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Culture

Author Layla Saad on combating white supremacy

Loreena Cain | February 2

Layla Saad, author of “Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World and Become a Good Ancestor” visited Bookworks in Albuquerque as a stop on her national book tour. The Jan. 31 event filled the small store, leaving only standing room after the chairs were filled. Saad spoke not only about her book but about racism and how it appears especially in liberal white women.

Culture

Sorority celebrates 100 years

Beatrice Nisoli | January 29

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., an internationally renowned and historically black Greek-lettered sorority, recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary on Jan. 16. The sorority was first founded on Howard University’s campus in response to the want for a sister chapter to the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and an overall desire to champion educational and service-based pursuits for the black community. Since its historical conception with only five female founders, Zeta Phi Beta has grown considerably while celebrating significant firsts; for example, the sorority was the first to charter a chapter in Africa.

Culture

Board of Regents seeks community input in new UNM seal selection

Beatrice Nisoli | January 29

The University of New Mexico is changing its seal from the current interim design, but this time, the school is seeking input from its student and alumni population. Prior to 2016, protests arose — primarily from Native American student groups such as Kiva Club and The Red Nation — regarding the previous seal, which featured a conquistador brandishing a sword and a rifle-carrying frontiersman. Many students expressed discomfort with this seal due to New Mexico’s violent history that ensued from Spanish exploration. The discourse for a new seal culminated in the suspension of UNM’s previous seal in 2016. Shortly afterwards, the Board of Regents passed a resolution directing the Provost to formulate a committee for designing and selecting a new University seal. In the meantime, an interim seal with the University’s name and founding date was and is being utilized.

Culture

History professor commissioned to paint mural on history of IT in NM

Daniel Ward | January 26

Information technology (IT) is a large component to the development of our future, but the perseverance and understanding of its history is equally important for societal improvement. University of New Mexico History Professor Taylor Spence is helping to share the connection between IT and History through his mural “Can You Hear I.T.?” The mural project first started taking root in the summer, 2019 when Associate Provost Pamela Cheek recommended Spence as a prime candidate to paint a mural for the IT department. “I knew that Dr. Spence had been a professional muralist prior to arriving at UNM and that his work as a historian and teacher gave him insight into the UNM community,” Cheek said.

Culture

Star of Netflix's "You" talks at UNM about his Baha’i faith

Bianca Hoops | January 23

Penn Badgley, star of the Netflix series “You,” spoke at the Student Union Building Wednesday night about his faith in the Baha’i religion. The University of New Mexico Baha’i Association along with a variety of volunteers put together this event to draw in students to learn about the teachings of the Baha’i. Badgley was asked to come through a mutual friend of Stephen Morris, the President of the UNM Baha’i Association. He was not compensated for speaking at the event. The goal of the talk, the first in their spring series, was to get someone significant to speak about this religion to get students interested in Baha’i, Morris said.

Culture

Youth organization holds climate protest at Roundhouse

Justin Garcia | January 22

As the climate warms, the guillotine will fall on the necks of children. That was the message Youth United for Climate Action (YUCA) hoped New Mexico legislators derived from an elaborate demonstration outside the Roundhouse on the opening day of the 2020 session. “We need lawmakers to consider the impact of their decision on us, on indigenous communities on the frontlines, and on future generations,” high school seniors Seneca Johnston and Veroaylin Campos said to a crowd of supporters and onlookers.

Culture

NM Mother of the Year recognized for giving back

Beatrice Nisoli | January 22

Robin Brule, an Albuquerque resident and fellow Lobo, was named the 44th New Mexico Mother of the Year earlier this month. Her advocacy for mothers in the workplace, flexible balancing of her own professional and family life and her philanthropic contributions to her community earned her the nomination. Brule said she considers the title to be a “heartfelt, unexpected honor and privilege,” and that it reflects how honoring her own mother and supporting motherhood, in general, has been a consistent theme in her life.

Culture

New Taco Truck calls Red Door Brewery Home

Liz Pritchard | January 22

Mi Taco Su Taco is the latest addition to the Albuquerque food truck scene. On Jan. 17, the truck had its grand opening at the Red Door Brewery, showcasing its sweet and simple menu. “Today is our grand opening and business has been good for the day.” Owner Roman Martinez said. Martinez, 35, decided to open his food truck after becoming a first-generation college graduate from New Mexico State University.

Culture

One Hundred Years of UNM — 1920 vs. 2020

Makayla Grijalva and Alyssa Martinez | January 20

A lot has changed in the past 100 years since the roaring 1920s. The end of the first World War, the ratification of the 19th Amendment and the tuberculosis pandemic all culminated at the turn of the 20th century — and the University of New Mexico was no stranger to these growing pains. From a birds-eye lens, UNM’s governance landscape was not too far off from today — there were budget shortages, transplant leadership, constant construction, and athletic funding issues. However, only focusing on the similarities would be to erase the changes the University has made over the past century.

Culture

ASUNM Giving Tree provided gifts to local children

Lauren McDonald | January 12

Planned by Associated Students of the University of New Mexico Community Experience, this past Nov. 25 marked the start of the Annual Giving Tree that has been held for over ten years, on display in the Student Union Building. Candy canes decorated The Giving Tree. Volunteers of the community could pick one, then buy the gift written on the decoration, and bring them to the ASUNM office. Each cane had a specific donation request noted. The gifts were distributed to the local youth at the UNM Children’s Hospital, APS Title I Albuquerque charter schools, and Casa Q — a residential home for LGBTQ youth ages 14 to 17 years old.

Culture

Dannelle Kirvin graduating as beloved UNM student leader

Daniel Ward | December 8

As a first-generation college student, Dannelle Kirvin has made a huge impact on campus every year she has been at the University of New Mexico. Majoring in multimedia journalism with a minor in criminology, she came to UNM knowing exactly what she wanted with her heart set on making a difference and standing up for what's right. Kirven held a variety of different leadership positions — President of Zeta Phi Beta sorority and President of the Black Student Union (BSU). Since the fall of 2015, she held a work-study position in the computer lab of African American Student Services (AASS), but she recently started working there as a professional support intern.

Culture

New Nob Hill bookstore features unique titles

Makayla Grijalva | December 8

Tucked in the corner of the newly opened Little Bear And Stuff Retail Collaborative, colorful books speckle sand-colored bookshelves and light up the industrial space. Harvest Moon Books opened on Small Business Saturday — along with the rest of the retail collaborative — and has already seen customers browsing its unique literature collection. The small bookstore sells a variety of titles, both new and used, with a focus on people of color and indigenous and queer authors.

Culture

Graduating Daily Lobo staff look to outdoors in next chapter

Alex Hiett and Loreena Cain | December 8

The stresses of modern education and deadline anxieties are coming to an end, and three of the Daily Lobo’s own staff are looking forward to having time to spend enjoying the outdoors. Culture Editor Luisa Pennington, Sports Editor Alanie Rael, and Photographer and reporter Kristina Tanberg are three of the seniors departing from the University of New Mexico this week, diplomas in hand.

Culture

Carmen Carretero Martinez wants to give back to world through architecture

Alyssa Martinez | December 8

Carmen Carretero Martinez has always been “the different kid.” Born in Spain and anchored in Bioko Island for her early teen years, Carretero Martinez found fragments of ‘home’ in New Mexico during her time at the University of New Mexico, she said. The journey for the 19-year-old architecture graduate, however, was not without turbulence.

Culture

LARPing builds medieval community in ABQ

Alanie Rael and Andrea Solis | December 8

Heroic sword fights, champions dressed in handmade armor, assassins lurking through a battlefield. Actions of these sorts seem to be straight out of a medieval storybook, but for one Albuquerque community, these stories come to life through live-action role-play — or more popularly known as LARPing. Every Saturday, non-profit group Amtgard of Albuquerque - Pegasus Valley, takes to Taylor Park to engage in medieval battle games that consist of combat weapons made of foam to replicate swords, daggers, arrows and other feudal weapons.

Culture

Local designer brings a unique look to recycled clothing

Amanda Britt | December 1

You may have seen him around the university, but have you seen his style? HappyxLoco, a fashion and clothing community lifestyle created by local artist and designer Jeremy Salazar brings a unique and innovative way to wear recycled clothing and support a sustainable clothing brand.

Culture

NUTmobile stops at UNM

Daniel Ward | December 1

Instead of going nuts and stressing over classes, students were able to have a more enjoyable crunch time by snacking on some deluxe mixed nuts when the Planters NUTmobile visited the University of New Mexico. The massive peanut-shaped bus rolled onto Smith Plaza at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. Mr. Peanut took photos with students while two brand ambassadors were handing out Planters stickers and bags of nuts.

Culture

Water, remixes and master printers: Upcoming art exhibits

Megan Holman | November 24

The University of New Mexico is home to numerous undergraduate fine arts programs, masters of fine arts programs and a large collection of various types of art. Year-round there is at least one art exhibit up for viewing — if not more.

Culture

Dogs in dorms, cats on campus

Daniel Ward | November 24

There is just something about dogs that brings joy and happiness to the people around them. Luckily for students at the University of New Mexico, the campus is a popular place to walk them. Aluna is a two-year-old staffer terrier mix. She has short hair with black fur on her back and white hair on her snout and legs. Serving as a therapy dog for Latin American studies junior Lisette Camarillo, they go on walks about four times a day.

Culture

Arts & Culture issue: LGBT clubs on campus

Beatrice Nisoli | November 24

Thousands of people across the state identify as LGBT, according to a 2017 Gallup poll. Students at the University of New Mexico have created a number of safe spaces where these titles of ‘gay’ and ‘student’ can intersect. Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) were founded in 2018. Jennifer Restrepo, a Junior majoring in Chemical Engineering, was one of the groups original founders. The club has grown significantly since then, with Restrepo acting as the club’s current President.