Widger	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

I want to start my column with an apology. We had a mistake in an obituary in the June issue of Aggie Panorama. We listed Virginia Bradford Eubanks as deceased. Fortunately for us, she is still around. The obituary should have read Steve Eubanks, Dec. 11, 1998. We are very sorry for Virginia's loss and for our mistake.

I have a message for those of you who failed to call and check on Virginia's well-being: You should not expect a Christmas card this year!

Billy C. Newell

NMSU has lost an old friend and former student. Billy C. Newell, highly decorated war hero and collegiate golfer, passed away in 1998.

Homecoming 1999

Homecoming '99 is just around the corner. Our theme is appropriate for the last Homecoming in the 20th century. "NMSU The Future is Ours" promises to be on the top of the list for fun. A number of exciting events will take place Oct. 7, 8 and 9. Classes of '49 and '59 will celebrate reunions, as will the Conquistadores. For Homecoming the university's Special Events Office has booked Gallagher, the stand-up comedian who has made a career out of pulverizing watermelons. He also uses politics and real life in his comedy routines. You won't want to miss his show, at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in the Pan American Center.

Gallagher

Our traditional Eye Opener Breakfast Saturday, Oct. 9, will honor our distinguished alumni and the winner of the James F. Cole Award for Service. The parade promises to be one of the best ever.

The Aggies play University of Nevada-Reno, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. This is a match-up that is always exciting.

The Homecoming brochure has been mailed to dues payers and reunion classes. If you need one please let us know.

Reunions

We have class reunions at Homecoming each year. These folks have such a good time that several groups have decided to get on the band wagon and have reunions at other times.

April 28-30 the African American Alumni Chapter will host Reunion 2000. This group put on Reunion '93. The '93 reunion was a great success, with over 400 people in Las Cruces for the festivities. Jonetta Hooper, '92, '93, of Atlanta, is chairing the event.

Others gearing up for a 2000 reunion are the ROTC alumni. Gary Cataldo, '70, has been working on their plans for two years. He is looking for alumni who were affiliated with the ROTC program while at State. If you are not yet on the list, you may contact Gary via e-mail at catgr@aol.com.

Korean War Symposium

We were so excited about the turnout for our WWII symposium in October 1993, we decided to have one to honor the veterans of the Korean War. We have a great planning committee made up of alumni, faculty and community veterans.

Our honorary chair is NMSU President William Conroy. Co-chairing the event are Ray Sadler, history department head, and Capt. Walt Baker of Las Cruces. Other committee members are NMSU President Emeritus Gerald Thomas, Col. Fred Frank, Austin Hoover, Art Robinson, Bob Gaines, Martin Gemoets, Jack Ancker, Lt. Col. Bill Dorman, Eddie Groth and Chuck Miles.

Reunion dates are set for June 23 and 24, 2000. These guys even have plans to carry this on for three years. I'll keep you posted. Anyone interested in helping, please let us know.

Bay Area Get-together - Aug. 7, 1999

Herb, '50, and Edith, '47, Edde volunteered to host the winery tour and barbecue in Gilroy, Calif. Unfortunately our Panorama copy deadline was too early to report on this event.

Washington, D.C. - Sept. 25, 1999

It's not too late to sign up for The Three B's (beans, burritos and beer) party in Chantilly, Va. Kent McIntosh '41, is spearheading this one more time and is looking for helpers. Let Kent know if you need a ticket, want to help or both. His number is (703) 780-4111.

Tailgating/Pre-game Activities

The fall wouldn't be fall without football. We have several tailgates set for the upcoming season. Once again the Alumni Association, Aggie Scholarship Association and colleges of engineering, business and agriculture have teamed up to provide the best entertainment prior to the football games.

Albuquerque - Sept. 10 and 11, 1999

The Aggie/Lobo game is Saturday, Sept. 11, in Albuquerque. Marty Finley, '93, and Frank Paul, '95, both of Albuquerque, have set up a kick-off party on Friday, Sept. 10, at the Ramada Mountainview. If you didn't receive an invitation, give us a call or e-mail.

Tempe, Ariz. - Sept. 18, 1999

A tailgate party is planned on the Arizona State University campus. Details are available on the NMSU Alumni Homepage.

Utep - Sept. 25, 1999

The Aggies are headed to El Paso for the Aggie/Miner Game on Sept. 25. A tailgate is planned. For information, check the Web, call the Alumni Association, or e-mail me.

Hines chronicles Aggies in WWII

In 1993 Walter Hines, '66, '67, was in Las Cruces for NMSU's homecoming celebration when he happened upon a campus symposium titled "Victory in World War II - The New Mexico Story."

Stirring accounts of former Aggies' contributions to victory sparked his interest in World War II. Now Hines is publishing his first book, Aggies of the Pacific War: New Mexico A&M and the War with Japan.

"What I tried to do was take stories and weave them into the whole chronology of the Pacific war," Hines said.

With help from the multi-volume "war books" housed in the Alumni Office and compiled by former Registrar Era Rentfrow, Hines was able to piece the stories together and later interviewed former Aggies and their families involved in the war.

"The people who lived through it, including the families, still talk about it," Hines said.

Hines will debut his book during Homecoming on Oct. 8 with a book signing in the NMSU Bookstore and a slide show.

The book retails for $25. A portion of the sales will go to the NMSU Alumni Scholarship fund.

Armando Arrieta

Association honors top graduates

Spring '99 Outstanding Seniors hold diploma frames presented by the NMSU Alumni Association. Honorees, from left, are: Bryan Yates, College of Engineering; Victoria Brady, College of Agriculture and Home Economics; Jamie Aagaard, College of Arts and Sciences; Kelly Marie Neville, College of Business Administration and Economics; Bostjan Leban, Center for International Programs recipient; Julie Anne Hallock, College of Education; and Troy Waskoviak, College of Health and Social Services.

Photo by Michael Kiernan

Debbie Hefley

The Alumni Association named four Doņa Ana Branch Community College students as Outstanding Graduates for Spring '99: Debbie Hefley, Business and Information Systems; Cindy Irons, Health and Public Services; Juan Reyes, Technical Studies; and David L. Cowart, White Sands Education Center.

Juan Reyes