NMSU fired up for campaign
Effort aims to spark opportunity, change, discovery
We are fired up at New Mexico State University — fired up to launch an effort that can make a historic difference in opportunities for students, and assist brilliant faculty members with breakthrough discoveries and innovative teaching to help move our campuses to a new level of excellence.
Our Ignite Aggie Discovery Campaign, named because sparking change, opportunity and discovery are its core goals, will get started with a number of very exciting and important events coming soon for the NMSU system. From April 26-28, these events involve the public launch of our Comprehensive Campaign, a system-wide effort to raise $125 million in cash and pledges to support students, faculty and staff excellence, and our land-grant mission at each of our campuses around the state. This is the first and largest comprehensive cash campaign in our system’s history, and we are putting a special emphasis on opening the doors of opportunity for our students, with a goal of raising at least $50 million for student scholarships.
Our students are at the heart of all we do across all NMSU campuses. Regardless of which campus they attend, our students are at the core of NMSU’s mission and are the inspiration and promise of its future. Yet, many students at NMSU, as both a minoritymajority institution and New Mexico’s landgrant university, face a challenging climb to their degree — not because they lack the ambition or academic skills, but simply that they might not have the financial resources they need. This is a challenge that can be met with the support we hope to secure through this campaign.
Of course, college is more than academic classes. Students need an environment that is conducive to formal learning yet fosters exploration and discovery. Discovery may begin for students on our campuses, but must extend out into the world. Scholarship support provides students with the opportunity and encouragement to reach out and become engaged in research, travel, community service and engagement that expands their academic and professional horizons.
Many exciting initiatives and projects are already happening across the campuses of NMSU, but this is a time of great challenges, too. Technological innovation, development in manufacturing and agriculture, and new markets in communication and energy provide incredible opportunities for research, education and business development at NMSU and across New Mexico.
Such substantial challenges and opportunities require new ways of thinking, of teaching, of researching. Our successes in this new era will require new levels of discovery and innovation. Our Comprehensive Campaign will be a way of informing you about what is happening on our campuses, and challenging you to come aboard and help ignite the future for Aggies everywhere.
The campaign’s systemwide and community launch will take place from 4-6 p.m. April 28 at the ASNMSU Center for the Arts. A brief program, heavy appetizers and drinks will be served. We hope to see a great turnout of our Aggie community — and please show your pride by wearing your Crimson and Aggie colors!
Please join us in this historic fundraising effort to benefit the NMSU system. Together, we have an opportunity to make that investment to ensure our students have the resources to not only receive a degree, but have the best education to become leaders and innovators in their professions and their communities. Help Ignite Aggie Discovery during this important campaign! Let’s get fired up!