Other NM universities announcements

The Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship at New Mexico State University invites the NMSU community to attend the Hult Prize Student Idea Pitch Competition Thursday, Feb. 27.

The event, hosted in collaboration with the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints, will feature four teams of civil engineering students presenting innovative solutions that leverage construction technologies to address global challenges.

The Hult Prize is a globally recognized competition that challenges university students to develop high-impact startups aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Often referred to as the "Nobel Prize for students," the competition spans more than 120 countries, providing mentorship, funding and the opportunity for students to pitch their ideas on a global stage. The winning team from NMSU will advance to the Hult Prize national competition in Boston, with all expenses covered, to compete for a $1 million seed investment to bring their idea to life.

The New Mexico State University Museum will debut a new exhibit, "Corn Mother: Her Story in the Southwest," with a grand opening event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 at NMSU's Kent Hall.

The exhibit, curated by Sabrina Gonzalez, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts degree in NMSU's anthropology program, explores the deep cultural and historical significance of corn in Indigenous communities of the Southwest. It highlights corn's role as a symbol of sustenance, resilience and spiritual connection, emphasizing how the crop has influenced traditions, ceremonies and daily life for centuries.

Portales, NM – February 20, 2025- ENMU's Department of Theatre and Digital Filmmaking is proud to present a theatre performance of "She Kills Monsters" at the University Theatre Center Feb. 27–March 2, 2025.

"She Kills Monsters" is a comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games. The play tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the queer, imaginary world that was her sister's refuge. In this high-octane, dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and '90s pop culture, audiences will pay homage to the geek and warrior within us all.

The student-run restaurant in New Mexico State University's Gerald Thomas Hall will usher in a new name and look when lunch service resumes later this month.

Students in NMSU's School Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management have rebranded the former 100 West Café into the Westside Bistro and are eager to unveil an all-new à la carte menu and revamped dining room to the NMSU community and general public on Friday, Feb. 28.

In January, the World Monuments Fund announced its 2025 Watch list of heritage sites facing major challenges – and this year's 25 locations span five continents and, for the first time, includes the moon. The lunar surface is home to many artifacts from both robotic and human exploration, such as the Apollo 11 lunar landing in the Sea of Tranquility with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's powdery footprints preserved on surface since 1969.

The moon's placement on the World Monuments Watch is an important milestone for New Mexico State University anthropology professor emerita Beth O'Leary, who began a journey 25 years ago to find ways to preserve significant artifacts and sites on the moon.

Everyone, of course, has their favorite flavor of ice cream. But what about the newly christened leader of New Mexico's 137-year-old land-grant institution?

Look no further than the caramelized pecan- and biscotti concoction developed for New Mexico State University President Valerio Ferme by researchers from NMSU's Center of Excellence in Sustainable Foods and Agricultural Systems, or CESFAS.

The creamy vanilla ice cream pays homage to Ferme's Italian heritage and new ties to New Mexico, a top pecan-producing state. It's called The Ferme Paradox and made its public debut earlier this month to enthusiastic praise from Ferme after weeks of research and development by a team headed by Sergio Martinez-Monteagudo.

The Mesilla Valley Film Society will screen "A Long Road to Tao" March 28 through April 3 at the historic Fountain Theatre in Mesilla. The opening night gala begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28. Tickets are available for $18 at the film society website.

New Mexico State University Creative Media Institute professor Sherwin Lau was the director of photography on the film. He teaches undergraduate courses in film production. Since 2006, Lau has worked on independent films, documentaries, commercials and music videos and has collaborated with filmmakers around the world.

"A Long Road to Tao" was partially shot in Las Cruces and Mesilla and employed students from NMSU's Creative Media Institute. Film students also assisted casting director Jennifer Schwalenberg.

New Mexico State University is once again classified as an R1 institution due to its high research activity.

The news was announced Thursday morning by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. NMSU was given the R1 classification due to its "very high spending and doctorate production." The university had been previously ranked as an R1 institution nearly 20 years ago.

"From NMSU's founding as New Mexico's first land-grant institution, it's been our responsibility to pursue research that would advance knowledge for the well-being and benefit of New Mexico and its citizens," said NMSU President Valerio Ferme. "This R1 achievement is the direct result of years of intentional, strategic work that prioritized our research and creative enterprise, and allowed us to fulfill the institutional vision of becoming a leader in transforming and empowering our state."