Reyes

Edna M. Reyes was born in Sonora, Mexico, and raised in Deming, New Mexico from the age of seven. She is the daughter of farm immigrant workers, Iropajita and Antonio Reyes, and grew up with four of her eight siblings, two of whom also graduated from Western New Mexico University (WNMU). Edna is married to Silver City Police Officer Avery Crump, whom she met at WNMU. They have two daughters, Maya (6) and Scarlett (4).

A 2008 Deming High graduate, Edna was active in the Mariachi program and graduated with honors. She earned her bachelor’s degree from WNMU in 2012 and her master’s in 2014, serving as Student Body President and M.E.Ch.A. President. She interned with U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and was inducted into the WNMU Student Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Edna received her Juris Doctor from Washburn School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, where she held leadership roles in student organizations and earned a Law and Government Certificate and a Distinguished Pro Bono Certificate. After internships at the 6th Judicial District Court and U.S. Homeland Security, she briefly worked as an immigration attorney in Wichita, KS.

Edna returned to Luna County in 2017 to start her family and career as a prosecutor, focusing on domestic violence, sex crimes, and crimes against children. In 2018, she was named Junior Prosecutor of the Year. Recently, she became the Domestic Affairs Hearing Officer for the 6th Judicial District Court, covering Luna, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties.

Edna is grateful for the mentors and friends who have supported her journey. She credits WNMU with providing lifelong connections, including her husband, and opening doors to many opportunities.

CastilloCarolyn Castillo, a native of Silver City, New Mexico, earned two degrees from Western New Mexico University. Graduating magma cum laude, Carolyn received her Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in 2019. In 2022, she graduated with a Masters of Business Administration degree. While obtaining her education, she was also a student-athlete. Carolyn played four years of softball and landed on the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and received the WNMU Golden Glove award. All the while being a student-athlete, she participated in multiple clubs and organizations such as Student Government, Delta Mu Delta, Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), Rotary Club, Marketing Club, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Carolyn took pride in being a Silver City native and found time to give back to the community. She was a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association, a sponsor and volunteer for the Annual Sensory Swim Night, and assisted in the coordination of the 2022 and 2023 Silver City Independence Day celebrations. She has helped youth with sport training, academics, and volunteered to work with non-profits in her area. While pursuing her MBA, she worked in the Western New Mexico University Athletics Department as a Graduate Assistant, helping in the development of organizational policies and educational initiatives.

She supervised student-athletes during study hall and offered tutoring, encouraging students to prioritize their academics and monitor their eligibility. Carolyn also worked as an administrative assistant for the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce while pursing her MBA. She would assist in promoting business activity, commerce, and tourism in Grant County. The Chamber of Commerce focused on representing its members and bringing together the local business community to promote and safeguard their collective interests.

Carolyn remains an active alumna and currently works as the Accounting Specialist for the Grant County Administration.

Headers- FormattedArmando “Jeep” Gutierrez was born in Miami, AZ, during the Great Depression and was the second of six children. His family moved to Silver City, NM, seeking a better life. He graduated from Western High School (now Silver High) in 1943, where he developed a love for football, though he was denied the chance to play due to his small size. Years later, the coach apologized for the missed opportunity.

At 17, Armando enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a 2nd class radioman in the Pacific during World War II, earning three battle stars. After the war, he attended New Mexico Western College (now WNMU), where he lettered in football for four years and led the New Mexico Conference in rushing his senior year, earning the nickname “Jeep.”

In 1951, he was offered a teaching and coaching position in Los Lunas, NM but was reactivated into the military during the Korean Conflict, serving as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Bliss. He played football for the Ft. Bliss Rockets before accepting a teaching and coaching job with the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD). After earning his MA in Education in 1957 from Texas Western College, he became the head coach at El Paso Tech, leading to several upsets and earning Coach of the Year honors.

As EPISD’s Athletic Director from 1973 to 1981, he helped implement Title IX, advancing women’s sports. He later served as Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Transportation, retiring in 1981.

Armando was deeply involved in his community, serving on committees, and was a long-standing member of St. Matthews Catholic Church. He was inducted into the Texas High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 1987 and the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
He married Elvira Raig in 1952, and together they raised six children. Known for his gentle heart and love of sports, Armando was a frequent presence at UTEP games. He passed away on January 2, 2024, at the age of 97, fulfilling a lifetime of dedication to family, education, and athletics.

Baca JenkinsManuela Baca Jenkins, a Silver City native, is a 1972 graduate of Western New Mexico University with a major in history and a minor in government. Upon graduation from WNMU she moved to Lansing, Michigan to begin her 30-year career in education.

In 1976, Manuela received her Master’s in Experimental Classroom Teaching from Michigan State University. She did additional postgraduate studies at Ohio Wesleyan University for training in teaching Advanced Placement students in American Government. In Lansing she taught Advanced Placement students in American government as well as a variety of social science classes. She created the first Chicano classes for both junior high and senior high students in the Lansing School District. She was a sponsor of the Close-Up Program where students traveled to Washington, D. C. to learn the intricacies of government. In addition to teaching at the junior and senior high level, she worked with Michigan State University training teachers.

Manuela has received many awards for her innovative and dedicated work as an educator. Her students received national attention when they appeared on Prime C-SPAN discussing national issues during an election year. She was also an Academic Decathlon Co-Sponsor Coach for Eastern High School. As coach, she took the students to the National Academic Decathlon Finals five times.

In 2002 Manuela left Michigan and moved to Mesa, Arizona where she continued teaching for a number of years. There she received an endorsement for English as a Second Language at Mesa Community College. Since her retirement as an educator she has participated in Mesa Arizona Leadership Training, representing Mesa in 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. She has volunteered to teach Spanish at Mesa Arizona Senior Center and is actively involved in the League of United Latin American Citizens, Counsel 8003. In addition to volunteering, her passions are reading, gardening, traveling and genealogy. She now divides her time between Mesa and Silver City.

LuceroPriscilla C. Lucero is a 1986 graduate of Western New Mexico University and has been employed by the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments since 1987. In 2003, she was promoted to Executive Director. She provides technical assistance to local governments in the counties of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna in the areas of community and economic development, transportation, housing, water and wastewater infrastructure, legislative matters, and more.

Currently, she is involved in several organizations, including the NM Colonias Infrastructure Board, the Opportunity Enterprise Act Board, and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority Weatherization Committee. Priscilla has been appointed by Governor Grisham to the NM Mortgage Finance Authority Housing Trust Fund Committee and to the NMFA Water Trust Board.

Her passion is to improve the quality of life for residents in rural and frontier communities within her region and throughout the State of New Mexico. Some of her awards include Grant County Citizen of the Year, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest Woman of Distinction, the Rotary Service Above-Self Award, and the Joe Guillen Award for outstanding service to New Mexico communities.

CantuDavid S. Cantu is a fourth-generation resident of San Elizario, Texas and has dedicated his career to education and public service. He began his teaching journey in 2002 and holds a master’s degree in Professional Technical Education. Prior to becoming an educator, Cantu worked in the automotive industry for over a decade. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western New Mexico University in 2007, where he also taught automotive courses,
and completed his master’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 2012.

Cantu’s involvement in San Elizario’s development has been extensive. He served on the committee that incorporated the city in 2013 and was elected as an alderperson in 2014. In this role, he represents residents at both city and county levels, working to address community needs and advocating for public interests. His responsibilities include working with fellow council members on zoning, infrastructure, and city policies.

A key part of Cantu’s work as alderperson involves leading the Grants Steering Committee. This role is crucial in securing funding to enhance the quality of life for San Elizario residents while minimizing financial burdens on the city. He also conducts research on various city projects, ensuring decisions are informed and beneficial to the community.

Cantu is deeply involved in community boards and advisory groups. He is the director of San Elizario Community Heart and Soul, a program focused on connecting residents with the future of their town, and a voting member of the Rio Grande Council of Governments, representing small communities. Additionally, he serves on the San Elizario ISD Site-Based Decision-Making Committee and the Mission Trail Development Committee.

His contributions to regional cooperation are notable as well. Cantu co-founded the Joint Jurisdiction Committee, which brings together officials from El Paso County and small cities to address issues related to water, illegal dumping, and traffic. His work on these committees reflects his commitment to solving regional challenges through collaboration.

Outside of his official roles, Cantu is an active volunteer, particularly with the Clint Fallen Heroes, a non-profit organization that raises funds for ROTC student scholarships. An avid cyclist and advocate for outdoor activities, he hosted cross-country cyclists traveling along the Southern Tier Bicycle Route from 2010 to 2020, further demonstrating his dedication to community and service.

ArizagaGilberto S. Arizaga was born in Hanover, New Mexico in 1947, and raised by his mother. His early childhood was spent living with his grandmother and uncle, who worked in the local mines. After his grandmother’s passing in 1951, the family moved to a new home in Hanover, where they remained on welfare until Gilberto graduated from Cobre High School in 1965.

Thanks to scholarships, including one from the NM Men’s Club, Gilberto attended and graduated from Western New Mexico University (WNMU) in 1969 with a degree in chemistry and minor in mathematics. During his time at WNMU, he was involved in Blue Key, Sigma Tau Delta, and the university band.

He earned his medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 1974 and completed residencies in Pediatrics and Dermatology at the University of Arizona. Gilberto practiced Pediatrics in Silver City from 1977 to 1983, focusing on chronic conditions, learning disabilities, and behavioral disorders. In 1986, he began his Dermatology practice, emphasizing general and surgical dermatology, and the cutaneous manifestations of systemic disorders. Throughout his career, he integrated cultural and indigenous healing concepts, particularly Curanderismo, into his medical practice and mentored many medical students and residents.

Gilberto was triple board certified in Pediatrics, Dermatology, and Hospice and Palliative Care. He published articles in medical journals and contributed to books on cultural and indigenous medicine, including Cultural Concepts in Healing (1998) and Curanderismo as Holistic Medicine (1999). In the 1990s, he was featured in a PBS program on alternative medicine.

He frequently gave presentations on medical and cultural topics, including Curanderismo, at institutions such as the University of New Mexico and the University of Arizona. Alongside his two eldest daughters, both board-certified psychiatrists, he presented at the NMSU Counseling Center on emotional and psychological aspects of systemic disorders.

Gilberto’s wife Maria Petra, a WNMU graduate, CPA, and PhD in Psychology, shares his passion for indigenous medicine, and they have presented together at conferences. Together they have 10 children.

In addition to his medical career, Gilberto is actively involved in the community and often officiates funerals, seeing them as a reflection of family, community, and creation.

WhiteLogan White, a 1984 graduate of Western New Mexico University, is currently the Senior Advisor to the General Manager, Director Player Personnel for the San Diego Padres and serves as the Chairman of the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission. He was born in Humansville, Missouri and graduated from Portales High School in Portales, NM.

He attended Murray State Junior College where he was an “All Oklahoma-All Conference Pitcher” in 1982. He then transferred to Western New Mexico University where he and his teammates helped transform the baseball program into a powerhouse, winning their first Conference Championship in 1984. For his efforts he was selected to the Academic All-American team, along with being named the Conference “Most Valuable Player”. After the season he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1984 draft. He was inducted into the WNMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

White played three years in the Mariner organization. After his playing career ended, he began a teaching career at Portales Jr High School while working on his master’s degree at Eastern New Mexico University.
In the fall of 1989 he was hired by the Baltimore Orioles as an area scout and he quickly rose through the ranks in the field and was named the Scouting Director for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001 and eventually Vice President and Assistant General Manager over Scouting.

During his tenure White signed or drafted over 100 major league players with many receiving top major league awards such as Rookie of the Year, MVP, and countless major league All Stars and World Series heros. In 2019 White was inducted into the Scouts Hall of Fame.

In October of 2014 White was hired by the San Diego Padres and has played a key role in building them into a playoff contending team while helping acquire such players as Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Luis Arraez, and Jackson Merrill.

White shares a son with his first wife Deena, who passed away from leukemia. Logan White Jr. was drafted out of high school in 2017 by the Dodgers but opted to play for University of California San Diego. He is currently a pilot and assistant coach at Gilbert Christian High School and married to Jessica. Logan Sr. and his current wife Pam reside in Phoenix, Arizona while owning an off-season home in Silver City.

TerrazasLuis Terrazas is a lifelong resident of Grant County. Born in Silver City, New Mexico, he graduated from Silver High School in 1990. He then graduated from Western Mexico University in 1993 with a Bachelors in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting. In 1995, Luis graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. Luis was hired at Thompson’s Harveson and Cole in Texas, which was considered an elite funeral home, and well known throughout the nation.

Although it was a dream job opportunity, he decided to come home and serve the people of Grant County through funeral service. He worked for Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Bright Funeral Home in Silver City. In an effort to earn more money and save for a down payment to build a funeral home of his own he started out by opening his first business, the Silver City Auto Spa in 1999, at 27 years of age. In 2003, he opened Terrazas Granite and Marble. Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Terrazas Crematory opened in Santa Clara in 2005; Terrazas Funeral Chapels in Deming in 2008 and a satellite monument sales office in Las Cruces in 2010.

Luis is active in the community and serves on the Foundation Board for Western New Mexico University. He has also served on the advisory board for AmBank, Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, and Deming-Luna Chamber of Commerce.

Luis’s wife, Mandee works alongside him in the funeral industry, and together they have five children.

Luis and Mandee have always believed in giving back to their community and personally contribute to community and church festivals, Grant County Community Concerts, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Deming-Luna Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanas, WNMU Fiesta Latina, WNMU Alumni, Carnitas, Musica y Mas, Tour of the Gila, Little league, Grant County Fair livestock sale, many of the schools throughout Grant County and Southwest New Mexico supporting sports and academic activities, 4-H groups, Jr. Rodeo, Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo, Senior Olympics and many other fundraisers that help the community.

Luis has been Grant County’s state representative since 2021. Luis is a standing House member of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Rural Development and Land Grant Committee. It is truly apparent that Luis’s service and dedication to his community is priority. He is grateful to God for blessing him with the ability to make a difference.

BrownAlex C. Brown has been the Town Manager /Finance Director for the Town of Silver City for the last 23 years and has been with the Town since 1996.

He has worked diligently to promote the Town’s economic, social, and fiscal health. Alex grew up in the mining district and graduated from Cobre High School in 1985 and then from Western New Mexico University in 1996 with his Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting.

Under his leadership the Town has had consecutive years of annual audits with no findings.
He serves as Chairman of the Grant County Water Commission, the Southwest Solid Waste Authority Board, and is Vice-Chair of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Government.

He was a member of the Grant County Health Council, the New Mexico Municipal League of Finance Officers, the New Mexico Municipal League Board of Directors, and is a graduate of Leadership New Mexico Government Program.

He values the Town’s policies and procedures to ensure safe and fiscal responsibility of the organization. Alex has been recognized for his progressive planning and for the use of new technologies in his community. The health, safety, and welfare of the community is his priority, and looks forward to helping in its continued growth.

SmithJames “Jim” Smith has been a cornerstone of Western New Mexico University for over 75 years, arriving in 1949 from Indiana, when WNMU was still known as New Mexico State Teachers’ College. Jim made his mark as the men’s basketball coach from 1957 to 1969. During this time, he also coached tennis and golf and served as the Dean of Students and Director of Housing.

Among Jim’s most enduring contributions is the creation of the iconic “Great Race,” a campus tradition that began in 1967 and has grown into one of the most celebrated events at WNMU, now running for over 57 years. Jim’s innovative thinking and dedication to student engagement helped turn the race into an annual highlight, with nearly 100% student participation in its early years.

Jim’s coaching career began in Grass Creek, Indiana, before moving to Lordsburg, NM, where he coached high school basketball. He was then hired by WNMU, where his impact on students went beyond the court. Following a successful tenure at WNMU, Jim transitioned to managing Scott Park Golf Course, where he became a Class A PGA Professional. Under his leadership, the course expanded from nine to 18 holes, and Jim organized the annual “Billy Casper Days” fundraising tournaments, which raised money for Gila Regional Medical Center and other community causes.

Jim remains deeply connected to WNMU, formerly serving on the WNMU Foundation Board, attending alumni events, and supporting university initiatives. In 2019, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, a fitting recognition for his lifelong contributions to the university. He and his wife, Martha, are both honored members of the WNMU Athletic Hall of Fame, and Jim continues to honor her memory by visiting the “Ice Cream Girls” statue at Light Hall, a symbol of their shared legacy.

Jim Smith’s life and career epitomize the spirit of Western New Mexico University, combining a deep commitment to education, athletics, and community service. His influence on WNMU and the Mustang community lasts through the traditions he helped establish and the countless lives he has touched.

MooreMarshall Moore was more than a psychologist; he was a visionary in education, a trailblazer who fearlessly pushed boundaries and reshaped the landscape of learning. From his beginnings as a public-school administrator to his tenure as a university faculty member, Marshall’s journey was marked by innovation and a relentless commitment to student success.

Throughout his career, Marshall wore many hats: educator, consultant, practitioner. Yet, regardless of his role, his dedication to challenging conventions and fostering creativity in education remained unwavering. He understood that true learning thrives in an environment where rules are questioned, and boundaries are pushed.

Even in retirement, Marshall’s passion for education burned bright. As alumni of WNMU, Marshall, alongside his wife Sandy, generously volunteered their time and expertise, leaving an undeniable mark on countless students’ lives. Serving as the Grant County Chapter President of the WNMU Alumni Association, Marshall championed causes close to his heart, from student emergency support to alumni recognition efforts.

Marshall leaves behind a community shaped by his compassion, wisdom, and tireless advocacy for student welfare.

Please note that the naming conventions for awards have evolved over time. While some awards may exhibit slight variations, they are categorized correctly as listed above.

Please note that the naming conventions for awards have evolved over time. While some awards may exhibit slight variations, they are categorized correctly as listed above.

The Alfred J. O’Malley Alumni Pioneer Award was established in 2021

The Young Alumni Achievement Award was established in 2023