FROM THE PRESIDENT Dr. Jay Gogue   The recent dedication of Skeen Hall, our magnificent new agricultural building, served not only as a fitting tribute to one of New Mexico’s foremost ranching families but also as a reminder that NMSU has developed into a respected center of expertise on arid lands issues.  Named for Congressman Joe Skeen and his wife Mary, both of whom have been active supporters of NMSU’s land-grant mission, the $22 million building houses modern laboratories for teaching and research with a focus on agricultural and natural resource topics of concern in arid lands.  Another indication of NMSU’s stature in this arena occurred in November when Laura Huenneke, head of the biology department, became the lead investigator for the Jornada Long Term Ecological Research project  funded by the National Science Foundation. The Jornada LTER involves researchers from NMSU and other universities in dozens of studies related to desert ecosystems. Field research is conducted at NMSU’s Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center northeast of Las Cruces and at the adjacent Jornada Experimental Range.  NMSU has a long track record of desert research at the experimental range, established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1912. Now the USDA is constructing - on NMSU’s main campus - $7.4 million headquarters building for the Jornada project.  Of course, no resource is more critical in arid lands than water, and NMSU researchers are working on a multitude of fronts to help the state solve problems related to water quality and conservation. NMSU’s Water Resources Research Institute is a focal point for many of these initiatives, but relevant research is taking place in science and engineering laboratories all across the campus. Often, faculty members from different departments combine their expertise to tackle a problem.  Practical research on issues of great concern to our state and region - this is a big part of NMSU’s land-grant mission, and for that reason I think you will see our focus on water and arid lands issues continue to strengthen.

Where are they? During Homecoming 2001, set for Oct. 11-13, the Class of 1951 will celebrate its 50th  reunion. Over the years, NMSU has lost contact with many members of the class. If you have  information on any of the Aggies listed below, please contact the Alumni Association at (505) 646-3616  or e-mail alumni@nmsu.edu.
Class of 1951
Anderson, George W.  Black, Joe Ed  Brewer, Calvin Edward  Brielmaier, William Anthony  Brown, Alton K.  Crittenden, Forest George  Cull, William R.  Derryberry, Ward William  Donahoo, John Warren  Dugger, Troy Ray  Erickson, Russell Alan  Fandey, Joseph S.  Fernandez, Estevan  Flory, Joseph C.  Garcia, Robert J.  Garza, Edward R.  Guzman, Vincent Frank  Harrell, W.O.  Hepsen, Harry  Hinds, Vernon Eugene  Irvin, Nell Elizabeth  Johnson, Eula Jean  Keane, Robert J.  Kennedy, James Albert  Knight, Thomas Alman  Kraynak, Peter	Lintner, Marion Reynolds Love, William A. Martin, Claude Andrew Mawad, Abie J. Miller, Jane A. Moon, Robert Henry Morgan, Naomi Monk Newman, Ivan Clayton Norton, Kenneth Riva Pate, Milton O. Peek, Lee Laverne Posford, Frank Lewis Robertson, James Albert Russell, Robert Harlan Smith, Herbert Marvin Starkovich, William Anthony Stone, Lorene Bell Strain, Robert E. Taylor, Regina Temple, Russell Howard Van Orsdol, Manley Ogden Vavoudis, Socrates Walters, William Malcolm West, Evelyn Parker Williamson, Audrey Inmon Witt, Boston E.

Davis awarded honorary doctorate

Robert W. Davis, '49, retired president of Chevron Chemical Co., received an honorary doctorate during NMSU’s Dec. 16 Commencement. Davis, of El Cerrito, Calif., was honored for his professional and civic contributions and for his long-standing support of education. He serves on the NMSU Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of NMSU’s Chemical Engineering Academy. He served in the U.S. Army’s 99th Infantry Division during World War II, first  as a rifleman and then as an infantry squad leader. He was wounded and taken captive by the German  army on Dec. 16, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge.

Robert W. Davis

He began his career as a  researcher with Stanolind Oil and Gas Co. in Tulsa, Okla., and later joined the California Research  Corp., a subsidiary of Standard Oil Co. of California, doing research primarily in refining technologies. He worked in refinery operations for more than 25 years.

Davis spent the last eight years of his career as president and chief executive officer of the Chevron Chemical Co., headquartered in San Francisco.  After retiring from Chevron in 1989, he began a part-time consulting career.

Karl Hill

Letters to the Editor

We encourage letters related to issues discussed in Aggie Panorama and issues 
that relate to university news or policies. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Mail, fax 
(505-646-2099) or e-mail (rpopp@nmsu.edu) letters to the editor. We also seek NMSU historical 
photos and recent photos from Aggie gatherings. 

Dear Aggie Panorama:

I attended my first ever Elder Hostel program last year at the Grants campus. Great experience! All accommodations--rooms, meals, transportation--were excellent, and the program was awesome. I'd lived all over the state except the western area, and guess i'd saved the best for last. Our leader made all the difference between an "Okay" and an "Oh Wow!" experience. Thank you, NMSU.

Lombre Hepburn, '48
San Diego, Calif.