Feature
Reflections
After nearly 20 years as executive director of the Alumni Association, I am still inspired by you, the alumni of the University of New Mexico.
It's a privilege to know you, and to know of you through your stories in Mirage and The Howler. An alumni association assumes a connection that others are unable to assume, and I consider that a privilege. There are more than 120,000 of you out there with the UNM experience imprinted upon you; you share that experience to varying degrees with all those you're in contact with. So, you see, UNM alumni have a wide sphere of influence!
More than tell you how much I appreciate you, I want to share with you my thoughts about the university today.
There is a sense of being on the verge of great change here—all for the better of UNM students. I feel like the university is coming into its own, establishing its place in New Mexico, and in higher education at large. It is unique in its commitment to both diversity and research. Its stellar programs are beginning, finally, to get the recognition they deserve. And we are bringing together all of New Mexico's resources—from our fine young people to our national labs—to make the university and New Mexico better.
It's great to hear our university leadership articulating our story. President Schmidly understands our uniqueness and even greatness. I listen to him list our "bests" (such as our top-ranked cancer center, our success in achieving diversity, and our nationally renowned fine arts photography program), and think to myself, "Yes!" Obviously, it doesn't take much to evoke an alumni director's enthusiasm, but I believe the majority of President Schmidly's audiences respond the same way.
Critical to our own efforts in the Alumni Association, I also believe that President and Mrs. Schmidly understand the importance of alumni support and input. The Schmidlys are genuinely eager to meet and hear from you. I'm encouraged that our Alumni Center and our many programs will flourish under President Schmidly's administration.
At year's end, I find myself reflecting upon the university's good fortune—and mine in representing its alumni. And I look forward to exciting times ahead.
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Karen Abraham
Executive Director, UNM Alumni Association
UNM Associate Vice President-Alumni