** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Memorial Tribute for Gina Briefs-Elgin Sept. 2 at Highlands


Memorial Tribute for Gina Briefs-Elgin Sept. 2 at Highlands
 

There will be a public memorial tribute for Gina Briefs-Elgin, longtime New Mexico Highlands University English faculty member, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. in the Margaret Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave.
 
Light refreshments will be served.
 
Briefs-Elgin, who was born on June 7, 1953, served Highlands University for 23 years before her death June 2. She taught composition and creative nonfiction writing, and directed the university’s Writing Center.
 
Briefs-Elgin was known for her devotion to teaching and worked diligently to increase student retention.
 
“She loved teaching, empowering students to find their own voice as people,” said Dolores Ortega, a Highlands University social work professor who was Briefs-Elgin’s longtime friend and colleague. “Gina considered herself blessed to be doing exactly the work she’d dreamed of, with students and colleagues she loved.”
 
Ortega said for the past two years, Briefs-Elgin found joy in supporting youth in crisis at Youth Shelters-First Street Outreach in Santa Fe. She hoped to one day spend a month each year in India, tutoring for a Railway Children program.
 
Briefs-Elgin earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia and a B.A. cum laude from Georgetown University.
 
Briefs-Elgin is survived by her husband of 30 years, L.E. Elgin, and son, Xaver C. Elgin, both of Santa Fe.
 
“The joys of her life were her husband and son, and her extended family and core of women friends,” Ortega said.