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What to expect at NM’s legislative session

Aaron Cowan | January 16

New Mexico’s legislative session begins Jan. 16 — to preview the legislative priorities for this session, the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce invited leaders from the New Mexico State Senate and House of Representatives to provide a public briefing Jan. 11 at the Santa Fe Hilton. Sen. Peter Wirth, the Democratic Majority Floor Leader, described a number of items expected to be on the special session agenda. He said that, due to fluctuations in the price of oil and gas, New Mexico’s budget has experienced a $500 million swing in revenues. This has taken them from a deficit situation to a projected surplus that is expected to be somewhere in the range of $200 to $250 million in new money, meaning that spending is now possible.

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MLK Day march celebrates King's heritage

Rebecca Brusseau | January 15

Albuquerque commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in a parade on Jan. 13 held by the Dr. MLK Jr. New Mexico Commission in honor of the 50th year anniversary of his passing. The parade began around 11 a.m. at the end of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue near the University of New Mexico and ended at Civic Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque. Throughout the walk, participants and groups held signs in solidarity with the cause. Some of the signs read, “Challenge Systemic Racism, Poverty, War Economy, Ecological Devastation,” “Thou Shalt Not Stand Idly By,” or other phrases. Some signs featured visuals of the late King.

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UNM Greek life comes under scrutiny

Madison Spratto | January 15

The party is over for Greek life at the University of New Mexico — at least for now. UNM Greek life is on “social restriction” as of Dec. 13, 2017 until Feb. 19, 2018, due to alleged activities that occurred during the Fall 2017 semester that were not in accordance with Greek life values, Matthew Lumpp, the UNM Greek life advisor, said.

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Program assisting students of color receives substantial cuts

Ludella Awad | January 10

The Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color seeks to assist students of color on their path to graduating. Recently, the organization’s funding has been nearly cut in half, based on the University of New Mexico Student Fee Review Board’s decision on Dec. 12, 2017. From the 2017-2018 fiscal year, PNMGC was granted $9,907 — for the upcoming fiscal year, the organization will be granted $5,000, according to information distributed during a Board of Regents meeting in December. PNMGC is no stranger to budget cuts, as the group has faced major funding decreases since the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

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Researchers study relationship between stress and pregnancy

Tom Hanlon | January 7

A researcher at the University of New Mexico has found that offspring during and after gestation are physically affected by stress the mother experiences. Researchers tested their predictions using 719 studies across 21 mammal species ranging from rodents to ungulates to primates, according to research documents provided by UNM evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Andres Berghänel. The results were used to compare the effects of prenatal stress in the mammals.

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Smith plaza renovation is underway

Madison Spratto | January 7

With the beginning of a new semester brings new courses and this time, new construction. Dec. 18, 2017 marked the start of construction on Smith Plaza on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus. Smith Plaza sits between Zimmerman Library and the Student Union Building — the plaza experiences heavy foot traffic during the school week, which has been rerouted in light of the construction.

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Hodgin Hall — a monument to UNM's history

Rebecca Brusseau | January 7

2018 marks the 126th anniversary of Hodgin Hall, the oldest building on the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus. Hodgin Hall has a vast history with deep ties throughout UNM and is now the home of the UNM Alumni Association. “(Hodgin Hall) keeps alive the history of the University and New Mexico,” said Alumni Association Special Events Coordinator Kathie Scott. “This building tells a story.”

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UNM mourns esteemed professor

Nichole Harwood and Madison Spratto | January 7

The Lobo community is mourning the loss of an esteemed professor, author and family man. Mario Rivera passed away Dec. 22, 2017. He was born in Havana, Cuba in 1947 and emigrated to the United States in 1958 where he received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and held a doctorate and master’s degree in political science and public policy from the University of Notre Dame. He worked as a regents’ professor at the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico since 1993 and was the interim director of SPA from 2014 to 2015. Recently, he was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration for “sustained and outstanding contribution to the field of public administration through public service and scholarship,” his wife Ana Rivera said.

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Keller celebrates interfaith, preps for year ahead

Sherri Barth | December 26

Timothy “Tim” Keller’s first term as the mayor of Albuquerque began nearly a month ago, and he has already gotten to work. He has signed his first bill, which awarded 284 pre-kindergarten children with $900,000, and he has begun restructuring the Albuquerque Police Department, according to a City of Albuquerque web post. Keller is currently concentrating on evaluating the city, department by department, and APD is on the top of his list, he said.

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Q & A: Fall 2017 Commencement speaker encourages students to feel confident, pursue dreams

Madison Spratto | December 13

Dreamstyle Arena will likely be packed Friday, but not with basketball fans. The long-awaited Fall 2017 commencement is finally here. To help honor graduates, Faith Roessel will be this semester's commencement speaker. Roessel graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1981 and is currently practicing law. The Daily Lobo had the chance to chat with her about her connection to UNM. Q: How did your time at UNM influence your life? A: Well, it got me on my career path of becoming a lawyer. It helped me forge relationships with my peers that have lasted to this day.

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UNM Winter Setback Program turns 10

Tom Hanlon | December 13

From Dec. 22 until Jan. 3, the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus will resemble a ghost town. The annual Winter Setback Program will take effect, as the majority of campus buildings, including many of the residence halls, will be locked. The UNM Physical Plant Department will set back temperatures in certain buildings in an effort to save the campus money and conserve energy. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the program which, according to the University, has saved the campus hundreds of thousands of dollars since it was started by the PPD, according to UNM’s district energy system.

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Nicotine may help treat Alzheimer's patients, according to UNM Memory & Aging Center

Madison Spratto | December 11

Nestled far back on the University of New Mexico’s North Campus is a building dedicated to trying to cure what is arguably one of the most formidable conditions — its most common form: dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. UNM’s effort to better understand, diagnose and treat dementia is embodied by the UNM Memory & Aging Center. Operations at the center began in 2015, but an open house was held on Dec. 6 to showcase its progress and research. Dementia is a condition that results in the deterioration of cognitive function, including a decline in memory, reason and the ability to learn. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that has no cure, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention Control.

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Q&A: Steve Pearce talks Lottery Scholarship, GOP tax bill and more

Kyle Land | December 11

Republican Rep. Steve Pearce sat down with the Daily Lobo Saturday to discuss his run for governor in 2018, as well as the many issues facing New Mexico and the country right now. Topics of discussions included the Lottery Scholarship, the GOP tax bill and the status of public lands in New Mexico. He visited the University of New Mexico Saturday to speak to UNM College Republicans. Q: What brings you to Albuquerque today? A: “Just always the campaign. We’ve got a little bit of congressional work to do. Every weekend I come home, or pretty close.”

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Photojournalism created ​"a place to feel alive" for graduate Kevin Maestas

Christian Marquez | 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. Kevin Maestas is a current staff photographer at the Daily Lobo. He has been working with our publication since the Spring 2017 semester and will be graduating this fall. We will miss his beautiful photography and excellent storytelling skills as he embarks on the next chapter in his life.

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Grad Issue: Exchange student Gerardo Archundia returns to Mexico, looks back at time at UNM

Jose Couvillion | 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. Gerardo Archundia S. is a current multimedia reporter at the Daily Lobo. He is a foreign exchange student who has been working with our publication since the beginning of this semester. His journalistic skills will be missed, as he finishes his time as an undergrad at the University of New Mexico this semester.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.