Workers for C&C Demolition Services use an excavator to tear down Lions Hall at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Friday, June 14, 2024.

UNM-Gallup bids farewell to Lions Hall, but legacy lives on

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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Building donated by Lions Club in 1969 was instrumental to establishing branch campus site

By Richard Reyes, Monday, July 15, 2024

GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup completed the demolition of Lions Hall on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, but the legacy of the branch campus’ first official building will live on.

Lions Hall, which was donated to UNM-Gallup by the local Lions Club in 1969, was instrumental in establishing the current site of the branch campus. It was torn down because of contaminants that needed to be abated and, unfortunately, it was no longer feasible to renovate the building.

“UNM-Gallup will be forever grateful to the Gallup Lion’s Club,” Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell said. “The generous donation of their clubhouse back in 1969 led to UNM-Gallup becoming the successful community college that it is today.”

The Gallup Lions Club donated their clubhouse and 6 acres of piñon-wooded hills to UNM-Gallup on Aug. 7, 1969, as part of a community service project. Lions Hall was the first official building of the branch campus at its current site.

Named Lions Hall, the building was remodeled to include administrative offices and classrooms.

Later in 1969, Clair Gurley donated an adjacent parcel of 70 acres to the college, which allowed the campus to grow and expand into what it has become today.

Prior to the Lions Hall donation, the first UNM-Gallup classes were held at the old Gallup High School building where the branch originally served 128 students.

UNM-Gallup now serves approximately 2,900 students online and in-person with a campus that includes 10 buildings on more than 80 acres.