The senior member of the New Mexico State University Board of Regents and the youngest member of the board are both completing terms at the end of this month.

Carl Faubion, president emeritus of the board and a Dona Ana County farmer, is completing his 12th year of service as a regent. Natalie Evans Russell, a graduate student in molecular biology, is nearing the end of a two-year term as the student representative on the board.

NMSU President William B. Conroy praised both for their contributions.

Faubion "has a special understanding of the land-grant mission of New Mexico State University, and an understanding of all facets of agriculture in the state," Conroy said. "He has contributed a lot of wisdom and sound thinking to helping us solve the challenges we've faced. His thinking is very forward, looking to future issues and directions for the university."

As only the second voting student regent to serve on the NMSU board since the position was created by constitutional amendment in 1994, Russell "has set the standard for student regents," Conroy said. "She has a remarkable maturity of judgment and a tremendous ability to work with other members of the board and still maintain her own point of view."

Appointments to the five-member NMSU Board of Regents are made by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The student regent serves a two-year term and the other members of the board are appointed for six-year terms.

Faubion was first appointed to the board by Republican Gov. Garrey Carruthers and then reappointed to a second six-year term by Democratic Gov. Bruce King. He has served as secretary-treasurer, vice president and president of the Board of Regents, and in 1992 was given the title of president emeritus in recognition of his distinguished service.

A graduate of Tucumcari High School, Faubion served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II. He came to NMSU on the GI Bill after the war and earned a degree in range management.

Russell was student body president and valedictorian at Eunice High School. She received her bachelor's degree in biochemistry at NMSU in May 1997 and expects to receive her master's in molecular biology in May 1999. She is interested in medical research.

Karl Hill

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