Alumni receive awards
for professional, service activities
New Mexico State University's Alumni Association recognized its 1998 Distinguished Alumni and the recipients of the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service and the 1998 Conquistador of the Year Award at various ceremonies during NMSU's Homecoming weekend Oct. 29 - 31.

The James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service was presented to William E. "Bill" Sauble, '70, of Maxwell, N.M. The Cole Award is presented each year to an NMSU graduate or active member of the Alumni Association for support and involvement in NMSU, and for professional, civic and humanitarian service.

Sauble graduated from NMSU with a bachelor's degree in animal science. He is the president of Sauble Ranch Co., a family corporation. He is chairman of the New Mexico Livestock Board and a member of the Society for Range Management. He was named the Outstanding Alumnus for the NMSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics during NMSU's Centennial Celebration in 1988.

Mariana Lara Lopez, '72, '78, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education, was presented the Conquistador of the Year Award. Lopez taught for 24 years in the Las Cruces public schools and was instrumental in developing the Spanish curriculum in the middle schools.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards are given each year to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields and brought recognition to NMSU.

Ramon Ramirez Lopez, '78, of Venezuela, was awarded the Distinguished International Alumnus Award. A graduate of NMSU's agricultural business program, he recently was appointed Venezuela's minister of agriculture. During the past two years, he has been seeking ways to collaborate with NMSU to develop extension programs in his country.

Alumni honorees gather at the Eye Opener Breakfast. From Left are Holm Bursum III, '56; Donald Beasley, '72; William E. "Bill" Sauble, '70; Peggy Morse, '80; Sharon Parra, '77; Michael Davis, '74; Ramon Ramirez Lopez, '78; and Bruce Firkins, '56. (Photo by Michael Kiernan)

Holm Bursum III, '56, of Socorro, N.M., received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Agriculture and Home Economics. He received his bachelor's degree in agriculture. He is the president, CEO and chairman of the board of First State Bank of Socorro. He is a member of the Rio Grande Historical Society Board, a member of the Advisory Council of Financial Institutions with the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, and chairman of the New Mexico State Highway Commission.

Bruce Firkins, '56, was recognized by the College of Arts and Sciences as its Distinguished Alumnus. Firkins, of Deming, received a bachelor's degree in music. He was a high school band director for 16 years and later became a full-time real estate broker. He is a past president of the Deming Rotary Club and was commissioner of the Space Hall of Fame in Alamogordo from 1994 to this year.

Mariana Lopez

The College of Business Administration and Economics honored Donald Beasley, '72, as its Distinguished Alumnus. He is a graduate of the accounting department. Beasley, of Las Cruces, is a self-employed certified public accountant and a partner of Beasley, Mitchell & Co. accounting firm. He is president of the NMSU Foundation. He also is a recipient of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Public Service Award for his commitment to charitable, civic and religious organizations. Michael Davis, '74, of Santa Fe, who received his master's degree in education, was named the Distinguished Alumnus from the College of Education.

Davis is the New Mexico superintendent of public instruction. He is a member of the Council of Chief State School Officers and an adviser to the Golden Apple Foundation.

Peggy Morse, '80, of Seattle, Wash., was honored by the College of Engineering as its Distinguished Alumna. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. She is the director of sales operations for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. In 1997, Boeing named Morse the Corporate Focal for NMSU. As Corporate Focal, she is the key contact for NMSU on any interaction with Boeing. Morse is involved in Seattle's art community and has served as a Boeing representative for the Corporate Council of the Arts and the Seattle Museum.

The College of Health and Social Services honored Sharon Parra, '77, '91, as its Distinguished Alumna. Parra, of Scottsdale, Ariz., received a bachelor's degree in nursing. She is the supervisor of hematology and medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. Parra is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Phoenix Oncology Nursing Society. She is the co-course director of the fall nursing program at the Mayo Clinic.

Tanya Bossley

Left photo Class of 1948 members get reacquainted at their reception. Seated, from left, are Audrey Lunsford, Virginia Swanson, Donald Stuart, Dois Dallas, L.D. George, Dolores Calligan and Marilyn Longwill. Standing, from left, are Buster Chidester, Vern Swanson, Wilfred "Bill" Schumaker, Ralph Steinmann, Bill Sturnman, Harold Cunningham, Richard Loomis and J.R. Burton. (Photo by Kevyn Palmer)

Middle photo Class of 1958 reunion organizers, from left, Buddy Ritter, Arlene Barncastle Waskiewicz and Irwin Smith enjoy the event. (Photo by Kevyn Palmer)

Right photo Cheering on the Aggie football team are, from left, Guido Zecca, '60, and Lou Henson, '55, NMSU's men's basketball coach. (Photo by Kevyn Palmer)

Josie Pena, retired executive assistant to the president, and Mel Holguin, '63, stop by the art department's faculty exhibition. Behind them is a cast concrete and ceramic tile work, "Portal," by Glenn Schwaiger, '90. (Photo by Michael Kiernan)

Showing their Aggie spirit at the parade are Sam Vasquez, '87, his wife Kay and their children Joseph, 2, Jessica, 6, and Joshua, 4. (Photo by Michael Kiernan)