Good afternoon Lobos –
At The University of New Mexico, our libraries are more than just repositories of information; they are vital centers of discovery, connection, and support for every member of our community. Whether you’re a first-year student navigating research for the first time, a faculty member conducting groundbreaking scholarship, or a community visitor seeking inspiration, UNM’s system of libraries offers a welcoming space to explore ideas and expand possibilities.
With millions of print and digital resources, expert librarians, innovative study spaces, and culturally significant collections like those in the Center for Southwest Research, our library system fuels academic success and preserves the stories of our region. In a time when reliable information and inclusive learning environments are more important than ever, our libraries remain indispensable. Build a library, and you build a community.
At the heart of our HSC community is the Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center, which just unveiled a beautifully renovated second floor designed with students in mind. Thanks to $2.85 million in state funding, the refreshed space includes flexible furniture, cozy study “compartments,” wellness resources, and a tech room loaded with VR tools, a 3D printer, and even a virtual dissection table. There’s also a galley kitchen to help foster community and a healthy learning environment.
Like all our libraries, it truly is a space where students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life can gather to meet, collaborate, inform, and support each other.
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Lobo Linguist Elected to American Academy of
Arts & Sciences
Congratulations to UNM’s Joan Bybee, professor emerita of Linguistics, who has been elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences as part of its 2025 class. A pioneer in cognitive and usage-based approaches to language, Professor Bybee’s research has deepened our understanding of how languages evolve and how we learn them. Over her 35-year UNM career, she mentored generations of scholars while earning top national and international recognition. Her induction into this fall’s AAAS class places her alongside some of the world’s most accomplished thinkers and changemakers, and the entire Lobo community is proud to see her lasting impact acknowledged on this national stage. Congratulations, Professor Bybee!
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Lobo Researcher Tackles Cancer with Virus-Based Therapy
Talk about research that’s making a difference: Dr. Eric Bartee, associate professor at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, is taking an innovative approach to cancer treatment—by using viruses. With the assistance of $2 million in grants from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Bartee is studying how cancer cells respond to infection and how viruses can help alert the immune system to destroy tumors. His focus is on oncolytic therapy, a form of immunotherapy that uses viruses to infect cancer cells while sparing healthy ones—and the early results are promising, showing complete tumor elimination in laboratory tests. Dr. Bartee’s work could lead to more effective, targeted therapies that help the immune system win the fight against cancer, saving lives and changing the lives of countless patients who previously had few options, while paving the way for a new era of cancer care that is both less toxic and more precisely tailored to each individual's illness.
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Seven Lobo Seniors Honored with Clauve Outstanding Senior Award
Each year, the Lena Clauve Outstanding Senior Award celebrates Lobos who lead with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to our community. This year, seven graduating seniors received the Clauve Award, one of UNM’s highest honors, recognizing them for their extraordinary service, leadership, and academic excellence. Congratulations to our 2025 winners: Monice Aguilar, Alison Carrell, Kaelyn Moon, Makayla Otero, Anthony Rice, Ria Schultz, and Kaylee Wnek! From founding new organizations and mentoring peers to serving in student government and expanding cultural advocacy, each of these remarkable Lobos has left a lasting legacy at UNM. Thank you for your leadership and service to the Lobo community, and congratulations!
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Welcoming the Next GM at KUNM
We’re excited to welcome Jeffrey Pope as the next general manager of KUNM-FM, UNM’s award-winning public radio station. A seasoned leader with nearly two decades in public media, Pope brings a deep commitment to community storytelling and innovation. He began his transition on May 1, and will gradually step into the role held by Richard Towne since 1994. He’ll take over full-time on June 16, with Towne officially retiring at the end of June. Pope calls himself a “place maker”—someone who builds community through story—and says he’s thrilled to be joining the KUNM team and diving into New Mexico’s vibrant culture and diverse voices. Welcome to Lobo Nation, Jeffrey; we’re delighted to have you here. And my sincere thanks to Richard Towne, whose legacy of leadership excellence in public radio spans a 50-year career and has culminated in an engaged and dynamic platform for KUNM’s future.
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ASM Students Sweep the Rainmakers
Talk about closing the deal: students from UNM’s Anderson School of Management (ASM) delivered a powerhouse performance at the RNMKRS (pronounced “Rainmakers”) international virtual sales competition, the world’s largest competition of its kind, held April 10–11. Out of 376 competitors from 38 universities, Lobo students claimed an astonishing 9 of the top 10 spots—including a clean sweep of the podium by Adrian Villegas, Michael Whitford, and Ana Gutierrez. Altogether, Lobos held 41 of the Top 50 finishes—an incredible testament to preparation, persistence, and talent. Competitors practiced thousands of simulations using an AI sales training app, mastering key selling skills like discovery, presentation, and closing. Congratulations to all our ASM Rainmakers!
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Watching Out for the Safety of Minors on Campus
The University of New Mexico is committed to the safety and well-being of minors visiting University facilities and participating in university-sponsored programs/activities. UNM has been actively working to improve the University Administrative Policy (UAP) 2205 – Minors on Campus, which sets requirements for university programs and external organizations involving minors. The proposed policy revisions are open for public comments until May 18, 2025.
UNM is also launching a new registration portal for UNM Youth Camps & Programs. This site will serve as a centralized location for parents and guardians to sign their children in for various youth programs, complete waivers and other forms, and for authorized adults to confirm their requirements, such as background checks, are met. Questions regarding this notification should be directed to the Office of Compliance, Ethics & Equal Opportunity (CEEO) at (505) 277-5251, or to the HSC Compliance Office at (505) 272-7371.
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Put Your Mettle to the Pedal for Bike to UNM Day
Albuquerque is regarded as one of the best cities in the country for biking—and on Wednesday, May 7, UNM is inviting all Lobos to enjoy our community and ride to campus! To celebrate National Bike Month, UNM’s Office of Sustainability and partners are hosting Bike to UNM Day, encouraging students, faculty, and staff to pedal their way to campus for a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly commute. From 7:30–10 a.m., welcome stations across the Albuquerque campus will offer coffee, snacks, bike swag, e-bike demos, and free tune-ups from the Lobo Bike Shop. Group rides will also depart at 8 a.m. from Civic Plaza and Altura Park. Be sure to register now; it’s a great way to meet fellow cyclists, reduce stress, and start your day energized.
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Alumni Hosting Study Hours, Photos at “The U”
With finals fast approaching, UNM Alumni has opened Hodgin Hall as a quiet place for all Lobos to study. Hodgin Hall Alumni Center will be open daily through Wednesday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for study hall—and UNM Trailblazers will provide snacks, as well as free parking in the nearby B-Lot (though please only use the spaces designated for Hodgin Hall).
For the UNM Class of 2025, don’t miss the opportunity to take part in a Lobo tradition by taking a graduation photo at the iconic U sculpture outside of Hodgin Hall Alumni Center. Register here to have your picture taken by a professional photographer on May 14 from 4 to 6 pm, or on May 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.—and for HSC graduates, the U will be lit turquoise on May 14 from 5 to 6 p.m. Bring your cap, gown, and biggest smile; you’ll receive your photo instantly and a digital copy will be sent to your inbox.
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Have a great week, and let's go, Lobos!
Garnett S. Stokes
President
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