Awards & Recognitions
NMSU has recognized more than 400 alumni as standouts in their community, service work, university, and career fields.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Since 1956, the NMSU Alumni Association has presented accomplished alumni with the Association’s highest honor — the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes living NMSU alumni who have achieved national or international distinction through their accomplishments and leadership. They have performed impactful, meritorious service that, in deeds and action, reflects and recognizes the importance of their education at NMSU, exhibits pride in their alma mater, and demonstrates integrity.
The 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony was held on Friday, November 8 at the Las Cruces Convention Center.
Gabe Ayana '59
James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service
Antonia Roybal-Mack ’03
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Tony Lovitt ’76
College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Don W. Cleveland ’72
College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mary S. Bell ’92
College of Business
Dr. Shanta Thoutam ’04, ’16
College of Engineering
Rebecca Gallegos ’06
College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Garrett Leitermann ’16, ’17
College of Arts and Sciences
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners
Antonia Roybal-Mack ’03
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Tony Lovitt ’76
College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Don W. Cleveland ’72
College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mary S. Bell ’92
College of Business
Dr. Shanta Thoutam ’04, ’16
College of Engineering
Rebecca Gallegos ’06
College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Gabe Anaya '59
James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service
Since 1966, the New Mexico State University Alumni Association has honored exceptional alumni with the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service. This award recognizes the tradition of excellence NMSU has upheld throughout the years, and each recipient (one per year) is selected based on support to NMSU, involvement with NMSU, civic and humanitarian service and professional success.
2024 James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service Honoree – Gabe Anaya ’59
About the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service
Since 1966, the New Mexico State University Alumni Association has honored alumni with the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service.
The award is given annually to someone who has demonstrated outstanding support to NMSU through civic, humanitarian or professional support for NMSU. The award instills the tradition of excellence NMSU has upheld throughout the years.
Nominate someone for the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service
“It’s a shining star. It is a once-a-year award that’s given by the NMSU Foundation for extreme service to New Mexico State University.”
-James Libbin, former Dean for the College of ACES
Who was James F. Cole?
Bill Cantrell, ’67, was especially proud to receive the James F. Cole Memorial Award for Service at because he studied under Cole.
“James Cole was a cotton farmer who taught Agricultural Economics 100. He also assisted President Corbett,” Cantrell recalled. Cantrell came to NMSU at age 30 in 1964, and Cole was one of his professors his first semester. “I remember that he was so supportive of this person who was coming back to school and was as old as some of the professors. The first test of the semester was in his class, and I made the best grade. He stopped class to congratulate me on how well I’d done.” Cole was always interested in what his students were doing and his door was always open, Cantrell said. As a student, Cantrell also was impressed that Cole was a “real-live producer teaching about agricultural economics. Today I appreciate that more than I did then.”
-Lena Parsons
Young Alumni Service Award
Started in 2019, the Young Alumni Service Award recognizes living New Mexico State University alumni under the age of 40 who have made great strides in shaping their community’s future and have brought distinction to New Mexico State University.
The Young Alumni Service Award recognizes living New Mexico State University alumni under the age of 40 who have made great strides in shaping their community’s future and have brought distinction to New Mexico State University.
2024 Young Alumni Service Award Honoree – Garrett Leitermann
Garrett Leitermann '16, '17