Story and video by Cody Johnson

The end of the semester is always characterized by excitement and anticipation by graduating seniors who are preparing to move on into the professional world on into graduate school.  They have paid their dues and are ready to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Junior Gabriella Ferrari browses the classified section for job opportunities (photo by Cody Johnson)

For a majority of students, however, the beginning of summer break is instead a time of purgatory where students are stuck in limbo between semesters, sometimes suddenly finding themselves with a completely empty schedule.  Some students have a set plan for how they will spend their summer while others do not.

Regardless of where students’ summer plans stand, professionals with career services and students agree that it is important for students to spend their time wisely during the summer in order to put themselves in a better situation upon graduation.

“It is important to try and at least get a job or volunteer during the summer,” said Coordinator of Employer Relations of Career Services Elizabeth Ortega.  “Any type of job can help.”

Career Services

Career Services is an NMSU entity designed to assist students, from freshman year to the graduate level, who are interested in advancing their professional background.

Senior Gina Palombit workson video editing during her internship with News 22. (Photo by Cody Johnson)

Career Services professionals are dedicated to helping students obtain experience and job opportunities. Employers offer resume and cover letter critiques, interview skills, etiquette dinners, career fairs as well as other services that help students beyond college.

Kevin Andrew, coordinator for Cooperative Education and Internship Program, said obtaining an internship or participating in cooperative education to gain “experiential” learning is crucial for all students who want to succeed after graduation.

“Coming off a recession, it is even more important to gain professional experience,” Andrew said.

Cooperative Education

Andrew said cooperative education is a good opportunity because it is paid work at the professional level directly related to the area of study for the student.  Internships are generally more short-term and involve simpler tasks, but Andrew added that the two areas are assimilating more together over recent years.

Career Services is located on the second floor of Garcia Annex. (Photo by Cody Johnson)

As the job market becomes more competitive, so does the market for internships.  Employers are looking for more well-rounded students and are beginning the search process farther and farther in advance.

“The best time for students to start thinking of internships for the summer is during the fall semester,” Ortega said.

Andrew said the ideal situation is to start obtaining experience in the field by the sophomore year.  Even if a student is not able to obtain the internship or the job they were hoping for, employers still network with each other and might pass a resume off to another company.

He stressed the importance of obtaining cooperative education and internship opportunities during the summer.

“Many students have jobs set before graduation because of the work they did during the summer,” Andrew said.

From left to right, Wacey Sorenson, Dillon Tindall, and Jeremy Hall lounge in kitchen before heading to practice for the day. (Photo by Juan Gutierrez)

Story by Juan Gutierrez

The Las Cruces Vaqueros baseball team is always looking for host families, especially for the upcoming season.

They are asking anybody who might have an extra room to help out.  All that is required is a bed, a shower and food when they’re not on the road.

Stina Sorenson, who opened up her home to her son and two of his teammates, said the experience is worth it.

“It’s just exciting and rewarding to see them excel and grow,” Sorenson said.

Fulfilling dreams

Sorenson said it gives her the opportunity to help the young men achieve their dreams of playing baseball professionally.

Her son, Wacey Sorenson, said it’s been a passion of his to play baseball ever since he was young. He’s grateful his family continues to support his dream.

“It’s a blessing for me, I know my family has worked really hard around me to get me to this position,” he said.

Getting involved

Stina Sorenson, or “Momma Stina” as her boys like to call her, first got involved as a host mom after Wacey informed her the team needed homes for some of the players.

“I saw the need for a lot of other players that needed homes, and I told him go ahead and bring other players,” Momma Stina said.

She took in outfielder Dillon Tindall, pitcher Jeremy Hall, and her son Wacey,  who also pitches for the team.

“Momma Stina is the best mom I could ever ask for,” Tindall said. “I’ve never felt anything else other than at home here.”

House rules

Momma Stina said the boys are a pleasure to have in her home, but there are rules. She posted a code of conduct in the boys’ room and expects them to help out with the chores.

“She wants us to have a good time, just respect her and respect the house,” Hall said. “We do whatever she asks of us.”

Quality time

For Momma Stina, she’s more than happy to come home to a house full of boys.

“We sit and play games, and we go out and sit on the back porch and talk about what they’ve done,” Sorenson said.

The players all agree there’s nothing like coming home to a warm meal after a hard day of practice and spending time together as a family.

“Every single night we come home, there’s always food on the table for us,” Tindall said.  “It’s as good as I could ask for.”

And everyday before “her boys” head out the door for practice, Momma Stina gives each one of them a hug and wishes them well out on the field.

"The Aztec Incident" has input from NMSU's own Frank Thayer. (Photo by Suzanna Lester)

Story and video by Suzanna Lester

March 25, 1948 – Aztec, N.M.: Oil field workers are first to respond to a report of a brushfire near their oil tanks, only to encounter something they would never forget.

A metallic saucer had crash-landed on a mesa, just outside of town.

Unfortunately, the rest of the country would soon forget, or would never even hear of the event. The story was quickly turned around as a hoax, with no further research, despite a book on the incident published two years later – selling 60,000 copies.

“This is one of the ultimate New Mexico history stories that you’ve never heard about,” said Frank Thayer, journalism professor at New Mexico State University.

The Aztec Incident was released this April. (Photo courtesy of Suzanne Ramsey)

What is so magnetic about New Mexico?

A little less than a year before, another UFO had been sighted and reportedly captured in the southern portion of the state, near Roswell. At the time, the Roswell incident had not received anywhere near the media hype it has today.

With all of this alien activity going on in this otherwise low-key state, one might wonder if we have some sort of terrestrial target on us, with a sign saying, “Land here!” Thayer speculated this could be pretty close to the truth, considering the historical context.

New Mexico was “the epicenter of human development at that time. It explains Roswell, and it can explain Aztec,” Thayer said. “The 20th century – one of the most tumultuous centuries in human history, and where was all the most advanced technology being tested?”

In New Mexico alone we have had three air force bases in Roswell (at the time), Holloman and Kirtland, high-clearance national laboratories in both Los Alamos and Sandia, as well as the highly-active White Sands Missile range. Visit this map to see the vicinity of these high profile government locations to the alien landings.

“We had WSMR sending V2s up in the air; we had the first atomic bomb explosion at the Trinity Site at the north end of the missile range; we had the only atomic bomber wing right here at the Roswell Air Force Base and we had the only high-power radar that was stationed to protect Los Alamos,” the professor explained.

Scott and Suzanne Ramsey have been researching the Aztec Incident for 25 years. (Photo courtesy of Suzanne Ramsey)

Brushing the dust off

Now, 64 years later, another book has been released in an attempt to implant some knowledge about the Aztec Incident to the public once again.

After writing an in-depth article about the crash, Thayer was approached to help edit “The Aztec Incident: Recovery at Hart Canyon” by the authors, Scott and Suzanne Ramsey of North Carolina. He ultimately contributed an entire chapter to the book as his interest on the topic progressively skyrocketed.

Thayer went on trips with the authors to help with the investigation and writing process.

“He knows how much work is involved as far as travel and time just to interview one person for maybe a few paragraphs in a chapter. Thayer is not only an excellent writer and instructor, but a damn good researcher as well,” Suzanne Ramsey said.

Where it Began

Scott Ramsey was selling electrical wiring in Aztec decades ago when the local folklore became apparent to him. His intrigue began an obsession to find the truth, along with his wife, Suzanne, through 25 years of research and interviews.

“He found people that were there; people who saw it; people who got up and walked around on this 100-foot metallic disk that was parked on top of a mesa,” Thayer said. “Witnesses (who) didn’t know each other…; these people couldn’t have made up a similar story, independently.

“It’s probably one of the best kept secrets in the United States, and my opinion is – the government will never tell,” he concluded.

Many videos on the subject are available on YouTube, such as this one from UFOTV.

Some NMSU students told me about their own experiences and thoughts on the existence of extraterrestrials.

Christine Peterson shows her graduation excitment. (Photo by Adrianna Baca)

As graduation day came and went, mixed emotions take over many New Mexico State University graduating seniors.

The journey begins

Some students are ready to hit the road and see what is in store for them in life.

Others are taken over by feelings of stress and anxiety for various reasons.

Not only is graduation a milestone in one’s life, it is an event that marks of the beginning of work and responsibilities for many.  A few 2012 NMSU students were asked what their feelings were toward graduation, and several had mixed emotions.

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Students share thoughts

Sarah Parker, a graduating senior at NMSU, said “I am happy that this journey is over and I am ready for the next. However, I have many things in the back of my mind, like having to pay back my student loans.”  Parker suggested that prospective students apply for scholarships early and while in high school to not have to deal with a financial burden upon graduating.

Adam Trejo poses for a portrait in honor of his achievements. (Photo by Adriana Abarca)

Parker also said that she will have to begin paying back her loans this coming fall.  She said she was worried because she has had a hard time finding a job in her field.

Brittany Clifton proudly sports her student-athlete sash. (Photo by Adriana Abarca)

Another graduating NMSU senior and softball player, Brittany Clifton, said, “I am really excited and can’t wait to see the next chapter of my life.”  She also mentioned that she will miss playing softball greatly for it has been a big part of her life. Clifton plans to return home to Simi Valley, Calif. and attend grad school.

College overall

Although graduation is a time that many cannot wait for, there are some students that wish college never ended.  College appears to be different than high school for many because it is a part of one’s life in which many things will be discovered about oneself.  Students are exposed to the many majors available and begin to find their niche.

Graduating senior Max Gelardi said, “It’s a bittersweet experience.  Yes I am happy that I a graduating, but at the same time it is sad to say goodbye to your friends; now you have to realize that the fun is over and it is time to get a job.”

A goal is accomplished

Overall, the feelings that graduation day bring are very common.  Students all over the country wait for this day as some are better prepared than others. In the end, what matters is that the student reached an important goal in his or her life.

The historic Hadley House as it appears today is a familiar landmark, at the corners of University Avenue and El Paseo Drive. (Photo by Andrea Rojas)

The Glenn Cutter Gallery of Las Cruces has been home to more than just antiques and jewelry; it once housed a New Mexico State University president and two fraternities.

This is a picture of the Hadley House as it looked when Hiram Hadley owned the home. (Photo courtesy Glenn Cutter Gallery)

Glenn Cutter Gallery or “Hadley House” is a historic home.

It was built in 1907 for Hiram Hadley, the first president of NMSU after he retired from his position at the university.

Originally, the yellow brick home resided on 15 acres of farmland. Hadley and his family resided in the home until his death in 1922.

A late 1800s antique necklace found at the gallery features a gold-filled chain and garnet stones. (Photo by Andrea Rojas)

Before the year 1990, two families and two university fraternities occupied the home.

Cutters cherish this old home

The present gallery location is owned and operated by Glenn and Sally Cutter.  The Cutters have aided generations of buyers in purchasing jewelry, art and antiques.  Currently, the gallery exhibits the work of 25 local artists as well as artists known nationally and internationally.

“My favorite part of the job is watching the right pieces go home with the right people,” said gallery owner Sally Cutter. “That aspect is quite wonderful.”

Aside from selling a wide variety of antiques including estate silver, china, crystal, furniture, bronzes and Asian objects, the gallery also promotes many in-house services.

These services range from custom jewelry making to heirloom renovations and redesigns.  The Glenn Cutter Gallery has not one, but two professional designers on staff to help make your visual dreams reality.

The Glenn Cutter Gallery offers a unique variety of jewelry, art, antiques and other services. (Photo by Andrea Rojas)

In addition to creating works of art, the staff is also equipped to repair broken jewelry, clocks and watches. Jewelry and art consignment or appraisals are also available upon request.

“Our next appraisal day is scheduled for May 22^nd. In today’s market it is vital that people learn the current value of their jewelry since the price of gold has gone up so much in recent years,” said gallery consultant Jeanne Luper.

Luper said the gallery is currently running a 50 percent-off sale on vintage jewelry, and in July it will be having a bargain-basement sale on the art pieces.

The historic Hadley House, now known as the Glenn Cutter Gallery is located on the corner of El Paseo Drive and University Avenue directly across from the Las Cruces Convention Center.

The Gallery is open to shoppers and spectators Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To reach the Glenn Cutter Gallery or find out information about upcoming events and featured artists call 575-541-0658 or visit the company’s Facebook page.

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“Cancer never sleeps, and neither do we,” Kayla Vigil, a junior at New Mexico State, said.

Vigil decided to be one of the leaders of Las Cruces’ annual Relay for Life this year after her grandmother passed away in September.

Gathered at the New Mexico State Horseshoe were roughly 39 teams of friends, family members and organizations that walked the track from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in memory of people who were victims of cancer.

What is Relay for Life? 

Relay for Life is a relay-style event where teams of people camp out around a track, and there are  games, food and activities to provide
entertainment. Team members take turns walking around the track for the 12-hour duration.

Luminarias spelled out the word 'HOPE' as part of the luminaria ceremony. (Photo illustration by Gina Palombit)

“We have fraternities and sororities; we have different organizations that are affiliated with different majors…groups of friends, people from residence halls, family members – a wide variety of different
people,” Vigil said.

Must stay awake

Throughout the 12-hour walk, there were several various events to keep all the “relayers,” as they are called, energized.

Relay starts with a “Survivors Lap,” where all attendees who have survived cancer are invited to circle the track together and celebrate what they have overcome.

Luminaria ceremony 

Luminarias that had been sold for $10 each as part of the Relay for Life fundraising, lined the track. Some were dedicated to specific victims, while others were bought to support cancer research.

One of the luminarias was dedicated to Nancy Herschberger, a victim of cancer (Photo by Gina Palombit).

Vigil had a slideshow before the luminaria walk of pictures of participants and the loved ones they have lost. Everyone was given a glow stick and was told to break it when their picture came up.

By the end there were a lot of tears shed and hugging as they began to walk the track.

As the night continued, there were an assortment of entertaining events.

“Right now we have Las Cruces Extreme Wrestling. We’re having Del Rey, a band; a DJ, some Zumba. Then we’re going to have relay Olympics and some root beer pong,” Vigil said.

Team One

Every group was there for different reasons, each with a story to tell.

Team One gathers for a picture before Relay for Life begins (Photo by Gina Palombit).

One local group of friends and family members created a group called “Team One,” in memory of the uncle of one of the members, Zachary Cartwright.

“I came here for Zach in his efforts to help people fight cancer,”  Diana  Cartwright said.

His team raised $1,730, which was a portion of the grand total of $22,000 that was reached after the event.

All the money raised went to the American Cancer Association to further its research efforts.

Travis Alvarez of Mariachi Real de Cihuahua sings to the crowd. (Photo by Adam R. Baca)

Mariachi music and the smell of Mexican food soared through the air Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, as people from around the country gathered at the Mesilla plaza to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

The annual event included live music, folklorico dancing, greased pole climbing, food and a little bit of fun for all ages.

“It’s something that we look forward to,” Silvia Lara of Las Cruces said.  “It’s something I grew up with.  It’s traditional.”

The first day of the event started at noon when Mesilla Mayor Nora Barraza welcomed the crowd  and Aria Furth sang the National Anthem.

After the introduction, the crowd was ready to celebrate the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over a bigger and more powerful French Army at the Battle of Puebla.

 Let the good times roll

Annimo brings the dance floor to life to close out the first day of the festival. (Photo by Adam R. Baca)

People were ready to indulge themselves in Mexican culture and traditions.  The plaza was beautifully decorated, as it was difficult to not see an American or Mexican flag being flown.

The event included 32  vendors and Mesilla’s Special Events Coordinator Ashley Echavarria said the plaza was at capacity with the vendors.

“It’s probably the first time in a while,” Echavarria said about there not being any open spaces.

The colorful vendors surrounded the plaza and offered various goods including Mexican food, funnel cakes, turkey legs, jewelry, clothes, and games that offered prizes.  Carnival-type rides also sat at the south end of the plaza in front of the church, waiting for whoever wanted to ride them.

 Mariachi mayhem

Edward Blair and Gloria Blair show Megan Watkins the various cooking oils and sauces they have to offer at their stand. (Photo by Adam R. Baca)

Tierra del Encanto with Mariachi Alma de Jalisco opened up the musical set on the first day and was followed by a performance by Las Perlitas del Pueblo with Mariachi Aguilas.  Ballet Folklorico Amanecer from Sunrise Elementary in Chaparral then took the stage before Mariachi Real de Chihuahua perfomed.

Chris Prieto of La Mesa, N.M. said it is the music that brings him back every year.

“The music is great,” Prieto said while holding his child’s hand.  “They should have this every weekend.”

After Mariachi Real de Chihuahua’s performance, children took part in smacking open a piñata and then took turns trying to shimmy up a grease pole that held dollar bills at the top.

Leonardo Howard, from Xeria, Ohio, said it was a great place for the kids with all of the games and rides.

Edmund Aviles shimmies up the greased pole in hopes of reaching the dollar bills at the top. (Photo by Adam R. Baca)

“This is our first time,” Howard said while showing off the baby turtle his daughter won at a stand.  “We like the tradition – everybody is cool.”

Annimo played the last set of the night, which included a little bit of everything from Mexican music to classic rock.  Once Annimo kicked out the jams, it was nearly impossible to find an open spot on the dance floor.

“I really enjoy watching everybody have a good time,” Echavarria said.

The second day of the festival also included vendors and offered a day full of live music.  Once again, Mayor Barraza welcomed the crowd and Linda Goff sang the national anthem.

Sunday’s set included performances by Tierra del Encanto, Mariachi Aguilas and Las Cruces Catholic School Colores de Cristo Ballet Folklorico.

Before the final band Sonny and the All-Stars took the stage, children were offered another shot at trying to reach dollar bills at the top of a greased pole.

“We had a really good crowd,” Echavarria said.

 What does it cost?

Echavarria said that this past Cinco de Mayo weekend was the first time in a while that the Town of Mesilla, which funds the event, did not lose money.  She said this year’s event cost about $7,500, and it looks like the town will break even, or possibly come out with a little bit of profit.

“Usually it’s a money loser,” Echavarria said.

Echavarria said a big reason was because the vendors were at capacity this year, which has not always been the case.  She said she also like to make sure the town gets the best rates possible.

The amusement rides, which were brought to the fiesta three years ago, also help make money, Echavarria said.

“You don’t see this in any part of the east coast,” said Olivia Seppi who came from Annapolis, Md.

“It’s a good event to bring the community together,” Echavarria said.

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The Jackalopes have taken off through active group members and community events involving Barnett Harley Davidson. (Photo illustration by Jesca Cervantes)

“The Jackalopes” on campus are not large
animals roaming the New Mexico State University campus, but a herd of
motorcyclists driving down the streets of Las Cruces who also give back to the
community.

The Jackalopes enjoy the company of other members at The Game. (Photo by Jesca Cervantes)

Accordingto the club’s Facebook page, The Jackalopes are “designed to promote safe and courteous motorcycle riding… while aiding in the discovery of the beauty and
grandeur that is New Mexico.”

Currently, the club has about 30 members, said The Jackalopes president Erik Hudson.

“Members do not need to own a motorcycle,” Hudson said. “They only need to be enthusiastic about motorcycles and motorcycle riding.”

Hudson also said those who are interested in joining the club who do not have
motorcycles can ride with other members who have a space open on the back– as long as the passenger and motorcyclist are comfortable with each other.

Community outreach

Over the past semester, The Jackalopes have taken the time to participate in community service events such as delivering turkeys to the César Chavez Elementary School in November of 2011. For their first Turkey Run held around Thanksgiving, 30
donated turkeys were delivered by the club to families who were in need of a turkey.

As for promotion of safe riding, the club is working with the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation and Barnett’s Las Cruces Harley-Davidson “Rider’s Edge,” which will
also be “creating and co-hosting” with the Jackalopes for a two-day scavenger
hunt coming up Aug. 19 and 20.

Safety Officer Pamela Strobbe is a certified Rider Coach with the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation who runs the Riders Edge “learn-to-ride” program and helps out for
The Jackalopes by answering safety questions and “sweeping,” which is riding in
the back of the group for club rides.

“So many people dream of riding a motorcycle,” Strobbe said, “and I love that I get
to teach them how, see them become members and continue to ride safely.”

Becoming a jackalope

There is no membership charge for The Jackalopes, and students are eligible to join
if you are a part-time of full-time student. Hudson said he hopes the scavenger
hunt is “successful enough to allow us to operate for another year.”

The club meets at 7:30 p.m. every other Tuesday at The Game, located at 2605 South
Espina St.

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Like a tumbleweed swiftly traveling across the southwestern landscape, journalist Susan J. Tweit waltzed into New Mexico State University after a long road trip from Austin, Texas, where her latest story was located.

Looking anything but discombobulated, earth scientist extraordinaire Tweit wore a leopard print scarf flowing softly across her shoulders as she discussed her freelance career with the journalism class.

Tweit,who was educated in biology, first fell in love with writing when she was working on analyzing grizzly bears and wildfires at Yellowstone National Park.

Dedication and diligence

“I came into pursuing writing out of trying to teach myself how to write,” Tweit recalled. “I stopped taking writing classes in high school, but came back to it with a passion in wanting to tell the stories I was learning in the science.”

Wanting to tell her finds in an interesting way instead of the “condensed” presentation science writing usually gets. Tweit eventually published 12 books and hundreds of magazine and news articles.

The San Luis Valley, scenic sites of Colorado, the Pacific Coast and of special interest to NMSU students, the Chihuahuan Desert have been topics of books that Tweit has published.

“Barren Wild and Worthless: Living in the Chihuahuan Desert” published in 2003, writes about the scenery of the environment surrounding Las Cruces, shedding a light on beauty often overlooked by locals.

NMSU professor Pamela Porter read out loud a passage from “Weeds” a short story within the book that chronicles how an immigrant died walking across the Texan border to the New Mexican border.

“He was lying face down in the dirt near the signs marking the state boundary….despite the hundred-plus-degree heat of that summer afternoon, he was dressed in several layers of clothing…he had been there a while. Employees driving War Road to work at White Sands Missile Range had first spotted the man nearby five days before on Friday, June 26. He was carrying a gallon jug of water, a white straw cowboy hat protecting his head from the merciless sun….By Wednesday afternoon, he was dead, his sun-blackened body bloated and stinking, his discarded water jug empty.”

“If that doesn’t get to you, I don’t know what will,” said Porter of the excerpt. She added, “She’s the best writer I know – she expresses ideas in a way I can only dream about doing.”

Tweit has a distinct writing schedule. “I’m very disciplined. I write all day. I sit up in bed, pull my laptop on my lap and start writing. I then do yoga, have breakfast and write my haiku for the day,” she added.

As a writer, Tweit decided she needed to be on Facebook and Twitter to “grow her brand.” Figuring a way to brand her writing on a medium that would only accept 140 characters, Tweit decided to write haikus daily to post on Facebook and Twitter.

“I want people to appreciate the grace notes in their days, and haiku is all about that,” Tweit said.

Currently Tweit is working on a book, a proposal for a new book, newspaper columns, and thinking of her lecture for the Alaska TED conference in July. She was also making her first book “Pieces of Light: A Year on Colorado’s Front Range” into an eBook, which would include author comments at the end of each chapter.

Tweit’s blogs can be viewed at susanjtweit.com.

A sketch of the new Center for the Arts displayed in the Hershel Zohn Theatre. (Photo by Kenya Reed)

It’s a parking garage.

It’s more classrooms.

No! It’s a new theatre of arts building!

You have seen a large crane protruding over the buildings on New Mexico State University’s campus.  It is the new Center for the Arts and will open for shows in February of 2013.[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

State of the arts!

This new building will have a fly system, an orchestra pit, two balconies and new equipment.  More dressing rooms and a rehearsal hall are included in the plans as well.  Also, all the Theatre offices will be in this building instead of spread over five different locations.  Classrooms will be a part of this new building, too.

The Espina side of the Center for the Arts building is coming along beautifully. (Photo by Kenya Reed)

“The building is going to be LEED certified, meaning it will be much more environmentally friendly than almost any other building on campus,” said Tom Smith, the department head of Theatre Arts.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Smith anticipates moving into the building in December of 2012.

“We’ll have classes in there starting next spring semester.  We’ll open our first show in February,” Smith said.

The auditorium of the Center for the Arts will be named after Mark and Stephanie Medoff “for their many contributions to the arts and NMSU over the years,” according to Smith. Mark Medoff has received many awards for his work as a playwright, screenwriter, director, and teacher.

The rehearsal hall will be named after Hershel Zohn, like the present theatre building.  Hershel Zohn is widely credited with introducing theatre to the Las Cruces area.  Other rooms, including a costume shop, in the building will be named after numerous donors.

The Hershel Zohn Theatre will still be putting on productions until the new building is finished.

The crane helps piece together the new theatre building. (Photo by Kenya Reed)

Next season’s events will be available in June on the American Southwest Theatre Company website.  Also, information on the Department of Theatre Arts is available on NMSU’s website.  Contact the Pan American Center for ticket information.