Lexis Lovato - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Beading workshop honors traditions of Native American Tribes

Lexis Lovato | November 24

On Friday, Nov. 21, The University of New Mexico Language Learning Center held a free beadmaking workshop featuring Native American beading, a longstanding tradition within Native communities across the United States. Adam Greenberg, a member of the Mescalero Apache and Taos Pueblo, and Alicia Clouser, a member of the Navajo tribe, led attendees through creating their own set of beaded earrings, while teaching the history behind the Native tradition. Greenberg said that beading originally traces back to 16th-century China and Europe. He said that it was taught to Native women by Victorian nuns during a time when Native Americans were forcefully evangelized. At this time, beadmaking was seen as a womanly, domesticated hobby that nuns encouraged women to learn, in addition to other hobbies like embroidery.

Culture

‘Festival of Languages’ showcases multilingualism at UNM

Lexis Lovato | November 10

Individuals interested in sharing appreciation and education for multicultural communities and languages were brought together by the The Festival of Languages, which highlighted research, cultural and career presentations centered around language study made by graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and alumni. The event was part of Research and Discovery week — and was held on Friday, Nov. 7 — which is a list of scheduled events that promote the research enterprise of the University of New Mexico and the opportunities available to researchers. Presentations in the event focused on how, and where, multilingualism thrives throughout areas like healthcare, community service and education.

Culture

Scares at the SUB: UNM hosts ghost hunter

Lexis Lovato | November 3

The University of New Mexico raised Halloween spirits by welcoming paranormal investigator Amy Bruni on Tuesday, Oct. 28, to speak with other believers of ghosts about some of her most memorable experiences and stories she has encountered while conducting paranormal investigations. Bruni prefaced the event by clarifying that she will never speak in absolutes about ghosts, nor dictate their existence, because she knows it is virtually impossible to prove the existence of ghosts, she said. Bruni said her thoughts and theories about hauntings change almost all of the time.

Culture

Silent Lights’ debut at University Stadium

Lexis Lovato | October 6

Partygoers danced at the University of New Mexico’s University Stadium for the 2025 Silent Lights disco, where students wore headphones programmed with an assortment of DJ sets and music channels to tune into throughout the night. For the first time on Thursday, Oct. 2, Silent Lights took place at the University Stadium rather than Smith Plaza, due to the construction site surrounding the ongoing demolition of the Humanities Building. This year, students had a larger, unfenced, area to dance in, with the DJ stage set up near the stadium’s general admission section.

Culture

A pictorial display of UNM’s historic moments

Lexis Lovato | October 6

Historians Amber Lane and Portia Vescio walked visitors through a photographic memory lane of some of the most impactful moments in the University of New Mexico’s history, on Sept. 30, as an excerpt from their book, “University of New Mexico.” The book is a collection of photographs capturing some of the University’s greatest accomplishments and historic events. Lane and Vescio’s book was released in August, and was created using UNM’s Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. It highlights the influence of Pueblo architecture, the diverse communities within UNM and the historical pathways the University paved.

News

UNM Bike Valet aims to reduce theft and promote green commute

Lexis Lovato | September 29

At the start of the fall semester, the University of New Mexico’s Parking and Transportation Services implemented a free bike valet program, encouraging students and staff to make a greener commute to campus, while deterring the frequent amount of bike theft that occurs on campus. There are 128 slots available for UNM staff and students to keep their bike or other mode of transportation safely secured and monitored at the bike valet. The bike valet is located across from the Student Health and Counseling Center, in between the Student Union Building and the northeast corner of Popejoy Hall.

Culture

Herbalist guides enthusiasts through tour of UNM’s plant life

Lexis Lovato | September 29

On a sunny early autumn day on Sept. 23, plant lovers followed herbalist, Dara Saville, around the University of New Mexico to learn all about various plants located throughout the central campus, and how those plants are used beneficially for our health and environment. Saville is the founder and primary instructor of Albuquerque Herbalism, a herbal studies program that provides one-day specialty classes and an upcoming, in-depth semester-long course. She also serves as the founder and director of the Yerba Mansa Project, which strives to restore habitats as a community, while learning about native medicinal plants and land stewardship.

Culture

UNM Students continue annual celebratory burning of ‘Pistol Pete’

Lexis Lovato | September 29

The undying tradition of torching the Aggie brings students and alumni together to share their collective pride, as a paper mache Pistol Pete is set ablaze, honoring the historic rivalry between the University of New Mexico Lobos and the New Mexico State University Aggies. The two institutions have feuded 115 times, earning titles such as The Rio Grande Rivalry and The Battle of I-25. This year’s game marks the 131st anniversary of the competition since the first football game between the teams, which happened in 1894, 18 years before New Mexico was recognized as a state.

Culture

Art historian shares anti-racist pictorial works

Lexis Lovato | September 22

In strong ink, artists illustrate figures and scenes in black and white, illuminating a nuanced history of marginalized communities. Through prints, artists tell their stories and call out for justice, and with the help of modern technology, art historian Bruno Pinheiro presented their pieces so an audience can listen and learn. Pinheiro, an art historian stationed as a postdoctoral fellow at the Leonard A. Lauder Center for Modern Art in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, led the show as he walked a digital audience through a remote museum of print works depicting the struggles and triumphs of connecting members of marginalized communities on Friday, Sept. 19, hosted by the University of New Mexico Latin American and Iberian Institute.

Culture

UNM showcases artwork from Garfield Middle School ‘Circle Keepers’

Lexis Lovato | September 8

The University of New Mexico’s Health Science Campus is currently hosting the artwork made by students who are part of the Garfield STEM Magnet and Community Middle School “Circle Keepers.” The “Circle Keepers” are students working together to provide mentorship to their peers who may struggle with their mental health or need help navigating their personal relationships. The students volunteer their time to the club where they learn about restorative practice. Students focus on relationships and repairing harm, instead of traditional discipline which focuses on broken rules and consequences.