SENATE MEMORIAL 43

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DANIEL H. LOPEZ, PH.D.

     WHEREAS, after a stellar career of exemplary public service, Daniel H. Lopez, Ph.D., will retire in 2016 as the longest-serving president of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan, as he is fondly known, is one of twelve siblings raised on a farm and ranch in the small community of Puerto de Luna, New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan appreciated the upbringing his parents provided and the love and support they gave him; and

     WHEREAS, as a young man, Dr. Dan recognized that education would pave the path to a lifetime of opportunity; and

     WHEREAS, early on, Dr. Dan chose a course of study tied to governmental financial and administrative issues, primarily in the public sectors of state government and higher education; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1970 and master of arts degree in political science in 1972 from the university of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, military duty delayed Dr. Dan's graduation from the university of New Mexico until 1982, when he was awarded a doctor of philosophy in political science; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of labor in Washington, D.C., provided Dr. Dan with leadership training and served as an early training ground for a man who is known for his championing of educational opportunities for minorities; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan served as the executive director for the New Mexico state advisory council on vocational-technical education from 1973 to 1982; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan has led a distinguished career in public service in two key cabinet positions under Governor Toney Anaya; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan was secretary of the employment security department from 1983 to 1984 and secretary of finance and administration from 1984 to 1986; and

     WHEREAS, in August 1987, Dr. Dan began his distinguished career with the New Mexico institute of mining and technology as associate and deputy director of the terminal effects research and analysis (TERA) group; and

     WHEREAS, from 1989 to 1993, Dr. Dan served as the vice president for institutional development at the New Mexico institute of mining and technology; and

     WHEREAS, in July 1993, Dr. Dan was named president of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology, a position he will have held for twenty-three years at the time of his retirement; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan also served as chief of staff of the senate finance committee and as senior staff analyst of the house appropriations and finance committee during legislative sessions from 1987 to March 1993; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan was named president of the New Mexico council of university presidents from 1993 to the present; and

     WHEREAS, during his tenure at the New Mexico institute of mining and technology, Dr. Dan served on numerous committees of higher education and other organizations; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan has received many awards and honors, including the Pete Porter lifetime achievement award from the New Mexico oil and gas association and the Vanguard award of the Hispanic engineer national achievement awards; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Dan leaves a rich legacy of success at the New Mexico institute of mining and technology for improved student services and scholarship support; and

     WHEREAS, in his retirement, Dr. Dan and his wife, Linda, plan to enjoy travel with family and friends;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition and congratulations be extended to Dr. Daniel H. Lopez on his retirement and for his dedication to excellence in education and his leadership at the New Mexico institute of mining and technology; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Daniel H. Lopez, Ph.D.

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