Class of 1962

A New Decade at UNM!

Fifty years ago, the West Mesa was devoid of people, and only a few houses could be found in the foothills. On campus, new buildings were popping up to meet the needs of an ever-growing student body. Many classes were held in the university's oldest building, Hodgin Hall, now the UNM Alumni Center but preparations were being made to build a new Education Building. The Alumni Memorial Chapel was dedicated to honor UNM alumni fallen soldiers. The football team played their home season in the year old 30,000-seat University Stadium under head coach, Tom Weeks.

Throughout their college years, the class of 1962 studied under the best. Under the watchful eye of President Tom L. Popejoy, the many favorites they recall were Martin Fleck, Biology; Bainbridge Bunting, Art; Arthur Steger, Math; Willis Jacobs, English; Josiah Russell, History; Morton Schoenfeld and John Batcheller, Music; Morris Freedman and Katherine Simons, English; William Fiedler and George Baker, Pharmacy; Miles Zintz, Education; and Frank Hibben, Anthropology. Dean of Women, Helen Whiteside, and Dean of Men, Howard Mathany, stayed busy overseeing an active student life on campus.

When they weren’t studying, class members “met” at Okie Joe’s or took in a movie at the Sunshine, Kimo, State, or Lobo theater. Linden Knighten served as Student Body President. Sali Barnett was crowned Homecoming Queen with attendants, Fran Fuller and Patty Gary. Mary Teague and Ron Beaird served as Fiesta Queen and King, while ROTC and Engineering held balls and recognized many more beauty queens. Athletics joined a new conference known as the Western Athletic Conference.

Today, all would agree with the comment of a former golden graduate, “I received a first class education that has stood me in good stead for half a century.”