-= NMSU PANORAMA - Summer 2005 =- Alumni Update: '02 Grad Named New Alumni Association Director

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'02 Grad Named New Alumni Association Director

Georgina Panahi

A 2002 NMSU graduate has been named the new director of the NMSU Alumni Association. Georgina Panahi returned to the university to begin work in early May.

A native of El Paso, Panahi earned a bachelor's degree in management from NMSU with a concentration in entrepreneurship. After graduation, she was named marketing director for the Sun Bowl Association in El Paso and last year she became the first person to sell out the annual event.

In addition to her marketing experience with the Sun Bowl Association, Panahi has served as a political consultant and small business consultant.

"I feel privileged to be back at my alma mater and I look forward to working with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, faculty members, staff and students, as well as the regional community," Panahi says.

Panahi replaces Debbie Widger, who had served in the position since 1995. Widger has taken a new position at NMSU as a planned giving officer.

The NMSU Alumni Association has been active since 1898. As director of the association, Panahi will oversee and coordinate the activities of the association and its 53 chapters throughout the United States and in several other countries.

Panahi says her first priority will be to get more of NMSU's 87,300 living alumni to become members of the Alumni Association.

"As an association it is vital that we connect alumni, students and friends to New Mexico State University," Panahi says. "We will work as a team to look for new and creative ways to re-engage former students, alumni and friends, as well as address the challenges and realities in order to become more successful."

Alumni Association President Bill Connor '84 '00 says Panahi's impressive work experience as marketing director for the Sun Bowl Association and her ties to the local communities will aid in the association's ongoing effort to broaden its relationship with local alumni.

"We were impressed with the high level of energy Georgina brings to her work and look forward to some new and exciting ideas as we continue to work on connecting with our alumni," Connor says.

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