News - The Daily Lobo

Two participants watch the parade pass by, wearing matching outfits and face paint.

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Amidst the heat, ABQ celebrates Pride Fest

Anthony Jackson | June 10

The smell of sunscreen filled the air from the intersection of Central Avenue and Girard Boulevard to Expo New Mexico as Albuquerque residents were shoulder-to-shoulder for the city’s annual Pride Fest Parade on June 9. The three day event celebrated its last day as thousands of people lined up along Central Avenue and waved at community organizers, businesses and local politicians in rainbow decorated floats.

A car drives into the UNM Cornell parking structures and passes by a row of fences blocking off Johnson Gym in preparation for upcoming construction on June 3, 2018.

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Johnson Center to undergo construction until 2020

Justin Garcia | June 3

Major renovations and expansions of Johnson Center on the University of New Mexico’s main campus is set to begin mid-June and last until early spring 2020 — bringing closures and relocations with it. The construction of the over 100,000 square foot space will cost $35 million, all of which comes from student fees, according to Jim Todd, director of recreational services.

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Student enrollment continues to decline

Anthony Jackson | June 3

Low student enrollment is not a new phenomenon at the University of New Mexico. According to data from the Student Enrollment Office (SEO), UNM’s enrollment since 2014 has decreased more than 10 percent, and that drop is reflected among University departments.

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State increases Lottery Scholarship allotments

Madison Spratto | June 3

Each year the New Mexico Department of Higher Education is required to send out a letter announcing the next school year’s Lottery Scholarship funding. This year it was announced that students will be receiving more money than originally thought — almost $800 more for some students. The Lottery Scholarship, which aids more than 26,000 students annually, was a hot topic in the previous state legislative session. Senate Bill 140 was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives and dictates how much students with the scholarship will receive.

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Student examines bird species at UNM

Anthony Jackson | June 3

Sun rays partially embraced the University of New Mexico by 7 a.m. on May 23 — shadows behind the University’s buildings mixed with brisk air as campus wildlife stirred. Desert cottontails hopped from the safety of their dens to eat turf, kissed with fine drops of morning dew, next to robins prodding the damp earth with their beaks.

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Profile: Brian Colón touts financial experience Auditor campaign

Danielle Prokop | June 3

After losing the Albuquerque mayoral race in 2017, Brian Colon decided to run for another office — State Auditor of New Mexico. The former Democratic Party chairman is challenging state Rep. Bill McCamley for the Democratic nomination for the position. The winner will face incumbent Republican Wayne Johnson in the November election.

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Daily Lobo alumnus profile: Chris Quintana

Elizabeth Sanchez | June 3

When Chris Quintana began attending the University of New Mexico, he had the goal of becoming the next great American author, not necessarily becoming a journalist. But when he discovered that Ernest Hemingway, along with some of his other favorite authors, had been journalists at one point, he thought he would try it out.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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Profile: Michelle Lujan Grisham wants to revamp economy and education

Catherine Stringam | June 3

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham has decided to change things up and run for governor of the state of New Mexico. “Serving in Congress has immersed me in the challenges New Mexicans are facing — and I want to do more,” Grisham said in an interview with the Daily Lobo.

A man rides a bike by a voting location sign on Central and Stanford Dr. on June 3, 2018. Primary voting takes place on June 5.

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2018 Midterm Election Preview

Megan Holmen | June 1

New Mexico 1st Congressional District early voting is in full swing. The primary for all parties is on Tuesday June 5, with early voting continuing until Saturday June 2. Voters will be voting on numerous posts, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor and New Mexico House of Representatives. There are several locations across Albuquerque open for early voting until June 2. These locations include the Bernalillo County Visitor Center, the Clerk’s Annex, Desiderio Community Center, Los Altos Center, Tijeras City Hall, among others.

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Profile: Apodaca promises progressive agenda

Catherine Stringam | May 29

The office of New Mexico governor is up for grabs in 2018. Jeff Apodaca is one of three Democrats running in the race. He will go up against Michelle Lujan Grisham and Joseph Cervantes in the primary elections this June to secure the Democratic spot on the ballot. Apodaca said he joined the race for governor not because he wanted a career in politics or because it was “his turn,” but because he was tired of New Mexico being ranked last in everything.

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Movie Review: "The Miracle Season" puts unique spin on sports dramas

Timber Mabes | May 28

Whether it was on an airplane, in middle school, or on the Hallmark Channel, most of us have seen our fair share of inspirational sports movies. These films are often on the cheesier side, striving to be a family-friendly movie that good for both young children and adults and attempt makes us feel inspired by their use of tragedy and drama. Released on April 6, “The Miracle Season” is a more than your average sports movie. The film manages to delve just a little bit deeper into my thoughts and emotions than sports films normally do.

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Profile: Damon Martinez looks to finish what he started

Kyle Land | May 24

After President Donald Trump asked for his resignation from his role as U.S. Attorney in March of 2017, Damon Martinez has unfinished business. Martinez said he is running for congress to finish what he started

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Qworks: Students create new org to help ABQ

Catherine Stringam | May 18

When political campaigns end, often so do the candidate’s social media pages. Gus Pedrotty, a University of New Mexico alumnus and former Albuquerque mayoral candidate, did not want this to be the case. He decided to take the following of young people his campaign developed and do something good to give back.

Photo courtesy of UNM Health Sciences Center

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College of Pharmacy selects new dean

Mikhaela Smith | May 18

After undergoing a rigorous national selection process, a new dean of the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy has been chosen. Donald Godwin, Ph.D., has been chosen as the new dean. Godwin has been at UNM for 22 years. He began his academic career by completing a bachelor’s in biology at the University of Delaware before going on to attain a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of South Carolina. He then started working at UNM as an assistant professor.

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School of Management's new building officially opens

Donald Amble | May 16

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Anderson School of Management’s new building drew a large crowd on May 11 and featured appearances from several senior faculty members. Speakers at the event commended the Anderson School’s accomplishments. At the event was the dean of Anderson School of Management Craig White.

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Alumni dress in gold to celebrate 50 years

Catherine Stringam | May 12

The University of New Mexico class of 1968 reunited this weekend to celebrate 50 years since their graduation. Alumni came from all over to take part in the “golden graduation.” On Friday, the golden graduates had the chance to have refreshments and get fitted for their gold cap and gowns. They also received several gifts and memorabilia. The golden graduates also went on a campus tour to see all of the changes and additions to UNM. Many departments, such as the College of Education and the College of Engineering, had their own receptions or luncheons to honor their golden graduates on Friday.

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UNMH selects Becker as new CEO

Catherine Stringam | May 10

Kathleen Becker was announced as the new CEO of the University of New Mexico Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The decision was made by chancellor of the Health Sciences Center Dr. Paul Roth and a selection committee

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Department's of Athletics breaks down sports' budget

Danielle Prokop | May 8

The University of New Mexico’s Department of Athletics jointly presented a line-by-line budget breakdown by sport with President Stokes’ appointed budget team to the Board of Regents Finance and Facilities Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon. The meeting served as a preview this Friday’s UNM Board of Regents meeting, where the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget will be up for approval and sent to the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED).

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UNM hosts free speech event

Megan Holmen | May 8

The University of New Mexico hosted a free speech event titled “Challenges, Threats and Dilemmas of Free Speech in the Age of Trump.” The event highlighted the importance of freedom speech and the caveats individuals face in the current political climate. This event was the first in a series of events that will discuss issues in free speech. According to Pete Simonson, executive director of the New Mexico American Civil Liberties Union, his is one of the only organizations that continuously protects the right to freedom speech.

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UNMH comes closer to selecting new CEO

Catherine Stringam | May 8

The University of New Mexico Hospital has reached the final stages of selecting a new CEO. Three finalists were named in the search for CEO — Kate Becker, Deborah McGrew and Herbert Buchanan. Each candidate held a town hall on UNM North Campus during the month of April, during which they described their plans for UNM Hospital and answered questions from hospital employees.