Highlands University is making great strides

Itake umbrage at Will Webber’s Commentary (“It’s time for Highlands to get sent packing,” Aug. 13) in response to the current state of replacing the football field turf at New Mexico Highlands University.

As president of the Highlands University Foundation, I don’t think Mr. Webber gave adequate consideration to the overall situation before reaching his conclusion that, “Highlands has fallen behind with its upkeep to the point where extreme measures have to be taken,” and his opinion that, “Life is worse than it ever has been at NMHU.”

That simply is not true. Webber cites the delay in the replacement of the turf at Perkins Stadium as a major reason for his conclusion. It is true that the replacement is behind schedule and there are water and weeds throughout the field. It is true that the lack of state funds and the weather have driven the delay in replacing the field.

However, there is a fix in place, and other actions are ongoing to ensure the continued ascendancy of Highlands and its programs. As mentioned, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Leveo Sanchez and his wife, Patricia (through the Highlands University Foundation), funds have been raised to address the problem at Perkins Stadium.

It is unfortunate that the annual monsoons have compromised the effort to replace the turf, so scheduling changes have had to be made.

Please don’t give up on Highlands. We are making great strides under the leadership of our new president, Dr. Sam Minner.

He is moving us in the right direction along many fronts. He is working to ensure that our athletic teams and facilities are competitive and add to campus and community pride.

As we consider all this, please be aware that the Brookings Institute recently cited Highlands as “a leading college in boosting its students’ social mobility” and “ranked Highlands 19th among 342 four-year public teaching colleges nationwide that help push students up the income ladder … promoting opportunity, which makes for a far more dynamic and fair society.”

We in the foundation stand by NMHU and will continue to promote it programs and content. Please join us.