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About the WNMU Alumni Association

All graduates of Western New Mexico University are members of our Alumni Association.

The WNMU Alumni Association Board consists of volunteer members who act as a governing body of the Alumni Association and as a working advisory board to the WNMU Office of Alumni Affairs. This board offers assistance with outreach to engage alumni globally through learning, events, scholarship, community, philanthropy, and increasing lifelong affinity to Western New Mexico University. The Alumni Association operates under the fiscal management of the WNMU Foundation.

The WNMU Office of Alumni Affairs is a division of the WNMU Foundation, an independent nonprofit 501 (c) 3 corporation, and our staff are employees of the university and act as liaisons with WNMU to coordinate activities and programming that promote the interests of the Alumni Association and your alma mater.

Purpose/Mission

The object and purposes of this Association are to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between WNMU and its alumni; to promote in every way the best image, interests and development of the University. In carrying out such objects and purposes, the Association shall seek to create, foster, develop, and encourage individual and community interest in and support of WNMU and higher education in general.

The MISSION of the Association shall be to advance WNMU through building loyalty, fellowship and commitment among its members and the university.

Goals

To strengthen bonds and build relationships between alumni, students and the WNMU Community.

To inform our alumni and friends of the progress, achievements and needs of the university and provide opportunities for them to contribute to its welfare.

To dedicate our efforts and services to involve alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty and staff in the activities of the University.

Executive Board Members

2024 Alumni Association Board

Role	Executive Member
President	Evangeline Zamora
Vice President	Sally Beckworth
Treasurer	Monique Reyes
Secretary	Vacant
Past President	Mario Quintana

Board Members

Role	Board Member
Member at Large	Dr. Abe Armendariz
Member at Large	Dr. Emma Armendariz
Member at Large	Lazius Brown
Member at Large	Vladimir Gnilozubov
Indiana Chapter President	Ilene Howard
Member at Large	Jessica Knight
Member at Large	Eric Lowe
Member at Large	Patsy Madrid
Member at Large	Dorina Martinez
Member at Large	Kelli McGhiey-Vannoy
Grant County Chapter President	Vacant
Member at Large	Alfred Ogas
Member at Large	Max Padilla
Member at Large	Laruni Witty

WNMU Representatives

Role	Ex-Efficio Member
Senior Executive Director, WNMU Foundation & Alumni Affairs	Jodi Edens-Crocker
Director of Foundation & Alumni Development	Kacie Peterson
Alumni Affairs Coordinator	Claire Byer
Faculty Representative	Louise Ortega-Senter
Staff Representative	Susan Villines
Student Government President	Brenda Dominguez

Bylaws

As of July 2023

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Meet the 2025 Board Candidates

Dean-Reed-JPG[63]Dean Reed, ’83, ’84, is a past member of the WNMU Alumni Association who started the Albuquerque and Dallas/Fort Worth chapters. He has recently moved permanently back to Albuquerque and wants to get involved once again with the University that he loves and supports.

While earning his Bachelor’s in Business and then his Master’s in Business Administration from WNMU, Reed was highly involved on campus as a track runner, student body president, student regent, Head Resident at Eckles Hall, and the Voice of the Mustangs.

A native of Anthony, NM, Mr. Reed is Vice President of Business Development at Cornerstone Diagnostics and committed to reviving the WNMU Albuquerque Alumni Chapter.

Dr. Abe ArmendarizDr. Abe Lujan Armendariz’s, BA ’67, MA ’72, long career includes his service as a teacher, coach, school principal, associate superintendent and associate professor. Some of his areas of expertise include leadership, bilingual education, cultural awareness, and character education. He served as a consultant to the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs and Latin American Programs in Education. He was inducted into the WNMU Education Hall of Fame in 2013.

Now retired, Abe and his wife Emma have served on the Alumni Association Board for decades and would like to see the WNMU Mesilla Valley Alumni Chapter revived.

1556566839534[67]Hi, I’m Michael Humphries, MBA ‘15. I live in Seattle, WA and work in the technology industry as a Product Manager. While studying at WNMU’s School of Business, I worked in WNMU’s Department of Marketing & Communications helping build out the WNMU website that is still in use today.

I love WNMU’s tight knit community and would love to help foster that further within the alumni community.

Jess KnightJessica Knight, AS ’02, BAS ’10, MBA ’16, has been a valued member of the WNMU community for nearly a decade, working in the Advising Center where she helps guide students through their academic journeys. Her career path includes significant experience in both higher education and healthcare, having also worked at Gila Regional Medical Center. Jessica’s diverse skill set spans customer service, employee training, and culture change, which she uses to enhance the student and staff experience at WNMU. An alumna herself, Jessica is deeply involved in campus life, serving on the Alumni Association Board, Staff Senate, and various committees that shape the future of the university.

RS Martinez_NM.JPGRodolpho S. Martinez, BS ’78, has been involved in public service for over 27 years serving as city councilor, mayor, county commission chair as well as serving New Mexico’s 39th Legislative District for 11 years as a member of the House of Representatives. During his legislative career he proudly served on House Appropriations and Finance committee for many years and as Chairman of the NM Military Affairs and Veterans interim committee, Vice Chair of both State Government and Indian Affairs and Transportation and Public Works committees.

Martinez is a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served our country in the Air Force and is a recipient of the “Profile of Courage” award from the Vietnam Veterans of America NM State Council. Martinez continues to be a voice for veterans, seniors and working families through his work on the NM Veterans Advisory Council, through an appointment by our governor, as well as a member of the NM Public Health Institute/Center for health Innovation’s Board of Directors. Rudy is a life-long resident of NM, born in Santa Rita.

Alfred OgasPlaying baseball for the WNMU Mustangs under Coach Al Johnson was the start of a lifelong connection to and involvement with WNMU for Alfred Ogas, ’65. With only a two-year interruption while he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, he had a 40-year career with El Rancho Unified School District in California.

Ogas has served on the board since 2014, previously accepting the positions of Vice President and President. Recognizing the support he received to attend WNMU, Ogas started and has co-led ten WNMU Alumni Golf Tournament fundraisers for scholarships.

For the past seven years, Ogas and his wife Anne have hosted the WNMU Alumni Homecoming socials at their home. He was inducted into the WNMU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015 & 2021.