Aggies lend a hand to honor 4,200 teens

	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

Honors Night Programs

The 1998 Honors Night programs began Feb. 18 in Las Cruces and ended April 22 in Albuquerque. More than 4,200 high school juniors representing every county in New Mexico and El Paso, County, Texas, were honored in 21 nights.

Students and parents were treated to presentations by NMSU faculty members and administrators. Chemistry professor Dale Alexander, '60, demonstrated "fun with gas," proving science can be fun. Other presenters included Robert Liefeld, Barry Smith and Debbi LaPorte.

Most nights a student from NMSU was on the program. Avery Culbertson, from the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, did a wonderful job explaining the importance of balance. She also mentioned that if you invite college students to a free breakfast at 9 a.m., the food will be gone by 9:02!

This program is certainly the best of its kind in New Mexico. I owe a great debt to our alumni, administration, faculty, staff and students.

Weather conditions this year were interesting to say the least. I saw more snow in Las Vegas, N.M., in one night than we have had in Las Cruces the last several years. In Las Vegas, we borrowed chairs from a church. While George "Corky" Fernandez, '73, and I were loading them, the minister said, "I think you hauled chairs in the snow last year." He was right, we did.

Thank you again to all those who make this program a success. Anyone who has not been involved and wants to be, please let me know. Alumni sent in contributions totaling $1,200. Thank you!

Membership

Our 1998-99 membership campaign will begin in July. If you send your dues in early, your membership will be deferred to the 1998-99 campaign.

The leading state in membership is New Mexico with 1,595 members, followed by Texas, California, Arizona and Colorado. New Mexico's top membership county is Dona Ana, followed by Bernalillo.

Dollars raised from membership dues help cover chapter programs, scholarships, student/alumni activities and awards. Many of our 30-plus programs would not be possible without your help.

Commencment

Twelve-hundred seniors walked across the stage to receive diplomas May 16 - the largest group in NMSU's history. It was fitting to have the largest number just weeks before the Alumni Association's 100th anniversary celebration.

Centennial quilt

To date, two beautiful squares have been received. In case you have lost the dimensions: each panel needs to be a 12-inch square. Squares also need to have some tie to NMSU (NMA&M).

Los Angeles Chapter

Friday, March 27, 43 Aggie alumni gathered at the Acapulco Restaurant in Los Angeles for some of California's finest Mexican food. Although it wasn't New Mexico chile, it was as good as you can get in L.A.

This group used to meet twice a year, once for dinner and once for a picnic. I am working on a questionnaire to see if Aggies in L.A. would like to resume a picnic or go to an Angels baseball game in addition to our annual dinner.

Hats off to Bill, '48, and Rene Sturman and Marshall, '60, and Francis Scott for setting up the dinner. Thank you to the area alumni who made calls to get people out.

Northeastern New Mexico Chapter

Plans are in the works for an alumni event in Northeastern New Mexico. Once they are finalized, mailers will be sent.

Oklahoma Chapter

Plans have been completed for a picnic at Woolaroc just outside Bartlesville, Okla., on July 25. If you don't receive a mailer by mid-June, please contact the alumni office.

This event is for all alumni in Oklahoma. Anyone visiting the area is also welcome to join in the fun.

Colorado Chapter

We hope to have an Aggie alumni get-together in Colorado Springs late this summer or in early fall. Julie Hall, '84, is helping coordinate the event and is recruiting volunteers. Texas Chapter

The Aggies will play Texas Sept. 5 in Austin. We hope to have a pre-game party. Anyone with ideas or the inclination to volunteer, please let me know. Let's show Texas there is another Aggie school to contend with.

Homecoming '98

You won't want to miss this year's Homecoming Oct. 29-31. We will have all kinds of activities for alumni, students and children.

Reunion committees have determined plans and news on all events is forthcoming.

Alumni Association on the Web

The Alumni Association's homepage on the World Wide Web lists upcoming events, awards and other news. From the NMSU homepage at www.nmsu.edu, click on Alumni. To access current asnd past issues of Aggie Panorama, click on Panorama.

Band is Europe-bound

Sunshine Parades International is subsidizing a small portion of the trip, but most expenses will be covered by the band members who go on the trip. They plan a number of fund-raisers throughout the summer, and those who donate money will be entered into a drawing to travel with the band.

Two winners will be announced at the NMSU home football game Sept. 19.

"It has been more than 10 years since the Pride has traveled outside the United State," Fant said. "We are very excited about this opportunity for our students."

Seventeen former Pride Band members will join members of the current band this New Year's Eve when they put on their marching shoes and ring in 1999 in southern France and Italy. Greg Fant, Pride Band director, said 44 NMSU alumni and spouses will travel with the band. The Pride will march in a New Year's Eve parade in Cannes, France, and a New Year's Day parade in Genoa, Italy. The trip also includes sightseeing in Milan, Paris and Monaco. Sunshine Parades International is organizing the trip, Fant said. NMSU will be the second American university marching band to participate in the New Year's trip to Italy.

Lena Parsons