Community News

Substantial improvements to the WNMU Graham Gym made possible through GO Bond fundingSILVER CITY, NM — A historic campus landmark has received a vital transformation to serve future generations. Western New Mexico University has completed a comprehensive restoration and modernization of Graham Gymnasium, blending 21st-century infrastructure with classic Southwestern architectural heritage.

Originally constructed in 1936, Graham Gymnasium was designed by John Gaw Meem, widely considered New Mexico's most influential 20th-century architect and the master of Southwestern regional architecture. Valued for its historic and architectural significance, the building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on Sepember. 22, 1988.

President Jose E. Coll addresses faculty, staff and leadership at his inaugural WNMU convocationSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University welcomed faculty, staff and leadership to campus for its annual Fall Convocation, framing the start of the academic year around collaborative vision, strategic transformation and collective impact. 

President Jose E. Coll spoke to the assembly roughly 30 days into his tenure. Recognizing the rapid transition into the term, he emphasized that his immediate priority was establishing a dialogue across campus rather than delivering a standard administrative briefing.

Silver City, NM – Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is proud to announce a new partnership with Meals on Wheels New Mexico (MOWNM), bringing medically supportive meals to residents throughout Hidalgo and Grant Counties. The partnership is designed to improve access to nutritious food while supporting individuals living with chronic health conditions through ongoing engagement with healthcare services.

Through this innovative collaboration, HMS will provide eligible patients with access to five frozen and prepared meals per week, distributed monthly at no cost to participants. Meal options are available to support a variety of health needs, including general wellness, diabetes management, and renal health, with specialized texture modifications available when needed.

Western New Mexico University President Jose E. Coll addresses local business leaders at a recent Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce meetingSILVER CITY, NM — Presenting the university's $101 million economic impact and laying out a vision for workforce innovation, Western New Mexico University President Jose E. Coll addressed local business leaders at a Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Speaking to entrepreneurs and community leaders, Coll framed WNMU as a core economic driver for Grant County, standing alongside mining, arts, tourism and agriculture as a foundation of regional economic resilience.

"Western New Mexico University isn't simply an educational institution; it is one of Grant County's foundational economic anchors," Coll said, stressing the university's year-round financial contribution to the local economy.

Students head across campus during the first week of classes for the Fall semester at WNMUSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University has launched the Fall 2026 academic year, welcoming thousands of online, new and returning Mustang students to the Silver City campus. Organized and presented by WNMU Student Life, the week-long series of Welcome Week events has energized campus as students settled into residence halls, reconnected with peers and prepared for formal coursework.

Kicking off his first academic year as WNMU President Jose E. Coll was seen across campus interacting with students and their families. From assisting families during Move-In Day to visiting with incoming undergraduates during campus meals, Coll made a point of greeting individuals one-on-one, asking about their academic goals, and discussing their long-term career and personal aspirations. 

Part of the WNMU custodial staff, Mikey Torrez (left) and Wade Cave (right) deep-clean and re-assemble a student dorm room. Custodians also clean and ready other campus areas to create a safe, healthy, welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff.SILVER CITY, NM — As students unpack their bags, settle into residence halls and head to their first classes at Western New Mexico University this fall, the spotless corridors, gleaming floors and pristine spaces they step into represent a welcoming, supportive environment thanks to the WNMU custodial staff. 

The start of the academic year marks the climax of an intensive summer deep-clean operation. Beyond mere maintenance, this essential behind-the-scenes work sets the stage for student success, shaping first impressions for recruitment, protecting campus health and creating an environment where students want to stay and thrive.

Photo by Lora Lisbon

"I took this photo on Hwy 61 on Sunday. The heron was flying in front of my car then chose to land on the windmill. "

Attendees of the week-long Basic Economic Development course gather at WNMU. The July 13–17 seminar brought municipal leaders, planners, and economic developers to the Silver City campus to master regional growth strategiesSILVER CITY, NM — The week-long Basic Economic Development course, hosted at Western New Mexico University in mid-July brought community planners, tribal leaders, municipal managers and economic developers to Silver City. The professional development program, made possible through the generous sponsorship of the WNMU Foundation and Freeport-McMoRan, equipped participants with actionable strategies to drive local job creation and foster sustainable regional growth.

Serving as an essential first step toward earning the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential, the course focused on practical economic principles applied to contemporary community challenges through simulated real-world case studies.

All sessions took place at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center. The curriculum equipped participants with cost-effective frameworks to stimulate regional employment and manage shifting economic realities.