Good afternoon Lobos –
Congratulations to our Lobo men’s basketball team on their way to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, where they’ll be a #10 seed in the South Region. They’ll play Marquette, a #7 seed, in the first round on Friday, March 21, at 5:25 p.m. (MDT), and I know Lobo Nation will be rooting for them hard. And a special thanks to those fans who made the trip to Las Vegas for this year’s Mountain West Tournament, turning the Thomas & Mack Center into what national television announcers were calling “The Pit West.” Your loud enthusiasm and Lobo spirit made last week a memorable one and meant a lot.
Congratulations as well to Lobo head coach Richard Pitino, who was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year, and to Donovan Dent, named the Mountain West Player of the Year. Nelly Junior Joseph was also named to the All-Mountain West First Team--only the third time in Lobo history we’ve had two players make the first team—while Tru Washington earned an Honorable Mention. Their honors cap an outstanding season for men’s basketball—but it’s not over yet! Good luck on Friday in Cleveland, Lobos!
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Taking on Health Care Needs in Shiprock
In Shiprock, New Mexico, where just 70 doctors serve a population of 50,000, the Shiprock-UNM Family Medicine Residency is tackling the rural health care crisis head-on. This innovative program isn’t just training physicians; it’s embedding them in the Navajo community, ensuring long-term, culturally competent care. With a “one-plus-two” model, residents spend a year at UNM before moving to Shiprock for hands-on rural training. Launched in 2020, the Shiprock program is now preparing to graduate its first cohort--true pioneers in the future of rural health! I’m enormously proud of this program and all involved; when compassionate health education meets community commitment, the impact can be profound.
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Lobo Engineer Wins Women in Tech Award
I was delighted to learn that Shuya Wei, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has been named a recipient of the prestigious New Mexico Tech Council’s Women in Tech Award. She was honored alongside nine other exceptional women at the Women in Tech Awards last week. Dr. Wei’s groundbreaking research focuses on next-generation high-energy batteries, including technology that captures greenhouse gases while generating electricity. As co-founder of Flow Aluminum Inc., she is pioneering the development of alternative battery materials that are more sustainable and cost-effective. Congratulations, Dr. Wei, on this well-deserved recognition!
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UNM Composer Awarded Prestigious Opera Grant
The University of New Mexico’s own Beth Ratay, composer and professional faculty member in the Department of Music, has been awarded a 2025 Discovery Grant from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Composers program. This highly competitive grant will help support The Morpheus Quartet, her innovative new opera exploring the subconscious dreams of a string quartet. Ratay’s project will culminate in a performance reading in spring 2026, showcasing her collaboration with librettist John Glore and local musicians. Congratulations, Dr. Ratay, and we’ll see you on opening night!
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Alumni Scholarship Applications Due March 31
Current and incoming Lobos have an opportunity to secure financial support for their education by applying for UNM Alumni scholarships. Our Lobo alumni organization offers more than 20 endowed scholarships awarded to students based on criteria including academic achievement, financial need, and Lobo spirit. In addition, many UNM Regional Alumni Chapters are providing scholarships and stipends for students from around the country. The window for applying for the 2025 UNM Alumni Scholarships closes on Sunday, March 31, at 11:59 p.m., so get your application in now.
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This Week’s Podcast Considers the Alcohol Tax
New Mexico ranks among the top five states for alcohol-related fatalities—but could a higher alcohol tax help? UNM economics professor Brady Horn thinks so. In the latest episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, titled “How a Higher Alcohol Tax Could Save Lives,” Horn shares data showing that states like Illinois, Maryland, and Alaska have seen fewer drunk-driving deaths after increasing their alcohol taxes. Horn and graduate student Ana Paula Milan are expanding their research to explore how taxes impact different types of drinkers. Want to learn more? Tune in to It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, streaming wherever you get your podcasts.
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Have a great week, enjoy Spring Break, and let's go, Lobos!
Garnett S. Stokes
President
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