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.
