As we follow the news and talk with colleagues across the country, we find new reasons daily to appreciate New Mexico. More than two-thirds of the states are coping with big deficits; their universities are facing dramatic budget cuts and imposing radical tuition increases. That’s not the case here.

Sometimes we dwell on unmet needs and the ways we lag behind universities in other states–in salaries, for instance. But we are able to provide salary increases averaging 3 percent this year, while some universities elsewhere are cutting programs and jobs.

The 2003 Legislature also provided $8 million for renovations to the Pan American Center and $791,000 for other capital projects. Gov. Bill Richardson’s higher education package included $2 million for nursing education programs and $3 million for endowed faculty chairs, part of which will go to New Mexico State.

If you live in New Mexico, let your legislators know you appreciate their support for higher education.

Here’s a source of pride for alumni, no matter where you live–the academic successes of Aggie student-athletes have not gone unnoticed. Recent newspaper articles have highlighted some of these achievements: a student-athlete graduation rate of 63 percent, for example, which is better than the 60 percent national average for NCAA Division I programs. In football, the rate was 76 percent.

Our athletic program received the 2002 USA Today-NCAA Academic Achievement Award for placing in the Top Ten in Division I-A in graduation rates.

Athletics Director Brian Faison, Academic Programs Coordinator Stacey Wilmott and all the players and coaches deserve credit for their focus on the classroom.

It was an honor to share the Spring Commencement podium with two remarkable individuals who received honorary doctorates.

Stanley Fulton, the philanthropic owner of Sunland Park Racetrack, has assured an even stronger emphasis on the academic success of our athletes. His gifts of $3 million will enable us to build an academic support and sports medicine complex at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Four-star Gen. Lester Lyles, who earned his master’s in engineering at New Mexico State, is a true leader–commander of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Outstanding Graduates

The New Mexico State University Alumni Association honored outstanding May 2003 graduates at the main campus and the NMSU Dona Ana, Carlsbad, Alamogordo and Grants campuses.

The Dona Ana Branch Community College Outstanding Graduates are: Robert Wu, Business and Information Systems Division; B.C. (Bonnie) Cashion, Health and Public Services Division; Joe M. Telles, Technical Studies Division; and Christopher A. Chavez, White Sands Education Center.

At NMSU-Carlsbad, the honorees are Natalie A. Allen, Science, Mathematics and Computer Science Division; Jennie Beceera, Social Sciences, International Relations and Special Studies Division; Phil E. Palma, Manufacturing Sector Development Program Division; Shannon Elizabeth Parr, Communication Arts, Business Studies, Developmental Studies, Electronics and Welding Division; and Nathalie Volkle, Nursing, Allied Health and Wellness Division.

At NMSU-Grants, the students honored are Eric Omar Garcia, Associate in Applied Science Division; Shelly Jean Maxey, Undesignated Associate Division; and Chanda Gayle Monk, Associate of Arts Division.

Commencement Honors

Honorary doctoral degree recipient Stanley Fulton poses with President Jay Gogue. Fulton has made a series of donations to New Mexico State University totaling $3 million. He is the owner of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino and is the retired chairman of Anchor Gaming.