News & Events
Welcome, President Schmidly!
UNM President David Schmidly officially began his tenure on June 1. On the morning of June 8, he presented his plan of action for his first 125 days, focused upon students. The Alumni Association welcomed President Schmidly and his wife, Janet, to the university at a reception that evening on the banks of the Rio Grande. The couple were presented with Lobo jackets and Dr. Schmidly, with a silver and cherry Lobo wig! He says to expect to see him wearing it at the first Lobo home football game, September 8, against New Mexico State.
Welcome, New Board Members and President Lillian Montoya-Real!
On June 8, the UNM Alumni Association and Board of Directors had the pleasure of thanking all our alumni volunteers for their dedication and of cheering for Lillian Montoya-Real, '89 BA, '98 MBA, as she received the gavel from outgoing Alumni Association President Roberto Ortega. Lillian is community relations director at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Nine new members have joined the board to replace out going members Gig Brumell, Michael Gallegos, Michelle Hernandez, Joel Jones, Lori Murphy, Mario Ortiz, and Betty Sabo.
Learn more about our new board members
UNM Alumni Association Board 2007-2008
NM State Legislators Honored
At our June 8 reception, the Alumni Association and its Lobos for Legislation committee honored New Mexico Senators Shannon Robinson, '71 BA, '74 JD, and Sue Wilson Beffort for extraordinary contributions to UNM during the past legislative session. Each was given a $500 UNM scholarship to award to a student of his or her choice. New Mexico Senator Leonard Lee Rawson and Representatives Luciano "Lucky" Varela and Daniel Silva were also recognized for their 20-plus years of dedicated public service that has made a difference to the lives of all New Mexicans. Each received a brick engraved with his name; an identical brick will be placed in the Hodgin Hall walkway.
Congratulations, New Alumni!
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| Congratulations, Kim! Kim Feldman, an associate director of the UNM Alumni Association, received her EdD from UNM this spring. |
Approximately 3,500 graduates automatically became members of the UNM Alumni Association as they graduated on May 12. Standing out in the sea of mortarboards was our own Kim Feldman, UNM Alumni Association associate director. Kim received an EdD degree with honors. Congratulations, Kim!
Happy Birthday! Campus Institutions Celebrate
The UNM campus shows off its diverse offerings this month as several of our beloved institutions celebrate milestone birthdays. The Johnson Center recreational facility turns 50, the UNM Law School is celebrating its 60th anniversary and the esteemed Maxwell Museum of Anthropology turns 75. Visit their Web sites to learn more.
Young Alumni Spring Storm 2007
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| Hoes Down! Young alumni take a break from their gardening during their Spring Storm community service project. |
Kudos to the UNM Young Alumni members who participated in this year's Spring Storm (see right) community service event by planting trees and plants at a local library. Spring Storm is an annual campus-wide, one-day community service event, held this year on April 21.
Other Young Alumni events planned for the spring and summer include a whitewater rafting adventure and volleyball tournament. Sort the Events Calendar by Young Alumni to see all upcoming events.
Alumni Homebuilders
On March 31, the door opened to a new home for the Marrufo family of southwest Albuquerque. Built by Habitat for Humanity, the house was made possible partially because of donations from the UNM Alumni Albuquerque chapter, UNM Student Lettermen, and individual alumni
around the country. Thanks to all involved in this happy endeavor!
Thank You, Albuquerque Museum
The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History recently hosted the UNM Alumni Association for our annual one-day staff retreat. The next time you are near Old Town, explore the museum's collection of art of the Southwest and 400 years of Albuquerque history.
Lobos Take Field, Pool, and Court
The Mighty 24! Lobo Women's Rugby at the Final Four
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| Rugby Rules: The Lobo women's team played in rugby's Final Four this spring. Photo: Anthony Conforti |
The UNM Lobo Women's Rugby Team went to the Final Four USA Collegiate Rugby National Championships this April, 2007.
The Lobos had won the Western Rugby Football Championships by beating Colorado, Colorado State, and finally Texas A & M in one weekend in March. The Lobo women then went on to Penn State and beat California, Santa Barbara and the US Naval Academy to earn the right to play in the Final Four Tournament.
Lobo women's rugby is like a sweeper sport for UNM in that we provide intercollegiate competition for New Mexico girls who graduate with a solid sports background from our New Mexico high schools. Although the team is not NCAA we get a lot of assistance from the UNM President's Office.
UNM players Sydney Forestal and Jillion Potter will play for the USA Under 23 National Team this summer when the USA team tours New Zealand.
Any contributions to help UNM Lobo Rugby Team can be sent to the UNM Foundation on our behalf.
Go Lobos! Thank you, UNM alumni!
Shannon Robinson, UNM Lobo Rugby Coach
Water Polo Alumni–the Lobo 50s–In the Swim Again!
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| Polo Powerhouse: Former Lobo water polo players reunited to participate in the National Masters Tournament this summer. Front row (from left): Ken Cheever, Rick Klatt, Michael Mann, Bob Muehlenweg, Steve Blankenship, Kurt Baca, Brian Patno. Back row: John Mechem, Mike Hickerson, TR Lundquist, Bob Supple, Tom Daulton. |
New alumni may not know that UNM once had a water polo team. But for four shining years–from 1973 through 1976–the Lobo water polo team held varsity status (after starting as a club in 1969). In 1975 they placed fifth in the country.
June 8-10, many of those same players came together for the second year in a row to participate in the National Masters Open Water Polo Championships. The "Lobo 50s" competed in the 50-54 age group at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California. Former UNM swimmer and coach Rick Klatt coached the team.
The Lobo 50s played their first two games against the teams who would place first and second in the tournament. Tough start! But the Lobo 50s won their third game, and held their own in the fourth. Most importantly, they had fun.
Five of the seven teams in the tournament practice together year-round, an advantage the Lobos don't have! Many of the swimmers had just returned to swimming last year after a 30+ year hiatus. Water polo requires extreme endurance. As team member Tom Daulton, '77 BBA, BBS, says, "When you tread water, you're resting!"
Former Tennis Players to Team Up for Fall Fun
Former Lobo tennis players–men and women–are planning a reunion September 6-8. Plans include the Hall of Honor dinner on Thursday, fun stuff on Friday, and a tailgate and the UNM-Aggie football game on Saturday. Contact coaches Alan Dils (aldils@unm.edu) or Kathy Kolankiewiecz (kathykolan@aol.com) for more information.
On–and off–the Slopes: Brooks Retires
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| Mountain Mogul: George Brooks looks to the future after 37 years of coaching Lobo skiers. Photo: Steven St. John/Albuquerque Tribune |
Head ski coach George Brooks, '71 BUS, '80 MSPE, (gbrooks@unm.edu) retired this spring after 37 years and UNM's first NCAA championship (2004). George skied for the Lobos as a student, when he was instrumental in changing Lobo skiing from club to varsity status. More than 200 alumni, students, and colleagues surprised him with a party this spring at the Albuquerque Hilton.
Checkpoint: Mark your calendars for the UNM Athletic Hall of Honor on Thursday, September 6 at the SUB. Watch for more information in the next issue of The Howler.