Football fans have hot time in south
 

	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 month of September was not only a busy one, but also very warm, especially during the two football games in the south. I have a better understanding of what they mean by "Georgia Heat." 

On Sept. 2, Aggie football season got underway in Columbia, S.C. The Alumni Association, Aggie Scholarship Association, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, and College of Engineering sponsored a pre-game social at the Holiday Inn in Columbia. We had a good turnout. Mike Reischman '67, '69, was a great help in finalizing the arrangements. 

Of 80,000 fans, all but about 100 were cheering for the Gamecocks. Those of us cheering for the Aggies were heard but my guess is mainly in our section. It's too bad South Carolina picked this year to turn their program around. 

Our next trek to the south was Sept. 22 when we followed the Aggies to Georgia. On this trip, in addition to our tailgate party in Athens, we had a dinner party on Friday. Qamar Zaman, '70, and his wife Yasmin hosted about 30 local Alumni and NMSU travelers at their home in Lilburn. President Jay Gogue, Regent Avery Culbertson, Interim Vice President for University Advancement Joe Creed, Athletics Director Brian Faison and I were there to meet Georgia Alumni. Qamar and Yasmin are wonderful hosts. No one left hungry. 

The tailgate Saturday was filled with fun, food and Aggie stories. We all braved the heat at the game and were glad we were spectators rather than players. 

Aggie License Plates 
The license plate program turned one year old in August. To date we have sold 1,026 plates in New Mexico. The $25,666.37 raised has been put into an account to cover scholarships and alumni programs. 

Amber Kerr was our first recipient of one of these scholarships. Amber is a sophomore with an undeclared major.

Homecoming 2000
Four special reunions were held this year. 

The Class of 1950 celebrated their 50th reunion with a dinner on Thursday, Oct. 12. Special guests were Dr. and Mrs. Gogue, NMSU president and first lady. 

Eighty-five classmates and spouses were on hand for their special dinner. I always learn more about State when we hear the great stories about their days at AM&A. 

On Saturday, class members were inducted into the "Golden Aggies" club. They join all other alumni who have celebrated a 50-year reunion. Thanks to the wonderful Class of 1950 committee: Ray Chavez, Ruth McKinney, Jesse and Shirley Parker, Joe and Barbara Parker, Glyn Throneberry, John E. Uxer and Austin Vick for their hard work. 

Several ladies who received a degree in home economics held a tea on Saturday afternoon in the Dove Hall living room. Dove Hall once housed the home economics department. 

The Class of 1960 celebrated their 40th reunion with a luncheon at the Double Eagle Saturday. Dale Alexander, '60, emceed the luncheon and was full of great stories and trivia questions. 

Another committee to be commended: Belle Huffman Erickson, John Byers, Dick Glaze, Betty Howe Brooks and Jo Ellen Engle Montjoy, all Class of 1960. These folks made calls and did a lot of extra work. 

ROTC 2000
The hard work of Gary Cataldo, '70, over the last four years paid off. A large group of former cadets came back to campus for a weekend of ROTC camaraderie. 

A social Friday night began their activities, followed by a memorial and tailgate party Saturday before the game. The alumni and current ROTC students were treated to burgers cooked by Kirk McCarter, '56, and his crew. 

Conquistadores 
The Conquistadores held their reunion at Picacho Hills Country Club Friday, Oct. 13. Dr. and Mrs. Gogue and Christina Chavez Kelley,'75, were special guests. 

Nina Telles Banegas, '48, once again chaired the event and outdid herself. Tomas Chavez, '54, was the emcee. He, too, did a wonderful job.

Chapter Organization
We have alumni living in all 50 states and 89 foreign countries. It is time to increase our alumni chapters. Over the next six months I hope to charter 25 plus chapters. Many areas currently have events, and we will work to enhance their chapter and add a number of new ones. 

Many of you have expressed an interest in being involved. Here are some details and hopefully more of you will be interested and ready to help organize a chapter. 

The purpose of an alumni chapter is to assist the NMSU Alumni Association in promoting, by organized effort, the advancement of the interests of the university and to establish closer fellowship and contact among alumni. 

Each chapter needs a president, program chair and secretary/treasurer. Anyone willing to serve, please let me know. Your duties as president: presiding officer at all alumni chapter meetings and functions. Calls periodic meetings of the chapter's board of directors (chapter officers and committee chairmen) for the purpose of planning the chapter schedule and all activities of the chapter. Will select a nominating committee for the purpose of the election of the officers. Has the power to delegate undefined responsibilities when necessary. 

The program chair works with the president and fellow members to generate ideas for events. 

The secretary/treasurer, with the help of the Alumni Association, handles all communication for the chapter as directed by the chapter president. May be the designated person to receive all reservation forms for chapter activities.
 

Birthday Surprise Kristin Cordova shows her delight at receiving a birthday cake ordered by her parents through the Alumni Association. Her mom and dad, Angelina and Wayne Cordova of Logan, N.M., arranged the surprise for her 18th birthday Sept. 25. "The Alumni Office called and said I needed to come pick up a package," Cordova said. For information on placing a cake order to make a student's special day, call the Alumni Office at (505) 646-3616. Photo by Michael Kiernan

Cordova

Alumni Association awards scholarships

NMSU students Nick Briseno, '98, and Teresa Trujillo are recipients of the 2000-01 Alumni Association Full Tuition Scholarships. They were honored at a luncheon during Homecoming. 
 

Briseno

Briseno and Trujillo each were awarded a scholarship covering full tuition for the 2000-01 academic year. Briseno, of Deming, N.M., is a senior finance major. He was named to the Dean's Honor List in fall 1997 and fall 1998. He received his associate's degree in computer technology from NMSU-Dona Ana.  Trujillo, of Loco Hills, N.M., is a senior majoring in agricultural and extension education. During the fall semester she was a student teacher at Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, N.M. She plans to graduate in May.

Trujillo