Photo by Michael Kiernan

Universal Scope Astronomy graduate students Chris Gelino, '99, and Dawn Leeber, '99, stand near the Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope at Apache Point Observatory. NMSU participated in an October dedication ceremony not only as the operator of the observatory but also as the newest affiliate member of the SDSS, one of the most ambitious undertakings ever in ground-based astronomy. The five-year project will produce a three-dimensional map of a large portion of the universe. By the way, Dawn Leeber became Dawn Gelino a few weeks after this photo was made. The couple, both of whom earned their master's degrees in astronomy at NMSU, expect to receive their Ph.D.s this summer. She's from Hudson, Mass., and he's from Momence, Ill.

Professor wins presidential award

NMSU Biochemistry Professor Glenn Kuehn received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in September in Washington, D.C. 

Kuehn has personally nurtured more than 60 students in 26 years of directing NMSU programs aimed at bringing minority students into scientific fields. 

He is one of 10 individuals selected this year for the award, which is administered and funded through the National Science Foundation. Ten institutions also were chosen. Each individual and institution received a $10,000 grant. 

Brandon named to lead 
Health and Social Services

Jeffrey Brandon, associate dean of NMSU's College of Health and Social Services since 1994, was appointed college dean in August. 

Brandon replaced Virginia Higbie, who retired earlier in the summer. 

He has been a health science professor at NMSU since 1989. He was health science department head from 1989 until July 1998. 

In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed Brandon to the newly created U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission. The commission's primary task is finding ways to improve the health of people living along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

New Medoff play on spring ASTC schedule

A new play by Professor Emeritus Mark Medoff will be staged in the spring by the NMSU theatre arts department and American Southwest Theatre Company. 

Medoff's Tommy J and Sally will be performed at the campus Hershel Zohn Theatre March 13-18, 2001. 

Sally is a famous pop singer who finds Tommy J, a mysterious young black man, in her apartment. Medoff's most recent play investigates the cultural assumptions based on appearance and race as these two characters struggle to find common ground. 

This is the premier of the full-length version. The play has been presented as a one-act production at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. 

This spring NMSU also will stage The Cripple of Inishmann Feb 13-18 and Much Ado about Nothing April 26 through May 6. For ticket information call the ASTC box office at (505) 646-4515. 

Kennett Melgaard, 1913-2000 

Chemistry Professor Emeritus Kennett Melgaard, 87, died Aug. 16 in Las Cruces. 

He was born in Lawton, Iowa, on Aug. 5, 1913. 
 

Melgaard

After his involvement with the Manhattan Project during WWII and a brief time with DuPont, Melgaard joined the NMSU chemistry department in 1948 and served as a professor for 31 years. In 1963 he founded the university Honors Program and directed it until his retirement in 1979. In his honor NMSU's chemistry and biochemistry department gives the Melgaard Award of $300 to the top Chemistry 111-112 students each May.  Melgaard is survived by his sons Roger, David and Alan, and other family members.

Donald Roush, 1922-2000

Retired NMSU Executive Vice President Donald C. Roush, 78, of Las Cruces, died Oct. 21.
 

Roush

Roush was born Aug. 28, 1922, in Valley Junction, Iowa. His 40-year career in education began in 1950 in Los Alamos, N.M., where he was an elementary, junior high and senior high school teacher as well as high school principal. In 1959, he joined the NMSU faculty and became dean of the College of Education. He retained this position until 1968, when he was appointed academic vice president, with the title changing to executive vice president in 1979. During his 17 years as NMSU's chief academic officer, he annually offered a popular seminar on teaching for faculty. NMSU's reputation for quality teaching derived in large part from his dedication to teaching excellence. In 1984, the year before his retirement from NMSU, the Academic Deans Council recognized his contributions by creating the Donald C. Roush Awards for Teaching Excellence.

He is survived by his wife Esther of Las Cruces, sons Jeffry and David, and other family members.