Maria Fernandez - The Daily Lobo

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Satire

UNMPD to expand ‘Small Arms Division’ following T. rex stampede

Maria Fernandez | March 31

The University of New Mexico Police Department announced during a press conference last week that its Small Arms Division, which was implemented last year, will expand to include a wider variety of animals that have itty bitty appendages and excellent hunting capabilities. The new phase of expansion will bring in kangaroos, foxes and platypi to replace the Tyrannosaurus rex portion of the Small Arms Division, known as SAD. The replacement follows last year’s T. rex stampede on campus when Kappa Alpha Omegatron’s offer of free belly rubs to the dinosaurs. The T. rexes began an all-out sprint to the fraternity, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Satire

Hitting a baseball isn't that hard, study shows

Maria Fernandez and Elizabeth Bolke | March 31

A recent study co-published by the Base Mcball Institute and the University of New Mexico has found that anyone can hit a baseball, and it really isn’t that hard. The mechanics of the sport require hand-eye coordination, aim and correct form to send a baseball flying, according to the study. But if that’s true, why can’t everyone do it? If a person can’t hit a baseball, it’s probably because they aren’t trying hard enough, according to experts. The study quickly went viral on social media and has garnered various responses, ranging from players defending the sport and their own abilities to those who believe the study is completely accurate.

News

Travis Broadhurst elected president of GPSA

Maria Fernandez | March 24

The University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association election results are in: Civil engineering doctoral candidate Travis Broadhurst will serve as its next president. Broadhurst has been active in GPSA for the past three years, serving as the director of Boards, Committees and Elections and as the sustainability director. He has also been a civil engineering department representative to the GPSA council for the past two years.

Culture

UNM celebrates Mardi Gras

Maria Fernandez | March 10

On Tuesday, March 4, the University of New Mexico held a Mardi Gras event in the Student Union Building. Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States began in the 18th century when French settlers arrived in Louisiana, marking what is known as “Fat Tuesday,” according to the New Orleans website. Celebrations involve parades, colorful clothing and king cake, according to the website. The SUB event included a live jazz performance by local guitarist Dimian DiSanti and his musical group, mask decorating and traditional Cajun food, including jambalaya and king cake.

News

UNM experts react to Trump DEI overhaul efforts

Maria Fernandez and Nate Bernard | March 10

Since President Donald Trump’s reelection, he has repeatedly targeted federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs that seek to increase diversity within the government. These efforts could have negative impacts, including in New Mexico, according to UNM experts. Executive orders on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 directed federal agencies to terminate their DEI programs, before a federal judge largely blocked the orders on Feb. 21, according to The Associated Press. While the executive orders did not specifically define DEI programs, DEI refers to “programs that ensure people from different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences feel accepted in their environments, whether at school, work or other organizations,” according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Culture

Students celebrate UNM’s 136th birthday

Maria Fernandez | March 3

On Friday, Feb. 28, University of New Mexico students, faculty members and staff members gathered in the Student Union Building to celebrate the UNM’s 136th anniversary. The event, planned and coordinated by Lobo Spirit of the Associated Students at UNM, began with the annual group photo, featuring 136 UNM students in Lobo Day shirts. Guest speakers included UNM President Garnett Stokes, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Holloway, and new Head Football Coach Jason Eck — followed by the singing of “Happy Birthday,” during which ASUNM released confetti on the SUB atrium.

News

UNM reaffirms commitment to diversity following federal guidance against race-based programs

Maria Fernandez and Nate Bernard | February 24

The University of New Mexico will risk losing federal funding if it does not end race-based programs by Feb. 28, according to a Department of Education memo sent to schools across the country Feb. 14. The memo cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin against any person, including within programs that receive federal funding. As of Feb. 21, UNM will not make any changes to its operations, nor to its academic programming or student support services, according to UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Cinnamon Blair.

Sports

City Council approves $30 million bond for New Mexico United stadium

Maria Fernandez | February 17

On Feb. 3, the Albuquerque City Council approved the issuance and sale of a $30 million Industrial Revenue Bond to fund the construction and maintenance of a stadium for New Mexico United. Plans for the stadium were first approved by the City Council by an 8-1 vote in August 2024.

News

Barbara Brown Simmons: The history of the first Black woman to graduate from UNM Law

Maria Fernandez | February 10

Born Nov. 29, 1947, Barbara Brown Simmons was the first Black woman to graduate from the University of New Mexico School of Law and the first Black woman to become a member of the New Mexico State Bar. An advocate for equal rights, Brown Simmons fought tirelessly through activism and protests to shape UNM during the Civil Rights era in the 1960s before her death in 2022. Brown Simmons lived in Amarillo, Texas as a child, where she said she learned about Black history in school and became proud of her culture during the time of segregation.

Sports

Black athletes represent UNM, then and now

Maria Fernandez | February 10

Over the years, many brilliant Black athletes have worn the University of New Mexico’s cherry and silver colors. From basketball to track and field, each player has left an indelible mark on the University’s history and put UNM Athletics on national stages. From winning national titles to setting records in their sports, everyone has a unique story. Here are five Black athletes who hit it out of the park during and after their time at UNM. Ira Harge When Ira Harge joined the Lobo basketball team in 1962, he was the tallest player to ever don a Lobo uniform at 6 feet 9 inches, according to UNM Athletics. Harge helped the team beat both New York University and Drake University during the 1963-64 season. Over the course of two seasons, Harge scored over 1,000 points for the Lobos.