las cruces sun-news 1a sunday, march 17,...

NMSU News Clips University Communicationsand Marketing Services

Las Cruces Sun-News 1A Sunday, March 17, 2013


Las Cruces Sun-News 1B Sunday, March 17, 2013


Las Cruces Sun-News 1C Sunday, March 17, 2013



tive


(1 of 2)

Las Cruces Sun-News 1E, 2E Sunday, March 17, 2013


(2 of 2)

Las Cruces Sun-News 1E, 2E Sunday, March 17, 2013


Las Cruces Sun-News 5E Sunday, March 17, 2013

Alamogordo Daily News Thursday, January 17, 2013

NMSU News Clips University Communications

and Marketing Services

Alamogordo Daily News Saturday, January 19, 2013



Alamogordo Daily News Wednesday, January 23, 2013



Carlsbad Current-Argus Web Search Monday, February 25, 2013



Senate confirms Mesilla businesswoman as NMSU regent

By Milan Simonich, Texas-New Mexico Newspapers

SANTA FE -- State senators on Monday confirmed businesswoman Kari Mitchell to the New Mexico State

University Board of Regents, though one grilled her over the $453,000 payout to a former school president.

The confirmation vote was 39-0. Two southern New Mexico Democrats, Sens. Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces and

John Arthur Smith of Deming, called Mitchell an outstanding community servant deserving of a place on the five-

member board.

Mitchell, 45, of Mesilla, was appointed to the board of regents last July by Gov. Susana Martinez. About two

months later, NMSU president Barbara Couture resigned in return for the taxpayer-funded payout authorized by the

regents.

During a Senate Rules Committee hearing Monday, Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto questioned Mitchell at length about the

regents' handling of Couture's departure. Mitchell said she supported the buyout but did not help negotiate it.

"We did feel it was the most responsible thing to do," she told the committee.

Mitchell said she felt constrained from going into details because Couture's departure was a personnel matter. But

Mitchell offered to speak privately about it with Ivey-Soto.

Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, said NMSU regents had a history of providing overly generous payouts to

administrators who were forced out.

"There seems to be a culture down there of writing checks with the people's money to get rid of people," Ivey-Soto

said. After resigning in October, Couture received her full salary for the rest of 2012 -- about $98,000. She also had

use of the university residence and a car through the end of the year. This occurred even as she worked for her new

employer, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

Couture went on the association's payroll in January 2013. That is when she also received the $453,000 payout

from NMSU.

"That's a real bitter pill to swallow," Ivey-Soto said.

No other senator questioned Mitchell on why NMSU regents soured on Couture, who did not last three years as

president.

Mitchell is owner and CEO of Las Cruces Machine, Manufacturing & Engineering. She serves on the executive

committee of a high school-college education program called the Bridge of Southern New Mexico.

She received a bachelor's degree in marketing and management from Adams State College and a master's degree in

business administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

State campaign records show that Mitchell donated a total of $5,000 to Martinez and the governor's Susana Political

Action Committee between 2010 and last August.

Mitchell in 2009 also donated $125 to Democrat Diane Denish, who lost the governor's race to Martinez the

following year. Mitchell's term as a regent runs through 2018.

Carlsbad Current-Argus Web Search Tuesday, February 26, 2013



Bill to elect UNM, NMSU regents stalls

By Milan Simonich, Texas-New Mexico Newspapers

SANTA FE -- A proposed constitutional amendment to elect nearly half the regents of UNM and New Mexico

State University hit a roadblock Tuesday that may kill it. Members of the House Voters and Elections Committee

deadlocked 5-5 on state Rep. Jeff Steinborn's proposal, meaning it did not advance to the full House of

Representatives.

Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Espanola, and four Republicans on the committee voted against Steinborn's initiative. The

other five Democrats on the committee supported it. Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said afterward he would speak to

those who opposed the amendment in hopes of persuading them to reconsider before the legislative session ends

March 16.

Currently, the governor appoints all the regents, seven at UNM and five at New Mexico State. Steinborn said this

process long has enabled governors to choose as regents their friends, political associates or campaign donors, often

without regard to qualifications. Doling out regent appointments like ambassadorships weakens the universities, he

said.

Electing some of the regents would create public interest in the positions and improve accountability, Steinborn

said. Timothy Ketelaar, an associate professor of psychology at New Mexico State, was among a handful of people

who testified for Steinborn's proposal.

"In my capacity as faculty senate chair, I have never had a substantive conversation with the board of regents on

academic matters," Ketelaar told the committee.

A persistent criticism of Steinborn's initiative from the committee was why it focused only on UNM and New

Mexico State. A handful of members questioned why other universities were not part of the reform plan for boards

of regents. Steinborn said UNM and New Mexico State are by far the state's largest universities, and the two

account for more than half of the budget for higher education. He said they were a reasonable starting point to

reform regent panels.

His resolution would have added two regents to the board at New Mexico State, to give it seven like UNM. Three

regents at each school would have been elected by congressional district in nonpartisan races. In addition, one

faculty member at UNM and New Mexico State would have been named to the board by the other sitting regents.

The same practice would have been used to select the student regents. Faculty members are not included now on

boards of regents.

The governor would have retained appointment powers for the remaining regents at both UNM and New Mexico

State. Had both the House and Senate approved Steinborn's proposal, it would have gone on the general election

ballot in 2014. The proposal was House Joint Resolution 9. Still alive in the House of Representatives is Steinborn's

second proposed constitutional amendment to tighten who can serve as a regent.

It would create a nominating commission to screen candidates for regents at all four-year colleges and universities.

Finalists for regent seats would be forwarded to the governor, who would make her selections from the

commission's short list. That proposal, House Joint Resolution 8, would face a vote of the people next year if it

clears both the House and the Senate.

Carlsbad Current-Argus Web Search Wednesday, February 27, 2013



Banegas confirmed as NMSU student regent

LAS CRUCES — The New Mexico Senate has confirmed Las Crucen Jordan Banegas as a regent at New Mexico

State University.

Earlier this week the Senate confirmed Kari Mitchell, also of Las Cruces, as a regent. Both were appointed to the

board by Gov. Susana Martinez.

Banegas will serve as the new student regent. He will be seated at the next regents meeting March 11.

"NMSU is definitely at a crossroads in many ways," Banegas said. "It is an honor for me to serve with my fellow

regents to guide the university not only for today's students, but for future students as well."

Banegas, the son of Lawrence and Pancha Banegas, is a fourth-year marketing and psychology student at NMSU.

He grew up in Las Cruces and graduated from Mesilla Valley Christian Schools in 2009.

At NMSU, Banegas has been involved with the Finance Club, Reformed University Fellowship, Kappa Sigma

Fraternity and most recently served as the governmental affairs assistant director to Associated Students of New

Mexico State University, the university's student government council.

In the community, Banegas has worked on political campaigns and currently works part-time in the Human

Resources Department at Kohl's Department Stores.

After college, he plans to work on political campaigns and eventually in political consulting in New Mexico.

Carlsbad Current-Argus Web Search Friday, March 1, 2013



NMSU student groups present full schedule for Latino Week

LAS CRUCES — Every year, student government funds various events that highlight cultural diversity at New

Mexico State University. Today, four student organizations will celebrate Latino Week. The students of the

Hispanic Council decided to change the name from "Fiestas Latinas" to "Latino Week." These events have

previously been advertised under the name "Chicano Week" as well. All of the events are proposed and organized

by student leaders. This year, Latinos for Exito, the Hispanic-founded sorority Kappa Delta Chi and the CAMP

Student Council are sponsoring events. The final event is sponsored by the Executive Committee of the Hispanic

Council.

Latino Week kicks off with an outdoor performance of two "danzante" or "matachines" groups presented by

Latinos for Exito. The matachines dance on some levels is a re-enactment of a struggle between good and evil. Like

many Latin American traditions, these dances reflect a mingling of pre-Columbian indigenous traditions and

Spanish Catholic influences. Those who join the matachines often do so for a deeper religious purpose. This dance

is often performed in connection with major liturgical feast days. The matachines will perform from noon to 1:30

p.m. today, outside the west entrance of the Corbett Center Student Union.

The Kappa Delta Chi sorority will present a screening of the movie "Sin Nombre," produced by Diego Luna and

Gael Garcia Bernal, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Corbett Center Student Union Ballrooms. In the movie, Honduran

teenager Sayra hopes to become reunited with her father. This provides an opportunity for her to potentially realize

her dream of a life in the U.S. Moving to Mexico is the first step in a fateful journey of unexpected events. This

drama represents the violent and brutal reality of this life and death journey. The film is in Spanish with English

subtitles. Rated R for violence and sexual content, the screening is for mature audiences only.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday at Corbett Center Student Union Auditorium, the CAMP Student Council presents guest

speaker Christine Chávez. The title of her talk is "The Legacy of César Chávez." Chávez is the granddaughter of

the most famous Latino civil rights activist to date, César Chávez. Christine's grandfather worked with Robert

Kennedy, Martin Luther King and others to improve working conditions and pay for farm workers of all

backgrounds.

Chávez herself has made a lifetime commitment to public service, civil rights and the labor movement. Recently,

Chávez joined the Rev. Al Sharpton to announce the formation of the Latino and African American Leadership

Alliance in response to the escalating violence between Latinos and African Americans. The event will begin with a

reception in front of the Corbett Center Auditorium from 6-6:30 p.m. Chávez's speech will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m.,

followed by an open session for questions and discussion from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Latino Week will end on a light note featuring two comedians from the New York area. The students of the

Hispanic Council and Chicano Programs have invited Bill Santiago and Gina Brillon to perform at 6 p.m. Friday,

March 8, at the Corbett Center Student Union Auditorium. As is usual for most comedy shows geared toward

adults, this event is for mature audiences only.

Bill Santiago filled the auditorium to standing room at last year's Fiestas Latinas Comedy Night. Santiago returns to

give another culturally focused comedy performance. Santiago is the author of the book "Pardon my Spanglish,"

which is a dead-on observation about Spanglish — "twice the vocabulary, half the grammar!" and is very well

known for his catchphrase "Porque Because." The book is being used at universities and high schools across the

country to stimulate discussion about identity, language and multiculturalism. Santiago makes the audience laugh

about the cultural and linguistic commonalities and differences between different Latino groups.

Gina Brillon is a " Bronx-born Latina who has no trouble connecting with her male or female fans with her raw

honesty about everything from what it's like being an 'Ethnic' to a brutal breakdown of the female mind." In her first

performance at New Mexico State University, she will open for Bill Santiago.




NMSU's Chile Pepper Institute brings the heat with new taco sauce

By Justin Bannister / [email protected]

NMSU's Chile Pepper Institute has unveiled its latest creation - Holy Jolokia taco sauce. The...

LAS CRUCES - If you're serious about tacos, this sauce is for you. Just be sure to have a nice, cold beverage on

stand-by. New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute is rolling out the latest in a line of seriously spicy

sauces. This time, it's Holy Jolokia taco sauce, the fifth in a series of award-winning sauces and salsas produced in

partnership with CaJohns Fiery Foods.

The sauce will be unveiled through Sunday at the National Fiery Foods and Barbecue Show in Albuquerque, the

largest and most visited spicy foods show in the world. The sauce is made with Bhut Jolokia chile peppers, which

have a heat rating of more than one million Scoville Heat Units - about 100 times hotter than the average jalapeno.

"We're very excited about Holy Jolokia taco sauce," said Erica Sichler, the program coordinator at the Chile Pepper

Institute. "It's spicy, but not overwhelming. It fits right in with the other Holy Jolokia sauces."

Over the past few years, the Chile Pepper Institute has worked with CaJohns to produce Holy Jolokia hot sauce,

salsa and barbecue sauce, each made with Bhut Jolokia chile peppers. The two have also teamed up to produce

Sancto Scorpio hot sauce, made with Trinidad Moruga Scorpion chile pepper, currently ranked as the hottest pepper

in the world.

The Chile Pepper Institute is part of NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. A

portion of the proceeds from each sale of Holy Jolokia taco sauce, along with the other Holy Jolokia products, goes

toward an endowed chair for chile pepper research.

The Holy Jolokia taco sauce will be available starting Monday at the Chile Pepper Institute and online at

www.chilepepperinstitute.org.




NMSU's Watson indicted for felony battery charge

By James Staley / [email protected]

LAS CRUCES — A day before his basketball suspension ended, a Doña Ana County grand jury has indicted New

Mexico State University forward Tyrone Watson, charging him with felony battery for allegedly beating another

student at a January house party.

Some witnesses police that Watson picked up 19-year-old Miguel Rascon by the neck and punched him in the face

on Jan. 26, according to the criminal complaint. Other witnesses told the Sun-News that Watson stomped on the

head of Rascon, who suffered facial fractures, bruises and a gash that required 13 stitches.

Through his attorney, Watson, a 22-year-old senior from Canada, admitted to punching Rascon once in the chin,

but adamantly denied any further beating. The next morning, Watson reported the incident to police and has since

issued a statement apologizing for it.

According to a criminal summons filed Thursday in 3rd Judicial District Court in Las Cruces, Watson's arraignment

is scheduled for March 18. NMSU's regular season and conference tournament will be completed by that time.

There are no NCAA Tournament games scheduled that day, should the Aggies qualify.

Watson returned to practice this week and will be eligible to play Saturday when NMSU plays at Denver. His game

suspension officially ended Friday.

NMSU basketball coach Marvin Menzies indefinitely suspended Watson on Jan. 31, shortly after Rascon and his

family revealed it intended to press charges against Watson.

After an investigation, LCPD filed a criminal complaint in Magistrate Court charging Watson with aggravated

battery. Police arrested Watson after a bond hearing on Feb. 6. He posted bond that evening and was released.

Watson appealed his suspension — once officials charged him with a felony, the suspension fell under the purview

of NMSU, not Menzies — to the university's social misconduct committee. Eventually, that group recommended to

NMSU athletics director McKinley Boston that Watson serve a retroactive, 30-day suspension.

Watson's release order states he is not allowed to leave the county without permission from the court.

Joe Coronado, Watson's attorney, said that because Watson has been indicted the release conditions set by

Magistrate Court no longer apply. Coronado added that District Judge Darren M. Kugler, who has been assigned

the case, has not set any bond conditions.

Coronado said he's working with the district attorney's office to allow Watson to travel to any future NMSU road

games.

In a text message, Coronado said he expects that to be a formality.

An indictment is only an allegation. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a

reasonable doubt.

James Staley may be reached at 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley

Iowa State Daily Web Search Friday, March 15, 2013



ISU Army ROTC to take part in Bataan Memorial Death March

By Paul Ehrsam, [email protected]

The ISU Army ROTC will have nine cadets travel down to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico for the annual

Bataan Memorial Death March this weekend.

The nine Iowa State cadets will be waking up bright and early Friday morning to travel down to New Mexico to

partake in the 26.2 mile Bataan Memorial Death March on Sunday.

“It’s a memorial march to remember the sacrifices that the actual soldiers had to endure during the Bataan Death

March in World War II,” said cadet Zachary Graham, senior in anthropology.

According to the Memorial March website, several thousand people every year participate in the annual Bataan

Memorial Death March through the harsh desert terrain in New Mexico to honor the soldiers who defended the

Philippine Islands during World War II.

“So it’s 26.2 miles and it’s meant to replicate a little bit of pain and suffering that they had to endure,” Graham said.

The Bataan Death March took place on April 9, 1942, after tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers

were surrendered to the Japanese military. They marched for days in the blistering heat of the Philippine jungles

and thousands of them died in the march, and the survivors faced the hardships in the Japanese prisoner of war

camps.

The march in New Mexico is meant to honor those that had to suffer through that perilous march over 70 years ago

in the Philippines.

The Bataan Memorial Death March was started in 1989 by the Army ROTC department at New Mexico State

University and has been held annually ever since, with the exception of 2003.

There are two routes you can participate in for the march. The green route is 26.2 miles and the blue route is 14.2

miles. The top two finishers in each category receive awards for the green route, while there are no awards given

for the blue route.

A variety of people participate in the march, which goes through the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico

every year. It’s considered to be a marathon of sorts and also a way to honor fallen heroes.

“There are a lot of wounded warriors that go and amputees that actually do it too, so it’s kind of both. It’s a

marathon but it’s also a way to remember fallen soldiers,” said cadet Ben Quimby, senior in mechanical

engineering.

Remembering past soldiers and what they have gone through can also be used as a learning tool for cadets.

“Every cadet here, you know we’re trained to become officers in the United States Army and remembering the

legacy of the soldiers who've gone before us is a very important part of our education,” Graham said.

las cruces sun-news 1a sunday, march 17,...

Documents