Top row, from left: Steven Sandoval, Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; David Clements, Department of Finance; and Anne Semrau, NMSU Grants. Bottom row, from left: Martha Desmond, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conversation Ecology; Avis James, Department of Biology; and Mary Ballyk, Department of Mathematical Sceinces. (Courtesy and NMSU photos)

 

Aggies Without Limits, a student organization at New Mexico State University dedicated to helping communities in need improve their quality of life through sustainable infrastructure projects, received the newly developed Community Engagement, Extension and Outreach Award. (Courtesy photos)

NMSU faculty and staff members gathered on the Las Cruces campus Tuesday, Aug. 17, to mark the start of the fall 2021 semester and celebrate a group of fellow Aggies honored for their accomplishments and contributions to the university. Among them were engineering faculty members.

“Convocation is an important occasion when we pause to set the course for the start of the academic year,” NMSU Provost Carol Parker said. “This fall, I am especially proud to focus our attention on faculty who are exemplars in terms of teaching as well as community engagement, extension and outreach.”

Parker welcomed employees back to campus and introduced a new award developed to honor outstanding community engagement.

Aggies Without Limits, a group that brings together students, faculty and community members to assist with the development of local and international communities through sustainable infrastructure and educational opportunities, received the first-ever Community Engagement, Extension and Outreach Award. 

The award is part of a new initiative to honor Aggies who go above and beyond in helping the university further each of its four strategic goals. It recognizes work that amplifies extension and outreach – the third goal in NMSU LEADS 2025. 

The group was founded by Professor Kenny Stevens and former student Dorothy Lanphere in the mid-2000s. The group has since performed annual service projects in several Latin American countries and our local area, building infrastructure to better the lives of those in need. They traveled to Nicaragua this summer to work on a project that they couldn’t complete last summer due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Lakshmi Reddi, dean of the College of Engineering, presented the award to Kenny Stevens, Aggie Without Limits adviser and emeritus professor of engineering technology.

“Hundreds of NMSU students, staff, faculty and community members from all backgrounds and disciplines have participated in AWL projects to serve others in need. Over the years, AWL’s projects have improved the lives of countless people, spread international and local goodwill, and changed the lives and perspectives of students who will now carry on acts of humanity,” said Reddi. “This group has changed lives all over the world in ways that can’t be measured.”

Parker and Tara Gray, associate provost for faculty development, director of the NMSU Teaching Academy and convocation coordinator, also presented the Christmore Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Steven Sandoval, assistant professor of electrical engineering, was one of the recipients for the Christmore awards. Named after former accounting department head Patricia Christmore, the award recognizes tenure-track faculty members from the Las Cruces campus. 

NMSU bestows the Roush awards – named after a former NMSU executive vice president in recognition of his efforts to improve teaching in New Mexico – based on information from students, department heads, deans and community campus directors. The College of Engineering Roush Awardee is Edward Pines, professor of industrial engineering. Pines received his award at the College of Engineering Convocation.