SENATE MEMORIAL 53
54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020
INTRODUCED BY
Pete Campos
A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 13, 2020 "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, particularly northern New Mexico, since 1893; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university serves nearly four thousand students each year 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 and beyond its borders, 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 college 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, guided by a vibrant alumni association board of directors; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has welcomed its first cohort of master of fine arts students in media arts and technology, has instituted a new alternative teacher certification program designed to fast track teacher licensure and has initiated a professional development school, the school of education, which collaborates with the Los Alamos national laboratory and Pojoaque Valley public school district; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university recently had a banner year in athletics with its men's basketball team winning the Rocky Mountain athletic conference championship, Annie Topal of the highlands track and field team winning the national collegiate athletic association division II national championship in the triple jump while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and the Vatos rugby club winning its third national championship in the national small college rugby organization sevens championship; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university launched its Mariachi Vaqueros de Highlands musical ensemble, initiated an e-sports program and saw continued improvement in student life, with highly successful events on campus, along with numerous theater and music events and high usage of the student outdoor recreation center; 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 nine percent enrolled Native-American students; 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 13, 2020 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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