This column is excerpted from Excellence in Action: A Periodic Newsletter from President William B. Conroy, which can be found on the NMSU World Wide Web site at http://www.nmsu.edu/ Administration/newsletter/

Fulbright scholars circle the globe One indication of the caliber of NMSU's faculty is the frequency with which they are selected for the federal government's Fulbright Scholar Program, which provides grants for teaching and research around the globe. Paul Huntsberger, assistant director of the NMSU Center for International Programs, says NMSU faculty have been increasingly successful in landing Fulbrights. Current Fulbright scholars include Joe Benson, professor of management, who is spending this spring in Korea, and Wenda Trevathan of anthropology, who will be in the Philippines through August. Recently returned from abroad are geography department head Bob Czerniak, who spent last summer in Malaysia, and Charles Townley of the university library, who was in China during the summer and fall. Zohrab Samani of civil engineering studied water issues on the U.S.-Mexico border as a Fulbright scholar. Journalism department head Steve Pasternack taught at the University of Latvia and consulted with working journalists in that country. The goal of the Fulbright program is "to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries" and promote peaceful international relations. An important side benefit accrues to NMSU students, because the faculty members bring new knowledge and experience back with them to the classroom. NMSU, UNM collaborate on NAFTA's impact NMSU and the University of New Mexico will collaborate this year on research dealing with the effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Jose Z. Garcia, director of NMSU's Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), says NMSU will focus primarily on NAFTA's impact on the U.S.-Mexico border region while UNM will look at the broader context of the trade agreement. The joint initiative was announced in November at the 20th anniversary of the New Mexico Consortium on Latin America.

Snap happy Photo by Michael Kiernan

At the December 1999 Commencement each graduate who crossed the stage received a snappy little camera to take pictures of the big day, courtesy of the Alumni Association. Here, graduate Stephanie Garver, right, shows off her camera. Handing out the cameras at left is Ermelinda Quintela of the Alumni Association Executive Council.

Outstanding volunteer

McMillan

Aggie Panorama's winter 1999 issue featured a cover photo and story about Nancy McMillan, an NMSU geology professor, who established the Community of Hope, an alliance of non-profit agencies addressing the needs of the poor and homeless in Las Cruces. After Panorama went to press, McMillan was honored as Outstanding Fund Raising Volunteer by the Texas/El Paso Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. The chapter covers Las Cruces, El Paso and Juarez, Mexico. Congratulations, Dr. McMillan!

Letters to the Editor

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.

A special thank you goes to the alumnus who phoned the Alumni Office and identified two students, Carl Elrod and Clayshulte Zane, among the group pictured in the Aircraft Lab "Looking Back" photo in the June 1999 Aggie Panorama. Unfortunately, the caller did not leave his name. Readers' combined efforts have identified the group as follows: Front of aircraft, from left, beginning with the men crouching: Carl Elrod, Steve Loomis, D.M. Martinez Jr., unidentified man, Manuel Montez and possibly Fay Bell. Standing behind aircraft from left: Ralph McKinley (or possibly Bill Franey), Gilbert Shank, John Cadwallader, Bob Chamberlin, Asa Fitch, Mark Sloane, unidentified man, Professor Clark, instructor Tommy Williams, Clayshulte Zane and possibly Fay Bell.

Rudy S. Apodaca, '61, left, judge of the New Mexico Court of Appeals, was the keynote speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday breakfast in January on campus. Honored at the breakfast with the annual Racial Harmony Awards were Leland R. Kiehne, '82, '89, '94, center, director of NMSU Accounts Receivable, and Clarence Fielder, '50, '55, retired teacher, part-time NMSU instructor and member of the Las Cruces School Board. Kiehne was selected to receive the award, presented by the ethnic programs at NMSU, because of his dedication to helping students, especially those with financial difficulties. "He has helped thousands of students to stay in school," said Black Programs director Mike Davis. Prof. Fielder "has influenced education in Las Cruces for the past 50 years," said Chicano Programs director Laura Gutierrez Spencer. "We can't imagine education without him."

Photo by Meghann Dallin

Doctoral Duo Photo by Michael Kiernan

Fourth generation New Mexico rancher Linda Mitchell Davis and computer graphics guru Alvy Ray Smith, '65, recipients of NMSU honorary doctorates, share a moment in the spotlight at a Dec. 18 Commencement reception. Davis, corporate vice president of the CS Ranch in Cimarron, studied agriculture at Cornell University. She is well known for her service to the state's agricultural industry as a member of the National Livestock and Meat Board and the New Mexico Beef Council, among other organizations. Smith, who earned his bachelor's in electrical engineering at NMSU, has made ground-breaking achievements in computer graphics and computer animation. His movie credits include Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Toy Story. He joined Microsoft Corp. in 1994 as its first graphics fellow.