A series of license plates declaring drivers' loyalty to the cherry and silver has helped raise more than $60,000 in two years to support student programs and create a sense of tradition.
According to the New Mexico Motor Vehicles Department, each Lobo license plate costs $35 a year, plus registration fees. A $25 portion of that annual fee is split between the Alumni and Athletic Departments at UNM.
Although the funds are split between the two departments, they collaborate on how to spend the funds.
"We both agreed it should go toward sustaining traditions and student programs," said Karen Abraham, director of alumni relations.
She said that the Alumni Department spent some of the money on making tradition booklets, which are designed to create a sense of history and pride on campus.
"We need to build a community on campus," Abraham said. "We need to establish an identity and a collective history."
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Some of the student programs funded by the Lobo license plates include the career mentorship program, the student recognition reception, student recruitment, Trailblazers, graduation proceedings and transitional workshops for students, said Darren Dunn, associate director of development for intercollegiate athletics.
Abraham said she worked for eight to nine years to get the Lobo license plates at UNM and that UNM and New Mexico State University students helped, too.
Abraham said a New Mexico State graduate got the program approved by the governor about three years ago. After approval, she received a call from the MVD saying that NMSU was coming out with a license plate and asked if UNM would also like to have one.
According to the MVD Web site, it issued a UNM and a NMSU license plate because they are the two largest universities in the state.
Abraham said that in the first year of the program, UNM raised $22,000 and then $40,000 in the second year. The program is now in its third year and Abraham said she expects to raise about the same as last year.
UNM license plates are available to anyone, although the majority that do have them have some affiliation with the University, including Abraham and much of the alumni staff.
UNM 1992 alumnus and owner of Graphic Connection, Scott Creagan, said he got a Lobo license plate when they first came out because he liked it and he wanted to support UNM.
"I think the fund helps on special projects and raises money for the school," Creagan said.
Creagan used to play football for the Lobos, so he had his college number put on his Lobo plate.
"Mine's unique," he said.
Creagan said he felt that the Lobo plate not only creates school spirit, but also looks better than regular license plates.
"It helps out the school and looks better on my car," Creagan said. "It's a good way to support UNM and it's classy."
