Good afternoon Lobos –

At The University of New Mexico, we know that one day can change everything. On April 9, the UNM Big Give brings our global Lobo community together for 24 hours dedicated to advancing opportunity, innovation, and excellence.

Imagine what can happen in a single day—breakthrough discoveries in our labs, inspiring performances on our stages, life-changing care for patients, sudden insight about a solution in a classroom, and record-setting achievements for our student-athletes. Every gift, no matter the size, helps make these moments possible.

The UNM Big Give is a powerful reminder that collective generosity fuels the programs that define who we are—from academics and research to healthcare, athletics, and student success. Together, we can elevate every corner of our university and create lasting impact for New Mexico and beyond.

Mark Thursday, April 9 on your calendars for the UNM Big Give—and then join us in making the day truly transformational.

Major Gift to UNM School of Medicine Expands Dermatology

Thanks to an extraordinary $1.3 million gift from Jim and Ellen King to the UNM Foundation, we are taking meaningful steps to expand dermatologic care across New Mexico. This investment—the largest ever for the UNM School of Medicine Department of Dermatology—will help us recruit and retain more specialists, reduce wait times, and improve access for patients statewide. It will also strengthen training for future physicians and support new research opportunities, consistent with our UNM 2040 goal to Advance New Mexico. Gifts like this make a real difference, helping us address critical workforce shortages while improving health outcomes for our communities. I’m deeply grateful to the King family for their vision and commitment to New Mexico.

Anderson Students Compete in Hands-On Banking Competition

The Anderson School of Management has assembled New Mexico’s first team to compete in the Community Bank Case Study Competition, giving students a valuable opportunity to apply what they’re learning in a real-world setting. Working with Main Bank, the team is analyzing financial data and exploring how community banks operate and support local economies. Guided by faculty and industry partners, these students are gaining hands-on experience while building professional connections. It’s yet another great example of how experiential learning at UNM prepares our students for meaningful careers right here in New Mexico.

Lobo Chef Cooks Up National Recognition

We’re celebrating a big win for UNM Food as Campus Executive Chef Franco Lossio took first place at the regional Aramark Culinary Excellence Competition, earning a spot at this summer’s national championships. His award-winning dish was a petite cauliflower steak paired with compressed ribeye, romesco, and a beef chicharron gremolata, finished with a rich brandy jus—all of which sounds absolutely amazing. Chef Franco brings global experience, creativity, and a deep commitment to our campus community to everything he does, and this award reflects his dedication and enthusiasm. I’m proud to see his talent recognized on a national stage and excited to cheer him on as he represents UNM at the national competition this July.

UNM Linguistics Researchers Earn Global Recognition



At the University of New Mexico, we believe scholarship can help communities thrive—and this week, that vision is resonating around the world. A collaborative dictionary platform, led by linguistics professor Joshua Birchall and partner Ana Vilacy Galucio, has been named a finalist for Banco do Brasil’s Social Technology Award. This innovative project preserves endangered Amazonian languages through multimedia dictionaries that capture sound, meaning, and culture. Supported by UNM students and alumni, the work reflects our deep commitment to global partnership, cultural preservation, and research that makes a lasting difference.

Seven Lobo Doctors Listed Among Albuquerque’s Top Docs



We’re proud to celebrate seven outstanding physicians from UNM Health who have been named 2026 Top Docs by Albuquerque The Magazine. Congratulations to Christopher Arndt, James Botros, Mark Garcia, David Martin, Ivan Pinon, Jason Wilson, and Craig Wong for this recognition, which reflects not only their clinical excellence, but also their commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of health care professionals. Across specialties—from cardiology to pediatrics—these physicians exemplify the compassion, expertise, and innovation that define UNM Health. The entire Lobo community congratulates these seven remarkable clinicians on this well-deserved honor.