Press Release 2010 :: UNM Gallup | The University of New Mexico

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: December 3, 2010

Noonday Kiwanis

GALLUP - The Noonday Kiwanis Club recently raised $2500 for the UNM Foundation through a golf tournament. The money is designated to go to a fund for student nursing scholarships. From left, Nate Haveman, president-elect of Noonday Kiwanis; Sarah Luginbuhl, Noonday Kiwanis president; Michael Blake, Noonday Kiwanis treasurer; Christina Joe, president of the UNMG Student Nurses Association; Jace Frye, vice president, SNA; Brett Newberry, past president of the Noonday Kiwanis, and organizer of the tournament; and Sylvia Andrew, executive director of the college.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: December 7, 2010

GALLUP - A three-credit course called "Introduction to Printmaking" will be offered in the spring on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4:15 p.m. at the University of New Mexico-Gallup. This is the first time in several years this course has been offered.

The course will include an introduction to several printmaking techniques, including mono-prints, etching and relief printmaking.

Printmaking involves creating works of art that are printed on different media, but principally on paper. Most printmaking techniques allow for making multiple copies of the work of art, except for monotyping. Monotyping produces one creative work, but each production of a monotype is considered a work of art in itself, rather than a copy. Other types of printmaking produce multiple copies, which are noted for the unique look that the printmaking process produces in each copy.

Most printmaking efforts are accomplished by a transfer of ink from a matrix, made of metal, polymer, stone, linoleum or wood, through a screen onto paper or other material.

Instructor will be Alex Arauz, MFA, an experienced teacher and nationally exhibited artist. Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Arauz migrated with his family to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, in 1989. He attended Eastwood Collegiate Institute, the University of Windsor, and Louisiana State University. He has lived in La Chute, Quebec; Kitchener, Ontario; Baton Rouge, La.; Washington, D.C.; Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Arauz says that his technical process "reflects our instinct to mix," referring to his fellow Nicaraguans and other South Americans as they relate to Canadian society.

"My method involves developing the image through a combination of digital, mixed performance or printmaking mediums," Arauz writes on his web page. "Even though the work can be classified as a print, performance or mixed media, the evidence of previous mediums and applications are evident. I also extract images from completed works and transplant them into another medium to establish new roots. (For example taking video stills from the performance and create an edition of prints.) I see performance, mixed media, printmaking and digital technology as avenues that stem from a larger intersection (like a roundabout) that connects them. But the mediums themselves are roundabouts, which allow me to return to the main intersection and travel between these applications using an image."

For more information, contact Ken Roberts, UNMG professor of art, at 505.863.7619.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: November 5, 2010

GALLUP - UNM-Gallup entrepreneurship students recently learned about a World Bank study on the relative difficulty of doing business in various countries worldwide. They learned that Singapore is the easiest, and the war-wracked Congo the hardest countries in which to do business.

So where does the Navajo Nation place on the chart? According to international development economics consultant Lorraine Ruffing, it’s even harder to do business on the Nation than in the Congo. The reason? Manifold layers of bureaucracy requiring hard-to-get permits before entrepreneurs can even start up their enterprises.

Ruffing used these examples and others in her lectures to entrepreneurship instructor Al Henderson’s classes. Focusing on creating sustainable development, she wanted to inspire the students through these examples of what has been accomplished elsewhere in the world. She also zeroed in on an ongoing problem in McKinley County, the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni: Students often don’t see a purpose to education because they don’t see opportunities. Thus, the entrepreneurship students were particularly intrigued by Ruffing’s examples of models in the developing world of how the private sector was elevated and jobs created.

Ruffing, who has a Ph.D. in trade and development economics from Columbia University, wrote her dissertation on alternative development strategies for traditional Navajo communities. She designed a minerals development policy which included energy development for the Minerals Department of the Navajo Nation. She has taught university-level economics in Chile, New York and Geneva.

The main focus of her work on small enterprise development was the identification of best policies and programs for SME financing, business development services transfer of technology and inter-firm cooperation or business linkages.

"We looked at the experience of Uganda and Malaysia, in terms of providing appropriate support services to small business," said Ruffing. "Once they are set on the course of being capable entrepreneurs, we started business linkages between small enterprises and the large corporations that were in the countries. Through this partnership the SME was able to have a secure a market, receive a technology transfer and find other partners so they could really grow. Malaysia, for instance, has had economic growth based on promoting small businesses."

Henderson, who met Ruffing when they were both working in a Navajo Nation planning group on energy policy, has asked for her help in submitting a letter of inquiry to the Kauffman Foundation in regards to a grant that would fund a study on how the Business Technology Department curriculum could be modified to meet the needs of area students better, and also to develop suggestions to the Navajo government on how to modify business support programs so they can better help the entrepreneur. The Kauffman Foundation, located in Kansas City, is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship through research and projects, with a particular interest in minorities.

Ruffing is currently volunteering her time to the Navajo Nation Energy Policy Planning group hosted by Sandia National Laboratory and will likely be involved in analyzing the results of the business survey if the Kauffman Foundation funds the project, Henderson said.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: November 8, 2010

GALLUP - Students nationwide are responding to a call for finding new ways to promote sustainability. In New Mexico, new ideas and ways of understanding often come from storytelling. Not surprisingly, storytelling, an important expression of so many of the diverse cultures of the state, can also promote understanding and transmit values from generation to generation.

"Stories were one way for Native American cultures to pass on information," said Irene Den Bleyker, assistant professor of Early Childhood and Multicultural Education at the University of New Mexico-Gallup.

Seeking to inspire UNM-Gallup students to learn about and promote sustainability, Den Bleyker has invited them to participate in a student storytelling contest with the topic of "Sustainability (Caring for the Earth)."

Den Bleyker has invited students to participate in one or all of three divisions -- historical, present day and future. The historical category has to do with a sustainable concept from history, perhaps a story passed down from a family member, and how the individual was taught about that concept through family or history. Present day issues might have to do with the reservation, Gallup or the individual’s community, or perhaps a larger state or global issue. The future category has to do with what issue in sustainability future generations will have to handle.

Among the subcategories are the following: keeping sacred places pristine, harmony in nature; ensuring there is water for future generations; toxic waste dumps, trash dumps; renewable energy, solar, wind etc.; landscapes, xeriscape; air, water or land pollution, greenhouse gases;

Also water conservation, xeriscape; greenhouse gases, acid rain; biofuels, fossil foods; chemical management, pesticides, toxins; depletion of natural resources; living in harmony with the earth; wildlife habitat, transportation; organic foods; social justice; and other related topics.

Students may submit a story for each category, but not more than one story for any category.

Prizes are first place, $100; second place, $70; and third place, $30. Certificates will be issued for honorable mention.

"Each story must address an issue of sustainability or caring for the world," said Den Bleyker. "It might be a story from your childhood, how your family or community cared for the earth and how you want that care taking to be continued. It might be a story passed down to you by your family. It could be a religious or cultural story. It could be a concern that you have for the environment."

Den Bleyker explained that each story should have an impact for future generations, how children should care for the earth, or how we should care for the earth so our children will have the natural resources they need.

"The environment side of the rationale deals with the facts that at the current rate of use, future generations will not have enough natural resources to meet their needs," Den Bleyker said. "In addition we are contributing to greenhouse gases, adding toxins and pollutants to the earth that are destroying the planet. We cannot depend on others to take care of our world. The work begins with us. So, let’s tell our stories so our children will know how important caring for the earth really is."

Judges will be selected from students, faculty and staff. The finalist may be asked to tell his or her story to the panel of judges. For more information contact Irene Den Bleyker, 863-7754. Entry forms are available Calvin Hall 124 and at the Student Senate Office in Gurley Hall..

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: November 8, 2010

Topic: Sustainable Living - Caring for Our World

Open to all UNM-Gallup Students

Contest begins November 1 and Ends November 19

Contest Divisions

Historical Perspectives

Address a sustainable concept from history, perhaps a story passed down to you from a family member, how you were taught about that concept through family or history

Issues in Today’s Society

Address one or more sustainable issues that you are faced with today. You may choose a location for this topic such as the reservation, Gallup, the community where you live, or a larger state or global issue

Future Implications

What issue or issues in sustainability will future generations have to handle?

Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of today’s society and world, while at the same time ensuring that all of the natural resources are available for future generations to meet their needs of : natural resources including energy, clean water, land, air, forests, foods etc.

Under each Division one or more of the following subcategories or a related sustainability category should be addressed.

keeping sacred places pristine, harmony in nature
ensuring there is water for future generations
toxic waste dumps, trash dumps
renewable energy, solar, wind etc.
landscapes, xeriscape
air, water, or land pollution, green house gases,
water conservation, xeriscape
green house gases, acid rain
biofuels, fossil foods
chemical management, pesticides,toxins
depletion of natural resources
living in harmony with the earth
wildlife habitat, transportation
organic foods
social justice
Other related topic

Each story must address an issue of sustainability or caring for the world. It might be a story from your childhood, how your family or community cared for the earth and how you want that care taking to be continued. It might be a story passed down to you by your family. It could be a religious or cultural story. It could be a concern that you have for the environment.

Each story should have an impact for future generations, how our children should care for the earth or how we should care for the earth so our children will have the natural resources they need.

Rationale

The idea of story telling is based on the fact that many times stories have been used to transmit values to future generations. Stories were one way for Native American cultures passed on information. Using the story telling format to transmit values dealing with the care of the earth brings an ideal match.

The environment side of the rationale deals with the facts that at the current rate of use, future generations will not have enough natural resources to meet their needs. In addition we are contributing to green house gasses, adding toxins and pollutants to the earth destroying our planet. We cannot depend on others to take care of our world. The work begins with us. So, let’s tell our stories, so our children will know how important caring for the earth really is.

Prizes:

A first, second and third place prize and honorable mention will be given for each of the three categories. You may submit a story for each category, but may not submit more than one story for any one category.

1st Place $100

2nd Place $70

3rd Place $30

Honorable Mention: Certificates

Judging

Stories will be judged on the ability of the story to address sustainability issues to the next generation.
Stories will be written out, so that the judges have opportunity to review each story.
Stories will not be judged on grammar. However story content must be easily understood.
Judges will come from students, faculty and staff, a majority of whom will be Native American.
The finalist may be asked to tell their story to the panel of judges.

Other information:

We are waiting for the url for the on line contest form. Call 863-7754 or 863- 7714 to determine if the on-line contest form is up and running. Additional Paper contest form are available in Calvin Hall 124 Office and at the Student Senate Office.

Return completed forms to Calvin Hall 124 C

Address any contest questions to:

Irene Den Bleyker
863-7754
idenbleyker@gallup.unm.edu

Contest dates: November 1, 2010 - November 19, 2010

Judging Criteria for Written Portion

Is the application form completed? (applications without completed forms will not be accepted.)
Is the concept of sustainability clearly told?
Is there a message of sustainability for future generations?
Was one or more of the subcategories addressed?
Has the story addressed one or more natural resources?
Is there an appreciation for environment preservation?
Is the importance of human action on environmental issues demonstrated?
Did the story relate the consequences of specific environmental changes or conditions?

Judging Criteria for Oral Portion

Does the oral story give a powerful message?
How well is the oral story told? Does it keep the audience’s attention?
How well does the student communicate their own view on environmental issues and alternative ways to address them?
Can you orally answer the question, what does sustainability mean to you?

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: November 18, 2010

GALLUP - Four candidates for the Dean of Instruction position at the University of New Mexico-Gallup have been selected by the Dean’s Search Committee and are now scheduled for interviews at UNMG, Zuni Pueblo and at the UNM main campus.

The candidates are: Anthony Mansueto; Peter W. Olson; John Marvin Pippert; and Wesley K. Thomas.

Anthony Mansueto, who earned his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, has taught at a number of institutions in the United States and Mexico, including five years at UNM-Gallup, where he stressed intercultural and civic engagement and community building in his teaching. He served as chair of the Social Sciences Department, and then as Dean of Humanities at Collin College in Dallas. He has been active in projects involving interreligious dialogue, and has had an active career in scholarly research. Among his six published books is The Death of Secular Messianism: Religion and Politics in an Age of Civilizational Crisis (Cascade 2010). He is currently president and senior scholar at Seeking Wisdom, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, interfaith research, education and organizing institute.

Peter W. Olson is a senior associate at eXegy Partners, a training/education organization working with Fortune 50 executives facilitating a wide variety of topics, including global supply chain management, strategic sourcing and leadership. Formerly academic dean of branch campuses at Mountain State University in West Virginia, he earned his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Long Island University and his M.Ph. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University. Dr. Olson was a professor and director of the M.B.A. degree in Economic Crime and Fraud Management at Utica College, New York. He designed and was the chair of the M.S. degree program in International Management for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Hartford, Conn. His previous academic appointments include Long Island University, Central Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University.

Wesley K. Thomas, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is an independent scholar, researcher and consultant. He served as department chair of the Center for Dine Studies at Dine College in Tsaile, Ariz., in 2009-2010. Also during this period he also participated in the Educational Policy Fellowship Program at Teacher’s College at Columbia University in New York City. From 2006 to 2009 he served as Academic Dean at Dine College. Prior, he taught for five years at Indiana University-Bloomington, in the Departments of Anthropology, Gender Studies and International Studies. In addition he was the Founding Director of Indiana University’s First Nations Educational and Cultural Center. He was also an assistant professor from 1999 to 2001 at Idaho State University-Pocatello, in the Departments of Anthropology, American Indian Studies and Women’s studies. He obtained his Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Washington-Seattle.

Marvin Pippert is an educator with more than 25 years of experience as a faculty member, department head and administrator. He received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University and his Master’s and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. A first generation college student, he dedicated a sabbatical year working as a counselor of senior high school students for Upward Bound. He is currently dean of Academic Affairs at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla. In this position, he works with Career-Technical degree programs, general education and academic programs, accrediting agencies, articulation agreements with high schools and outside funding organizations. As a sociologist, he has written, presented and published research in the areas of population, migration and Appalachian culture. Further, he has taught a variety of courses including Population and Society, Race and Ethnicity, Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems at community colleges, four-year liberal arts colleges and universities.

In addition to the interviews by the Dean’s Search Committee, the four candidates will be interviewed at UNM and by the Zuni Governor and Tribal Council. UNM faculty, staff, students and the public will also have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of the candidates during their campus visits.

The schedule for the open forums during which the local community is invited to meet the candidates is as follows:

Anthony Mansueto: Wednesday, December 8, 5-6 p.m., Calvin Hall 248B;

John Marvin Pippert: Monday, December 6, 5-6 p.m., CH 248B;

Peter Olson: Monday, November 22, 6:15-7:15 p.m., CH 248B;

Wesley Thomas: Tuesday, December 14, 5-6 p.m., CH 248B.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: October 29, 2010

GALLUP - The Governor and Council Members of the Pueblo of Zuni and UNM-Gallup’s Executive Director Sylvia Andrew met October 18 to discuss a number of issues that were raised at a recent UNMG Student Senate Town Meeting.

Chief among the concerns of the Pueblo of Zuni was the growth of the Adult Basic Education program and the South Campus’s lack of space to accommodate that growth.

"Approximately 116 students have participated in the ABE program since the beginning of the fiscal year in July 2010," said Andrew. "It appears that interest and participation in this program is growing and space may be a problem."

While there are no easy solutions in times of budget cuts for all of UNM’s branches, Andrew, Gov. Norman Cooeyate and the Council agreed to look at the current space and try to find an alternative site to help with the overflow. Andrew noted that the ABE program may have outgrown its space and there may be a need to explore an alternative.

Despite the challenges of finding new space to accommodate students, there is anecdotal information that the "skills review" program is showing promising results in increasing students’ competency in English and Math, said Andrew.

"These gains in English and Math have made it possible for students to enroll in college-level English and Math courses."

Zuni students also asked at the town meeting for more courses at the South Campus so that they needn’t drive to Gallup. Lower division courses have been developed at the Gallup campus and are now being transmitted to Zuni via I-TV. Providing upper division classes presents a challenge, because of limitations of Internet access at the campus. Meetings between Andrew and the new Zuni Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Loretta DeLong, have resulted in suggestions that the courses could be held at the high school after hours, due to that facility’s better technology.

Andrew said she would ask the upper division program manager, Ken Van Brott, and Jerry Dominguez, vice provost of the upper division programs at UNM, to accompany her to the next meeting with Zuni officials to update them on the courses being offered or planned.

The Zuni Governor and Board said they would like to hear regular updates from the Zuni program manager, Laura Moore, regarding the campus so they can provide support and leverage resources if needed. While Moore has been reporting to the dean of instruction, Andrew said she will change the reporting structure so that Moore will be reporting to her directly. Andrew said she would work with the dean of instruction and department chairs to ensure appropriate classes are being offered at the campus.

Currently, there are two co-deans at UNMG while the campus conducts a search for a new dean of instruction. Andrew has invited the Governor and members of the Council to meet with finalists during their visit to the Zuni campus and provide feedback on the candidates.

"We agreed to revisit the recommendations and suggestions that were reported during the Talking Circles held at the Zuni Campus in April 2009," Andrew said. "We spoke about the need to have a vision and strategic plan for the Zuni Campus and the Zuni Talking Circle Summary Report is a great first step."

Other issues discussed included finding ways to circumvent the lack of a library for Zuni students. Andrew suggested providing the Zuni Pueblo Library with materials for the Zuni campus students by leveraging resources that are only available to the pueblos and tribes.

"This was a great meeting in which everyone was candid, open and expressed a commitment to collaborate and leverage our resources," Andrew said.

Gov. Cooeyate, Council Members of the Pueblo of Zuni and Andrew will be calling for an evaluation of the ABE Program in Zuni. On March 19, 2009, Gov. Richardson signed SB 196, the State Tribal Collaboration Act into law that allows for Tribal officials or their delegated representatives to seek consultation between the Cabinet Secretary for Higher Education and Tribal officials. Cooeyate, Pueblo Council members and Andrew agreed that the results of the consultation process should promote adequate and even quality education outcomes.

“It was a positive outcome and I look forward to having a good working relationship in addressing our students’ educational needs both at our local campus and the campus in Gallup,” Cooeyate said of recent meeting with Andrew. “With this collaboration, we could go to UNM and advocate for more student services at both campuses. I believe that while Dr. Andrew’s visit stems from the recent student forum, she is open to having continual dialogue. We know we can’t solve all the problems in one day but hopefully can address enough of them to meet needs prevalent at both campuses.”

Cooeyate added, “As a strong advocate for the passage of SB 196, I strongly implore the New Mexico Director of Adult Basic Education, New Mexico Public Education Department Director, the Provost for the University of New Mexico – Albuquerque and the deans for Gallup and the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary to meet with the Zuni Tribal Council in addressing our students’ educational concerns, especially the ABE Program.”

Andrew, the Governor and the Council agreed to meet quarterly to review progress.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: September 20, 2010

GALLUP - New Mexico voters will go to the polls November 2 to decide on Education Bond D, which will provide $155.2 million in funding for capital improvements at institutions of higher education and constitutional special schools throughout New Mexico. UNM-Gallup is due $1.4 million of that funding, if passed, for construction and improvements to Zollinger Library, including completing lower level shell space.

Also at stake is Library Bond B, which, if passed, will provide UNMG with about $40,000 for its library acquisitions, including books, reference materials, media, software and equipment.

"The passage of Education Bond D will have a domino effect of positive outcomes for our state,” said former N.M. Governors Garrey Carruthers and Toney Anaya, statewide honorary co-chairs of the General Obligation Bond Committee. “By improving the infrastructure at institutions of higher education, we can create a better learning environment for our students, which means a better skilled workforce that will attract higher paying jobs to our state. No matter where you live in New Mexico, there is a school and a community that will benefit from Bond D.”

The General Obligation Bond D is funded by a modest property tax assessment of about 30 cents per year per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. For example, citizens will pay $9.98 per year on a property with an assessed value of $100,000. This minimal tax is designed to have a large impact because nearly every institution of higher education in the state will receive funding for much-needed improvements.

The capital improvement projects that receive funding under Bond D will have an immediate economic impact, creating jobs for architects, contractors and others in the construction trade. In addition, the state’s future professionals and entrepreneurs, as well as graduates in technical fields, will have the improved learning environment they need to succeed, which translates into a better skilled workforce that will attract higher paying jobs to New Mexico. It is estimated that a multiplier of 2.5 to 4 times the amount of money received by an institution can be used to estimate how the larger community (i.e. contractors, suppliers, etc.) will be impacted by the bond.

"Passage of the bond issue will allow UNMG to complete the shell space in the lower level of the library,” said Sylvia Andrew, executive director. “Plans for the estimated 5,500-square foot basement include additional meeting space, student study areas, expanded shelf space and a possible special collections area. Completing the basement will also require a new HVAC system and lower level access. Our library is not only used by students but our local community has found the library a wonderful place to study and learn. We encourage voters to consider this issue carefully. ”

For more information about Education Bond D, visit www.EducationinNewMexico.com.

Absentee voting for the measure will be Oct. 5-30, while early voting will be Oct. 16-30.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: August 24, 2010

GALLUP - The University of New Mexico-Gallup has announced its fall schedule of non-credit, community education classes.

Candle Making: Make scented, colorful candles using new containers or one of your own favorites. When: Tuesdays, September 14 to October 5, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall 103; fee, $35; instructor, Nancy Bruker.

Basic Beginner Computer Class: Peaceful exploration of computers at your own pace. Topics include: computer vocabulary, operation of programs, using email, and internet aid for online research and creating your own documents. This class is only for people who have no experience using computers. When: Mondays, September 13 to November 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; location, Lions Hall Computer Lab (enrollment limited to 16 students); fee, $50; instructor, Amy E. Clark.

Beading: Learn the art of beading and make your own jewelry. Bring the beads you want to work with: turquoise, sea, mother of pearl, chip strands, etc. A supply list will be available for you when you register. When: Wednesdays, September 8 to October 6, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall 103; fee, $50; instructor, Marie Platero.

Basic Conversational Chinese: There are approximately 1.1 billion Mandarin Chinese speakers in the world. If you learn to speak Mandarin, you will be able to communicate with nearly 20 percent of the world's population. In this Basic Conversational Chinese class, you will learn to speak basic Chinese Mandarin, including tones, basic vocabulary, basic sentence structure, greetings, getting around, eating and drinking, entertainment, shopping, etc. When: Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m., September 8 to October 27; location, Lions Hall 109; fee, $50; instructor, Dr. Yi-Wen Huang.

Beginning/Advanced Silversmith: In the first and second class you will make a copper bracelet with stamp imprints of your choice, and pendent and earrings to match; in the third, fourth and fifth you'll start using a torch for soldering the silver and using turquoise. A supply list will be provided when your register. When, Thursdays, September 9 to October 14, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall 103; fee, $50; instructor, Marie Platero.

Decoupage: This is a beginning decoupage class. Decoupage is quite simple and if you can cut and paste then you are on your way to creating some cool objects. Basically, you cut out pictures; glue the pictures onto an object; and then cover the object and pictures with a few coats of decoupage medium to protect it. When, Mondays, November 1-22, 6- 8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall 109; fee, $40; instructor, Lisa Blanco.

Introduction to Basic Microsoft Office Suite 2007: Word, Access, Excel and Powerpoint. Looking to enhance your skills in Microsoft (2007) Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access? This course will introduce students, working professionals and job seekers to beginner-level and some intermediate hands-on training in the Microsoft Office Suite (2007) software application.

What you will learn:

Introduction to practical application usage
Creating, saving, modifying and printing any 2007 Office file
How to use keyboard shortcuts and commands
How to make basic presentations in PowerPoint by adding: pictures, music and sound and different introduction slide techniques; how to add tables from existing Word documents to Excel, plus using formulas to automatically calculate various scenarios, and using Excel to enhance projects by adding pie, bar and graph carts; using Access to formulate a database by using the Wizard templates, including keeping track and generating reports based on general search criteria, and learning how to create a customer and inventory database log.

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 7 to October 14, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall computer Lab Room 114; fee, $75; instructor, Arthur Ledesma. Enrollment limited to 15.

Introduction to Computer Hardware/Software: Troubleshoot, Repair, Install New Hardware or Software: Have you ever wondered how to optimize, diagnose, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, secure, install a newer operating system, or perform preventative maintenance on your computer? Are you a PC gamer and want to have an edge over your competition? Do you want to save money by fixing your own computer?

What you will learn:

Hands-on training building a new computer
How to troubleshoot and repair common issues
Design your own personal computer
How to install and use your computer peripherals
Learn the seven key components that make a PC
Save lots of money by fixing your own computer
How to install the latest operating system
How to safely take apart and reassemble a computer

When: Wednesdays, September 15-December 8 (no class on November 24), 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall Computer Lab Room 114; fee, $50; instructor, Arthur Ledesma. Enrollment limited to 15 students.

Scrap Booking: Want to scrapbook? All you need is a desire to become the memory keeper of your special occasions and favorite every-day moments. We will be creating pages using acid-free paper, stencils, stickers and your creativity. Bring your special pictures. When: Thursdays, October 7-28, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall Sunroom; fee, $40; instructor, Ester Sanchez.

Holiday Gift Basket & Bow Making: Come and learn how to put beautiful gift baskets together for all occasions and learn how to make those big beautiful bows. A supply list will be available for you when you register. When: Mondays, November 1 & 8, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall Sunroom; fee, $25; instructor, Ara Green.

For more information on any of these classes and to register call (505)863-7743 or (505)863-7738; and must be paid for a week in advance. email lmlopez@gallup.unm.edu or dsilva@gallup.unm.edu.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: July 7, 2010

GALLUP - The University of New Mexico-Gallup has been awarded a $500,000-plus grant from the National Science Foundation to build its science program and increase the number of students going on to pursue a four-year degree in the so-called STEM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

"We don’t graduate enough students in science,” said Chris Platero, assistant professor of mathematics and physics at UNMG and the principal investigator for the grant. Platero said he and a UNMG team that includes Kamala Sharma, associate professor of chemistry, will spend the next year deciding how best the funds could be used over the five-year limit of the grant. Their foremost effort will be put into developing criteria for scholarships to attract students to the program. The scholarships will help pay for tuition, books, fees and other needs.

The college has been working to get a National Science Foundation grant for several years. Initially the application was turned down, but as Platero explained, UNMG’s grants office corrected some of the deficiencies of the first application, and resubmitted it a year ago.

For Platero, a member of the Navajo Nation, the grant will represent an opportunity to promote science as a career choice among Native Americans and other students at UNMG.

"Science is not a first option here,” Platero noted. “I am seeing more students who want an easy degree.” He says students may also not have been sufficiently advised about the possibilities of a science career, and how such jobs may be high paying and in demand in the future. Further, students in this region have few role models of successful scientists.

"I don’t know if they know, for instance, what engineers are and the different types of engineers,” Platero said. “They don’t see beyond the walls.”

Among the initiatives Platero might launch to entice students into pursuing a science education, beyond standard recruiting, would be to organize an elementary-level science fair, and to recruit speakers who have successful careers in science, such as engineers from Sandia and Los Alamos. He also will provide advisers and recruiters with information about potentially large growth industries in science, such as green technology, renewable energy and sustainability – all of which are expected to generate professional-level, high-paying jobs for science majors even in local areas.

Another tool for promoting the science program is the AISES club – American Indian Science and Engineering Society, a student club that Platero has sponsored for several years. Participation in student clubs at a community college waxes and wanes, depending on who is around to keep them going, but Platero keeps promoting AISES among his students, and hopes to see it grow as more science and mathematics majors are recruited through this grant. He is hopeful that if enough students are active, they could help orchestrate the return of the science fair to Gallup-McKinley County.

Currently, UNMG offers a two-year associate’s degree in science. It’s not an “easy” degree; students must take Calculus I &II, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. But it will help prepare them for transfer to a four-year university, where they may specialize in a particular branch of science. Furthermore, Platero is planning to break down those “walls” that students may have erected between themselves and the possibility of pursuing a science education.

Platero, who says he was drawn to mathematics because of “the art of it”, has developed some unique methods to motivate his students. He designs his class to engage the students and make mathematics interesting to them, principally through several fun exercises that help them to interact with one another and, once the shyness is overcome, they become more engaged in the course material. He’s seen good results from students who say they used to hate math, and are now enjoying it.

Platero sees this grant as a means to contribute to the reversal of the nationwide trend for American students in general, and minority students in particular, to avoid studying science.

"Not many students at UNMG have accepted the science challenge,” he said. “I want to change that.”

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: July 19, 2010

GALLUP - The University of New Mexico-Gallup is one of 28 sites chosen to participate in a new program that extends the power of supercomputing to remote access points strategically placed at every public college campus in the state.

Campus officials met with Gina Tanner, a coordinator with the New Mexico Computing Applications Center in Albuquerque, on Friday to sign a memo of understanding with the Gateway program, an outgrowth of the Governor’s success in acquiring the fastest publicly available supercomputer in the world for New Mexico., known as Encanto.

The remote sites will help communities and colleges far away from the supercomputer, which is housed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, take advantage of technology for diverse purposes, including education, research, environmental studies and community and economic development.

The free equipment, which will be given to UNMG and other remote sites by the state’s Department of Information Technology, or DoIT, will be available not only to UNMG users but also K-12 students, businesses, government organizations and whoever else in the Gallup community might need it. Users may be asked to pay a fee to recover the college’s costs for housing and overseeing the use of the equipment, although most likely school groups will not be charged.

Some of the uses the Gallup branch might make of Gateway: teleconferencing, distance education, scientific research, health careers and nursing studies, and video or film education. Community uses, in addition to those by local school children, might include business conferences, arts presentations, research and development for science or business and film production. Tanner said that conceivably, aspiring local actors might even audition for parts in a play or movie for a director in Albuquerque.

NMCAC will install the equipment within four to six weeks and follow up with training for designated individuals on campus. Quarterly training will be offered to the persons in charge of the equipment, and a user module will be available for public or college users.

NMCAC provided the following description of the capability of the system that will be installed at UNMG and at other campuses across the state: “The Gateways will be equipped with a set of desktop computers that, in conjunction with the large 3D stereo monitors, can be used to bring new capabilities into the classroom: the use of simulations to help students understand the impact of climate change, teaching emergency medical procedures by streaming 3D high-definition films; being able to rotate and view works of art in high definition 3D; engineering courses with 3D stereo CAD-CAM. …”

As Tanner pointed out, studies show that students’ ability to learn appears to be greatly enhanced by the use of 3D images.

The equipment will come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. For two years thereafter NMCAC will be responsible for replacing hardware. After the first three years, said Tanner, NMCAC will strive to provide either continued support, or if possible, to replace the Gateway equipment purchased by the state.

“The equipment and supercomputing capabilities will allow faculty to use this technology in their classroom, while the campus community will have opportunities to collaborate and network with colleagues not only in New Mexico but around the world by clicking a button,” said Sylvia Andrew, executive director. “We are particularly excited about sharing this technology with our community. The possibilities are endless.”

The Gateway system could be up and running and ready for use by the start of the fall semester, August 23.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: July 21, 2010

Non-credit courses
Registration deadline for all classes is 2 weeks before classes start.
You cannot register for these classes online
All classes must be paid 1 week in advance
For more information on class and to register call 863-7743 or 863-7738; email lmlopez@gallup.unm.edu or dsilva@gallup.unm.edu

Candle Making

Make scented, colorful candles using new containers or one of your own favorites. Great to give as gifts for any occasion.

When: Tuesdays, September 14 to October 5, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall 103; fee, $35; instructor, Nancy Bruker

Basic Beginner Computer Class

Your friends and relatives consider you ancient history because computers just don't like you? Join us for peaceful exploration of computers at your own pace. Topics include: computer vocabulary, operation of programs, using email, and internet aid for online research and creating your own documents.

This class is only for people who have no experience using computers.

When: Mondays, September 13 to November 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; location, Lions Hall Computer Lab (enrollment limited to 16 students); fee, $50; instructor, Amy E. Clark

Beading

Come learn the art of beading and make your own jewelry. Bring the beads you want to work with: turquoise, sea, mother of pearl, chip strands, etc. A supply list will be available for you when you register.

When: Wednesdays. 6 to 8 p.m., September 8 to October 6; location, Lions Hall 103; instructor, Marie Platero; fee, $50

Basic Conversational Chinese

There are approximately 1.1 billion Mandarin Chinese speakers in the world. If you learn to speak Mandarin, you will be able to communicate with nearly 20 percent of the world's population. In this Basic Conversational Chinese class, you will learn to speak basic Chinese Mandarin, including tones, basic vocabulary, basic sentence structure, greetings, getting around, eating and drinking, entertainment, shopping, etc.

When: Wednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m., September 8 to October 27; location, Lions Hall 109; instructor, Dr. Yi-Wen Huang; fee, $50

Beginning/Advanced Silversmith

In the first and second class you will make a copper bracelet with stamp imprints of your choice, and pendent and earrings to match; in the third, fourth and fifth you'll start using a torch for soldering the silver and using turquoise. A supply list will be provided when your register.

When, Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m., September 9 to October 14; location, Lions Hall 103; instructor, Marie Platero; fee, $50

Decoupage

This is a beginning decoupage class where you will learn the basics. Decoupage is quite simple and if you can cut and paste then you are on your way to creating some cool objects. Basically, you cut out pictures; you glue the pictures onto an object; and then cover the object and pictures with a few coats of decoupage medium to protect it.

When, Mondays, November 1-22; 6 to 8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall 109; instructor, Lisa Blanco; fee, $40

Introduction to Basic Microsoft Office Suite 2007: Word, Access, Excel and Powerpoint

Looking to enhance your skills in Microsoft (2007) Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access? This course will introduce students, working professionals and job seekers to beginner-level and some intermediate hands-on training in the Microsoft Office Suite (2007) software application.

What you will learn:

Introduction to practical application usage
Creating, saving, modifying and printing any 2007 Office file
How to use keyboard shortcuts and commands
How to make basic presentations in PowerPoint by adding: pictures, music and sound and different introduction slide techniques; how to add tables from existing Word documents to Excel, plus using formulas to automatically calculate various scenarios, and using Excel to enhance projects by adding pie, bar and graph carts; using Access to formulate a database by using the Wizard templates, including keeping track and generating reports based on general search criteria, and learning how to create a customer and inventory database log

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m., September 7 to October 14; location, Lions Hall computer Lab Room 114; instructor, Arthur Ledesma; fee, $75. Enrollment limited to 15.

Introduction to Computer Hardware/Software: Troubleshoot, Repair, Install New Hardware or Software

Have you ever wondered how to optimize, diagnose, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, secure, install a newer operating system, or perform preventative maintenance on your computer? Are you a PC gamer and want to have an edge over your competition? Do you want to save money by fixing your own computer?

What you will learn:

Hands-on training building a new computer
How to troubleshoot and repair common issues
Design your own personal computer
How to install and use your computer peripherals
Learn the seven key components that make a PC
Save lots of money by fixing your own computer
How to install the latest operating system
How to safely take apart and reassemble a computer

When: Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., September 15-December 8 (no class on November 24); location, Lions Hall Computer Lab Room 114; fee,5; instructor, Arthur Ledesma. Enrollment limited to 15 students.

Scrap Booking

Want to scrapbook? All you need is a desire to become the memory keeper of your special occasions and favorite every-day moments. We will be creating pages using acid-free paper, stencils, stickers and your creativity. Bring your special pictures! When: Thursdays, October 7-28, 6-8 p.m.; location, Lions Hall Sunroom; fee, $40; instructor, Ester Sanchez

Holiday Gift Basket & Bow Making

Come and learn how to put beautiful gift baskets together for all occasions and learn how to make those big beautiful bows.
A supply list will be available for you when you register.

When: Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m., November 1 & 8; location, Lions Hall Sunroom; instructor, Ara Green; fee: $25

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: June 8, 2010

GALLUP - Some UNM-Gallup students and employees got to test their mettle in the Grand Canyon in mid-May. Paul Kraft, director of Student Services and an experienced hiker, led the group - composed of students (and a friend), faculty and staff ranging in age from early 20s to mid-50s - on a grueling one-day, 22-mile trek from the South Rim to the North Rim.

None except Kraft and Darrell Thompson, AV tech, had ever hiked the canyon. Only a few of the group had trained even minimally.

Hiking Grand Canyon from rim to rim in a day requires one to be in pretty good physical condition. The trek involves a steep, 5000-foot , 7-mile long descent from the South Rim, then a 10-mile footslog over the hot canyon floor (it was over 90 degrees the day the UNMG group hiked) and then an even steeper 4.5-mile ascent to the North Rim. Hikers who fall behind must grope their way in the dark or try to rest till morning by the trail and finish it in daylight. Camping in a campsite is usually not an option for the day hiker, as they must have reserved a campsite months in advance, and also must hike in with their camping equipment. Those who suffer heatstroke or dehydration and who cannot finish the hike might have to pay more than $2500 to be evacuated.

Kraft left the hikers on the South Rim early in the day and drove to the North Rim to set up camp. Six hours after he let them out, he made his way down the North Kaibab trail to meet up with the group. He encountered Thompson, IT Tech Billy O’Neal, students Henry Yazzie and recent UNMG grad Mike Kirk, who said they hadn’t seen the others in a while. This group pressed on to the North Rim, while Kraft went on to find the others. A mile on, he came upon student Casey Charley, his friend Monica Dennison and student Sheridan Cowboy, exhausted, and with about six miles to go in the waning daylight. He left them to find physical education instructor Cynthia Chavez, who had taken a side trip to a waterfall. Together, they caught up with the students. Chavez went on, and completed the hike in 13 and a half hours. Kraft stayed with the second group and accompanied them as they made their way up the last, steep, debilitating six-mile leg of the ascent. They ended up hiking for 16 hours. All the hikers fell into an exhausted sleep after reaching camp.

"I was so impressed with those that hiked. No one whined or complained, they just did it.,” Kraft said. “It was obviously a significant experience for everyone and I think everyone learned some things about themselves. The canyon is beautiful, inspiring, rugged, unyielding ... for some, this may be their first and last trip; for others, this trek inspired them to go after it again after getting into better shape.” Kraft said he may organize a return trip in October, but the next time, he will insist that all participants train for it.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: June 18, 2010

GALLUP - Saying he was ready to see the next Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford spring from the University of New Mexico-Gallup campus, Gov. Bill Richardson was on hand June 17 to present the college with a check for $150,000 from the New Mexico Film Office to start a film/broadcast program.

Richardson has, throughout his tenure, emphasized that New Mexico needs to develop its potential as a center for filmmaking as an economic resource. New Mexico currently is the third most active state in filmmaking, behind California and New York. The film industry in New Mexico has been a source of income to those who provide services, such as catering and hospitality, but hasn’t provided many opportunities for New Mexicans in terms of direct employment in filmmaking.

“We have concentrated on mining, tourism, oil and gas in New Mexico,” Richardson said. “We’ve also branched out to solar and high tech energy, and the Spaceport. But the film industry will help lots of kids. I want the crews who work on films to be from New Mexico. We could have new professions by training crew members.” Richardson said the colleges that are receiving the funds for this film incentive – which also include San Juan Community College, Eastern New Mexico State University in Roswell, New Mexico State University in Carlsbad, Western New Mexico University and Luna Community College – could develop training necessary for jobs like these.

Richardson harked back to Gallup’s movie-making past, when it was a much-used locale during the Western movie era, and said he’d like to see that happen again.

He also said that while movie making has been important to New Mexico’s economic development, not all cultures – particularly Native American – have benefited. Neither has their story always been well told by the movies, he added.

Joe Shirley, president of the Navajo Nation, echoed this, saying, “Too long the stories were told about us and for us. Now we need to do it ourselves. This money is a boost. It will give us an edge.”

“Here’s an opportunity to lay history down with cultural sensitivity. It’s difficult for non-natives to understand our view,” said Norman Cooyate, governor of Zuni Pueblo, who said he was hopeful about how this donation would provide opportunities for young people in Zuniland. He also related how a film company had recently explored making a commercial in Zuni, but had opted for Santa Fe instead, and what a disappointment that was for the Pueblo, with its 65 percent unemployment.

He drew some laughs when he thanked Richardson, whose “lame duck” status was alluded to in a joking manner not only by Richardson but by other officials, for being the “flying lame duck who is laying the golden eggs. They’re always welcome in Zuniland.”

Sen. George Munoz spoke about helping to get bills passed that have promoted the film industry in New Mexico, and thanked Richardson for bringing some of the state money back to his region to help Gallup get a share of the benefits.

Sylvia Andrew, executive director of UNMG, mentioned the various ways that the money may be used at UNMG, which might include enhancing some of the broadcast and film components of the college’s current communication and journalism and digital design and media programs, as well as buying equipment.

Lisa Strout, director of the New Mexico Film Office, spoke of “under-represented voices” among the state’s storytellers, and referred to the Governor’s agreement with actor and environmentalist Robert Redford through the Milagro at Los Luceros initiative, designed to nurture Native American and Hispanic filmmakers.

“The commitment needs to be made to keep this going,” Strout said, referring to Richardson’s push to develop the film industry in New Mexico, and stressing that the momentum would need to be carried forward into the next administration.

UNMG has sponsored a summer film boot camp in the past, and has offered filmmaking classes through its Digital Design and Media classes.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: April 5, 2010

GALLUP - Two years ago the Construction Technology Department at the University of New Mexico-Gallup launched an effort to “go green.” To that end, they began planning a certificate program in Green Building Technology. Other efforts included producing biodiesel fuel to power some of their machines and continuing with an annual home and garden show that they had started a year before.

Now, two years on, the certificate program is well under way, and the two instructors – Rick Krouth and Chris Chavez – are firmly entrenched in building ties with the local community through their green construction program. The hope is that Gallup can become a model for what a small rural community can accomplish in energy savings and helping the environment.

Chavez, who has his students helping with their third UNMG Habitat for Humanity House, has been employing green building practices in the construction of the home.

“When it’s finished, this will be most energy efficient home in Gallup,” he says, citing pre-fabricated insulated wall panels and a unique method of constructing the two-story house in a frame rather than creating a floor, then adding a wall, another floor and another wall. The floor for the second story is hung from inside the first story. Rooms have standard ceiling height of eight feet.

The 1300-square-foot home may sound a bit small, but Chavez said it is designed for a six-person family.

"It’s got the footprint of a standard house, even though the square footage is not huge. The spaces are pretty decent, in fact,” he said. "They are laid out more efficiently, with wider hallways. Construction is always ADA-compliant construction when we partner with Habitat. There’s also plenty of closet space. There are lots of ways to save space, and we put that into play when we designed this house.”

This house will be cheaper to heat than other Habitat houses, with its 98 percent efficient furnace, which will blow forced air through duct work in the floors.

"Within the last four years, mechanicals [in furnace design] have doubled efficiencies,” Chavez said. “Once you put them in, they pay for themselves.”

Rick Krouth, who was certified last year by the Building Professionals Institute for Building Analysis Training, said the department is moving forward in an attempt to establish a building performance institute.

The Construction Technology Department launched its green certificate program last year, and is promoting it to the local community, both for high school students in the vocational track as well as high school graduates seeking the education needed to be employable in this field. Krouth said he hopes to affiliate with a national certification organization in an effort to attain certification for the program.

The program, which requires the completion of 33 credits, requires students to complete the following courses: Timber Frame Construction, Passive Solar Adobe, Renewable Energy Active Systems, Sustainable Landscape and Green Building/Design

In the Timber Frame Construction course, students learn about log, timber, post and beam construction technologies, with an emphasis on sustainable wood and infill strategies. In Sustainable Landscaping, students learn about landscaping and gardening in the high desert mesa ecosystem of this region. Course topics touch on passive solar effects sustainable buildings, native and adopted low water-use plants, water harvesting and xeriscape design.

Another community project that is ongoing is work at the McKinley County Humane Society. Krouth’s class is finishing up an operating room with materials that were purchased with community donations. He said his class will continue to help the Humane Society as needed.

Both instructors agree that “green” building is an idea whose time has come, although they recognize that places like Gallup have a ways to go to catch up with what’s being done in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

“This new technology is expensive at the outset,” said Krouth, “but it pays for itself in the long run.”

That’s why they are hopeful that local builders, companies, institutions, organizations and homeowners will take heed of the work the college is doing to bring green building practices to Gallup. The college is offering locals the chance to build a symbiotic relationship: UNM-Gallup will be the place to learn these new methods and practices, while students will need real life projects to work on to get experience. Opportunities to build partnerships are always welcome, say Krouth and Chavez.

In addition to construction, the instructors are also planning green projects with a small wind generator (they already have one on order) and photovoltaic systems for producing alternative sources of power.

“You need live projects, and we’re planning to do much more,” Krouth said.

For more information, contact Krouth at 505.863.7560 or Chavez at 505.863.7544.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: March 10, 2010

Ronald Nez, left, and Michael Bejarano mask a windshield prior to spray painting an auto in the Collision Repair paint booth.

GALLUP - The field of collision repair has seen a lot of changes since UNM-Gallup instructor Cliff Burnhan entered it at the age of 18, right after trade school.

“When I first started, you had metal cars. Now you’re dealing with all kinds of different sub-straits, like plastic, fiberglass, and carbon fiber,” he explains. Furthermore, it’s no longer simply a matter of hammering out dents or replacing bumpers. The new materials require a wider range of skills, and more intensive training to become adept with new tools and techniques.

Burnham’s program provides instruction on putting in windshields, welding, mechanics, working with the new materials, learning painting techniques and mixing custom colors, and even some very basic know-how regarding repairing upholstery.

Enrollees in a certificate or associate’s degree program may bring in their cars to the college’s body shop to work on. Students also get to work on special projects that local body shops might not want to deal with – like a recent restoration of a 1943 Ford Jeep, the precursor to the Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep, owned by a local, is now being lovingly restored by the students to reflect its original glory as a work horse four-wheel drive utility vehicle used by the Allies in World War II.

Students can also cut their teeth on special painting projects, such as the new paint job being applied to the college’s police vehicle, a work in progress that promises to be an attention getter.

Burnham teaches his students something of the history of automobile painting, which was originally done with a brush. A couple of decades later, the technology changed to suction feed spray guns. Sixty to 80 years after that, the high-volume low-pressure, or HVLP, guns were introduced.

“It takes a lot of practice to learn the basics and the technique. Usually, you have to paint three to six cars or trucks before you start to feel comfortable. You can’t just turn someone loose with a spray gun,” Burnham said. He stresses the basics, and it’s up to the students to hone their skills at air brushing, painting murals, applying decals and other custom techniques.

Speaking of painting, the college was fortunate five years ago to get a $58,000 paint booth, which allows students to apply paint in a controlled environment. Burnham is now looking at a $6000 upgrade to adapt the booth to waterborne paints – the latest innovation in the field.

“With these new waterborne paints you can spray with a regular HAP respirator or without a respirator, and you can clean up with water. It dries well and covers better, and does everything solvent-based paint does, with less of an impact on the environment,” Burnham said. The new techniques also allow faster drying. Normally, it can take a couple of days for a car to dry without a paint booth. With a paint booth solvent-based paints take 40 minutes to one hour. With waterborne paints it takes two to 20 minutes to dry with the upgraded booth.

The UNM-Gallup collision repair shop is pretty well fitted for tools, he noted.

“Recently, we became the only body shop in the state to get a plastic-filler applicator gun,” said Burnham. The program was recently awarded one of the guns – complete with cartridges – by the 3M Company after Burnham filled out an online survey. The cost of the gun and cartridges usually runs around $6000.

Besides being more environmentally friendly these days, collision repair techniques have also had to become more sophisticated to meet auto industry changes driven by safety requirements. The new materials are a case in point. As Burnham tells his students, the newer materials – the plastics, aluminums and carbon fibers – are much stronger than they appear. Further, auto design has improved significantly, giving drivers and passengers much better odds of surviving crashes than half a century ago.

“Most people think that if you drive a steel ’59 Chevy into a newer car, say a Honda, at 40 miles per hour, the Chevy will destroy the Honda. That’s not true,” he says. An actual test collision between two such vehicles, where the impact was registered at 80 mph, showed the vintage Chevy taking a whipping.

“The old cars weren’t designed to take that kind of punishment. The newer cars have crush zones, so they absorb the impact before it goes into the compartment. Race car design has contributed to greater safety of new cars,” he explained, adding that today’s collision repair students need to understand these fundamentals of safety as they learn their trade.

Students typically complete some or all of 12 courses, including Basic Auto Body, Paint and Refinishing Equipment, Auto Welding, Restoring Corrosion Protection, Auto Glass/Restraint Systems (for a certificate), plus Identification and Analysis - Damage, and Straightening and Measuring Systems I and II for a degree. They may also need to take certain core classes, depending on whether they go for a certificate or degree, in math, communications and computer fundamentals.

While most of his classes are composed of high school students or young adults aiming at a well-paying career, Burnham says he also gets older body specialists who come to him to learn the newer techniques.

“It’s a lifetime job. Students need to learn mechanics, welding, mixing custom colors – even some woodworking. They need to know all these things to stay up with the changes in the field,” said Burnham.

For more information, contact Burnham at 863-7530.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: March 12, 2010

GALLUP - Combat veterans from recent wars often face the same challenges that previous generations of soldiers encountered in reintegrating themselves to society. What’s different for today’s vets, however, is that those challenges -- such as post-traumatic stress disorder -- are better understood and efforts are being made to reach out to the men and women now trying to build a new life after their tour of duty has ended.

At the University of New Mexico-Gallup, there’s an organization that hopes to help that process along. The UNMG Veterans Association has been active for several years with varying participation, but for the last two years, under the leadership of former UNMG student Robbie Yazza and the group’s current president, Mike Kirk, it’s been expanding its mission.

“It’s a way for all of us to come together and set an example for others – for all those who’ve come to UNMG to put their lives together,” said Kirk, a Special Forces veteran of Afghanistan. “It’s up to us to not fall victim to stereotypes – to show that we’re successful at reintegrating and that they can do it too.”

The ways of reaching out have varied – from hosting movies on Thursdays, to riding on a flatbed truck in a Memorial Day parade. They have also served as security at dances, held a picnic and honored student vets and performed a flag-raising ceremony last Veterans’ Day.

All these activities represent a strong effort to help veterans navigate the sometimes hazardous passage back to the world they left behind when they went to war. As the group’s members all acknowledge, the world they return to is much the same; it is they who are different.

As Jason Joe, Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the group’s vice president, explains, veterans struggle with suddenly being alone and on their own when they leave the structured life of the military.

“It took me a while to straighten out after I came home. You go from being in your squad, where you help each other, to being on your own,” he said. Combat veterans may also compound problems by medicating their psychological wounds with drugs or alcohol – an experience Joe can relate to.

“I used alcohol to keep the experience behind me, but it came out anyway. After quitting [drinking] I decided to go back to school.” Joe says he has found that using the same discipline he learned in the Army helps him stay focused in school, as does the support of the Veterans’ Association, which parallels the support he used to find from his squad.

“We keep each other in line. We’re a team. And we try to network with veterans at other schools so that we can keep the support going. It helps to see familiar faces,” Joe said.

The UNMG vets are planning to expand that network through participation in the annual Bataan Memorial Marathon at White Sands Missile Range on March 23. Student vets will be accompanied by UNMG advisor and Veterans’ Association sponsor Wyatt Stiger (retired Navy veteran) and Student Services Director Paul Kraft in this marathon, which has become an annual event for scores of veterans nationwide.

The marathon commemorates the infamous Bataan Death March of 1942, in which 70,000 Filipino and American troops surrendered to the Japanese and were forced to embark on a brutal 60-mile march to prison camps, during which thousands died.

The vets will have their choice of running the marathon or a 15.4-mile course. Two categories are offered – light, with runners wearing standard distance-running apparel, or heavy, where marchers must carry a minimum of 35 pounds in rucksacks or backpacks. Although the event is also open to civilians, military entrants in the heavy category must wear their combat uniforms or other service-equivalent uniform.

The student vets attending besides Kirk and Joe will be Phil Notah, Traci Shorty, Delinah Steward, Lloyd Apachee and Cassandra Morgan.

Kirk and Joe are hoping that this activity will help cement the bonds that have been formed among the group over the past year. Kirk will be graduating in May, and Joe likewise will be leaving UNMG in a semester. Both men want the group to continue strong – and to be there for other vets who may need the support it offers.

Acknowledging the reality of PTSD for himself after his combat experience, Kirk says oftentimes vets are hesitant to admit to it, in the belief it’s a sign of weakness. This can contribute to isolation, and perhaps a hesitancy to seek the solace of those with similar experiences.

“It’s true,” he says. “When you come back, you feel different. When I first walked through the Commons, I felt like I was on Mars. One week, I was in a Humvee, in a state of high alert, and then I’m here. You feel out of place. I’m making progress, though. I feel more now, two years later, like a normal guy. I feel more compassion.”

He attributes much of his progress to the counsel of older veterans. And that’s something he wants those that come after him at UNMG to find in place in the future.

Be that as it may, he realized that for some student vet enrolled at the college, the effort to reach out is just too much. For whatever reason, they are unable to join the group or make themselves known as needing the support of those with similar experiences. That’s one of the reasons the group hit upon the idea of posting a bulletin board in Gurley Hall, near Stiger’s advisement office. Those who choose not to join the group can still benefit from writing down the phone numbers posted there and use the information the Veterans Association regularly posts.

“There’s a lot of help available locally,” Joe said. “But what we can do is help them understand the frustrations of getting through the paperwork involved in accessing benefits so they can go to college. We’ve got names and numbers.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the UNMG Veterans Association may contact Stiger at 505.863.7607.

Caption: From left, Jason Joe, UNMG Veterans’ Association vice president; Kimberly Longhair, secretary; Mike Kirk, UNMGVA president; and Wyatt Stiger, UNMGVA sponsor and UNMG academic advisor.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: MARCH 25, 2010

GALLUP - Sixteen years ago, Senior Audio Visual Technician Darrell Thompson discovered through a drive held at UNM-Gallup that he had a rare type of blood and was persuaded that he should sign up as a potential bone marrow donor. At that time, donating bone marrow to help treat people with various forms of cancer, immune diseases and aplastic anemia was still somewhat new.

It wasn’t until last year that he finally got called upon to make a donation. The recipient was to be a 3-year-old boy with leukemia -- a person whose identity is unknown to Thompson.

Thompson traveled to San Diego last year for evaluation, and after a battery of tests that included ensuring he had the right tissue type, and many questions about health-related issues, he was given the go-ahead as a donor for the boy. He made a second trip to San Diego and underwent the procedure of having his bone marrow harvested under anesthesia and in an operating room. Then, in January, Thompson was contacted again by the bone marrow transplant registry that he had signed up with. The young patient’s doctors wanted him to undergo a second transplant for the same patient.

“I had to think about that,” Thompson said, recalling the discomfort and anxiety that the first donation had entailed.

Ultimately, the same thoughts that had inspired him to embark on this course persuaded him to make the second donation.

“I had thought about what it would be like for a 3-year-old child to go through this, and I just had to do it,” he said. “So when they called in January, I had to help him.”

And so Thompson flew to San Diego to again undergo numerous tests to make sure he was free of diseases - from HIV to hepatitis to the common cold. Even a minor illness like a cold or sore throat could compromise the impaired immune system of the recipient, and risk not only the success of the transplant, but also the now 4-year-old boy’s life.

The operation requires the donor to undergo a needle-sized puncture through the back of the hip. The angle of the needle is rotated to pull out about a pint of marrow. Thompson was told by the registry that he could only donate bone marrow twice in his life.

After the operation, Thompson was kept in the hospital overnight. Medical personnel monitored him for any signs of infection or discomfort. And though he was found fit to travel after resting for a couple of days, as luck would have it, a major snowstorm had hit the southwest while he was in San Diego, and his flight was canceled. It was the same story the next day. Finally, after two days of waiting, he was put on a flight to Phoenix by a sympathetic airline agent in first class.

A day after returning to work, Thompson reported the puncture wound was still a bit sore, but otherwise, there were no ill effects. But whatever discomfort he may have experienced, Thompson says it was well worth it to enhance this young patient’s chances for survival.

“I’m happy that he’s doing good for now,” Thompson said, adding that the course of the boy’s recovery will be charted over the next year. Thompson says he’d like to meet the boy some day, but that would be up to his parents.

For now, though, Thompson says he hopes other individuals will be encouraged to become bone marrow donors and help children like the one who received his donation overcome their diseases.

“Leukemia is an ugly disease. I wouldn’t want my child to go through it, and I would hope if someone else had a chance to help with curing someone, they would step up,” he said.

UNM-GALLUP NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: January 13, 2010

GALLUP - Non-credit courses at the University of New Mexico-Gallup are being planned for the spring semester.

Among those now being offered at the Gallup campus:

“Gift Making” includes instructions for making gift boxes, cookie jars, candle holders and the like using inexpensive and unusual materials. A supply list will be provided. The course will run Thursdays from Feb. 4 to March 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Lions Hall. Instructors are Nancy Bruker and Tamara Matthews.

“Beginning Navajo Weaving” will teach students how to weave an 11-inch by 14-inch rug at beginner’s level. Students will need a loom that is 16 inches by 24 inches. Dates for the class are Friday, January 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m., introduction and supply list; Friday, February 5, 5:30-8:30 pm., thread warping; Saturday, February 6, 1-4 p.m., set up weave and weave; Friday, February 12, 5:30-8:30 p.m., block and step design; Saturday, February 13, 1-4 p.m., diagonal; Friday, February 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m., weaving midway; Saturday, February 20, 1-4 p.m., closing/finishing weaving. The class is limited to 10 persons and is located in Gurley Hall 1239. Instructor is Isabel Deschinny.

A “Fleece Blanket” class will instruct students on how to make a no-sew blanket in seven steps. Supplies needed are two pieces of fleece material (1 ½ yards each), and sharp scissors. Class is limited to 10. The class will be held on Saturday, February 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. Instructor is Lisa Blanco.

Planned for the Zuni campus:

“Resume Writing and Job Search” will give tips on writing an effective resume and a cover letter, and how to contact individuals for references. The course will also give instruction on opportunities for students to develop career and educational development plans in today’s market. Course times are Mondays and Wednesdays February 1 through Feb. 24 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the Zuni Campus. Instructor is Lorentino Lalio.

“Small Business Management” will teach students how to set up a small business in Zuni or in New Mexico, and will include topics such as filling out forms, loan documents, proposals and licenses. The course will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 16-March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. Instructor is Darrell Tsabetsaye.

“Business Development Within Tribal and State Governments” will teach students how to engage in current business development strategies for owning their own business. They will be provided with various case studies on successful tribal business developments for reference. Class times are Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 2-11, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Instructor is Lorentino Lalio.

A class on “Hiragana – the New Zuni Alphabet” will teach students how to write Zuni in a different way. The Zuni and Japanese languages use the same sounds in a different order, according to the instructor, Alvin Kaskalla, who will teach students about the similarities. Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 2-25, from 6 to 7 p.m.

More classes will be added and announced at both campuses as the semester progresses.

Call Louise Lopez at 505.863.7738/7743 to enroll or for more information.

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