IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/10/07 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SILVER CITY—Dr. Howie Morales, Grant County Clerk and Western New Mexico University alumnus, will be the keynote speaker for the WNMU 2007 fall commencement ceremony scheduled at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at the WNMU Fine Arts Center Theatre.
The Registrar’s Office reports some 200 degrees will be conferred during Friday's ceremony including 57 associate degrees, 99 bachelor degrees, 22 master degrees, 17 master of art in teaching degrees and five master of business administration degrees.
Morales, a Grant County native, began his professional career in 1995 working as a special education teacher for the Silver Consolidated School District. Upon graduating from WNMU with a bachelor of science degree, he obtained a master’s of art degree in bilingual special education in 1998. In 2001 he was hired as the transition coordinator and head baseball coach for the Cobre Consolidated School District.
He was accepted into the New Mexico State University College of Education’s doctoral program and completed a doctor of philosophy degree in curriculum and instruction with a dual emphasis in computer learning technologies and management and leadership. In November 2004, Morales was elected Grant County Clerk.
His community involvement is also impressive as Morales worked with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Grant County, where he is currently the longest serving volunteer in the state. He was co-director of the “Best of the West” 3-on-3 basketball tournament, director of the Grant County Men’s Basketball League, Silver City Moose Lodge Men’s Fall Hardball League and Grant County Senior Citizen Softball Classic.
In addition, he is a member of the St. Francis Newman Center, League of United Latin American Citizens organization, Grant County Community Health Council, Gila Regional Foundation Board, Silver City Moose Lodge, Casa Mia Board of Directors, and chairman of the Bataan Memorial Park Steering Committee and Silver City Kiwanis club.
While an assistant coach for the Silver High School varsity baseball and basketball programs, he was part of several district championships and the 1996 state triple-A boys basketball championship and 1997 state triple-A baseball championship.
As head coach for the Cobre High School baseball program, his teams have experienced much success. They have reached the state playoffs seven straight years, with five district championships, four regional championships, three third place finishes and two state runner-up trophies. He has been named district coach of the year five times. In 2005, Morales was honored as the youngest baseball coach in New Mexico history to reach 100 wins in the shortest amount of time (4-½ years).
As Grant County Clerk, Morales has utilized his educational and computer skills to enhance all aspects of daily operation. Primary duties of the Clerk’s office is to handle elections at the county level and serve as keeper of all county records dating back from the early 1800’s up to present day. He and his staff have focused much attention to the elementary, high school and university levels about the electoral process and importance of exercising your right to vote. Election results are now displayed via the Internet and soon citizens will be able to view all county records on-line as well. He plans to seek re-election as Grant County Clerk in 2008 and plans to run for state or federal office in the future.
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