Hello PandA Alumni!

Season’s Greetings! I hope everyone is doing well as these stressful times seem to drag on and on.

Here, we were relieved to get back to some semblance of workplace normality this semester, with classes and meetings in-person again. It is great to actually get to be with people instead of seeing them on a tiny screen. We’ve realized how important in-person communication it is for the smooth and efficient running of everything in the department. Most of the faculty did not enjoy remote instruction last year (although it has its clear benefits), and it proved to be a major negative for retention and enrollment at UNM. But while we’re happy to be back, we’ve had to accommodate approved exceptions to in-person teaching, manage COVID-19 cases in the department, recognize the various kinds of stress that the situation has led to – it’s been a busy time.

Staff Updates

We experienced a fair amount of turnover in our staff this semester, including the departures of Lindsay Bird, our excellent accountant, and Robert Chavez, our talented machinist. Both had served us for many years and they are already greatly missed. Meanwhile, Dwight Zier came on board as the CQuIC Program Director.

Faculty News

Amongst the faculty, notably Trish Henning retired from UNM after 28 years of service to become Assistant Director of New Mexico Operations at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. We congratulated Victor Acosta and Alejandro Manjavacas on their tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, Mark Morgan-Tracy on his promotion to Principal Lecturer, and Darcy Barron for passing the Midprobationary Review milestone.

A New Teaching, Research, and Outreach Observatory

Our long-standing desire for a new Campus Observatory has turned into an urgent need with the encroaching construction by UNM Hospitals. The existing observatory – at 70 years of age no longer adequate – will soon be boxed in by a six-story hospital, a tall parking garage, and a clinic, causing a lot of light pollution. We think this is the last straw, so we’re starting to push for a new one at a more remote site off the north golf course. We are truly excited at the prospect of a modern facility that will provide a great experience for our students and the public. We hope to include a small telescope for research too.

Where Will the Money Come From?

This project could cost $2-3 million or more. We'll ask for funding from the state, funding agencies, and other sources, but let's be frank: we are accepting gifts for this and our other Departmental priorities in all amounts. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if you can help.

Pledges of donations covering part of the cost can often kickstart a project and leverage the rest of the funding. We also welcome deferred giving, which often can make more substantial gifts possible.

I hope you enjoy reading about our activities this semester. We’ve had success with research funding and our students have been accomplishing great things!