Yearly Archives: 2015

1. ‘An epic comeback’ – Vatos rally to become National Champs

   NMHU Vatos 2015 Team NSCRO title highlight of club’s 24-year run By Dave Kavanaugh, Las Vegas Optic Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 4:35 pm (Updated: June 11, 4:44 pm) Down nine points with 1:09 to play, the New Mexico Highlands rugby club appeared headed to a national runner-up finish against mighty New England College for…

2. Dr. Sam Minner Selected as Next NMHU President

   Las Vegas, NM – The New Mexico Highlands Board of Regents selected Sam Minner June 29 as the university’s next president. Minner, who was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Radford University in Virginia, will start at Highlands July 1. “We feel Dr. Minner understands and appreciates the role and mission of…

3. New Highlands Literary Journal Gains National Recognition

   Las Vegas, NM – A new literary journal from Highlands University called New Mexico Review is gaining national recognition and was featured recently on a Boston radio station. The segment, “Meet Me in New Mexico,” aired on Internet-based Boston Free Radio on poet Georgia Bellas’ show that focuses on the literary arts. “There is beautiful…

4. Social Work Graduate to Develop Latino Substance Abuse Prevention Program

   Las Vegas, N.M. – A Highlands University social work graduate plans to develop a school-based substance abuse prevention program for Latino youth. Marcos Martínez, MSW 2010, recently completely his Ph.D. in social work from Arizona State University and joins the social work faculty in a tenure track position at Florida International University in Miami fall…

5. Interim School of Education Dean Retires

   Las Vegas, New Mexico – The Highlands University School of Education interim dean Belinda Laumbach retires June 30. Laumbach served as interim dean since January 2013 and was also a longtime School of Education faculty member. During her tenure as interim dean, Laumbach garnered approximately $500,000 in grants from the New Mexico Higher Education Department…

6. Highlands Co-Sponsors Higher Education Diversity Summit

   Margaret McKinney/Highlands University Highlands University student Shanice McPherson, a Jamaican, speaks on the student panel at the Diversity Summit at the university June 8 – 9. At the right are Eric Romero, languages and culture professor and panel moderator, and Highlands student Rydell Chee of the Navajo Nation. Las Vegas, N.M. – Supportive faculty and…

7. Alumna Barbara Perea Casey Tapped For Bilingual Education Award

   Las Vegas, New Mexico – The New Mexico Association for Bilingual Education tapped Highlands University alumna Barbara Perea Casey for the Matías L. Chacón award for her contribution to advancing bilingual education at the state level. Perea Casey’s career as a bilingual educator, superintendent, and state legislator spans 40 years. She was also a longtime…

8. Contract Awarded for Historic Trolley Building Project

   Image: Baker Architecture + Design   Las Vegas, N.M  – The Highlands University Board of Regents awarded the construction contract for the historic Trolley Building project to Franken Construction of Las Vegas in a public hearing May 18. The Trolley Building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility for the Media Arts Department. Construction for…

9. President Fries To Retire June 30

   President Fries To Retire June 30 Photo: Sean Weaver/Highlands University   Highlands University Regent Louella Marr-Montoya hugs outgoing Highlands President Jim Fries during the university’s commencement May 9. Fries announced in October 2014 that he will retire June 30.   Las Vegas, N.M. – When Highlands President Dr. Jim Fries took the helm in January…

10. Reception Honors Outgoing Business Dean Margaret Young

    Margaret McKinney/Highlands University Margaret Young, outgoing dean of the Highlands University School of Business, Media and Technology, talks with Donnelly Library Director Ruben Aragon at a reception in her honor May 20. Young joined the Highlands faculty 22 years ago as a marketing professor. She served as business dean from 1999 – 2005 and from…

11. Diné College President Tells Graduates to Take Risks, Gather Spiritual Medicine

      Photo by Sean Weaver/NMHU Diné College President Maggie George delivers the commencement address May 9 to New Mexico Highlands’ Class of 2015. Las Vegas, New Mexico – Take risks and gather your spiritual medicine for your life journey, Navajo Diné College President Maggie George told graduates at the Highlands University main campus commencement May…

12. Media Arts Students Help People Experience Ancient Pueblos

    Rick Loffredo/Highlands University Highlands media arts student Craig Cassidy installs an interactive Build Your Own Pueblo touch screen at the Coronado Historic Site exhibit the students redesigned. Las Vegas, N.M. – Media arts students at Highlands University used a blend of technology and design to create an interactive exhibit that allows more people to experience…

13. Geology Students Tapped for Scholarship and Grants

    Photo: Margaret McKinney/Highlands University  Highlands geology students who earned awards from the New Mexico Geological Society display their checks at an awards ceremony April 29. From the front left are Ryan Mann, Zakiya Shivji, Jeff Falance, and geology professor Jennifer Lindline. From the back left are Daniel Hernández, John Lynch, and Trevor Anthony.   Las…

14. Wind Ensemble and Mariachi Concert April 30, Original Music Concert May 1

    April 27 2015   Las Vegas, N.M. – The final Highlands University Department of Music concerts this semester feature a wind ensemble, mariachi group, and original music. The Highlands Wind Ensemble and the HU Mariachi Vaqueros de la Sierra will perform in concert April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building Ballroom, 800…

15. Edward Martínez Named Professor of the Year

    April 22, 2015 Margaret McKinney/Highlands University Highlands University natural resources management professor Edward Martínez, right, talks with Eliza Montoya about her research poster at Research Day 2015. Las Vegas, New Mexico – Highlands University named natural resources management professor Edward Martínez as Professor of the Year for 2014 – 2015. A coalition of 21 Highlands…

16. International Students Raise Flags From Their Countries

      Margaret McKinney/Highlands University   Highlands University students Latha Sri, left, Poonampreet Kaur, center, and Sridevi Vainala raise their flag from India at the International Flag Raising Ceremony April 23 at the university’s Centennial Tower. Sri and Vainala are graduating in May with master’s degrees in computer science. Kaur is a sophomore mathematics major and…

17. Record Number of Employers, Students at Spring Career Fair

      Margaret McKinney/Highlands University   Highlands University School of Education students Felicia Rael, right, and Lenae Crespin, center, talk with Doug Baca, Human Resources director for Lubbock Independent Schools, at the university’s annual Spring Career Fair April 23. Both women are graduating seniors in special education. Rael, 25, is from Las Vegas, New Mexico, and…

18. Students Turn Out For Rez Fest Carnival in Melody Park

      Margaret McKinney/Highlands University   Highlands University student Krystol Myers wows the crowd April 23 at the university’s Rez Fest Carnival in Melody Park, winning first place in the dance competition. Myers, a psychology sophomore from Jamaica, is an assistant resident assistant in the Viles and Crimmins Residence Hall and is also president of the HU…

19. HU Singers Present My Story April 24, 25

      Las Vegas, New Mexico – The Highlands University HU Singers will present My Story April 24 and April 25 at 7 p.m. in the university’s historic Ilfeld Auditorium, 900 University Ave. Andre García-Nuthmann, director of Highlands University’s choral and vocal program, will direct the musical production and accompany on piano. “The premise of this…

20. Faculty and Staff Recognized at Awards Breakfast

    Margaret McKinney/Highlands University   David Hacker, left, a Highlands University forestry professor in the Natural Resources Management Department, was tapped for the Outstanding Performance Award at the 16th Annual Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony and breakfast April 16. At the right is Jennifer Lindline, geology professor and National Resources Management Department chair. Hacker was also among…