The UNM Alumni Association recently announced the winners of the 2023 Alumni Awards. After hours of researching countless nominations of outstanding alumni and community members, the awards committee selected this year’s winners. These winners have made a positive impact on the university, their fields, and communities around the world during and after their time at UNM. Receiving an award from our alumni association is one of the university’s highest honors, and these recipients demonstrate continued growth, diversity, and strength in our community.

Scott Elder, APS director (’88, ’97, ’17), Bernard S. Lodi Award

· Bernard S. Lodi Award: Recognizes individuals whose leadership efforts have made significant contributions to the field of education. Recipients may or may not be college graduates.

Scott Elder is a third generation New Mexico native and has been an Albuquerque Public Schools employee since 1991. He started his career as an English second language teacher and was a principal for 19 years. After earning her MBA, she was asked to serve as the District’s Chief Operating Officer. During the pandemic, he was appointed Interim Superintendent and became permanent in March 2020. He is a vocal advocate for public education focused on improving outcomes for all students.

Rudolfo Anaya

Rudolfo Anaya, writer and poet (posthumous) (’63, ’68, ’72), James F. Zimmerman Award

· James F. Zimmerman Award: The award is given to the University of New Mexico or to a graduate of the University of New Mexico who has made significant contributions to the reputation and honor of the state of New Mexico.

Rudolfo A. Anaya (1937-2020) was born in Pasteura, New Mexico, and moved to Albuquerque in 1952, where he graduated from Albuquerque High School (1956) and received a Bachelor’s degree (1963) and two Master’s degrees (1968) from UNM. , 1972). One of New Mexico’s most important Chicano writers, Anaya taught at UNM from 1975 until her retirement in 1993, influencing generations of his UNM students. I was. His first novel, Bless Me, Ultima, was adapted into a feature film and released as the 50th Anniversary Penguin His Random His House Edition. Anaya has won his 2001 Medal of Arts and his 2015 Humanities Award, testifying to his legacy as a teacher and mentor for his three young adult books and 11 children’s books. He is also the author of 16 of his novels, including many others. , artist, visionary.

Jamie Cook

Jamie Koch, former UNM board member (’59)Erna S. Ferguson Award

· Erna S. Ferguson Award: Recognizes exceptional achievement and dedication or outstanding service to the University of New Mexico. Recipients may or may not be college graduates. Formerly known as the Special Prize.

Jamie Cook He graduated from UNM in 1959 with a BA in Education. He came to his UNM on a wrestling and football scholarship and met his wife Nene while in college. Koch is President of Daniels Insurance (1991-2014), UNM Board of Directors (2002-2015), Robo Athletic Hall of Honor (2007), President of the UNM Letterman Association Alumni Association (81), Chair of the NM Democratic Party, NM Games and Fish Commissioner. Board Chairman, Natural Resources Trustee and NM Rep. (1968-74). Koch and his wife helped develop the Nene and Jamie Koch Center for General Movement Disorders and the Nene and Jamie Koch Project SEARCH training program at UNM Hospital. He has also received the William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NM Independent Insurance Agency.

humble lukanga

Humble Lukanga (’08, ’09), founder and CEO of Lifeline FinancialInspirational Young Alum Award

· Inspirational Young Alumni Awards: Recognize the significant contributions made by individuals through professional achievements or community service. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to excellence in post-academic life and an ongoing commitment to professional work, research, multicultural relations and/or volunteerism and are recognized as emerging leaders.

humble lukanga Founder and CEO of LifeLine, a multi-family office serving leaders in sports, entertainment and business. Lukanga was born in Masaka, a small village in Uganda, and spent the first decade of his life enduring genocide, famine and extreme poverty. When he was 11, he and his family were granted political asylum and were able to come to the United States to seek refuge in Denver. After high school, Lukanga joined his UNM and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration. Lukanga currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of New Mexico Foundation. Lukanga is passionate about social entrepreneurship, financial literacy, freedom and Ugandan orphans. He is a philanthropist, teacher, and self-proclaimed ambassador of hope.

Wendy Grayeyes

Wendy Graeyes Ph.D., Teaching Award
· Teacher Award: Recognizes excellence in teaching and service to students. Recipients are faculty members currently employed full-time at any of the college’s schools or colleges.

Wendy S. Grayeyes (Diné) is an Assistant Professor of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico. Greyeyes completed his master’s and doctoral degrees. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. Through the University of New Mexico, she recently published The History of Navajo Education: Untangling Our Sovereign Bodies (University of Arizona Press, 2022) and the forthcoming anthology The Yazzy Case: The Future of Our Indigenous Peoples. Building a public education system for press. Greyeyes has previously served as Tribal Liaison to the Governor of Arizona, Statistician/Demographer for the Dineh Department of Education, Chief Implementation Officer for the Indian Department of Education and Research Consultant for the Dineh Department of Education. She is a Navajo representative on the New Mexico Indian Education Advisory Board, president of her American Indian Studies Association, founder of her Native American Alumni Association, and faculty advisor to her Kiva club.

Hangmen Lacey

Hengameh Raissy PharmD., Interim Vice President of Research, UNM (’99)Research Award

· Research Award: Recognizes excellence in research conducted at the University of New Mexico. The recipient is currently engaged in full-time study at one of the colleges or universities.

Hengame Lycy He is a Research Professor of Pediatrics at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and Interim Vice President for Research at HSC. She graduated from her UNM Faculty of Pharmacy and in 2001 she joined the Department of Pediatrics after completing a fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonology at the UNM Medical College. She is the principal investigator of her over 100 clinical trials, including the NHLBI-funded Asthma Network. She is Co-Director of the IDeA State Pediatric Clinical Trial Network and Co-PI of her RECOVER study in Adults and Pediatrics.

Janice Ruggero

Janice Ruggiero, UNM Deputy Athletic Director of Home Affairs (’89, ’97)Robo Award

· Robo Prize: It is awarded to UNM graduates who have made outstanding personal contributions to the university or who have a career reflected in the university.

Janice Ruggero Adopted by the University of New Mexico, he played basketball from 1984-87. Ruggiero has been with his UNM athletics department for over 32 years. She has held various positions, from assistant women’s basketball coach to deputy athletic director. From 2000 she served as Senior Women’s Administrator until 2021 and from June 2017 she served as Interim Athletic Her Director until September 2017. During her tenure, she oversaw many different departments and all but her two of her UNM’s sports programs. She has served on many of her NCAA committees and has particularly enjoyed her time on her three women’s basketball committees, the Division I women’s basketball committee being a highlight of her service. She was named one of the top 10 senior female administrators by College AD in February 2015. Ruggiero received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Sports Management from UNM Her.

Fred Mondragon

Fred Mondragon, NM Chief Economic Development Secretary (’64)Zia Award

· Zia Award: Honors New Mexico residents with a UNM degree who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following categories, including philanthropy, public service, college service, community and volunteerism, and/or business or educational areas .

Fred Mondragon I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Biology and English Literature. After that, George earned his MBA in Medical Administration from the University of Washington. He served as CEO of Bernalillo County Medical Center and helped transition the county hospital to the University of New Mexico Medical Center. He has also held positions as Regional Administrator of the Presbyterian Hospital System and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Albuquerque. Mondragon worked for his two national system integration companies, TRW and He Northrop Grumman, before serving as the City of Albuquerque’s Director of Economic Development under Governor Bill Richardson. He also served as Interim Executive Director of Spaceport America, served three terms in the New Mexico Legislature, and was a member of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. Mondragon serves as Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Spain. He has also served as a board member of the UNM Alumni Association for many years. Mondragon and his wife Connie enjoy traveling abroad and keeping in touch with their seven children and his 19 grandchildren.

The UNM Alumni Association celebrates the achievements and contributions of outstanding alumni with awards throughout the year. Winners will be honored at a reception and awards dinner on February 28, 2023. For more information, please contact Victoria Lujan at 505-277-5808 or vbeserra@unm.edu.