After the 1979 reunion, the official Northern New Mexico Alumni Association was formed. Officers were elected
and volunteers stepped forward to participate as Board Members.
Rubén Lucero, President, Julian Padilla, Vice- President Sam J, Archuleta, Teasurer,
John Aragón, John Dantis, Manuel Ferrán, Billy Trujillo, Ralph Martínez, Ferdie Martínez,
Rubén Miera, Nappy Quintana, Amelia Vigil Martínez, María Dolores Gonzales-Velásquez.
Names of 310 alumni were documented in a simple, brown leather guest book. With the guidance and expertise of Manuel Ferrán all the names, addresses and phone numbers documented were then transferred to an official computerized database. Since its founding, the organization has embarked on several projects such as:
- El Portal del Aquila, a memorial wall memorializing students, faculty and staff.
- The Memorial Orchard consists of variety of trees planted on campus in memory of students and staff.
Each year the Alumni Association provides scholarships for deserving high school
students wishing to pursue a higher education. The Alumni Association organizes reunions
for its membership.
Update: Northern New Mexico Normal School Alumni Association, inc.
Presentation to NNMC Board of Regents by Eileen Trujillo, February 28, 2020
Thank you, on behalf of our alumni president, Roberta Orona Córdova, thank you for
the opportunity to present an update about the recent activities our alumni association.
I. History: 1976 Non-profit 501c3 1984
II. Projects
- Legacy scholarship awards – (Leo Valdez)
- El Portal del Aguila memorial wall & tiles
- Memorial orchard
- Video-taped oral history interviews - (María Dolores Gonzales)
- Restoration of class pictures 1941-1969–(initiated by Cecilia Gonzales Tucker)
- Historical poster exhibition
- Published: "The Normal at El Rito – An Enduring Spirit,“ a Historical presentation of the Normal available at Northern’s bookstore & amazon.com
- In 1986 Delgado Hall was added to the list of state registered historical properties.
- Plaque was mounted during the 2018 Legacy Reunion
- Nomination of Gerry García (’66) into NM Sports Hall of Fame (Arnold G. &John D.)
III. Successful 50th anniversary/homecoming event 1969 class September 14, 2019
- Highlight: MOU signing & submitting archival materials inventory
IV. Newest project: Legacy Archive Center – 2-year fundraising project
- Will include historical years 1909-1969
- Technical/vocational school 1969-1977
- Northern New Mexico Community College 1977-2004
- Northern New Mexico College in Española 2004-present
The purpose is to preserve, protect, & promote public knowledge of the history of the school to the surrounding communities. We are in the process of securing a location at either campus. Most significant concern is the security of alumni memorabilia. We have collected, from various alumni, items such as a 1958 school sweater, t-shirt with logo “Spanish American Normal School,” & trophies.
(bronze track shoes located at NMSAA-John Dantis). Our goal is to leave a legacy of alumni presence at “La Normal.” We are working with a mentor and curator at NM History Museum, Alicia Romero.
V. Digital approach: website with interactive capabilities such as a tab labeled “donations,” plus other headings/links.
- Current website. Is it possible to link to NNMC?
- Webmaster highly needed–willing to compensate
- Create a virtual tour of campus site.
Thank you again!