NMSU-A News
Engineering Classes Offered
December 15, 2008
Good engineers are always in demand and can find a job even in times of economic downturns. At a recent Society of Women Engineers‘ national conference, hundreds of companies were accepting applications and resumes for engineering positions. One company alone was hoping to hire 1,000 engineers.
NMSU-A is in the intermediate stages of setting up a course matrix for an Associate of Science Degree in General Engineering. Our goal is for students to complete the first two years of an engineering degree in Alamogordo, then transfer to one of the four-year universities to complete the bachelor’s degree. The basic course offerings offered at NMSU-A will satisfy the requirements for any engineering degree.
During Spring Semester 2009, we will offer two beginning classes: DRFT 109, Computer Aided Drafting, and ENGR 100, Introduction to Engineering. The two classes have no prerequisites, so they are open to any student who is looking at the possibility of studying engineering.
DRFT 109 is a drafting class that uses AutoCad 2009 software. There are two sections of the class, each section will be taught by an instructor who uses AutoCad in his workplace. ENGR 100 will introduce students to four basic areas of engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical. The students will work on four projects and discover basic engineering principles. If you have ever watched “Myth Busters,” you will have an idea of the type of projects students will be completing. One of the first projects will be a trebuchet–a large catapult which will be built and tested to see which object will fly the furthest. Does “Punkin Chunkin” also sound familiar? If so, you know students who enroll in ENGR 100 will have lots of fun learning about the fundamentals of engineering!
Certainly, engineering degrees are academically rigorous. For example, after a student completes Math 191–Trig-based Calculus I–he or she should take Physics 215, Engineering Physics I. When a student decides for sure that engineering is for them, the faculty and staff at NMSU-A will assist students find summer internships with companies throughout the United States.
The United States needs more engineers. In Alamogordo, we have many talented people who have the ability and interest to become engineers. So why not enroll in one or two of beginning the classes–ENGR 100 and DRFT 109—and find out if your niche is in the engineering world.
An Evening of “Originals”
December 5, 2008
NMSU-A acting students will be showcased in an “Evening of Original Scripts” on December 12 at 7 pm at the Rohovec Fine Arts Center.
The program, which serves as the final exam presentation for the students in THTR 105 (Acting for Non-Majors) and THTR 110 (Acting I), consists of four short scripts written by instructor Connie Breding which are designed to give the students the experience of acting in front of an audience under performance conditions (lights, makeup, costumes, minimal scenery and props).
The students have been working on the scripts for about three weeks, using class time to rehearse and practice performance techniques. According to Breding, the areas where the students need to demonstrate expertise are in vocal projection, line memorization, awareness of working on a proscenium stage, and characterization. “If the students can do well on these requirements, I will be very happy with their knowledge of basic acting fundamentals.”
Acting students cast in “I’m the Director” include Ryan Butson, Will Urick, Val Isleib, Ben Vandergriff, Roger Ashley, and Jessica Munoz.
Kimberly Menafee, Matt Leigers, Jacob McWilliams, Jessica Munoz, and Larry Robbins are the actors in “At the Park.”
“Paradise Café” features Jessica Brooks, Kobi Weaver, Heather Coley, and Miles Thomas.
Patrick Vandergriff, Roger Ashley, Diane Boubede, James Perkins, Jenn Gonzales, and Miles Thomas are in “Parole Bored.”
In addition to the plays presented by the acting classes, the evening will also include the performance of “Who Stole the Shoes from the Old Log Cabin,” written by Josephine Fanta, winner of the 2008 Theatre Guild High School Playwriting Contest.
Directed by Playwriting Contest Coordinator Larisa Hoke, the cast includes Cliff Reisig, Chris Hurt, Nancy Hoke, Malachi Holmes, Carlos Aranda, Justin Colbert, Josephine Fanta, and Hoke.
The students in THTR 244 (Stage Makeup) will be assisting with makeup for all plays, while lighting is provided by Roland Mansfield.
“An Evening of Originals” in open to the public, and while there is no admission charge, there will be a cash donation taken for COPE.
For more information, call Diana at 439-3670.
NMSU-A Crimson Day 2008
November 6, 2008
On October 30th, the Alamogordo campus of NMSU celebrated its 4th annual Crimson Day. The celebration began with a 50th Anniversary reception where Dr. Townsend entertained with some interesting stories of NMSU-A’s past.
Later, the front lawn came alive with music, games, prize drawings, and food to celebrate the upcoming NMSU Aggies Homecoming game with the Boise State Broncos.
Of the many students, faculty, staff, and special guests in attendance, NMSU’s Pistol Pete and some NMSU Cheerleaders kept spirits high. There was also a special crimson “Go Aggies” truck on display decked out with Aggie logos and slogans, provided by Desert Sun Motors.
One of the special attractions was a fifties costume contest, sponsored by the Townsend Library staff, in observance of NMSU-A’s 50th Anniversary. NMSU-A student organizations sponsored a variety of games, two with a fifties ‘flavor’, hoola-hoop and limbo. Burt Broadcasting provided the music for the celebration.
One of the high points of Crimson Day is the “Toast to the Aggies” led by campus President, Cheri Jimeno.
As a preliminary to the Crimson Day celebration, the non-exempt consortium sponsored a door decorating contest with the theme: NMSU-A Celebrating 50 Years/We Are Aggies, Too. The judges were Linda Carr, Principal at Academy del Sol, Mayor Steve Brockett, and Alamogordo Foundation member Remick Ham.
“The Nerd” Opens November 7th
November 5, 2008
This Friday, November 7, the curtain goes up at 7:30 pm on THE NERD, a hit comedy by Larry Shue, at the Rohovec Fine Arts Center on the NMSU-A campus. Subsequent performances are on November 8, 14, and 15th at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, November 16, at 2:00 pm.
See pictures of the cast!
The play’s amusing plot revolves around Willum Cubbert, an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Indiana, whose life was saved when he was rescued by an unknown Army recruit named Rick Steadman during the Kuwait war. Although Cubbert owes his life to the heroic battlefield efforts of Steadman, the two have never had a chance to meet. Then one day Cubbert checks the messages on his telephone answering machine and is surprised and elated to discover that Steadman will be paying him a visit. But when Steadman shows up on Cubbert’s door step, Cubbert’s life plunges into a tailspin as Steadman tests Cubbert’s patience by becoming “the guest from hell.”
Eulogy for Lowery Davis
October 24, 2008
Lowery H. Davis, former dean of the New Mexico State University College of Human and Community Services, now the College of Health and Social Services, passed away in Las Cruces October 4th at the age of 87. According to many NMSU Alamogordo Faculty & Staff, Lowery was a consistent and effective supporter of NMSU-A during his tenure. For a NMSU Communications Release on Dean Davis, please see: NMSU remembers first dean of College of Human and Community Services.
Dr. David Townsend presented a eulogy for Lowery Davis on October 9th. Here it is in full:
EULOGY for LOWERY DAVIS
Delivered by David Townsend
October 9, 2008
Several years ago, Lowery called me in Alamogordo and, serious, as only Lowery could be, asked if I would do a eulogy at his funeral. Equally seriously, I told him I had a very crowded calendar and what date did he have in mind? Lowery, very serious by this time, told me I would never amount to anything because I could not get serious. I agreed to do the eulogy because there is no graceful way to decline. Besides, I loved Lowery Davis and was honored by the request, hoping this day would never come, but it has.
Read more
Spring Schedule Available Online
October 23, 2008
The NMSU-A Spring 2009 Class Schedule is now available online!
- Spring 2009 Class Schedule (PDF, 1.7 MB)
The printed edition should be available by Monday, October 27th.
More Nursing Scholarships Awarded
October 3, 2008
The Dorothy K. Talbert Nursing Scholarship was awarded to Raelynn Johnson This nursing scholarship was established by Mary and Bill Moore in 2005 to honor Mrs. Talbert’s many years of dedicated service to nursing. It pays $1500 each semester for each of the four semesters leading to an Associate Degree in Nursing.
A third nursing scholarship awarded this fall at NMSU-A was the Karyl M. Smith Nursing Scholarship which is awarded to a 3rd or 4th semester nursing student who meets the eligibility requirements. It awards $1000 based on academic excellence and financial need and $500 based on academic excellence alone. This year’s recipient is Cheryl Sloane-Rodgers (no photo available).
Students Receive Conference Stipend
September 25, 2008
Eleven NMSU-A Students have received stipends worth a total of $600 to attend the New Mexico Alliance for Minority Conference in Las Cruces the weekend of October 4th. For more information on the conference, please see the following NMSU webpage: http://www.nmsu.edu/~nmamp/conference/. The students receiving the stipend are:
- Mika Myers
- Karri Roberts-Allen
- Amanda Towry
- Krista Martin
- Felly Montelya
- Ashley Cosgray
- Thomas Sandoval
- Jessie Nichols
- Brian F. Nowlen
- Christopher Herrera
- Emmanuel Obi
Felly Montelya will also be presenting her research from the Summer and Jennifer Smith and Vince Lombrana will also be attending and coordinating NMSU-A attendees.
Students Receive Nursing Scholarship
September 18, 2008
Four New Mexico State University Alamogordo students were chosen to be recipients of the George E. Fettinger Endowed Nursing Scholarship in the amount of $1,225 each for the 2008-2009 school year. This scholarship was established in 2006 by Mrs. Nell Fettinger in memory of her husband, George E. Fettinger, to provide assistance for educational expenses to students in the nursing program. Pictured left to right: Casey Hillis, 3rd semester nursing student; Stephanie Brown, 2nd semester nursing student; Mrs. Nell Fettinger, donor; Jennifer Meyer, 2nd semester nursing student; and Jared Felton, 4th semester nursing student.
2008 Factbook Available
September 16, 2008
The 2008 NMSU-A Factbook is now available.
- 2008 Factbook (PDF, 2.6 MB)
To see previous factbooks please go to the NMSU-A Factbook web page.
