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New Mexico State University EXCELLENCE IN ACTION A Periodic Newsletter from President William B. Conroy "This program made me want to make a difference for Native Americans." Those are the words of Colleen Filbert, a Santa Fe Indian School senior who took part in a week-long enrichment program at NMSU for American Indian students from New Mexico high schools. Colleen was among hundreds of students and teachers from schools throughout New Mexico who attended special programs on the NMSU campus this summer. Some programs, like the one that motivated Colleen, are meant to encourage more students to continue their education by attending college. Some give our public school teachers new tools for teaching science, mathematics and technology. The diversity of summer activity at NMSU might surprise those who think of summer as a slow time for schools and colleges. On any given day, you might find minority students working in science laboratories with research mentors, or high school teachers and students designing, building and launching rockets to learn more about the space-related programs that are so important to New Mexico's future. As the Pride Band practices on the Horseshoe outside my office windows and the campus gets caught up in the excitement of a new academic year, it's gratifying to look back on a productive summer and -- to borrow Colleen Filbert's phrase -- know that NMSU has made a difference for many New Mexicans. Research that matters Another way the university makes a difference is through research that has practical applications. Some current examples: From personal computers to jet aircraft engines, today's high-tech machines depend on good electrical connections to feed power from one part to another. Harry Hardee and Neil Aukland of NMSU's mechanical engineering department have developed new types of lubricants that greatly extend the lifetimes of these connections. In some cases, testing in their specialized lab shows that connections treated with the proper lubricants last up to 1,000 times longer. Exposure to loud noises can lead to permanent hearing loss in people, killing tiny cells in the inner ear that translate sound waves for the brain. NMSU biologist Elba Serrano is studying how a species of African frog manages to regenerate these cells in its ears. The hope is that one day gene manipulation can be used to restore hearing in people. About 30 million Americans suffer significant hearing problems as a result of irreparable damage to cells in the inner ear. Pollution of the lower Rio Grande affects communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. NMSU researchers are working with the Mexican community of Ojinaga on a project that uses a pulpwood plantation to treat municipal wastewater that flows into the river. The tree roots and soil act as filters to trap and treat the contaminants in the wastewater; the trees can be harvested for cash. "It's one of those ideas about which people say, Why didn't anyone think of this before?'" said project coordinator Daniel Vallotton of NMSU's College of Agriculture and Home Economics. NMSU's research team was led by agronomy and horticulture professor John Mexal and Walter Zachritz, assistant director of the Southwest Technology Development Institute. Leading the way in minority graduates New Mexico State University ranks as one of the nation's leading producers of American Indian and Hispanic engineers in a new national study. The national journal Black Issues in Higher Education reported that NMSU was the only university in the Rocky Mountain region to rank among the top 20 in awarding bachelor's degrees to minorities during 1997. NMSU ranked third in engineering-related technology degrees award to American Indians and Hispanics, fourth in engineering degrees awarded to American Indians and sixth in engineering degrees awarded to Hispanics. This report follows one in Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education ranking NMSU among the top 100 colleges and universities in graduating Hispanic students in all fields. NMSU ranked 11th nationally in the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics, 26th in master's degrees, and 27th in doctorates. Helping new freshmen make the transition About 140 faculty and staff members have volunteered to help assure the success of first-time freshmen through the ACE Partners program, a mentoring project entering its third year at NMSU. Other strategies for helping new freshmen make the transition to college life include 11 new-student orientation programs tailored to the needs of different types of students; Chile Camp, a student-run orientation program developed by NMSU's student government; and a "peer education" program offered by NMSU's Center for Learning Assistance. General obligation bond issue NMSU will receive about $8.4 million for capital improvement projects if New Mexico voters approve Bond Issue B on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Statewide, Bond Issue B will provide $73 million for public schools, colleges, universities and technical schools. NMSU projects in the bond issue include: $1.5 million for renovation of historic Goddard Hall on the main campus, $2.2 million to complete the Health and Public Services Building at the Dona Ana Branch Community College, $2 million for Phase II of a multi-purpose building at NMSU-Alamogordo, $1 million to improve the baseball and softball facilities at the main campus, and $50,000 to plan a college/community library at Grants. Making their mark Recent reminders that New Mexico State's faculty and students are among the best: NMSU astronomer Jon Holtzman is one of 13 Cottrell Scholars selected this year by Research Corporation of Tucson, a national foundation for the advancement of science and technology. He was awarded $50,000 for a project that will involve undergraduate students in research.
Let us hear from you If you would like more information on these or other developments at NMSU, or if you have comments about this newsletter, please let me know. I'd like to hear from you.
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