Richard Sonnenfeld, Ph.D., professor of atmospheric physics, heads up to the stage to collect his award for 20 years of service to the university from New Mexico Tech President Stephen G. Wells and members of his cabinet. Photo courtesy of NMT Communications.

New Mexico Tech honored its faculty, staff and retirees Friday at the inaugural Faculty and Staff Convocation Ceremony, an event that combined the annual years of service awards, retiree awards and faculty and staff awards that traditionally have been announced separately. Hosted by President Stephen G. Wells and his cabinet, the ceremony was held at Macey Center Auditorium. A separate student convocation ceremony was held Aug. 14 to kick off the academic year.

From left, Barbara Horowitz, publications program manager in the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources; poses with Dr. Nelia Dunbar, right, and her husband, Dr. Bill McIntosh. Center, Dr. Dunbar, interim vice president for research, received an award for 30 years of service to New Mexico Tech at the 2022 Faculty and Staff Convocation. Photo courtesy of NMT Communications.

President Wells said the move to a separate event for retiree, faculty and staff awards was made due to the length of the spring Commencement ceremony and the desire to focus more attention on faculty and staff achievements and contributions, including length of service, research grants and other awards.

“This change was made so that we can really take the time to highlight these award winners and hopefully inspire future award winners,” he said.

Dr. Aly El Osery, Ph.D., graduate dean, left, and Theresa Lucero, administrative assistant in the Administration and Finance Office, pose with their awards for 20 years of service to the university. Photo courtesy of NMT Communications.

Tech’s ceremony honored employees who hit milestones in their years of service to the university – 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, and 35-year awardees – a total of 65 staff members who provided 1,155 years of service. The ceremony also honored 14 retirees from the past year who collectively provided 277 years of service to Tech.

Three faculty members who received awards for research, service, and teaching in May at Commencement were again honored for their outstanding contributions:

Distinguished Research Award: Matthew Heizler, Ph.D.

Distinguished Service Award: Curtis O’Malley, Ph.D.

Distinguished Teaching Award: Minnie Mao, Ph.D.

Five professors who are recipients of National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career Awards were honored:

Caitano da Silva, Ph.D.

Alexander Gysi, Ph.D.

Chelsey Hargather, Ph.D.

Kooktae Lee, Ph.D.

Joel Sharbrough, Ph.D.

The Student Government Association (SGA) honored staff member Michael Voegerl, director of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement and International Programs coordinator, and faculty member Jeff Altig, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, for their outstanding contributions to the student body.

Dozens of faculty members across the university’s departments and research units also were honored for the grants they have secured for research projects. Five faculty members were honored for achieving tenure and promotion:

Taffeta Elliott, Ph.D.

Gilberto Gonzalez-Parra, Ph.D.

Chelsey Hargather, Ph.D.

Mostafa Hassanalian, Ph.D.

Haoying Wang, Ph.D.

Michael Hargather, Ph.D.

Many new faculty and staff members were welcomed to the university.

President Wells set the tone for the academic year in his inaugural faculty and staff convocation remarks.

“Everyone here plays a role ensuring that Tech continues its welcoming tradition and culture,” he said. “We are working together as a university to not only be a center of academic excellence but also to be an oasis of peace, tolerance, and welcome.”

El Defensor Chieftain