Founders Day at New Mexico State University is a time to commemorate all the things that make the university special, including its students, faculty and staff. NMSU’s Employee Council hosted the Founders Day event April 27.

“Founders Day is a time to celebrate our heritage and honor the history of our university, which was founded in 1888 as the state’s land-grant university,” said Susanne Berger, chair of NMSU Employee Council. “We also honor the Aggies who have contributed to NMSU’s mission of fostering learning, inquiry, diversity and inclusion, social mobility, and service to the broader community.”

This year, the Aggie Legend Award honored L. Neil Burcham, a retired professor in NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, who died in December 2022. Burcham was recognized for his lasting impact, contributions and achievements.

“Dr. Burcham was chosen as the recipient of this award because of the profound impact he had on hundreds of students and colleagues, as well as his contribution to the livestock industry in New Mexico and beyond,” Berger said.

The “A” Mountain Awards were distributed as two separate recognitions for spring 2023. Center for Academic Advising and Student Support Associate Director Marissa Fowler was honored as the individual recipient, and the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs was honored with the department or team award.

“These awards represent the NMSU core values of leadership, excellence, access, diversity and inclusion and student-centered,” Berger shared.

SILP aims to promote involvement, interpersonal and leadership development, service learning and civic responsibility by providing educational and developmental programs to students.

“The Student Involvement and Leadership Programs staff are very honored to be recognized with the ‘A’ Mountain Team Award for 2023,” said Sarah Edwards, director of SILP. “We care deeply about our students and know the benefits that involvement can have toward overall student success and are committed to continuing that work. Being recognized by peers on campus for successfully accomplishing that in collaboration with our other peers in the Division of Student Success and across campus is very rewarding.”

Fowler earned a bachelor’s degree in creative media and a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership and administration at NMSU. During her 13-year tenure at NMSU, she’s worked within academic advising, university admissions, NMSU’s transfer center, Aggie Welcome and Orientation, and has also run the Student Success Navigate peer-mentoring program.

“I’m very honored to be singled out in a community of outstanding staff who are equally dedicated to supporting NMSU students,” she said.

“As a student affairs professional, especially within academic advising, you get to work with students every single day, all day long,” Fowler said. “That gives insight into all the challenges our students face and how hard they work to have this educational opportunity."

Fowler said her favorite part of the job is her incredible team of advisers who show up every day giving their all to support NMSU students.

“Being a part of their journey is a privilege but also comes with a lot of responsibility. The choices of staff, faculty and the institution itself make matter in the long-term success of our students,” she said. “When we can do that well, students have a better chance of success. At a school like NMSU, that not only impacts the student, but their family. We have an opportunity for generational change and that’s very powerful.”