Make a Splash for the Alumni Pond!
Help restore one of nmsu’s most beloved campus landmarks
Make a Splash for the Alumni Pond
The Alumni Pond is back and better than ever. Following a major restoration project funded by the NMSU Board of Regents, this beloved campus landmark is once again welcoming students, alumni and community members to the heart of NMSU.
Now, the NMSU Foundation is partnering with the university to enhance the area surrounding the pond with beautiful, donor-supported features such as trees, benches, picnic tables and commemorative bricks. Together, we can create an even more inviting gathering place for Aggies today and for generations to come.
alumni pond tribute gifts
Leave your mark at NMSU
The restored Alumni Pond is once again welcoming Aggies to the heart of campus.
Now, we’re inviting alumni and friends to help complete its transformation. Gifts to the Make a Splash for the Alumni Pond campaign will fund enhancements such as native trees, benches, picnic tables and commemorative bricks, creating an even more beautiful destination for learning, reflection and community.
Whether you name a tree, dedicate a bench or purchase an engraved brick, your gift will leave a lasting mark on a place that has been part of the Aggie experience for generations.
Make a splash. Leave your mark. Help the Alumni Pond flourish for generations to come.
Q&A Alumni Pond Gifts
Q1. When will my gift be installed and available for viewing?
A1. Donors who make their gifts by Dec. 15, 2026, will be recognized as part of the initial installation phase. The NMSU Foundation anticipates donor-funded enhancements, including bricks, benches, picnic tables and trees, will be installed during the Spring 2027 semester.
Q2. Is a gift to Make a Splash for the Alumni Pond tax-deductible?
A2. Yes. Your contribution is considered a charitable donation. Depending on the recognition opportunity selected, a portion of your gift may be tax-deductible. The NMSU Foundation will provide a gift receipt indicating any deductible amount in accordance with IRS guidelines.
Q3. Can I choose what type of tree is planted or where it will be located?
A3. No. To ensure the health, beauty and long-term sustainability of the Alumni Pond landscape, NMSU and its landscape and environmental experts will determine the species and placement of all trees.
Q4. Can I choose where my bench, picnic table or commemorative brick will be placed?
A4. No. Placement of all donor recognition features will be determined by NMSU to support the overall design, accessibility and long-term stewardship of the Alumni Pond area.
Q5. How do I indicate what I would like my plaque or engraved brick to say?
A5. Complete the Make a Splash for the Alumni Pond Tribute Gift Form and provide your preferred inscription. Please note that inscriptions are subject to character limits and review by the NMSU Foundation.
Q6. If I sponsor a tree, can I attend the planting?
A6. Not necessarily. Some trees may already be in place as part of the pond restoration and landscape plan, while others may be planted at a later date. Because installation schedules vary, donor attendance at plantings cannot be guaranteed.
Pond History
Since the 1970s, the Alumni Pond, affectionately known as the “Duck Pond,” has been a beloved gathering place at the heart of the New Mexico State University campus. For thousands of Aggies, it has been a space to pause, reflect, and connect — a place where friendships were formed, memories took shape, and generations were united by NMSU’s enduring land-grant spirit.
Alumni fondly recall conducting research with the College of ACES, casting a fishing line along the bank, unwinding between classes, or participating in Greek life traditions centered around the pond. From quiet moments of reflection to shared celebrations, these experiences created lasting ripples, cementing the Alumni Pond as one of the university’s most cherished landmarks — not only for NMSU, but for the entire Las Cruces community.
In August 2023, a leak required the pond to be temporarily drained and its wildlife relocated, bringing an unexpected stillness to this familiar space. A beautification campaign is underway to thoughtfully refresh and enhance the pond and its surroundings, restoring its welcoming atmosphere, improving the landscape, and ensuring it remains a vibrant place for gathering and connection for generations to come.
Wanda R. Bowman, recipient of an NMSU Honorary Doctor of Letters in 2026