Paddy on the Hardwood: A Journey in Irish Hoops

Rus Bradburd
University of New Mexico Press 2006

After 14 seasons as an assistant basketball coach at New Mexico State University and the University of Texas at El Paso, Rus Bradburd stunned the hoops world by announcing his resignation. He finished his Master of Fine Arts degree at NMSU in 2002 and traveled to Ireland, where he could write and coach some basketball. Upon his arrival in Tralee, he inherited a rowdy group that was more interested in football, their day jobs and Guinness. Nevertheless, a love of traditional Irish music and fiddling helped Bradburd get through a long season. This book tells the story of Bradburd’s work in transforming Tralee’s Frosties Tigers into winners and about his reflections on his own life as a coach, writer and fiddler. Bradburd currently teaches in NMSU’s Department of English.

Ropes, Reins, and Rawhide: All About Rodeo

Melody Groves
University of New Mexico Press 2006

Bulldoggers, bullriders, pick-up men, announcers, and rodeo clowns are just part of former barrel-racer Melody Groves’ book introducing readers to rodeo. She takes readers into the arena as well as behind the scenes, explaining how to break into rodeo, how events are scored, and the required clothing and equipment. A calendar of local and international competitions and listings of rodeo associations are included in the book. After earning a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and a master’s degree at the University of New Mexico, Groves taught middle and high school for 20 years before becoming a full-time writer.

Calling This Place Home: Women on the Wisconsin Frontier, 1850-1925

Joan M. Jensen
Minnesota Historical Society Press 2006

Noted historian Joan Jensen uses documents and photographs to explore and illustrate the challenging experiences of Native American and settler women who lived in Wisconsin from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. By telling of their struggles to care for the sick, teach their children, preserve their means of worship, and maintain their cultural identities, Jensen’s book gives readers a better understanding of Wisconsin’s history through the women’s stories and the changing economies that shaped their lives. Jensen is a history professor emerita from New Mexico State University who has written 11 books and more than 50 articles on U.S. history. She has received Fulbright awards to teach in India and Germany and, in 1993, was awarded the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities Award for Excellence in the Humanities.

Tryin’ Ryan

Elissa Thompson
Aidan’s Butterfly Publications 2006

This book tells the story of Ryan, a boy who does not like to get involved because he is afraid to fail or get hurt. He stays on the sidelines, watching other children participate in activities, until one day he helps a cat in danger. Ryan’s life quickly changes as he finds his self-confidence and builds his self-esteem. The author, who earned her Master of Social Work degree from New Mexico State University in 1998, is an owner/therapist of a mental health practice in Arizona. She also is working on a “literary healing” program within her publishing company that uses community-based resources and volunteers to mentor children and teens through the writing, illustrating and publishing process.

Connecting Speaking & Writing in Second Language Writing Instruction

Robert Weissberg
The University of Michigan Press 2006

How do learners of second languages develop their written language skills? Why is social interaction important in the writing classroom? How can this interaction be incorporated? In his book, Robert Weissberg tries to persuade readers to rethink the connection between speaking and writing. He cites the work of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky and other sociocultural theorists and shows the importance of social interaction and inner speech in writing. Weissberg earned his Ph.D. from New Mexico State University in 1995 and taught in the Department of Communication Studies.

Are we missing one?

Panorama welcomes information on books published by NMSU faculty members and alumni. Information may be sent to panorama@nmsu.edu or mailed to University Communications and Marketing Services, MSC 3K, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001.