Culture - The Daily Lobo

News

Grad Issue: Logan Jones attributes leadership and teamwork skills to ROTC

Ludella Awad | December 11

As Logan Jones nears the end of his time in college, he will begin a new journey as an officer in the United States Air Force. Logan Jones will be graduating on Dec. 16, 2017 from The University of New Mexico, receiving his bachelor's in exercise science. He joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Air Force program his second semester at UNM, a program he participated in throughout his time at the University. After Jones graduates, he will join his wife as an officer in the Air Force next month.

Cassidy Gardner will graduate with a bachelor?s in business administration with a concentration in international management. She is currently pursuing work experience within the fields of communications, public relations and technology, with the hopes to transition one day into assisting humanitarian organizations, such as the Peace Corps.

News

Grad Issue: Cassidy Gardner has big plans after business school

Nichole Harwood | December 11

Cassidy Gardner’s experience at the University of New Mexico has been pretty phenomenal, giving her the necessary knowledge to pursue her dreams past college, she said. Gardner was a study abroad student, in addition to her time at UNM Main Campus, and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in business and international management. “UNM is a really great University, especially for business,” Gardner said. “(The Anderson School of Management is) very difficult but worth it, if you will to be able to get a degree from such a well known institution.” Gardner studied abroad in Brazil for six months in 2016, one of the most impactful experiences she had as a student, she said.

News

Grad Issue: Vanessa Espinoza hopes to take photojournalism to the next level

Austin Tyra | December 11

First-generation college students face unique challenges — challenges that soon-to-be graduate Vanessa Espinoza can relate to. Espinoza is originally from El Paso, Texas, and the challenges she faced are likely experiences many students enrolled at the University of New Mexico may relate to. Being the first in her family to attend a four-year institution, the lack of experience and knowledge about attending college proved to be challenging. Nonetheless, Espinoza persevered and began her undergraduate career as a dental hygiene major. But she said that she eventually discovered the discipline left her uninspired, and she decided to change majors.

Alison De La Concepcion is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in family studies while minoring in psychology. She plans to pursue her master?s in counseling, with possible focuses in mental health, rehabilitation or couple and family therapy.

News

Grad Issue: Alison De la Concepcion finds triumph in tragedy

Brendon Gray | December 11

A few years ago, Alison De la Concepcion was not even planning on going to college. Now, she is graduating with a degree in family studies and looking toward a master’s program. Her journey was not easy. Raised in a military family, De la Concepcion travelled across the country throughout her young life. She heard of the University of New Mexico for the first time when her father received a deployment in Albuquerque, but she was hesitant to enroll. “At first, I didn’t want to go to college. I was against it,” she said.

News

Grad Issue: Kelly Urvanejo is grateful for her experience, while embracing the future

Gerardo Archundia S. | December 11

Editor's Note: As part of our graduation issue, we would also like to acknowledge the staff at the Daily Lobo who are graduating this semester. Kelly Urvanejo is currently the crime beat reporter at the Daily Lobo. She has been working with us since Spring 2017. Her hard work and talent will be missed as she graduates this semester.

News

Grad Issue: Sabrina Romero overcomes homesickness, financial troubles and other challenges

Shubham Chadha | December 10

In many ways, Sabrina Romero represents the struggle of every rural student at a large university. However, it is the way she overcame these challenges that makes her impact significant and her experiences unique. Romero grew up in Clovis, New Mexico, where she developed a close relationship with her mother and her little brother. After graduating from Clovis High School, Romero was eager seek the city lifestyle and broaden her experiences by attending UNM to pursue a degree in business administration.

News

Grad Issue: UNM helped Drew Morrow mature as an artist

Kyle Land | December 10

For any aspiring artist, being in an environment that nurtures one’s creativity is an absolute necessity. For graduating senior Drew Morrow , the atmosphere of the University of New Mexico has helped him mature as an artist in a variety of ways. Morrow is a studio art major, who primarily prefers paint as his medium. “I kind of do more abstract work, because I have a hard time with figures,” Morrow said. “I do like to do live drawing and figure drawing as well, but I like to focus on more organic and free-form (pieces).”

Double major Michael Marquez is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and another in history. Marquez currently leads the UNM Sierra Club Student Coalition, a group that advocates for long-lasting approaches to protecting public and wild lands. He says he is driven to continue his work after graduation to help create meaningful relationships with communities in New Mexico to ensure a better future.

News

Grad Issue: From high-school dropout to college graduate

Kelly Urvanejo | December 10

At 17-years-old, Michael Marquez dropped out of high school after a guidance counselor suggested that he would be better off if he just went to work instead of continuing his education. But he has advice for anyone who has been in a similar situation: “Dropping out of high school is not the end of the world. You didn’t ruin your life,” Marquez said. Being from San Juan County, Marquez said that everyone around him probably expected him to work in the oil mines, but he had a different goal in mind.

Lobo senior goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu, autographs a cap following a game against the University of Denver Pioneers on Oct. 25, 2017. The game ended in a 0-0 draw and included two overtime periods.

News

Grad Issue: Beaulieu reflects on his time at UNM

Cameron Goeldner | December 10

Jason Beaulieu just wanted to win. That, according to the Lobos’ senior goalkeeper and soon-to-be Fall 2017 graduate, is the main reason he decided to come to New Mexico. “Really it’s because they made it to the final four the year I was recruited, and I wanted the best soccer school I could find,” Beaulieu said. "It was hard to find better than that. I didn’t know much about the NCAA and the powerhouses and the good programs. I didn’t know much. Just the fact that they made it far, and they have such good players that made it pro every year, so I decided to come to the best program.”

Julieann Lopez stands near Hodgin Hall. She will be receiving her Bachelor of Science in exercise science and a minor in psychology.

News

Grad Issue: Julieann Lopez looks forward to next chapter in life

Nichole Harwood | December 10

Julieann Lopez looks back on her positive experiences at the University of New Mexico as she approaches graduation day. This week, she will be earning her Bachelor of Science in exercise science and minor in psychology. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and my interests for the future. I’ve made many lifelong friends while at UNM, and I’m very thankful for my opportunity to come to school here,” Lopez said. Of her experiences, Lopez’ internship seems to stand out the most for her.

News

Grad Issue: UNM helps shy student break out of shell

Robert Maler | December 10

Many students are often apprehensive — sometimes even shy or introverted — when they begin their college career, but those are often the ones that have the greatest potential to grow as well. Elizabeth “Eli” Laydon is graduating with a degree in psychology and has big plans for her future. She said she has always been interested in how the mind and body work, and she hopes to end up working as a homicide detective or forensic psychologist.

Johnny Ngo is graduating with his bachelor’s in communications and law with a minor in technical and professional writing. He aspires to work in the Department of Justice within the Drug Enforcement Administration, working closely with the board of pharmacy.

News

Grad Issue: Johnny Ngo proud to be first in family to graduate

Nichole Harwood | December 10

As Johnny Ngo prepares to leave the University of New Mexico behind, his experiences will remain with him. “I've met a lot of prodigious advisors, professors and students, which made my time at the University memorable. Some courses and experiences that really opened up my mind were taking a class on curanderismo with Dr. Cheo Torres, a gender and communication (course) with Dr. Shinsuke Eguchi and various rhetoric courses with Dr. Michelle Kells,” Ngo said. He will earn a bachelor's degree in communications and law with a minor in technical and professional writing for the Fall 2017 semester.

Joseph DiVincenzo will receive his Bachelor?s of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting this semester. His love of numbers has been a driving force to pursue a career locally, as a certified public accountant, he says.

News

Grad Issue: Joseph DiVincenzo proves it's never too late to finish school

Tom Hanlon | December 10

Joseph DiVincenzo is the self-described poster child for why it is never too late to go back to school. DiVincenzo, 48, is about to receive his bachelor’s degree in accounting. After a long journey of working at restaurants, call centers and taking a few college-level classes before deciding to earn a degree in accounting, he reflected on his choice to go to college at a non-traditional time in his life. “I’m relieved, thrilled. I never thought that I would actually get my bachelor’s in accounting, never thought I’d be a college graduate,” DiVincenzo said.

Hugh Rosen will obtain his Bachelor's of Business Administration with a concentration in organizational leadership this semester. He says he rallies behind a philosophy instilled by his experience at UNM ? especially within the Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity.

News

Grad Issue: After 25 years, Hugh Rosen finds college has changed

Gabby Rivera | December 10

Increasingly, a college degree is a standard requirement in many job markets. Even those with many years of professional experience are finding that without a degree, job prospects can be severely limited. It’s become a common sentiment: “In order for me to get ahead, I needed a higher degree.” Hugh Rosen, a non-traditional student who is back in college for the third time, said this was his motivation for attending the University of New Mexico and graduating with a degree in organizational leadership.

News

Grad Issue: Amelia Rose Teicher doesn't regret taking time in school

Rebecca Brusseau | December 10

As an incoming freshman at the University of New Mexico, Amelia Rose Teicher assumed her career path would include pursuing math, but her life took a different turn. Teicher knew she had many interests and confidence in her ability to thrive in many different fields of study. Teicher, now 29, is graduating from UNM with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her time in college, Teicher experienced hard times trying to manage school while suffering from an eating disorder and depression.

Culture

Twinkle Light Parade illuminates ABQ

Amy Byres | December 4

The Albuquerque Twinkle Light Parade dazzled the community with 109 different entries Saturday. “The parade is a holiday tradition that brings families, friends and co-workers together, both for the people in the parade as well as the 30,000 people that get together to watch the parade. Nob Hill is beaming with parade watchers from Washington to Girard,” said Bree Ortiz, events and operations manager of the city of Albuquerque. Throughout the night, a panel of seven judges observed the festivities.

Culture

Review: "Three Billboards" provides tasteful social critique

Hector Valverede | December 3

Seven months after her daughter was violently raped and death of her daughter, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) rents out three billboards on a rural road just outside her hometown of Ebbing in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Let down by the police’s lack of results after seven months, Mildred calls out the police chief (Woody Harrelson) on the billboards in bold black letters behind a striking scarlet background: "Raped while dying," "And still no arrests," "How come, Chief Willoughby?"

UNM student Sarah East wears a crown made from expired condoms during the Passion for Fashion event on Dec. 1, 2017.

Culture

UNM holds fashion show for World AIDS Day

Rebecca Brusseau | December 3

On Dec. 1, the University of New Mexico LGBTQ Resource Center held a fashion show to help raise awareness for World AIDS Day. “Passion for Fashion” was a competition at the Student Union Building between a team from the Provost’s office and a team from the Women’s Resource Center. The teams were required to create an outfit out of expired condoms and various materials in a strict time limit of 20 minutes. The Provost office’s team, who went with a look inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz, was named the winner of the competition.

Culture

Review: "My Friend Dahmer" offers mind-blowing experience

Timber Mabes | December 3

“My Friend Dahmer” allowed audience members the brain-bending experience of walking alongside the Milwaukee Cannibal during his teenage years, on his path to becoming a serial killer. Actors Ross Lynch as Jeffrey Dahmer and Alex Wolff as John "Derf" Backderf starred in the film adaptation of Backderf’s graphic novel. Director Marc Meyers did nothing less than bring the graphic novel to life in his recreation of the sad and haunting story. The coming-of-age horror story pulled at my heartstrings, took my breath away and left me speechless at the end.

Culture

The hoops that Dreamers jump through for citizenship

Amy Byres | December 3

For DACA recipient and University of New Mexico student Sofia Angulo, becoming a citizen has been difficult. “People say, ‘Oh, well, why don’t you just become a citizen?’ Well, because I can’t...I’ve been here since I was 3-years-old and I’m still not even a resident. I’m 100 percent basically undocumented, besides DACA,” said the criminology and anthropology double major. Because of Angulo’s dilemma with her citizenship status, her future has become unclear.