at Highlands University will explore the history and culture of New Mexico through literature written by authors such as Rudolfo Anaya, who won the National Medal of Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. The free public reading group that begins Sept. 10 is part of a National…

11. Mark Your Calendars for Homecoming September 18 – 27

    Las Vegas, N.M – Mark your calendars for Highlands University’s Homecoming 2015, with the Paint the Town Purple festivities kicking off Sept. 18 and continuing through Sept. 27. Some highlights include the Sept. 26 homecoming parade at 10 a.m. and homecoming football game at 1 p.m. with the Cowboys taking on Fort Lewis College. New…

12. Convocation Ceremony Welcomes New Freshmen

    Margaret McKinney/Highlands University Highlands welcomed incoming freshmen Aug. 21 at the “Fall Convocation: Celebrating the Class of 2019” organized by the university’s Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Academic Support, and Dean of Students Office. Campus and community leaders who spoke to welcome the students included Highlands President Sam Minner, Vice President of Academic Affairs…

13. Second Invitational New Mexico Painters Exhibition Opens Sept. 6

    Las Vegas, N.M. – Sunlight shimmers through the glowing yellow Aspen leaves against a deep- blue New Mexico sky in John Hogan’s painting Aspen Tree, Autumn Sun. A halo of swirling bees crowns the head of a young brown-eyed woman in Lea Bradovich’s painting Beehaloed. An Apache butterfly dancer in traditional ceremonial clothing spreads her…

14. Media Arts AmeriCorps Intern Helps Develop Climate Change Exhibit for LANL

    Las Vegas, N.M – The science behind Arctic climate change will be more approachable at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Bradbury Science Museum thanks to videos produced by a Highlands University media arts student. David Estrada, a media arts software-driven systems design graduate student, produced 15 half-minute videos for the museum’s new interactive exhibit, Climate…

15. President Minner Reaches Out to Las Vegas Community

    Highlands University’s new president believes it’s important for universities to play an active role in the life of a community, from social and cultural activities to economic development, and is reaching out to Las Vegas civic organizations and community leaders. “It’s a synergistic model where what benefits Highlands benefits the community,” said Highlands President Sam…

16. Instructor Inducted into Martial Arts Hall of Fame

    Las Vegas, N.M. – The United States Martial Arts Association inducted a Highlands University instructor into its 2015 Hall of Fame in June. Bob Bell, an exercise and sports sciences instructor, began teaching judo at Highlands in 2014. The retired chiropractor and 7th degree black belt has trained in judo for 30 years, teaching and…

17. Dr. Minner meets community

    Margaret McKinney/Highlands University Dr. Sam Minner, the new Highlands University president, speaks at a public reception in his honor July 24 in the Kennedy Alumni Hall. At his left is Joan Minner, his wife.

18. Hispanic Youth Develop Leadership Skills Thanks to Highlands

        Las Vegas, New Mexico  – High School students from Northern New Mexico developed leadership skills at a National Hispanic Institute training program in Colorado, thanks to Highlands University. The ten high-achieving students participated in the eight-day NHI Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session at Colorado State University ­– Fort Collins. “This training program…

19. AAUW Tech Trek at Highlands Targets Girls for Science and Math

    Las Vegas, N.M. – Eighth grade girls from around New Mexico gained hands-on science knowledge from Highlands University women faculty at an AAUW Tech Trek Camp aimed at building confidence and stimulating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The American Association of University Women New Mexico sponsored the camp July 12 –…

20. Art Exhibits Celebrate Cowboys’ Reunion Centennial Celebration

    Las Vegas, NM – In celebration of the Las Vegas Cowboys’ Reunion Centennial Celebration, Highlands will host art exhibitions in Kennedy Hall and Donnelly Library’s Ray Drew Gallery. The Ray Drew exhibit captures the gritty spirit of the Centennial Celebration through rare historic panoramic photographs, and the Kennedy exhibit provides a taste of contemporary cowboy…