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.

    I refer to the photograph of the group of aircraft lab students pictured in the spring 2000 issue. I was a member of that group and knew every member very well. They are:

    Front of aircraft, from left, beginning with the two men crouching: Carl Elrod, Steve Loomis, D.M. Martinez Jr., Red Pender (standing), Manuel Montez, and Charlie Bell (cousin of Fay Bell). Standing behind the aircraft from left: Ralph McKinley, Gilbert Shanks, John Cadwallader, Bob Chamberlin, Asa Fitch, Mark Sloan, Jack Clark, Tommy Williams, Zane "Possum" Clayshulte and Fay Bell.

    The aircraft was one that cracked up and was purchased by the university for a class project. We completely restored it and made it airworthy and we flew it.

Asa Fitch
Las Cruces

Dear Aggie Panorama:

    On page 2, spring issue of Aggie Panorama, you identified a person in the picture as Clayshulte Zane. The correct name is Zane Clayshulte who resided in Mesilla. He is now deceased.
    I was part of this same group of fellows but in agriculture rather than engineering.

Lee S. Stith, '40
Tucson, Ariz.

Editor's note: Thanks go to both Panorama readers and the alumni who previously identified classmates in the photo.
 
 
 

Homecoming Highlight The NMSU Homecoming Parade, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, will feature community and university organizations strutting their stuff. Pictured from the 1999 parade is the float sponsored by the Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference, a popular annual event. The 2000 mariachi conference is set for Nov. 9-12, with a Spectacular Concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Pan American Center. Ticket information is available from the ticket center's box office, at 646-1420.

Photo by Michael Kiernan

NMSU projects at stake in November bond election

    NMSU's College of Health and Social Services will be closer to having a home of its own if New Mexico voters approve a general obligation bond issue for education in November. The bond issue includes $5 million for a building that would bring the college's nursing, health sciences and social work programs together for the first time.

    Other NMSU projects in the state bond issue are $500,000 for an equestrian complex, $500,000 to finish part of the third floor of the Engineering Complex III, and $200,000 for roof repairs at the NMSU-Carlsbad campus.

    The College of Health and Social Services' programs in public health, environmental and occupational health, nursing and social work are housed now in separate and inadequate facilities across campus, said Interim Dean Jeffrey Brandon. Locating the programs together in a modern facility will strengthen the preparation of professionals in those fields, he said.

    Collaborative, interdisciplinary programs are increasingly important in addressing the health and social needs of the border region and the rural communities of the Southwest, Brandon said. "The way it is now, our people hardly see each other," he said. Nursing programs are located in the basement of Breland Hall. Social work and health sciences programs are in the Academic Research Unit, which was not designed for classrooms. The dean's offices are in the Educational Services Center.

    The university is seeking $5 million in federal matching funds for the Health and Social Services Building, which would bring the total funding to $10 million if both sources are approved, Brandon said. That amount would enable the university to construct a building incorporating Memorial Tower, a campus landmark, into the building's facade.

    The proposed equestrian complex would serve not only NMSU's equestrian teaching program and championship equestrian team, but also 4-H and FFA competitions and other state and regional educational and recreational activities. Plans have been developed for a 5,200-square-foot equestrian center with tack room, locker rooms, classroom and office, and a 1,000-seat arena. With adequate funding, the arena would be enclosed and include an air-handling system, but plans allow the flexibility of starting with an open or covered arena and enclosing it later.

    The $500,000 in bond funds, plus $100,000 in severance tax revenues already appropriated by the Legislature, would help finance the initial phase of the project. A fund drive is under way to raise private donations for the complex, which could cost more than $4 million if the arena is enclosed.

    NMSU's equestrian team has distinguished itself in competition in the 285-college-strong Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The stock-seat (Western equitation) team has represented the region in the national championship in five of the past six years, bringing home two national championships and one reserve championship in that time.

    The site being considered for the equestrian complex is between Stewart Street and Sam Steel Way on the west side of the main campus, where riding classes currently are held.

    In addition to the items specifically for NMSU, the bond issue includes $7.2 million for digital equipment for educational television stations in the state. The revenue would go to the state Commission on Higher Education if the bond issue passes, and NMSU's KRWG-TV would receive a portion of it.
 

NMSU SEEKS: $5 million for a health and social services building.  $500,000 for equestrian complex.  $500,000 for engineering building.  $200,000 for roof repairs at NMSU-Carlsbad.