Community News

Photo by Lora Lisbon

"I took this photo on Hwy 61 on Sunday. The heron was flying in front of my car then chose to land on the windmill. "

Attendees of the week-long Basic Economic Development course gather at WNMU. The July 13–17 seminar brought municipal leaders, planners, and economic developers to the Silver City campus to master regional growth strategiesSILVER CITY, NM — The week-long Basic Economic Development course, hosted at Western New Mexico University in mid-July brought community planners, tribal leaders, municipal managers and economic developers to Silver City. The professional development program, made possible through the generous sponsorship of the WNMU Foundation and Freeport-McMoRan, equipped participants with actionable strategies to drive local job creation and foster sustainable regional growth.

Serving as an essential first step toward earning the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential, the course focused on practical economic principles applied to contemporary community challenges through simulated real-world case studies.

All sessions took place at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center. The curriculum equipped participants with cost-effective frameworks to stimulate regional employment and manage shifting economic realities.

A WNMU student prepares food in the updated appliances provided in the dormsSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University underwent a major campus-wide residence life upgrade earlier this year, equipping every dorm suite with specialized kitchen appliances, including combination cold storage units and multi-functional microwave, air fryer, and convection oven units. This initiative is designed to enhance residential living and combat food insecurity, giving students greater autonomy over their diet, nutritional choices, and cooking skills.

The project began with a critical need identified by campus leadership during periods when university dining facilities close for holidays and semester breaks. On-campus residents who stayed in the dorms often lacked the financial resources to purchase microwaves or cold storage appliances, making affordable meal options scarce when the dining hall was unavailable.

Hidalgo Medical Services Celebrates National Health Center Week with Community Events, Patient Appreciation, and Employee Recognition

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) proudly celebrated National Health Center Week 2026, joining community health centers across the nation in recognizing the critical role health centers play in improving access to affordable, high-quality health care while honoring the patients, employees, and communities they serve.

Throughout the week of August 3-7, 2026, HMS hosted a variety of activities across Hidalgo and Grant Counties designed to celebrate the organization's mission, recognize employees, engage patients, and strengthen community connections.

Our August 4 First Time Homebuyer Bootcamp in Silver City turned into a genuinely productive and encouraging evening for the 14 local attendees who joined us. Designed to help first time buyers understand what they need before purchasing a home, the workshop delivered exactly that — clear guidance, practical tips, and plenty of real world answers from professionals who know the process inside and out.

Kim Clark opened the evening with a warm welcome and an overview of the night's roadmap, setting a supportive tone for new buyers. Our lender panel, Carlos Lucero and Patricia Lewis, then walked attendees through affordability, budgeting, and credit basics. Their explanation of PITI, credit scores, and what lenders actually look for ended up being one of the highest rated portions of the night, thanks to their ability to make complex topics feel simple and approachable.

A photo collage highlights members of the Perales family, whose multi-generational legacy at Western New Mexico University includes nearly two dozen family attendees and 17 degrees, starting with pioneer Elizabeth Perales in the 1970s and continuing through decades of student achievements.SILVER CITY, NM — For many families, higher education is a distant dream, but for the Perales family, it became a shared destiny. A single pioneer stepping onto the Western New Mexico University campus sparked a legacy spanning decades, multiple branches of the family tree, and nearly two dozen attendees. Recently, alumnus Arturo "Art" Perales highlighted that legacy in a heartfelt thank-you letter to the university, expressing profound gratitude for the generations of education and opportunities provided to his family.

The story begins with a family of 17 children raised by Depression-era parents who, despite lacking college degrees themselves, fiercely pushed their children toward higher education. Elizabeth Perales was the first family member to attend the university, graduating with her bachelor's degree in 1973. Her decision altered the family's future. Since then, 21 family members have attended WNMU, resulting in 17 degrees, with four earning dual degrees.

Deming High School student Urijah Nordorf, 16, is creating his own bright future through dual enrollment vocational training certificatesDeming High School Student Works Toward Two College Certificates

SILVER CITY, NM — As regional demand for skilled labor continues to rise, Western New Mexico University is demonstrating the vital role of higher education in rural workforce development through its dual enrollment technical programs. 

Sixteen-year-old Deming High School student Urijah Nordorf is currently blazing a trail through this institutional partnership, having already completed a full sequence of collegiate welding courses through WNMU and successfully transitioning into advanced electrical coursework. Upon his high school graduation, Nordorf is on track to earn two fully accredited college vocational certificates from WNMU, positioning him to enter the economy as a highly specialized professional.

Nordorf's trajectory into the trades began at age 14 after a summer job assisting his uncle, a general contractor specializing in steel buildings, carports, and sheet metal. Working as a laborer, Nordorf observed the distinct earning potential of certified welders. Determined to secure early financial self-reliance, he sought out professional training. Nordorf's interest was further solidified during varsity wrestling practice, where he became aware of the program.

Lila KnadlerThe 2026 Nancy Champlin P.E.O. Foundation Scholarship recipients are Dara Werber-Baiter and Lila Knadler. 

Excelling academically, Werber-Baiter has been home schooled and has earned almost 60 academic credits via dual enrollment at Western New Mexico University after attending Aldo Leopold Charter School. Dara's well valued work with the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance involved both sustainable environmental practices and teaching experiences. She has performed in multiple local theater productions, worked in food service and has volunteered at The Commons. 

Dara will attend the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management this fall. Knadler graduated with honors from Aldo Leopold Charter School where she participated in the Youth Conservation Corps and the New Earth Project. Lila was a soccer team member and varsity cheer team captain at Silver High School. She benefitted from working at WNMU's Child Development Center and enjoys employment at June June's. Lila plans on studying Psychology at Northern Arizona University.

Funds for the endowed scholarship were raised by purse auctions sponsored by Silver City P.E.O. Chapters AG and BR held annually to honor then-resident Nancy Champlin's serving as the state P.E.O. President in 2013. First awarded in 2015, the scholarship has now helped 17 Grant County women to further their educational dreams.