Community News

Oscar Arteaga Romero, a graduate student originally from Venezuela, graduated in December with a master's of interdisciplinary studies degree. He is seen here holding the Venezuelan flag during the filming of "The College Tour," Nov. 6, 2023Oscar Arteaga Romero will be in the cast of the upcoming Amazon Prime TV episode of "The College Tour" that will be filmed on campus in November. Link to article at the end.

From Venezuela to Colombia to Kansas to New Mexico, Graduate Student Finds a Home in Silver City

Oscar Arteaga Romero expected to spend recent years working on his MBA in Kansas, but when his husband found a job in Silver City, he transferred to WNMU and quickly decided to expand this educational experience beyond business.

While business administration remains one of his concentration areas in the WNMU MA in Interdisciplinary Studies program, he has added two others: sociology and kinesiology.

Natalee Drissell speaks with director Daren Woolsey during production of "The College Tour," Nov. 8, 2023.Natalee Drissell is a featured student in the upcoming Amazon Prime TV episode of "The College Tour" that was filmed on campus in November. Link to article at the end.

It was a bit of serendipitous timing that brought art major Natalee Drissell to WNMU. Drissell moved from Iowa to New Mexico in 2022 after her father, WNMU Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing Matt Drissell, accepted his position with the university. That same year, New Mexico created the Opportunity Scholarship, which allows in-state students to attend state-funded colleges and universities for free.

But it was not just the prospect of a debt-free education that encouraged Drissell to stay close to home. "I like that WNMU is a small college," she said, "I did not want to go to one of the larger state schools because I am interested in the personal interactions with professors, especially in art. I do not want to be in a huge studio class; I want to be in a class with, like, twelve people I get to know really well."

Nursing major Megan Custer is working on her second bachelor's degree at WNMU. She is seen here during the filming of the Amazon Prime TV series "The College Tour.Megan Custer is a featured student in the upcoming Amazon Prime TV episode of "The College Tour" that was filmed on campus in November. Article link at the end.

The path toward a nursing degree has never been straightforward for nursing major Megan Custer (BAS '22). "I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up," she said.

What she did know was that she enjoyed playing volleyball. "I got into sports when I was really young and have always kept that going," she said, "It is not something anyone pushed on me; it was an option and I always liked it."

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Sabrina Pack, DBA, to the State Game Commission on March 7, 2024, and was sworn into office during the NM Game and Fish Department Commission meeting held on March 8, 2024, in Albuquerque (pictured).  Sabrina Pack will be serving on a seven-member citizens' body. According to the NM Game and Fish Department's website, "the commission sets hunting and fishing regulations, hires the Department of Game and Fish director, oversees spending of a more than $35 million annual budget, and sets the department's overall direction." 

Sabrina Pack will be representing southwest New Mexico on the Game Commission. She, along with Richard Stump, who is also a new appointment, are joining Senator Gregory Fulfer, Tirzio Lopez, Sharon Salazar Hickey, Edward Garcia, and Fernando Clemente, Jr. on the seven-member commission.

Logan Eastman is majoring in zoology, with hope to become an entomologist. He is seen here during production of the upcoming Amazon Prime TV episode of "The College Tour," Nov. 8, 2024While academic opportunities are what brought first-year student Logan Eastman to WNMU, the Gila is what has made him feel at home. Brought up in Tijeras, NM, east of Albuquerque, Eastman has lived his entire life close to nature. "Growing up, I was living in the Cibola National Forest," said Eastman, "so I have always lived in a location where I had these huge, beautiful trees around me that were protected. And so for me [the Gila] is another nice backyard to have."

Logan Eastman is a featured student in the upcoming Amazon Prime TV episode of "The College Tour" that was filmed on campus in November. Link to article at the end.

SILVER CITY, NM — The Silver City MainStreet Project is excited to announce WolfHorse Outfitters as the featured story teller for the March Kick-Ass Entrepreneurs — Silver City (KAE-SC) Story Time. The Story Time will take place at Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery, 200 N Bullard Steet, in downtown Silver City on Wednesday, March 20, at 5:30 pm. The event is free (with option to purchase food and drinks) and open to the public. Location note: Story Time will take place in Little Toad Creek's back meeting room.

Join The Silver City MainStreet Project for Story Time and learn about how Joe Saenz, owner and operator of WolfHorse Outfiters, became a Kick-Ass Entrepreneur! WolfHorse Outfitters has been operating since ca. 1998. "I was called back to our traditional lands and developed a lifeway to connect traditionally to Nde Benah to fulfill stewardship responsibilities and highlight a Native history, providing a service in the community that highlights locals, Natives, and tourists alike," said Saenz.

Some joy for El Refugio clients Monday night, as over 25 recipients were able to go to the circus held at the rodeo Grounds. Silver City Masonic Lodge provided the tickets to the El Refugio staff to use or disperse to their clients. This is but one additional way the Masons try to support the community.

Lodges rely on fundraisers and donations from their members and others to give back to Grant County residents, with over 10 different events sponsored this last year.  The lodges are proud to help our community members have a better Life.