University History
The community of Silver City realized a long-time dream on 11 February 1893 when the Thirtieth Session of the Territorial Legislature of New Mexico passed “An Act to Establish and Provide for the Maintenance and Government of the Normal Schools of New Mexico.” Silver City and Las Vegas were chosen to be the locations of these teacher-training institutions. This successfully culminated the efforts of many in Silver City, who had attempted for years to convince the Territorial Legislature to approve an institution of higher learning in Silver City.
A Board of Regents, appointed by Governor L. Bradford Prince, was given the task of selecting a site for the school. During the 29 May 1893 Board of Regents meeting, the Regents took a field trip to examine the 20 acres of land being offered by the Town of Silver City for the Normal School buildings. The minutes of the meeting reflected that the Board of Regents accepted the acreage, known as Jordan’s Addition, that was located on a hill west of the Town. On June 2, 1893,3 June 1893 the Town Council of Silver City headed by Mayor (and Regent) Major John W. Fleming agreed to deed the land to the Regents of the Normal School. Regent President (and Town the Board accepted Regent (and Town of Silver City Mayor) John W. Fleming’s offer of 20 acres of Town-owned property situated on a high hill west of the community. This site allowed the institution to be visible to all who came into town. On September 7, 1894, an impressive dedication ceremony was held. A copper box containing coins, magazines, and other items of the period was placed within the cornerstone of Old Main laid by the officials and townspeople. The military band of Fort Bayard provided appropriate music.
The first director was George Selby, an educator from Deming, who was given the title of principal. He is remembered as the man who was given the difficult task of developing curricula and providing instruction for the first forty students.
With the departure of Selby, Dr. Charles M. Light became the principal. He later became the first to be given the title of President. Professor Light, a Doctor of Pedagogy, provided a needed air of stability for the young institution and presided over substantial growth of the physical plant, faculty, and student body. His tenure lasted until 1914.
It was during 1917 that Fleming Hall was completed to house a gymnasium and Science Department. Today this building is the home of the WNMU Museum which was established in 1974. The WNMU Museum houses Campus Collections that include the copper box and contents of Old Main’s cornerstone and the first catalog of the New Mexico Normal School in Silver City. In 1923 the New Mexico Normal School became New Mexico State Teachers’ College; and Dotson Field was constructed. The field, now known as Old James Stadium, was named after an alumnus who died in World War I.
Light Hall was built in 1928 to serve as an auditorium, library and classroom facility. Although Graham Gymnasium was started years earlier, it was not completed until 1936. The gym is named after President Graham who died suddenly during the gym’s construction phase. During the Depression of the 1930’s numerous W.P.A. projects brought improvements to the campus. At the end of the 1930, a secondary school associated with the college began operation in a new building on the east side of the campus as part of the broader educational mission mandated by the state of New Mexico. Western High School was turned over to the Silver Consolidated School District on 1 July 1960.
Although there was a delay in campus expansion during World War II, the influx of many veterans following the war made it necessary to bring temporary housing to the campus. The new housing was immediately dubbed Veterans’ Dormitory. In 1948 a College Cafeteria replaced the cafeteria located in the basement of Ritch Hall. In 1949 the Mustang Field House and swimming pool were completed, and the campus name was changed to New Mexico Western College. In 1949 the wish for an enclosed pool was fulfilled. In 1954 the President’s home was completed. J. Cloyd Miller Library was built in 1957 following the razing of “Old Main.” In the same year, Harlan Hall was constructed as the new Science Building.
Western New Mexico University received its current name in 1963. In 1966, the Fine Arts Center Theatre, the McCray Art Building, and the Parotti Music building were finished. These buildings provide cultural opportunities for the University and local community. New building additions including, the Phelps Dodge-Felix Martinez Buildings (1970), Glaser Hall (1981), Juan Chacon Building (1983), Thomas B. McDonald Student Memorial (1997), Besse-Forward Global Resource Center (2002), and the School of Nursing (2010) reflect the fulfillment of more recent needs of the University.
WNMU celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2018. Exemplary teaching, quality programs, and enhanced regional service characterize the University mission, as WNMU continues into its second hundred years. Today, WNMU has campuses in Silver City, Deming, Truth or Consequences.
Mission Statement
An open-access institution and New Mexico’s Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences University, Western New Mexico University combines a foundation of liberal arts education with quality professional programs and career and technical preparation in a diverse, inclusive, creative, and caring community of learners empowered with the essential skills and knowledge for lifelong success in work and life.
Ser una institucion de acceso abierto y la Universidad de Artes Liberales y Ciencias Aplicadas de Nuevo Mexico, Western New Mexico University combina una base de educacion en artes liberales con programas profesionales de calidad y preparacion tecnica en una comunidad diversa, inclusiva, creativa y solidaria de estudiantes capacitados con habilidades y conocimientos esenciales para el exito permanente en La vida y el trabajo.
Vision Statement
Western New Mexico University is a premier and innovative Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences University in combination with internationally recognized professional programs and career and technical preparation. Its students achieve career goals, become conscientious citizens, practice social and environmental responsibility, and impact their communities and their futures as independent thinkers who know themselves within the changing context of a global, digital world. Embracing its identity as a Hispanic Serving Institution, WNMU is the central contributor in its region for public service, economic development, and cultural enrichment.
Western New Mexico University es una Universidad de Artes Liberales y Ciencias Aplicadas superior e innovadora en combinacion con programas profesionales reconocidos internacionalmente y preparacion profesional tecnica. Sus estudiantes alcanzan metas profesionales, formandolos en ciudadanos comprometidos, que practican la responsabilidad social y ambiental, que tienen impacto en sus comunidades y en su futuro como pensadores criticos independientes que se conocen a si mismos dentro del contexto cambiante de un mundo global y digital. Adoptando su identidad como una institucion de servicio a hispanos, WNMU es el contribuyente central en su region para el servicio publico, el desarrollo economico y el enriquecimiento cultural.
Accreditation and Standing
WNMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, (230 S. La Salle, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604 312-263-7462, info@hlcommission.org) and by the New Mexico State Board of Education for offering undergraduate and graduate work. Western New Mexico University, through its School of Business is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and through the College of Education is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The university has received national accreditation for its nursing, social work, and the economic development course/institute. The Early Childhood Program and Child Development Center are also nationally accredited.
WNMU is a member of the American Association of University Women, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the, and The American Library Association.
University Setting
WNMU is located in the mountain community of Silver City, population 15,000, which serves as the marketing and financial center for a vast four-county area extending west to Arizona and south to Mexico.
Located in the foothills of the Mogollon Mountains and the Black Range at an elevation of 6,000 feet, Silver City has a climate that is dry, mild, and invigorating. The Gila National Forest provides opportunities for backpacking, camping, hunting, and fishing. Within the forest are hiking trails and Indian ruins, including the famous Gila Cliff Dwellings. Hot springs and ghost towns are nearby. The area is popular with rockhounds and is still panned for gold.
The town is far enough removed from large urban centers to permit tranquility and a sense of freedom, yet close enough to the metropolitan areas of Las Cruces, El Paso, Juarez, Albuquerque, Tucson, and Phoenix to enjoy their advantages. Silver City is served by commuter air to Albuquerque and other cities in the neighboring states, and by van service to the El Paso airport.
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