Albuquerque, NM – The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents met in Albuquerque on October 2 and approved several items that will begin development in upcoming semesters.

WNMU President Joseph Shepard reported that the fund balance and reserve monies were considered healthy for the university and requested that the Board approve $500,000 in funds to be dedicated to athletic and academic scholarships.

The Board approved unanimously for the use of the designation of the scholarship monies, available to students beginning in the fall 2018 semester.

More than nine acres of land was approved by the Board to be acquired by the university. Located on Alabama Street west of Guadalupe Montessori School, the vacant land became available and was purchased from the St. Francis Newman Center Parish. There are no specific plans on the immediate use for the land.

WNMU Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle presented the annual endowment report detailing areas in which the New Mexico Higher Education Department partners with the University Foundation for endowment funds.

Riddle also presented a capital project update on WNMU’s collaboration with the Town of Silver City for improvements to College Ave. The project will add planters, speed tables, defined crosswalks, colored concrete, and landscaping to this thoroughfare to campus. WNMU is contributing $713,142 to the project.

Other capital funding approvals were made for roofing upgrades to the Juan Chacon Building and the demolition of Eckles Hall that has been out of use since 2013 as the men’s residence hall.

Criminal Justice Professor Curtis Hayes was designated Emeritus rank by the Board for his many contributions during 24-years of service to WNMU.

Regent members scheduled the annual winter meeting for December 7 in Silver City with a tentative workshop scheduled for mid-October.

Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and serves a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.