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Veteran's degree comes after many starts and stops

Fin Martinez | December 7

JD Blatchford-Rodriguez is a Desert Storm veteran, as well as a father of two, and will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. It has taken Blatchford-Rodriguez 20 years to graduate due to his obligations to his family and his job, but said he feels relieved that the pursuit is over. “My dad, when I was three years old, brought me to the U.S.,” Blatchford-Rodriguez said. “I was actually born in Mexico City ... my dad brought me to the U.S., he was self-taught how to read, write and speak English within a year.”

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Graduate student says UNM could be doing more to go green, seeks student input

Matthew Narvaiz | December 4

Universities across the nation are continuously putting more attention into making their campuses and facilities environmentally friendly. Numair Latif, a graduate student studying architecture & planning, conducted a survey this semester in hopes of getting students' opinions on how to make UNM's campus more involved in that movement. Latif is a part of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) and the chair of the Sustainability Committee at UNM. In an effort to recruit new members for the committee, he said he passed out pamphlets to students along with some questions for them to answer.

Lincoln Ross fine tunes his electromagnetic motor that he created out of simple materials during a natural science class held at the Science Math Learning Center Thursday morning. Ross and other students learn how to make hands on science activities so they are better equipped to teach K-8 students natural science fundamentals.

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Natural Science program for educators in dire straits after budget cuts

Matthew Reisen | December 4

he looming end of a prominent UNM elementary education program came down to the wire this week, but it will continue for at least another year due to a last minute budget extension. The Natural Sciences Program, originally set for cancellation after the spring semester, was given a one-year extension. The program provides physical science, life science and environmental science courses for future kindergarten through eighth grade educators. Mark Peceny, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the proposed discontinuation came as a result of the University going through a 1.5 percent budget cut this year.

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Photo takeover: Stories told through still images

Daily Lobo photo staff | December 2

Each semester the Daily Lobo photo desk take over an issue at the end of the semester to tell a story visually. Here is this semester's edition from Di-Linh Hoang, Hannah Glasgow, Biraj Rawal, Derek Toledo and Nick Fojud.

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UNM provides mattresses to needy

David Lynch | December 2

The UNM Hospital is expected to donate around 75 minimally used mattresses to local city shelters to provide a need for impoverished women and families with children, according to a UNM Health Sciences Center release. UMNH is replacing a number of its gently-used mattresses with new ones, according to the release, resulting in the generosity.

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Hanging of the Greens scheduled for Friday

David Lynch | December 2

One of UNM’s oldest traditions – the setting up of hundreds of luminarias around main campus – will start Friday, according to a UNM press release. The event is hosted by the UNM Mortar Board Honor Society, according to the release, and will begin at 5:45 p.m. this year. Attendees can indulge in free coffee and cookies at the UNM Bookstore at that time. This year there is a caroling route to get attendees in the holiday spirit that will makes its way to University House and Hodgin Hall.

Aaron Alexis shares his experience about the challenges he faces being an African American student. The meeting was held at African American Student Services where students expressed issues with racism to UNM faculty members including Provost Abdallah.

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UNM administrators confront inquiries from African-American students at meeting

Sayyed Shah | December 2

Why do we see police every time we arrange an event? Why don’t ASUNM representatives, despite our invitations, attend our meetings? Why do faculty members treat us like criminals, even when we are the victims? Why have things not changed for African-American students on campus over the last three decades? UNM administration faced these and other tough questions from African-American students during a town hall style meeting arranged by the Black Student Union on Tuesday.

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UNM professor elected as American Optical Society Fellow

Sayyed Shah | December 1

A UNM professor has been elected to the latest class of the Optical Society of America Fellows. The OSA Fellows are elected for serving the field of optics and photonics with distinction, according to a UNM press release. Sanjay Krishna, director of the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM), is one of 77 fellows who have been elected to the class.

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UNM participating in study to find better ways to treat diabetes

Fin Martinez | December 1

In the search for more effective treatments for diabetes, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases is funding a research study into glycemia reduction in diabetes patients, according to the study’s website. The study, called Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE), is a randomized clinical trial of participants diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who will be testing one of four glucose-lowering drugs in combination with a blood sugar regulating drug called metformin, according to the GRADE study website. The project will determine the most effective combination of the drugs. “We hope to determine not only the best medicines to treat Type 2 diabetes in general, but which medicines are best for various subgroups – such as men versus women and older versus younger patients – and among the racial and ethnic populations in GRADE,” said Dr. David Nathan, director of the diabetes center and clinical research center at Harvard Medical School.

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Anderson School of Management launches new program

Sayyed Shah | December 1

The UNM Anderson School of Management’s Executive and Professional Education Center has established a new degree program aimed at developing strong educational leaders in the state of New Mexico, according to a UNM release. The program has been developed by UNM in collaboration with Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. According to the release, the program has been launched and classes for the first participants began earlier this semester.

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UNM Presidential Award winners announced

Sayyed Shah | December 1

The UNM administration has announced the recipients of the 2015 Presidential Award of Distinction. According to a UNM press release, Jeffrey Binker, distinguished and Regent’s professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering with an appointment in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, and Patricia Crown, distinguished professor of Anthropology, will be honored with the award at a Dec. 11 ceremony at WisePies Arena aka the Pit. “From cancer to coffee, the recipients of the 2015 Presidential Award of Distinction have portfolios of research accomplishments that separate the scientists from many others in their fields. Both, C. Jeffrey Brinker and Patricia Crown have dedicated their lives to studying culture and health in anthropology and engineering, respectively,” the release stated.

The Savi Scout is a tool used to detect breast cancer tissue by implementing a reflector that is used to locate tissue that needs to be removed.

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New device streamlines breast cancer surgery

Matthew Reisen | November 30

The UNM Cancer Center has a new device for examining breast cancer that is efficient while also offering patients an easier transition to surgery. Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery Stephanie Fine said UNM is currently the only institution in New Mexico that has the SAVI SCOUT device, from Cianna Medical, which is FDA-approved but not commercially available until 2016.

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UNM grad student names new beetle species after old mentor

Elizabeth Sanchez | November 30

Grey Gustafson, a graduate student at UNM studying biology, has discovered and named a new species of whirligig beetle in the southeastern United States. Whirligig beetles, part of the family Gyrinidae, are commonly found in streams in this region of the country.

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Man on the Street: Dead Week

Denicia Aragon | November 30

How do you prepare for Dead Week?

President Bob Frank outlined on Nov. 20 strategies for combatting budget short falls.

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High retention, graduation rates pose issues for UNM

David Lynch | November 30

UNM graduation rates are higher than ever, according to UNM President Bob Frank, but that has led to some struggles when it comes to the University’s finances. During his report to the Board of Regents on Nov. 20, Frank said that the graduation rate at UNM for six-year students is at 49 percent, with the University also holding a 79.5 percent retention rate. “We’re thrilled to have those, and we want to continue (our success),” he said.

Businesses get ready for the holidays in Old Town Albuquerque on Monday night. Luminaria tours will be given in the weeks to come.

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Holiday Time: New Mexico's holiday traditions enchant the land

Ryan Lotz | November 25

New Mexico is a land of enchanting traditions and beauty year-round, but much of the state’s rich heritage relates to life around the holidays. One of New Mexico’s trademark holiday decorations takes the form of luminarias, or farolitos, depending on what part of the state you're from. Consisting of sand and a candle in a brown paper bag, these decorations are common all over the state and offer a unique holiday style that is not commonly seen outside of the Land of Enchantment.

Raul Valencia helps a young mother register at the Toys For Tots registration at the Alamosa Center on November 19.

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Holiday Time: Toy, food drives request donations, volunteers for holidays

Elizabeth Sanchez | November 25

Perhaps Saint Francis of Assisi was right when he said that when people give, they also receive something in return. At least, that sentiment resonates for Valarie Sheffey, a junior computer science major. “None of us was born in a bubble,” she said. “Our communities shape us into the adults we are now and give us opportunities. It is only natural we show gratitude by returning the favor.”

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Holiday Time: A list of minor presents to give one's major supporters

Fin Martinez | November 25

Late November: the tail end of the semester where finals, cold weather and winter break leave students on the brink of stress-induced insanity. The relief of the holidays comes to students after final exams that, in some cases, could not have been passed without the assistance of friends and family. A binge session of Netflix or a drink or two for those of legal age sometimes isn’t enough to fully show appreciation for the presence and deeds of those friends. Oftentimes friends aren’t shown the appreciation they deserve, they provide company, they help you move, they help you out with flashcards for quiz terms, and between the late nights and the long study sessions they stick around for better or for worse.

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Holiday Time: Gift-giving traditions across the globe

Sayyed Shah | November 25

The tradition of gift giving has been around for as long as humans have lived in society. However, the nature of the gifts given depends a lot on time and space. The Daily Lobo has compiled a list of gift-giving traditions practiced in various countries on six continents.

Barrels filled with donated books for The College of Education's annual book drive stand at Travelstead Hall on Nov. 18. The books go to participating teachers associated with the College of Education.

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Holiday Time: College of Education donations grant the gift of literacy

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 25

In recent years the UNM College of Education has found a way to spread holiday cheer by giving students new reading material. Since 2011, the Center for Student Success has teamed up with the GSLA for an annual book drive, offering new and gently used books to K-12 students in the community. The “2015 Book Fiesta” has enticed donors by planting giant bins across campus for anyone willing to donate reading materials.