Good afternoon Lobos –

It’s time to dust off your boots and get ready to celebrate a milestone in Lobo history! Homecoming 2025, themed Desert Boots and Lobo Roots, runs all this week, and marks the 100th Homecoming game at The University of New Mexico. This year’s celebration honors generations of Lobos who have shaped our university’s legacy—past, present, and future—while showcasing the unique spirit of the Southwest that defines us all.

I enjoyed seeing so many of you at the S’mores Roast I hosted this afternoon in the SUB Atrium—and there are plenty more Homecoming events coming up this week. On Tuesday, you’ll find a very special Lobo Living Room, Homecoming Hoops: Meet the Pack at The Pit, giving everyone an opportunity to meet our men’s and women’s basketball players and coaches. Thursday is the ReUnite celebration for Lobo alumni at Hodgin Hall, while Friday night will be for the Young Alumni Chapter at Flock of Moons Brewing Company.

Festivities culminate on Saturday, October 18, with the Homecoming Tailgate at Louie Lane and our 100th Homecoming game, where our Lobos will take on Nevada at 7:45 p.m. at University Stadium. Wear your cherry and silver, grab exclusive Homecoming merchandise, and join the roar of a century of tradition!

Together, let’s celebrate 100 years of Lobo pride, spirit, and community.

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day

As we continue to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I invite all Lobos to reflect on—and draw strength from—the deep cultural roots and enduring history that shape New Mexico and The University of New Mexico. For thousands of years, Native peoples have called the Southwest home. Today, Native Americans make up 12.4 percent of our state’s population, among the highest in the nation. UNM is proud to be enriched by students, faculty, and staff from New Mexico’s 23 tribal nations—19 Pueblos, three Apache Tribes, and the Navajo Nation—as well as from Indigenous communities beyond our borders. We remain committed to helping Native students find the support they need to arrive as enthusiastic learners and graduate as proud Lobo alumni.

We also recognize that The University of New Mexico sits at the very heart of Indian Country, and, specifically, on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. Our branch campuses, too, occupy lands of Indigenous people in their respective regions, whether it’s the Red Willow People of the Taos Pueblo or the Pueblo of Zuni Nation and Navajo Nation. By respectfully honoring our history through our Indigenous Peoples’ Land and Territory Acknowledgment—we have similar acknowledgments for our campuses in Taos and Gallup—we formally, and gratefully, recognize Indigenous Peoples as a vital part of our Lobo DNA.

Opening the Canon: Celebrating Creativity in the Public Domain

Celebrate International Open Access Week with Opening the Canon: Copyright, Access and Creativity, a two-night exploration of art, ownership, and imagination. Join the Lobo community October 22–23 at 7 p.m. at Albuquerque’s Guild Cinema for free screenings of the first Mickey Mouse sound feature, Steamboat Willie, and Buster Keaton’s classic Steamboat Bill, Jr.—both now in the public domain—as well as a new “reimagined” cartoon, Citizen Mickey. The first evening features a conversation with Bryan Konefsky of Basement Films—the creators of Citizen Mickey—on how public domain works inspire new creative possibilities. Presented by University Libraries, the New Mexico Open Educational Resources Consortium, and other partners, the event highlights UNM’s commitment to open knowledge, collaboration, and the freedom to share ideas.

Know Your Rights: UNM Hosts Immigration Information Session

The University of New Mexico will host a “Know Your Rights” presentation on Tuesday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building Ballroom A. Led by attorneys Amber Weeks and Olsi Vrapi of the Albuquerque-based law firm Vrapi Weeks, the session is open to all UNM students, faculty, and staff—no registration required. The event will cover key topics such as immigrant rights, travel considerations, and pathways to U.S. permanent residency, followed by a Q&A session. Sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, the Graduate and Professional Student Association, and United Academics of UNM (UA-UNM), the presentation supports UNM’s ongoing commitment to fostering an informed and supportive campus community.

Building Safety by Design

At The University of New Mexico, safety starts with smart design. Guided by the national Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategy, UNM planners, architects, and facilities teams are shaping an environment that feels both safe and uniquely UNM. From brighter walkways and native landscaping to improved sightlines and visible entrances, CPTED’s “three D’s”—designation, definition, and design—are transforming the way UNM thinks about space. Recent projects, including the Humanities Building renovation, Duck Pond lighting upgrades, and the Yale and Central entrance redesign, all prioritize safety and usability. By weaving safety into every stage of planning, UNM is creating a campus that’s open and welcoming—just like the community it serves.

Psychedelics and the Science of Suffering

Facing a serious illness can bring deep fear and anxiety—but what if science could help ease that suffering? Researchers at The University of New Mexico are exploring this question in the national REKINDLE trial, which tests whether a new psychedelic compound called RE104 can help patients with life-limiting diagnoses find comfort and meaning. In the latest episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, Dr. Larry Leeman, professor of Family and Addiction Medicine at the UNM School of Medicine, shares how this groundbreaking study may reshape how we think about death—and how we choose to live. You can find all episodes of UNM’s award-winning It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science wherever you get your podcasts.

The Salsa Showdown Returns This Week

Get ready to turn up the heat at UNM’s annual Salsa Showdown, returning Thursday, October 16 from noon to 2 p.m. in the SUB Atrium and Smith Plaza This spirited event—part of the UNM Gives campaign supporting the United Way of North Central New Mexico—brings together students, faculty, and staff for a friendly salsa competition and an afternoon of food, fun, and community giving.

This year’s Showdown is bigger than ever, featuring outdoor booths hosted by student organizations, Boba tea from Bing Tea, and prizes including free parking from UNM PATS. Don’t miss your chance to sample, vote, and show your Lobo pride while giving back to our community.