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

This being the first Aggie Panorama of 1999, Happy New Year! It is certainly going by as quickly as '98 did. The Alumni Association calendar is filling up very fast. I have included some dates for future events later in this column.

We ended 1998 in a positive fashion. Enrollment was up and membership was ahead by 200 members over '97 for the first six months ending Dec. 31. With an increase in members, membership income is also up by $2,000. Thank you to all our dues-paying members.

A few events that took place in December were not included in the last Panorama issue.

Noche de Luminarias

In conjunction with Noche de Luminarias, the alumni office sponsors a community open house. In the ballrooms of Corbett Center Student Union, faculty had displays and demonstrations.

This year's headliners were Dale Alexander, '60, and his "Fun with Gas" chemistry show, Ray Sadler from history, who showed movies on the big screen, and David Richmond from the agriculture college with his ever-popular insect zoo. The Professional Golf Management program sponsored a putting contest. If you made three putts in a row you received a prize. The younger generation was doing quite well, but I didn't see as many hats on the adults. The library joined us this year with a computer and Internet demonstration, and the theatre arts department set up a costume display. A number of other colleges and departments participated.

Roadrunner Basketball

On Dec. 16, the Alumni Association sponsored the Roadrunner basketball game against the UTEP Lady Miners. Our guest coaches were Jed Fanning, '83, Alumni Association president, and Anthony Chavez, '89, president-elect.

The guest coaches were under pressure because each year that we have sponsored a game for the Roadrunners, we've won. We let them know on several occasions they had big shoes to fill. The Roadrunners won, and it was a great to see Aggie alumni in the stands.

Housing/Alumni Christmas Party

On Dec. 18, we co-sponsored with housing the annual Christmas party for children of NMSU students. The Alumni Association pays to have photos of the children made with Santa. This year Jack Diven '79, took 85 photos.

All State Music Concert

NMSU's choir and band were the featured musicians in this year's All State competition. The College of Arts and Sciences suggested we host a reception for Albuquerque alumni followed by the concert on Jan. 8.

The Alumni Association, along with the colleges of agriculture, arts and sciences, business and engineering, co-hosted a reception at the Albuquerque Hilton. We had a great turnout. Over 85 Aggie alumni joined us for the reception, and even more attended the concert. What a talented group of musicians. The concert proved beyond a doubt that we have the best musical talent in the state.

NMSU's choir, directed by Jerry Ann Alt, started the evening off with a wonderful performance. In addition to NMSU talent she brought in a surprise, former student Tammy Jenkins, who performs with the San Francisco Opera.

The NMSU Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Ken Van Winkle, band director, also provided a stellar performance. They, too, brought in an outside attraction, Michael Cano, '93, and other members of the Herald Trumpets.

A number of people have asked that we get this event on next year's calendar. We are working on a date.

Aggie Watch Party

The Alumni Association, Aggie Scholarship Association and colleges of agriculture, business and engineering sponsored a watch party in Albuquerque Jan. 19. The Lobos were playing the Aggies in the Pan American Center. A good number of Aggies who couldn't drive to Las Cruces for the game had the same experience via the big screen. What a game! The Lobos found out they are not the only basketball team in the state.

Memory Luncheon

Ann Palormo, director of annual giving, and I were talking one day about the YMCA/Music/ROTC building and thought it would be great to get stories from alumni. We invited Blanche Hubbard, '34, Doris Jolly, Virginia Bradford Eubanks, '40, J. Paul Taylor, '42, '54, '63, J. Henry Gustafson '40, Bruce Firkins, '56, and President Emeritus Gerald Thomas and Jean Thomas to lunch. As the old saying goes, there is no free lunch. We asked them all to share stories about the building while they were on campus. We learned a lot about the old "Y."

If you have stories to tell, please send them to the alumni office.

Honors Nights

Feb. 16 began our 13th year of recognizing the top high school students in New Mexico. Honors students receive certificates for their academic achievements. We will hold 22 Honors Night programs this year in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

Employment Success

How to survive your first year of employment was the topic for our first event to provide graduating seniors with employment tips before they leave NMSU. A reception and program was planned for Feb. 18.

Nick Nabours, who retired from Eastman Chemical as college relations manager, agreed to be our keynote speaker on the topic of survival. Area alumni and community leaders were invited to visit with students.

Homecoming 1999

Dates for Homecoming 1999 are Oct. 7, 8 and 9. Mark your calendars now. You won't want to miss the fun.

Colorado Chapter

Julie Ann Hall, '83, is working on a picnic for Aggie alumni in Colorado Springs. The tentative date is June 26. Information will be mailed to alumni in Colorado. Julie is looking for volunteers, so let us know if you are willing to help.

Korean War Symposium

NMSU is planning a Korean War Symposium on June 21, 2000. More information will be available in the June Panorama.

NMSU's College of Business Administration and Economics will hold its third annual Hall of Fame Banquet honoring 1999 inductees on Friday, April 23, at the Holiday Inn de Las Cruces. A cash bar will be available at 6:30 p.m., with dinner and ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m.

The Hall of Fame program was initiated in 1997 to honor outstanding business alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers. Significant accomplishments in business, as well as civic, educational and governmental service, are important factors in the selection process. J. Paul Boushelle, '58; Carl Everett, '73; and Ben Haines, '71; were inducted in 1997 and Tom Tarasoff, '71; and A.D. Bowen, '53; were inducted in 1998.

Tickets to the dinner are $30 per person, or $220 for a table of eight. Reservations are required, and seating is limited to 350 people. For reservations or more information, contact the Beatriz Delgadillo at (505) 646-3587.

BRIGHT BUNCH

Fall 1998 graduates gather in December to receive Outstanding Senior awards from the NMSU Alumni Association. Recipients, from left, are: Takashi (Taka) Yamaguchi, Center for International Programs; Tara Sauble, College of Education; Alexis Stanke, College of Engineering; Jennifer Archibeque, College of Arts and Sciences; Dwight (Doug) Olson, College of Health and Social Services; Hayley Beth Melloy, College of Agriculture and Home Economics; and Jessica Lorraine Rocks, College of Business Administration and Economics. (Photo by Kevin Palmer)

Ross

The Alumni Association presented Outstanding Senior awards to three fall 1998 Dona Ana Branch Community College graduates. Recipients are: Robert Ross of the White Sands Education Center, Melanie Galt of the Technical Studies division and Mary Clevenger of the Business and Information Systems Computer Technology division (not pictured).

Galt