News from February 2024
APD arrests suspect for shooting death of brother
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Albuquerque Police Department detectives have made an arrest in connection with the shooting death of Travis Sheckler. Nathan Sheckler, the brother of the victim, has been taken into custody following a tragic incident that occurred at a Northeast Heights home.According to reports, the altercation between the two brothers escalated into a fight, resulting in the fatal shooting. The mother of the siblings provided details to the authorities, stating that she witnessed Nathan, 28, shooting Travis, 35, after a physical confrontation. She recounted the events leading up to...
City on the Road to Recruitment at Northern New Mexico College
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Last Friday, February 23, Mayor Tim Keller and City leaders from various departments visited Northern New Mexico College to engage with students and share job opportunities with the City of Albuquerque at an on-campus job fair. ABQ RIDE also provided the college with a bus that will be used to start a brand new CDL training program at the school, helping to build a needed workforce of drivers and mechanics. This visit was part of the City’s statewide higher education roadshow, aimed at bolstering the local workforce and spreading the word about careers for...
UNM to host Western Positive Psychology Association Conference
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The University of New Mexico is set to host the annual meeting of the Western Positive Psychology Association (WPPA) on March 22-23, bringing together individuals interested in the science of happiness and positive psychology. According to Department of Psychology Associate Professor Bruce Smith, positive psychology focuses on fostering resilience, mindfulness, love, kindness, gratitude, hope, meaning, and purpose in people's lives. Smith, who has been teaching this subject for 19 years at UNM, highlighted the importance of the field in enabling individuals to live their...
Safeguard Santa Fe County: Residents Called for Input on Hazard Mitigation Strategy
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Residents of Santa Fe County are being called upon to provide their input on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update. Fire Chief Jacob Black emphasized the importance of public engagement in the planning process, stating, "Public engagement is critical to the success of hazard mitigation planning." He also highlighted that the upcoming public meetings present an opportunity for residents to learn about the County's emergency management, mitigation, and response efforts.The County has scheduled three public meetings in March to gather input from constituents. The meetings will...
Faculty Focus: Huiping Cao, College of Arts and Sciences
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Huiping Cao, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at New Mexico State University, has been making significant contributions to the academic community since joining in 2010. With a focus on data mining, applied machine learning, and data engineering, Cao's dedication to teaching, research, and student mentorship shines through."I take immense pride in the accomplishments of the students I have guided through their academic journeys," expressed Cao, reflecting on her role in nurturing the growth of four Ph.D. candidates she successfully graduated.Cao's...
Nobel Laureate John Mather Explores JWST Images, Astronomy, and Astrology in Latest Podcast
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Nobel Laureate John Mather and Tony Hull recently delved into the world of astronomy and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on the latest episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science. Mather, the Webb telescope’s senior project scientist emeritus, and Hull, an adjunct professor in the UNM Department of Physics & Astronomy, discussed the groundbreaking images and early results from the telescope.Mather shed light on the significance of the images captured by the JWST, stating, "The James Webb Space Telescope allows us to see 13.5 billion years into the past and witness...
Engineer Designs High-Reliability Component with Sandia’s Expertise
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Systems engineer Robert Petterborg, from Sandia National Laboratories, took on the challenge of designing a new cable connector to improve testing of the W80-4 weapons system. Petterborg, who voluntarily undertook the project, emphasized the importance of innovation, stating, "If everyone did things the way we've always done them, we wouldn't have innovation."Utilizing 3D printing, Petterborg designed the connector, which he estimates would have taken a dedicated team three to five years to develop without this technology. The new connector aims to enhance reliability and...
Bernalillo County Public Safety Division Provides Improvement Plan for Youth Services Center
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Bernalillo County – In response to an incident on December 25, 2023, at the Youth Services Center (YSC), in coordination with the county manager and at the request of the commission, the Public Safety Division has developed an Improvement Plan to increase safety for residents and staff at YSC. The plan includes both immediate steps and upcoming measures to address safety concerns."In response to an incident on December 25, 2023, at the Youth Services Center (YSC), in coordination with the county manager and at the request of the commission, the Public Safety Division has...
UNM Hospital Employee Celebrates 55 Years of Service
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Marilyn Baumgardner, a senior medical records clerk in the Health Information Management (HIM) Department at UNM Hospital, has reached a remarkable milestone by celebrating 55 years of service at the institution. Baumgardner was honored at the hospital's annual anniversary and retirement banquet, where she was recognized as the longest-serving employee in UNM Hospital's history.Expressing her love for her job, Baumgardner stated, "I love my job, and I am proud that I am still able to work and do the best that I can." She attributes her long tenure to the supportive work...
BERNALILLO COUNTY MANAGER JULIE MORGAS BACA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Bernalillo County Manager Julie Morgas Baca has announced her retirement to the county commission. Ms. Baca, who assumed the role in 2015, has decided to step down from her position. The news of her retirement was met with appreciation and recognition from her colleagues."I would like to thank Julie for all her hard work and know that we will continue to carry out many of the initiatives she started," expressed Commission Chair Barbara Baca, acknowledging Julie's dedication and contributions to the county. Barbara Baca also emphasized the importance of collaboration on...
Sustainable Solutions: Anderson Professor Navigates Overconsumption Challenges in Modern Marketing
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Professor of Marketing at the Anderson School of Management, Cathering Roster, emphasized the need for consumers to become part of the solution to societal sustainability challenges by changing their consumption habits. Roster stated, “Marketing is not all about constantly pushing people to acquire things... We simply cannot keep up the pace of consumption that we’ve had in the last several decades without doing significant harm to our environment.”Roster highlighted the shift in mindset towards sustainability in marketing efforts, noting, “Even in consumers' own lives,...
Bernalillo County Commissioner Calls for Public Involvement in Selection of New County Manager
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Bernalillo County – Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada extends his deepest appreciation to County Manager Julie Morgas Baca for her outstanding dedication and service to the community over the past nine years."As Bernalillo County manager, Julie Morgas Baca has played an instrumental role in guiding our county through various challenges and successes, leaving an indelible mark on our collective progress," says Commissioner Quezada.Commissioner Quezada recognizes the need for a seamless transition to ensure the continued prosperity and effectiveness of Bernalillo...
NMSU Board of Regents to convene March 11 for regular meeting
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
The upcoming regular meeting of the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, March 11. The meeting will take place in the Regents Room of the Educational Services Building on the NMSU Las Cruces campus. In addition to in-person attendance, the meeting will be livestreamed for public viewing at https://regents.nmsu.edu/regent-meetings/.As per the Open Meetings Act, the agenda for the meeting will be available at least 72 hours in advance on the university's website at https://regents.nmsu.edu/regent-meetings/.Individuals...
Albuquerque Launches Online Dashboard to Track Efforts in Addressing Homelessness
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
The Albuquerque community now has a new way to keep up with the City’s work on addressing homelessness by delivering housing stability and other services. The new online dashboard is available at cabq.gov/homeless."This dashboard is a great way for people to get updated information about how much work we’re doing to address homelessness," said Mayor Tim Keller. The dashboard provides various metrics, including the number of people using City shelters, the number of families and individuals graduating from Housing Navigation programs into permanent housing, outreach...
BernCo Hosts Public Meeting to Discuss Fourth Street Road Diet Reconstruction Project
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Bernalillo County staff will host a public meeting to discuss a road diet reconstruction project along Fourth Street on Feb. 27 at the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, 9800 Fourth St. NW. This meeting aims to gather input and feedback from the community regarding the project.Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting and share their thoughts on the proposed road diet reconstruction project. The County staff will be present to provide information and address any questions or concerns that the attendees may have.The reconstruction project on...
NMSU Math Professor Utilizes NSF Grants to Support Research and Student Success
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
New Mexico State University graduate student Aaron Stewart found a unique connection between mountain climbing and mathematics through the mentorship of NMSU mathematical sciences professor Prasit Bhattacharya. Stewart expressed, “Dr. Bhattacharya has compared mathematics with my favorite pursuit outside of school, alpinism, also known as mountain climbing. To climb a route no one has climbed before involves more failure than success, more struggle than ease and more restless nights than easy years. I think being effective at mathematics requires understanding that.”...
Pickleball Arrives in Southwest Albuquerque
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
The Parks & Recreation Department’s (PRD) newest pickleball courts at Pat Hurley Park have been completed, marking the first dedicated pickleball courts in the southwest quadrant of the City. The $84,000 project, funded by GO Bonds, involved upgrading the existing court complex by resurfacing two tennis courts for continued tennis play and converting the other two tennis courts into four dedicated pickleball courts.Mayor Keller expressed the city's commitment to enhancing the community's quality of life through projects like these, stating, "We continue to invest in...
UNM-Los Alamos Student Nathaniel Sandoval Honored with PTK New Mexico All-State Academic Team Scholarship
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 24, 2024
Nathaniel Sandoval, a student at UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA), was recently recognized for his academic achievements by being named to the PTK New Mexico All-State Academic Team. During the State Legislative Session at the Roundhouse, Sandoval, a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), was awarded the prestigious scholarship in acknowledgment of his academic excellence, leadership, and service."To receive this scholarship means I can continue to represent our Phi Theta Kappa Charter with excellence and further dedicate myself to my education," expressed Sandoval during the...
UNM Honors College student selected as Truman Scholarship Finalist
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 24, 2024
The University of New Mexico is becoming a hub of Truman Scholar recognition. UNM senior Jesus Sanchez, is one of 191 Truman Scholar finalists selected from this year’s pool of 709 nominations across over 285 institutions. Sanchez is scheduled to interview in March.“The Truman Scholarship is a highly competitive award that selects students with the potential to become change agents,” Honors College Scholarship Coordinator Kiyoko Simmons said. “Jesus has demonstrated leadership and service aimed at enhancing the college experience for students by addressing basic needs...
Call open for 2024 Women in STEM Awards
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 24, 2024
Applications are now open for the 2024 Women in STEM Awards at the University of New Mexico. The awards, now in their ninth year, are a collaborative effort between Advance at UNM, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Research."We know that Women in STEM awardees from the past eight years have gone on to do some amazing research on a range of topics," said Advance Director Julia Fulghum. "We are eager to see the proposals of this year’s applicants and encourage submissions from across campus. Please contact us if you want to know if your idea...