Membership supports programs for students, alumni

	Alumni on the Go
	by Debbie Widger, '81, '93
	Alumni Relations Director
	NMSU Alumni Association
	MSC 3AS, P.O. Box 30001
	Las Cruces, NM 88003
	(505) 646-3616
	dwidger@nmsu.edu

In past columns I have mentioned that we are collecting Aggie memorabilia for the new Student Club in Corbett Center. Recently C.Q. Ford, '49, and Ruth Ford, '50, donated her beanie, sweater and a banner from her days at State. They are being framed and will be on display.

International Connoisseurs of Green and Red Chile
Many of you may remember the ICGRC organization started by NMSU President Emeritus Gerald Thomas. Last fall, the Alumni Association worked with the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring the Chile Connoisseurs back home.

If you are interested in learning about the group or have ideas for us, please let me know. I'm also interested in producing a cookbook, so please send me those favorite recipes.

ROTC Reunion 2000
Gary Cataldo, '70, has been compiling a list of names for a reunion of Army ROTC alumni in 2000. If you would like to be included or receive a copy of the list, contact Gary R. Cataldo LTC Retired, 9 Lake Drive, Round Rock, TX 78664, (512) 244-1683, e-mail: catgr@aol.com.

Homecoming/Class Reunions 1998
Homecoming '98 will be Oct. 29, 30 and 31. You won't want to miss the excitement; there will be even more to do this year.

Reunions are planned for the classes of 1948, 1958 and 1973. The American Indian Alumni Chapter plans several events during the weekend as well. Other groups interested in a reunion should contact the Alumni Relations Office. Reunions are lots of fun, and we certainly want to include you!

Travel Program
The Alumni Association continues to offer a travel program for alumni and friends of NMSU. A Danube River Cruise Tour will depart on July 22 and return Aug. 5. For more information contact the Alumni Relations Office.

Distinguished Alumni, James Cole Awards
It's time to nominate Aggies who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers and lives for NMSU's 1998 Distinguished Alumni awards and the James Cole Memorial Award for Service.

Send the Alumni Relations Office a description of your nominee's professional or business achievements, service to NMSU and civic or professional organizations, along with his or her name, including middle and/or maiden name; address; phone; academic college, degree, major and year of graduation; degrees from other universities and years of graduation; company name; and spouse's name, if applicable. Please include your address and phone number. Deadline is May 1.

Alumni Sharing Knowledge -- ASK
Many of us remember being fresh out of college, beginning a career in a place where we knew no one. Through the Alumni Sharing Knowledge program, ASK volunteers ease this transition by being the friendly voice on the phone, someone who answers a newcomer's questions or offers networking opportunities.

The Alumni Association matches alumni and graduates by careers and/or locations. If you volunteer, your name can either be given to new graduates, or if you prefer, you can call them. To be put on the list, all you have to do is ASK.

Bolo Ball
Plans are coming together for the Alumni Association's 100th anniversary. This won't be a black tie affair, just blue jeans and bolos.

Mark your calendar for the celebration May 23 at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. Invitations will be mailed in April.

American Indian Alumni Chapter
NMSU's American Indian Alumni Chapter held its first meeting and social Dec. 20, 1997, in Albuquerque.

Unfortunately, I was not able to join in the fun because of bad weather. Snow and ice on the road stopped me, and I had to turn back. (Thank goodness for fax machines).

The chapter grew from a suggestion by Eugene Leitka, '73, while he was on the Alumni Association's Board of Directors. He suggested a partnership program between the association and the alumni chapter. Membership is open to all American Indian graduates and those who attended NMSU but did not graduate. Active members of the Alumni Association pay an additional $5 fee, which goes into an account for special events and for recruiting American Indian students.

I look forward to working with this group. Thanks to everyone who helped plan the December meeting, especially Harry Lujan, '70.

Centennial Quilt
I have received two squares for our centennial quilt, both from Elizabeth Hale Althaus, '49, on behalf of her husband Harry Althaus, '50, and herself. Other alumni are working on the project.

Washington, D.C. -- Aggie-Lobo Basketball 1997
Aggies in the Washington, D.C. area, enjoyed the Aggie-Lobo telecast Nov. 19, when the New Mexico State Society threw its happy hour bash a little later in the evening than most. The Rock sports bar served tacos for all. Nineteen Aggie alumni and 17 Lobo alumni turned out to watch the game, and the Aggies showed themselves to be "The University with the Greatest Pride in D.C." that night. Patrons and staff commented on the excitement and the "cool" fight song. Hats off to the association and the NMSU Athletic Department for providing Aggie items. With the assistance of the College of Engineering and Albuquerque station KRQE-TV, we will continue these events during future Aggie football and basketball games. For more information, contact Michael Kozeliski, '96, by e-mail: mike.kozeliski@mail.house.gov.

Recipes
We continue to gather recipes for the centennial cookbook, so please share your favorites from the Mesilla Valley. Sandy Graham, '73, recently submitted the recipe on this page with this note: "Here is a casserole recipe for your cookbook efforts that I think came from a weekly newspaper called the Albuquerque News back in the '70s when I was a reporter for the Albuquerque Tribune. I seem to remember it was submitted by the wife of Manuel Lujan, former U.S. representative and interior secretary. It's great!" -- Sandy Graham, 3 Club Lane, Columbine Valley, CO 80123, sangraham@aol.com

Green Chile Casserole

1 can boned chicken (or cooked chicken, cut up in cubes, about 1 cup) 1 dozen corn tortillas, cut in quarters 1/2 cup onion, chopped very fine 1 1/2 cups of grated longhorn cheese 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese 1 cup milk 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can of chopped green chile or about 6 fresh chiles, fresh or frozen, chopped

Place a layer of tortilla quarters to cover the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Top with a layer of onion and grated cheese. Add another layer of tortilla quarters, topped again with onion and cheese. Repeat until all the tortilla and almost all the cheese is used. Reserve a little cheese to sprinkle on top.

Mix milk, chile, soup and chicken in a sauce pan and heat through. Pour mixture over tortillas and cheese, and top with reserved cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until brown and bubbly on top. Serves six.

Fall '97 graduates gather at a pre-commencement buffet in December to receive Outstanding Senior awards from the NMSU Alumni Association. Recipients, from left, are: Daniel Gabel, College of Arts and Sciences; David Gallegos, College of Education; Leopoldo Carbajal, Center for International Programs; Cheryl Kenmuir, College of Business Administration and Economics; Wendy Ray, College of Agriculture and Home Economics; Biviana Cadena, College of Health and Social Services; and Scott Bailey, College of Engineering.

Scott	Chen

The Alumni Association presented Outstanding Senior awards to two Fall '97 Dona Ana Branch Community College graduates, Ming-Chih Chen of the Technical Studies division and Laurie Scott of the Business and Information Systems division.