Western New Mexico University

Infobox University
name = Western New Mexico University


motto =
established = 1893
type = Public
president = Dr. John E. Counts
city = Silver City
state = New Mexico
country = USA
students = Approx 2,500
faculty =
campus =
nickname = Mustangs
colors = Purple and Vegas Gold
website = [http://www.wnmu.edu/ www.wnmu.edu]

Western New Mexico University is a university located in Silver City, New Mexico.

History

Founded in the Territory of New Mexico on February 11, 1893 as the New Mexico Normal School, the school began to offer classes on September 3, 1894 in a rented Presbyterian church. On June 2, 1893, the nascent board of regents accepted 20 acres of land situated on a hillside overlooking the town donated by its own John W. Flemming. In November 1896, the school's first permanent building, Old Main, was dedicated and within twenty years enrollment had reached nearly 500 students.

Academics

Today WNMU has over 70 majors and 1,857 undergraduates. WNMU operates a noncompetitive admissions policy, accepting almost 100% of students who apply. WNMU has a branch in Gallup, NM focused on meeting the diverse needs of Nortwest New Mexico and Northeast Arizona. Gallup Graduate Studies Center offers the following programs: Masters of Arts in Teaching Elementary or Secondary, Masters of Arts in Teaching Special Education, Masters in Counseling, Masters in Educational Leadership, Masters of Arts in Bilinugal Education or Teaching English as a Second Language. [http://ggsc.wnmu.edu/ - Gallup Graduate Studies Center]

WNMU also has branches in Deming and Truth or Consequences. Known for its School of Education, other areas of interest include Occupational Therapy, Business Management, Nursing, and Social Work.

WNMU has been recognized with the 2003 Zia Award, the first four-year university in the state to receive the award, the 2005 Best Practice Award for the School of Education, the 2006 Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year Award, the 2008 Pinon Award, and the 2008 Companero Award.

Over 100 courses are offered online. Two bachelor degrees, in Criminal Justice and Occupational Therapy, can be obtained exclusively through online classes. A newly designed E-Commerce Degree is available.

Athletics

Athletics teams are nicknamed the Mustangs and compete in several sports such as college football, volleyball, tennis, softball, basketball, cross country, and golf. After several years as an NCAA Division II Independent, the Mustangs returned to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in the fall of 2006.

The WNMU Ladies Golf Team led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in the 2007-2008 season. Senior Tina Bickford was named RMAC Player of the Year and the team finished the year as the regular season and tournament champions.

Former NFL player Ronnie Heard is the new Defensive Coordinator for the WNMU Mustangs. He played professionaly for five years with the San Francisco 49ers and one year with the Atlanta Falcons.

External links

* [http://www.wnmu.edu WNMU Homepage]