PATHWAYS to SUCCESS
The Taos community experiences a day on Klauer Campus
UNM-Taos’ inaugural Fall Festival & Open House held on Oct. 23, set the tone for an exciting and fun future. The backdrop at Klauer Campus was breathtaking high desert views and warm New Mexico sunshine. A perfect autumn day to show Taos all that their community college has to oer.
The event gave prospective students, their families and friends, and the community-atlarge a view of our school and its programs free of charge. What better way for someone to see if UNM-Taos is the right fit and for nonstudents to explore what is available to them too.
Ceramic pots were glazed and then fired Raku style. Children couldn’t wait for their turn to look at the sun through a telescope. A new, impressive art show hung on the walls of the art building. Curious visitors chatted with Film & Digital Media Arts sta and students about UFOs for a podcast. More curious minds gathered around the 3D printer to find out exactly what it does, how it works, and what interesting careers are associated with its use. The UNM-Taos Library saw many people filter through who were thrilled to learn that the library is open to the public. There were other interesting hands-on demonstrations from the nursing program, printmaking, chemistry, and geology.
And as the word “festival” suggests, music and dancing made for happy eyes and ears. Taos Pueblo’s Hail Creek Singers filled the air with the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth through their drums and songs. To the delight and awe of the crowd, Benito Concha performed a dance of the eagle adorned with feathers. As she played acoustic guitar, UNMTaos’ singer/songwriter Bayley Kate (Byers) sang to an impressed crowd. In his signature smooth and inviting style, Brad Hockmeyer of KTAOS 101.9 also provided a live broadcast.
All of that entertainment and discovery can make a person’s stomach grumbly. Local food trucks Nana’s Lumpia, Loteria Paleteria, and Vida Juice Bar were there to help with that.
The following morning, food vendors contacted UNM-Taos Library Director Kathleen Knoth — who coordinated the food truck vending — to thank UNM-Taos for the opportunity. Knoth relayed from one of the emails, “It was a beautiful setup. The music and the dancers were an amazing touch.”
Seeing is believing
Tables lined the walkways through campus, giving visitors a chance to speak with sta and faculty. They learned about everything from the application process, the student services available, and applying for financial aid to becoming aware of the programs UNM-Taos has to oer. Visitors could be heard expressing how surprised they were about the range of courses as kiddos voiced no complaints about the abundance of each station’s trick-or-treat candy.
Folks were also impressed with the campus, inside and out. People who live in the neighborhood and regularly take their dogs for walks around Klauer Campus said they were glad they were able to go inside the buildings for the first time.
Two young women told Knoth they’ve been wanting to take some college classes, and now that they’ve been in the buildings and met some of the professors, they’re ready to sign up.
The Fall Festival & Open House embodied the idea of connecting people to UNM-Taos. It will return next year and, we hope, for many years to come.