New Mexico State University Foundation

The John R. McFie Gallery of NMSU History ribbon cutting was a resounding success!     The gallery, founded in part through an endowment from John Porter Bloom, honors his grandfather, a pivotal figure in establishing what is now New Mexico State University (originally known as Las Cruces College). McFie’s endless efforts were crucial in making sure #LasCruces was the home to #NMSU.    This endowment provides ongoing support for Archives and Special Collections, including the gallery, student research fellowships, historical collections, and educational programs.    On behalf of NMSU, we extend our gratitude to Mr. Bloom for his generous gift, which ensures the preservation of NMSU’s heritage. Here’s to the wonders of NMSU's past, present, and future!    #NMSUFoundation #AlwaysAnAggie 

As the South Fork and Salt Fires are managed, there are still many ways we can continue to uplift our fellow Aggies impacted by this major disaster. Here are some organizations and efforts that will provide great relief to those impacted: ✅ At #NMSU, our NMSU Department of Student Success has identified a group of students living in the wildfire-impacted area and offered available resources such as a #FAQ site with valuable information on essential medical and psychological services, food assistance, and academic and financial resources. Please pass this on to any students or families with students who need these services. https://lnkd.in/g4KJ68JB ✅ Aggie Welcome & Orientation office has been connecting with incoming students in the affected region to ensure they remain on track to enter for the upcoming fall semester. For monetary donations, we encourage contributions to the Aggie Student Emergency Fund established through the NMSU Foundation. https://bit.ly/aggiefund ✅ NMSU’s American Indian Program is taking another collection of essential supplies to the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Please bring non-perishable food items and camping supplies to their location at the American Indian Student Center, 3015 Andrew Wall Place, Las Cruces, NM. Call 575-646-4207 for more information. ✅ Donate to the The Community Foundation of Lincoln County to assist members of the community who have experienced loss of residence. https://bit.ly/CFLC ✅ Or, contribute to the Greatest Needs Impact Fund within the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, which provides financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people, animals, and places affected by the wildfires. https://lnkd.in/gg6Kv75y ✅ Finally, the community is in need of monetary donations to help with gas and rental assistance, which can be made through the Salvation Army at salarmy.us/RUIDOSOFire or Text RUIDOSO to 51555. #AlwaysAnAggie

Happy birthday, America! There’s nothing like celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks, friends, and FUN to honor this significant holiday! We invite everyone to join us on the New Mexico State University campus for the Celebration Concert and Fireworks, presented by the City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department and #NMSU. The fun kicks off at 6 p.m. at Pat and Lou Sisbarro Park, 3205 Arrowhead Dr., with the local debut of the #BlackJacketSymphony, featuring hits from “Saturday Night Fever” and “Purple Rain. Stick around after the concert for the annual fireworks display, lighting up the sky around 9:45 p.m. There will be activities for the whole family, including games, face painting, and more! A variety of food and beverage options will be available for purchase on-site. This annual celebration brings the #LasCruces community together in unity and spirit. Let’s come together and let freedom ring! For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gi78383D #AlwaysAnAggie

CONGRATULATIONS to Noah Apodaca on his internship with #NBCSports covering the 2024 Paris Olympics! 🏅 As the recipient of the New Mexico Broadcast Association award for best college weathercast 🌤️ for his work on News22, Noah is on his way to an extraordinary career! Bonne chance à Paris, Noah! ✨ #paris2024

Internships offer experiences and professional connections that can open an array of career opportunities for our Aggie students! For example, NMSU College of Arts and Sciences government major Caren Davila Varela had an outstanding 10-week U.S. Department of State internship in Washington, D.C.    Unfortunately, not all students have the financial means to accept internships that may not be paid or that require expenses for things like relocation and professional attire.    But thanks to the new cross-college Aggie Internship Support Fund, you can help students participate in #internship opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise!     To make your gift today, visit: https://lnkd.in/gtkADx8D     #AlwaysAnAggie  

This week has been truly remarkable for the NMSU Foundation. I had the privilege of meeting and engaging with Alice Walton. Her dedication to ensuring art accessibility for all communities and promoting diverse representation is truly inspiring. Through her work and the Alice L. Walton Foundation, she has tirelessly advocated for inclusive artwork and exhibitions, supporting underrepresented artists. Alice has also prioritized exposing children to art at an early age, fundamentally impacting their perceptions of themselves and others. # nmsufoundation #art #nmsu

Thank you to everyone who joined us today to celebrate the grand opening of the John R. McFie Gallery of NMSU History! The gallery is part of a generous gift from McFie’s grandson, John Porter Bloom, and marks an important step in preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of New Mexico State University, Southern New Mexico, and the Borderlands. Our heartfelt thanks to John Porter Bloom for honoring the memory of John R. McFie and his legacy as a Founder of #NMSU — one of his many exceptional legacies. We’re absolutely thrilled that so many took part in today’s momentous event. Thank you! Your presence made it even more special!

The roots of the McFie family in New Mexico, especially Southern New Mexico, run deep.    So deep, in fact, that Maude Elizabeth McFie Bloom (New Mexico State University Founder John R. McFie’s daughter and John Porter Bloom’s mother) wrote her senior thesis at New Mexico A&M on “A History of the Mesilla Valley ~ 1903.” Later published in book form with the same name, much of the information came through oral interviews with the people originally settled or who were soldiers in the area.    An event to inaugurate the John R. McFie Gallery of NMSU History will take place on the afternoon of Thursday, June 27, in Branson Hall’s 4th floor at the NMSU Library Archives and Special Collections department.    Read more about the McFie legacy: https://lnkd.in/gz8Xqncw  #NMSU #AlwaysAnAggie

Join us to celebrate the start of a new season - Aggie Football Kicks off in 6 Weeks! 

John R. McFie was a Founder of #NMSU and the first president of the Board of Regents for the NM College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. A highly respected jurist, his advocacy led to #LasCruces (instead of a larger city) being the location for New Mexico’s land-grant university.    In September 1890, the cornerstone for McFie Hall, also known as “Old Main,” was laid in the field of what is now the Horseshoe. 🧲 Although the building burned down in 1910, the cornerstone remains. The carved date (1890) is still visible, along with the names of the Board of Regents at the time, including McFie.    In 1897 a girls’ dormitory was built on the campus. After McFie Hall/Old Main burned, McFie’s daughter, Lansing B. Bloom, advocated for the dormitory to be named in remembrance of her father—and it was. This building was torn down in 1960, and McFie Circle, the roadway by NMSU’s Zuhl Library, was named in his honor. In 1987, the McFie Gates were raised outside of Skeen Hall to commemorate McFie’s role in bringing the state’s land-grant university to Las Cruces.    Read more about John R. McFie: https://lnkd.in/gz8Xqncw     #NMSU #NMSUFoundation #NMSUAlumni #AlwaysAnAggie