SENATE MEMORIAL 72

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 17, 2017 "NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has been an important educational, cultural, social and economic asset in New Mexico and particularly northern New Mexico since 1893; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university serves nearly four thousand students and has nearly five hundred fifty employees at the school's main campus and centers; and

     WHEREAS, the vision of New Mexico highlands university is to be a premier university, transforming lives and communities now and for generations to come; and

     WHEREAS, the core values of New Mexico highlands university are excellence, diversity, accessibility and responsiveness; and

     WHEREAS, the priorities of New Mexico highlands university are: academic excellence, academic integration and student success; strategic enrollment management; vibrant campus and university life; community partnerships; technological advancement and innovation; and enhanced communication and efficiency across the university; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university effectively serves students across the state, online and on its campuses and centers in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Farmington, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and Roswell; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university educates many first-generation students, transforming their lives and the lives of their families and future generations; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has many active alumni, representing every state and many countries, and seeks to effectively reach out to all alumni through the establishment of a vibrant alumni association board of directors; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university is home to the vatos rugby team, a club sport team that won back-to-back national championship titles in 2015 and 2016 at the national small college rugby organization's seven-on-seven tournaments; and

     WHEREAS, the vatos rugby team has won eighty percent of its matches in the team's twenty-five-year history, and graduated eighty percent of its players from New Mexico highlands university; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dick Greene of New Mexico highlands university has been selected from among the best scientists in the nation as a Jefferson science fellow by the national academies of science, engineering and medicine, and will work with the United States agency for international development; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university awarded over five million seven hundred thousand dollars ($5,700,000) in scholarships and grants to students during the 2015-2016 academic cycle; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university is a Hispanic-serving institution, with more than fifty percent enrolled Hispanic students, and strives to be a Native American-serving institution, with nearly eight percent enrolled Native American students; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has been awarded about fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) in grants since 2015; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university welcomes students from northern New Mexico, all of New Mexico, the United States and the world;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 17, 2017 be declared "New Mexico Highlands University Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico highlands university be commended for its service and dedication to the residents of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the president of New Mexico highlands university.

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