Homecoming kicks off fun-filled year

	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

The Alumni Association is looking forward to a busy year. In addition to our regular programs, the association will celebrate our 100th anniversary on May 24, 1998. On that date in 1898, we had 21 alumni. We now have over 65,000.

Homecoming '97 will kick off a year of exciting events, including chapter and athletic pre-game functions. To find out if a chapter exists in your area, give me a call. Other ideas are always welcome.

Aggie almanac/cookbook - This book will feature area farmers and favorite recipes using Mesilla Valley chile, pecans, onions, honey and cotton. We'd love to have your recipes!

Centennial Quilt - We will put together a quilt with squares sent from our alumni. Each must be 12 inches square and have a tie to NMSU. Maybe that ol' beanie could be put to use.

Bolo Ball - The event, a western barbecue and dance, is planned for May 23, 1998. Dust off those boots, starch those jeans and put on your favorite bolo tie.

Tentative plans are under way for a roping and polo match in conjunction with the ball.

Chapter/Athletic Promotions

Northeastern New Mexico - Aggie Round up was held July 27. Hats off to Bill and Beverly Cantrell for handling the arrangements and offering us the use their of home.

Champagne Garden Party - The Aug. 17 event took place in La Jolla, California, hosted by graduate Gerome Shaw.

Washington, D.C. - The 3 B's (Beans, Burritos and Beer) is set for Sept 20.

Aggie Football/Tailgate Parties

Home football games against the University of New Mexico Sept. 6 and University of Texas-El Paso Sept. 27 have tailgate parties sponsored by the Alumni Association, Aggie Sports Association and colleges of agriculture, business and engineering. Information will be mailed to area alumni.

Horticulture Reunion

Horticulture graduates gathered in June for their second reunion. Activities included a get-acquainted party at the Cotters' home. Saturday, June 7, a few hardy souls played in a golf tournament while others toured the campus.

Everyone met at the Fabian Garcia Science Center (horticulture farm) for an entrance sign dedication and, of course, hamburgers with the best Mesilla Valley onions grown on the farm.

That evening a champagne reception was sponsored by Gruet Winery of Albuquerque. A banquet followed the reception with former NMSU President Gerald Thomas as speaker. A scholarship endowment sponsored by the Shannon family was announced.

A Sunday breakfast was held at Randy and Cindy Farmer's home.

I'd like to thank the reunion committee: Doug Andrews, '90, Joe Corgan, Don and Fran Cotter, Deanna White Davee, '91, Randy Farmer, '77, and Cindy Farmer, '76, Mr. and Mrs. Paul La Vine, '50, Norm Lownds, Joe Kane, '91, and Carol Kane, '95, Lisa Mathews, '93, John Mexal, and Rebecca Sellars, '83, '87. You all did a great job.

This year's fund-raising effort raised $4,550 for the Landscape Horticulture Garden Endowment. Contributions to the fund should be directed to Rebecca Sellars, (505) 646-6128.

Zerunion

The Student Alumni Association and the Alumni Association co-sponsored the first annual zerunion, a barbecue for graduating seniors. Those who attended thought it was a great idea and want to continue it. Next time we will look at doing it earlier in the semester because those papers catch up with you at the end.

Chile Camp

The Alumni Association once again will sponsor the welcoming fall barbecue for incoming freshmen. Chile Camp is a three-day orientation for new students filled with fun. About 300 freshmen are expected to attend. Conquistadores Reunion

The Conquistadores plan a reunion during Homecoming '97. A reception and dinner is set for Friday, Oct. 24. Information is being mailed to Conquistadores members. If you haven't received it, call the alumni office.

Homecoming '97: "NMSU-Tradition of Excellence"

Reunion committees are finalizing plans for the classes of '47, '57, and '72. Dinners will be held for the classes of '47 and '57. The class of '72 plans a tailgate party. Your RE_NION is complete only if U join us.

The Alumni Social will be Friday, Oct. 24, in the Mesilla Valley Inn's Aspen Room. All alumni and friends are welcome.

The traditional Eye-Opener Breakfast will be 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in Corbett Center ballrooms. We will present awards to Distinguished Alumni and James Cole Award recipients.

Homecoming schedules have been mailed to dues payers and are available to others from the alumni office.

ROTC

Gary Cataldo is working on a ROTC reunion for the year 2000. If you haven't been notified, please contact him at 9 Lake Drive, Round Rock, Texas 78664 or call the ROTC office, (505) 646-4028 or the alumni office.

Memorabilia

NMSU recently opened a student club in Corbett Center and is looking for university items from the past to decorate it. As you clean out your closets and have nowhere to store those NMSU relics, let us know and we will give them a good home.

Aggie author

Aggie alumni are some of the most interesting people you'll ever meet. Walter Hines, '66, is writing a book titled Aggies of the Pacific War. He wonders if there is interest among fellow Aggies in this book. In reading the first chapter, I recognized a lot of Aggies. If you are interested in reserving a copy, contact the alumni office or Walt at (702) 252-0466.

Five NMSU students have been selected to receive scholarships this academic year through the Alumni Association and Pioneers.

The awards range from full tuition to $250 and recognize outstanding performance at NMSU.

Leslea A. Woods and Cynthia Morrison are the recipients of the Alumni Association's Full Tuition Scholarship for the 1997-98 academic year. The scholarship is worth $1,098 per semester.

Woods, of Tularosa, is the daughter of David and Claudia Woods and a senior majoring in general business. She is a Crimson Scholar and a member of the American Marketing Association.

Morrison, of Las Cruces, is also a senior and is majoring in science, hospitality and tourism. She is the daughter of Richard and Barbara Morrison. She is a Crimson Scholar and a member of the Golden Key and Gamma Sigma Alpha honor societies.

Crystal D. Aragon is the recipient of the Alumni Association's Past Presidents Student Leaders Scholarship, worth $965.68 per semester. Aragon, the daughter of Damacio Claude and Drucilla Aragon of Grants, is a freshman majoring in computer science. She attended NMSU-Grants while finishing high school.

Sara Garcia and Jesus Moncada are the recipients of the Pioneer Book Scholarships, worth $250.

Garcia, of Alamogordo, has attended NMSU-Alamogordo the past two years. She transferred to the main campus this fall as a junior majoring in business computer systems. She is the daughter of Pete and Virginia Garcia.

Moncada, of Deming, is the son of Elvira and Humberto Moncada. He is a junior majoring in bilingual education and a member of the NMSU Student Literacy Council.

Lena Parsons