Good afternoon Lobos –

Congratulations to the 2,050 Lobos who are receiving their degrees and certificates across our campuses this week as members of the Class of 2025! Through dedication and hard work, you have reached an extraordinary milestone—one that reflects your determination, resilience, and the spirit that defines our Lobo community. As you transition from students to graduates to alumni, know that we are enormously proud of all you’ve accomplished.



This is an exciting and meaningful week for our graduates and for the friends and families who have supported you throughout your UNM journey. Thank you for choosing The University of New Mexico as the place to learn, explore, create, and grow. Your contributions as scholars, researchers, athletes, artists, innovators, and leaders have made our campus stronger and more vibrant. I hope you will continue to seek excellence, embrace new challenges, and use your skills, compassion, and curiosity to make a difference in the world.

Commencement for the Class of 2025 will take place this week in The Pit, with our 650 graduate students receiving their degrees on Thursday, and more than 1,900 of our undergraduates receiving theirs on Friday. We’ll also be awarding more than 130 associates degrees and certificates across our branch campuses. To those who will be in Albuquerque for commencement, I am thrilled to join you for this momentous occasion and to honor everything you have achieved during your time at The University of New Mexico.



Congratulations to the Fall Class of 2025! Whatever paths you choose next, and wherever your dreams may lead, know that The University of New Mexico will always be here for you.

Fall Graduates: Take Your Photo with The U

Fall 2025 graduates, join UNM Alumni for a free graduation photo in front of the iconic “U” sculpture at Hodgin Hall, located on UNM’s Albuquerque Campus. Visit UNMAlumni.com/PhotosAtTheU to register, then stop by on December 10 between 4 and 6 p.m. dressed in your cap and gown. A professional photographer will capture the moment, providing you with a printed photo and a digital copy on the spot. It’s a perfect way to celebrate your achievement as you step proudly into the Lobo alumni family.

Eck and Eck Make History with Major Mountain West Honors; Lobos Bound for Rate Bowl in Phoenix

It’s been a remarkable few weeks for Lobo Football, as Head Coach Jason Eck has been named Mountain West Coach of the Year and linebacker Jaxton Eck has earned Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year—making them the first father-son duo in Mountain West history to win major postseason awards. Congratulations to the Ecks—both Jason and Jaxton—for this extraordinary and well-deserved honor.

UNM’s success this season was reflected across the All-Conference teams as well, with four First Team selections, one Second Team honoree, and five players earning Honorable Mention recognition. It’s all part of an extraordinary season in which the Lobos tied for first in the conference, posted a perfect 6–0 record at home, and delivered some of the nation’s most dramatic defensive improvements. 

And we’re not finished yet: capping this year’s amazing season will be our first bowl appearance since 2016, when our team travels to Phoenix, Arizona, to take on the University of Minnesota in the Rate Bowl on Friday, December 26, at 2:30 p.m. at Chase Field. Tickets are available online, and going fast. Pack the stands, wear your Lobo colors with pride, and let’s send this unforgettable season out with one more roar from Lobo Nation!

Gerald May Award Winners

One of my great pleasures as President of The University of New Mexico is helping to recognize the recipients of the Gerald W. May Outstanding Staff Awards, presented annually with the UNM Staff Council, to staff members who have made significant contributions to our university. Each year, we ask for nominations for this prestigious award, which may be submitted by any UNM staff, faculty member, or student.

I’m proud to announce that the recipients of the 2025 Gerald W. May Outstanding Staff Awards are: Flor Cano-Soto, Program Manager in the Division of Community Behavioral Health at Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences in the UNM Health Sciences Center; Mitch Garrity, Executive Assistant, Office of the President; the team of Dr. Jill Prestopnik, Strategic Project Director at the Center for Memory and Aging, and Erika Partridge, Clinical Research Manager at the Center for Memory and Aging; and Alesia Torres, Director of Core IT Services in the Office of Information Technology. My congratulations and heartfelt thanks to each of you for all you do for The University of New Mexico.

Habtom Samuel Named National Athlete of the Year

In a spectacular finish to an already historic season, Lobo phenom Habtom Samuel has been named the USTFCCCA Division I Men’s National Athlete of the Year—an extraordinary honor recognizing his undefeated, record-setting run through the 2025 cross country season. Last month, Samuel captured his first NCAA cross country title, becoming the first Lobo man and only the second Mountain West runner ever to win the national crown. This season, Samuel also claimed his third consecutive Mountain West individual title and dominated at the Mountain Regional meet. His achievements reflect not only remarkable talent, but incredible determination and pride in representing the Lobos on the national stage. Congratulations, Habtom!

UNM Celebrates the Future of Lobo Philanthropy



Last week, I was honored to join the UNM Foundation and several distinguished members of our community for the groundbreaking of the Velarde Center for Philanthropy—a transformational project made possible through a generous gift from alumnus and former Foundation Board Chair Randy Velarde. Located at a key gateway to campus, the new center will become a vibrant home for celebrating generosity and advancing UNM’s culture of philanthropy. With flexible collaboration spaces, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and a dedicated philanthropy hall, the center also reflects our shared commitment to education, opportunity and impact. My sincere thanks to Randy for his vision, leadership, and unwavering support of UNM.

Lobos Sweep Inaugural Rio Grande Research Challenge

UNM students made an outstanding debut at the first-ever Rio Grande Research Challenge, taking both first and second place in this new stock-pitch rivalry with New Mexico State University. The winning team—Elizabeth Kent, Abhinav Punnakuzhy, Ethan Campbell, and Ananya Mulakala—earned top honors for their sharp, well-supported “strong buy” recommendation on John Deere. UNM’s second team, Jake McFall, Nico Huggins and Samuel Landis, secured the runner-up spot with another impressive pitch. Judged by senior investment professionals, the competition offered students hands-on experience in high-level financial analysis and communication. Congratulations to our Lobos for setting the bar high on this new tradition!

UNM–Taos Invests in a Growing Campus

UNM–Taos is experiencing an exciting wave of growth, with major projects enhancing safety, learning spaces, and the campus experience. Recent updates include a revitalized campus Art Walk, a new Loop Road and expanded parking areas—completed last year—which have significantly improved access and circulation across Klauer Campus. Renovations to Pueblo Hall are underway, while Fred Peralta Hall has also received extensive upgrades, ensuring this historic building continues to serve students well. With construction beginning on the Cielo Centro amphitheater and work moving forward on the future Taos Workforce Center, UNM–Taos continues to invest boldly in its campus—and in its community.

Tune In and Support Radiothon for UNM Children’s Hospital



One of our most beloved community traditions returns this month as 100.3 The Peak hosts its annual Radiothon in support of UNM Children’s Hospital. For more than 20 years, the team at The Peak have broadcast live from the hospital, inspiring New Mexicans to give generously to the kids and families who need us most. Tune in on Friday, December 12, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to hear stories of hope and healing—and to see how your generosity strengthens care for New Mexico’s children. If you’d like to contribute, you can donate here.

Campus Watch Launches to Strengthen Safety and Community Engagement

UNM is taking a community-centered approach to campus safety with the launch of Campus Watch, a new initiative that adapts the proven Neighborhood Watch model to our diverse, urban university. Our Central Campus is now organized into 23 zones, each with building coordinators who serve as the “eyes and ears” of their areas, helping relay concerns, spot patterns, and ensure information flows quickly between our community and campus safety partners. I encourage every Lobo to stay informed, report concerns, and explore tools like the LoboGuardian safety app to help us keep our campus safe and connected.

You Say Farolitos, I Say Luminarias. . .



The latest installment of UNM’s award-winning podcast, It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, shines a warm light on one of New Mexico’s most beloved traditions. Postdoctoral fellow Carmella Scorcia Pacheco joins host Cameron Goeldner to explore the cultural roots, memories, and regional histories behind farolitos and luminarias. Drawing from her northern New Mexico upbringing and her scholarship in Southwest folklore, she illuminates how these small lanterns—and the bonfires they accompany—carry generations of meaning, from community gatherings to personal remembrance. Her reflections also connect beautifully to UNM’s own traditions, including our annual Hanging of the Greens. To learn more, tune in to the episode, “Little Lanterns: The History of Farolitos and Luminarias,” available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Free Tickets for Faculty and Staff Available for Next Home Basketball Game

As a thank you to our Lobo faculty and staff, Lobo Athletics is pleased to offer a free ticket to the final non-conference home game against Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday, December 14th at 2 p.m. in The Pit. Claim your free ticket, and purchase additional tickets for a discounted price, by using this link—and we’ll see you on Sunday in The Pit!

Louie’s Lounge Open for Runoff Election Voting

The City of Albuquerque runoff election is tomorrow—Tuesday, December 9—and The University of New Mexico is once again serving as an Election Day voting convenience center. Bernalillo County residents may cast their vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building at Louie’s Lounge, Room 1076—or you can cast your ballot at any other voting convenience center in Bernalillo County.