WNMU Welcome Bash 081719

Photos and notes for article by Jamie Cline

WNMU hosted the annual Welcome Bash for new and returning students on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at The Hub on Bullard Street.

The event kicked off with a State of the University speech by WNMU President Joseph Shepard.

"The purpose of this State of the University address is to update the community on what is happening because people really want to know," Shepard said, as he greeted everyone.

"Power has gone underground, the project on College Avenue is complete and we would like to continue to do the same thing going from 10th Street up to the museum.," he said.

He first touched on the subject of landscape projects that have been completed around campus. With the mayor and the town of Silver City's help around 70 trees have been planted on College Avenue and over the last five years around 500 trees around campus.

Future projects include new signage on 12th Street. Shepard is trying to make the university carbon neutral and said all lights are now LED. He would like to electrify the campus. To reduce the amount of carbon in the air and as technology advances, he would like to see electric cars used on campus.

HIs next topic was athletics. Shepard mentioned WNMU's volleyball team members that were in the audience. Their first home game will be September 20. This year's football homecoming game will be the first night game, taking place in October, with new lights put in the stadium. The plan is to have campus events end by10:30 at night to help minimize light pollution.

Other things happening on campus include a makeover for Miller Library and the Student Union Building. Inside the library the public is welcome to come in and use one of the 40 new computers. Fifty percent of all WNMU classes are now online. Aldo Leopold High School is now located on campus in Ritch Hall. Other positive changes include the opening of Einstein Bagels. To help create a sense of place and belonging, a new fountain will be built over by the large bronze mustang statue. This will help to create social spaces. Campus has become more of a community environment.

People come to campus to take photos, the patio area outside of Light Hall has been used for weddings. Shepard believes the university is not just about classes but also culture. He thinks it is important to have events like Fiesta Latina and music concerts. In the future WNMU will focus on the liberal arts and sciences. WNMU is the state's only applied liberal arts and sciences university. Students will become experts in the field of choice but will also know what it means to be human. Students will learn what it means to be inquisitive. WNMU graduates will be more adaptable.

He plans to bring back softball and will add women's soccer. New turf on the football field will bring more intramural sports to the university. Enrollment is about the same as last year, at 3200.

"I'm excited about what is happening," Shepard said. "A number of students attending WNMU are from the countries Zambia and Mexico. This helps bring culture and helps break down barriers. The language institute also plays a role, as more and more students from Mexico are learning English."

Shepard pointed out that "our country "needs to tear down barriers. "Education is not about borders; borders are created by the heart. If we can remove these borders, the rest will take care of itself," he said. "Down in Deming the university is planning on buying land for a new learning center. There are about 500 WNMU students in Deming, helping to make advances in the health field. Plans are in the works for a new early childhood center which will help create a culture of higher education. This will encourage young ones to go to college, become adult learners and take vocational tracks. It starts when students are young and will help them be better prepared for the future. A lot of good things are happening."

Shepard asked the audience for questions. One woman asked how Shepard plans to attract the best faculty members to come here when salaries are low. Shepard said he will fight in Santa Fe for compensation. Last year there was a 4% increase and then some. This year he would like to do the same and more. Shepard admitted, "we have to do a better job."

Shepard encouraged everyone to check out the campus museum. A gentleman asked if the campus pool will break down again this year. Shepard mentioned changing up the mixture of salt water and fresh water. He ended his speech by bringing up the press conference about the plans for a 50-megawatt solar field that the university will be able to tap into through the electrical grid. This will generate about 54% of the university's power. By 2024, Shepard would like to see it at 100%. Lastly, someone asked if theater is gone forever. Shepard said theater is not gone forever and will be brought back in the form of small plays and the like.

After the speech, the activities outside began, with face painting, a fishing booth for kids, a T-shirt toss to whoever caught one, and vouchers for meals at surrounding restaurants.