UNM community members expressed their positive sentiments about new University President Chris Garcia during a welcoming party at University House Friday.
The event, which served as an official opportunity for the University community to meet Garcia, UNM's 17th president, featured several speakers throughout of the afternoon, including Garcia himself who emphasized his roots in Albuquerque and at UNM.
"It is a bit bewildering to think that my history here in Albuquerque started when I was two years old," Garcia said in his speech to those at the party. "This coming year will mark my 40th year of involvement with UNM, and the experiences I have had from undergraduate student, all the way to faculty member, have taught me that success is impossible without support from the people around you."
The festivities, which included traditional New Mexican food and a live mariachi band, also featured tours of the University House which will be the home of Garcia and his wife Sandra for the next year as he carries out his interim duties as president while a national search is conducted for a permanent replacement.
Some party-goers said Garcia's education and extensive background at UNM make him a quality president to work during the interim period.
"I think it is a very good sign that we have a president who has a history here," said Feroza Jussawalla, an English professor attending the event. "I am extremely confident that he will be successful in all of his undertakings within the next year. The extent of his knowledge of UNM should provide all of us with a sense of relief, knowing that he will be fighting for our best interest."
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Garcia said that a unanimous vote by UNM's Board of Regents, along with positive support from faculty, staff and University community members, convinced him to take the interim position.
"I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such a superb cast, and I believe that together we can achieve any goals that we set our sights on," Garcia said.
Some of those in attendance Friday said they felt the same way about Garcia.
"His speech emphasized a life of dedication to the staff and students of UNM," said Brian Eagan, a political science student.
Brian Ibsen, director of UNM corporate-foundation relations, said he hopes that Garcia will be successful at strengthening UNM's image.
"He is a very warm, sincere person who makes everyone feel like part of a family," Ibsen said. "His plans for the next year and his ambition to see those plans to fruition show that he is the right person for the job."
Garcia, 62, has been a UNM political science professor since 1970. He graduated from Valley High School in 1957 and also attended numerous public and parochial schools in Albuquerque, and eventually enrolled at UNM. He received his bachelor's degree in government in 1961 and his master's degree in political science in 1964.
He went on to earn his doctorate in political science from the University of California at Davis in 1972.
At UNM, Garcia was assistant director of the Division of Government Research from 1970 to 1972. He was the assistant and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1975-80; dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1980-86; vice president for Academic Affairs, 1987-90, and interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs in 1993 and again from 1998-2000.
"With the guidance and assistance of our regents, our administration, students and staff, and with support from our external community, my hopes and objectives will be to make this coming year another step upward and onward for UNM," Garcia said.
