IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5-9-05 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

SILVER CITY—The Western New Mexico University Student Memorial Center will officially be dedicated at a ceremony to be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the main entrance located at the south side of the facility.

The WNMU Board of Regents approved the naming of the Student Memorial Center in honor of Thomas Bureau McDonald on October 19, 2004.

It was under McDonald’s leadership, that the 1992-93 Associated Students of WNMU approved a student fee to finance the construction of the Student Memorial Center. McDonald served as President of the ASWNMU for two consecutive terms.

During his years at Western, McDonald was active in numerous student activities and organizations. He was elected to various student government positions, served as a writer and editor of The Mustang, represented WNMU on the Associated Students of New Mexico (ASNM), and was appointed as a voting member of the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education.

McDonald earned a bachelor of science degree in administration of justice from WNMU in 1992. He later received a master’s degree in criminal justice from NMSU. He also served as NMSU’s first student regent.

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McDonald, 35, was tragically killed in a traffic accident in October of 1999.

Numerous nomination letters were submitted to WNMU President John Counts and the WNMU Board of Regents urging the naming of the student memorial center after Tom B. McDonald.

“The recommendations were powerful testimony to the substantial contributions Tom made to Western New Mexico University and also to the State of New Mexico. He richly deserves this honor,” said WNMU President John Counts.

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony. A reception will follow on the third floor mall area of the facility.

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