Tom and Ann Clark found their way to Las Cruces thanks in part to a copy of Where to Retire magazine sitting in the dentist’s office.

“We were already interested in retiring in the Southwest and Las Cruces was the cover story of that magazine,” Ann says.

Shortly thereafter they planned a trip including stops in Las Cruces, Tucson and Albuquerque. They visited Las Cruces first and then went on to Tucson.

“It was nothing like the city we remembered from a visit there in the 1970s,” Tom says. “So we bypassed Albuquerque, came back to Cruces and bought some land.”

They relocated from Fairfax County, Va., in June 2004.

New Mexico State University was a factor in their decision. Shortly after their arrival, they met Robert Moulton, dean of the College of Education, at Stahmann Farms and struck up a conversation that would introduce them to the NMSU Honors College.

The Clarks’ daughters attended Virginia Tech University. One of them was enrolled in the honors program.

“We saw how many doors that experience has opened for her and we were excited to learn more about NMSU’s program,” Tom says.

The Clarks are involved with the college’s Circle for Excellence Advisory Board and raising money to create a permanent endowment to support the college’s international research and travel award. They hope to see the fund grow to at least $125,000.

“It is exciting to be part of the growth of this young college,” Tom says. Both agree they made the right choice when they retired in Las Cruces.