IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/20/06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION
SILVER CITY – The Western New Mexico University Alumni Association has announced the 2006 Outstanding Distinguished Alumni award winners to be recognized as part of Homecoming 2006 activities Oct. 23-29. The two recipients are Alan Croft and Maria Esther Aguirre-Stewart.
The Outstanding Distinguished Alumni award is limited to alumni of WNMU who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen profession or who have demonstrated excellence in their contribution to society.
Alan Croft, class of 1971, earned his bachelor of arts degree in biology and chemistry that year. Four years later he received a certificate in public health sanitation from East Tennessee State University. His educational career ended when he earned a master of public health degree from the University of Minnesota. Since then he has also received many professional licenses and certificates. He is designated a Captain for the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS).
Croft currently works for the Arizona Department of Health Services in Phoenix, Ariz. as a Health Risk Assessor. Prior to that, he was the Associate Area Director for the Department of Health and Human Services in Phoenix. His professional experience includes working in over six states in health-related fields. His resume has allowed him to work with Cuban refugees and Native Americans in South Dakota and Arizona. Croft has also served membership for many organizations including the Arizona Bioterrorism Preparedness and Epidemic Control Advisory Committee and the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity.
Croft has been recognized many times throughout this three decade experience in health services. His acknowledgements include the Public Health Service (PHS) Crisis Response Award earlier this year and last year’s Cumming Award from the Society of American Military Engineers. Both were given to him for his emergency response efforts on Hurricane Katrina.
Croft’s interests include scuba diving, hiking, bicycling, gardening and playing guitar.
Maria Esther Aguirre-Stewart graduated from WNMU in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. Aguirre-Stewart subsequently earned a certificate from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in 1987. For the last decade Aguirre-Stewart has worked for the State of New Mexico as a Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer. She started as a patrol officer for the Bayard Police Department in 1981 and continued to work in New Mexico in various law enforcement capacities.
Throughout her career, Aguirre-Stewart has attended many law enforcement academies and training centers in southern New Mexico. She served as an instructor for the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau’s Gang Resistance Education and Training Program in the Las Cruces Public School System.
Aguirre-Stewart’s other experiences include volunteer work for the Mesilla Elementary School, her eleven year membership with the Fraternal Order of Police, and a brief stint as a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts of America.
For more information on the alumni awards or to sign up for Homecoming 2006 activities, contact Christy Miller, Director of Alumni Affairs, at 538-6675.