UNM Alumni Association to honor 2026 award recipients Feb. 26

The University of New Mexico Alumni Association will honor nine outstanding individuals at its annual Alumni Awards Dinner Thursday, Feb. 26, recognizing individuals whose achievements and service exemplify Lobo spirit and impact. The event celebrates leadership, professional excellence and lifelong commitment to community and humanitarian values.

This year's honorees include recipients of the James F. Zimmerman Award, Bernard S. Rodey Award, Erna S. Fergusson Award, Zia Award, Lobo Award, Inspirational Young Alumni Award, Faculty Teaching Award, Research Award and Higher Education Distinguished Legislator Award.

James F: Zimmerman Award: Given to an alumnus/a of The University of New Mexico who has made a significant contribution which has brought fame and honor to The University of New Mexico or to the State of New Mexico.

William Itoh
Ambassador William H. Itoh has dedicated his career to public service, diplomacy and global engagement. A University of New Mexico alumnus, Itoh served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand from 1995 to 1999 and held senior leadership roles at the U.S. Department of State and the National Security Council. His diplomatic work, including support for Thailand's economic recovery during the Asian financial crisis, earned national and international recognition. Now president of the World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, Itoh continues to promote international understanding and public policy education. He is being honored for bringing distinction to the University of New Mexico and the state through his lifelong commitment to leadership and service.

Bernard S. Rodney Award: Recognizes those whose leadership efforts have contributed significantly to the field of education. The recipient may or may not be an alum of the University.

Marjori Krebs
Marjori Krebs has spent more than four decades advancing teacher preparation and educational leadership in New Mexico. A professor in the University of New Mexico College of Education and Human Sciences, Krebs serves as director of licensure and coordinates the District Partner Teacher Residency program, helping prepare future educators for classrooms across the state. She has secured more than $25 million in grant funding to expand teacher residency programs and has worked closely with schools and communities, including teacher preparation initiatives in Zuni Pueblo. Her research and service focus on collaborative teacher development, service-learning and strengthening educator pipelines. Krebs is being recognized for her leadership contributions to education and her lasting impact on teacher preparation and professional practice in New Mexico.

Erna S. Fergusson Award: Recognizes exceptional accomplishments and/or commitment or distinguished service to The University of New Mexico. The recipient may or may not be an alum of the University. Formerly named the Award of Distinction.

Garnett S. Stokes
Garnett S. Stokes, the 23rd president of The University of New Mexico and the first woman to serve in the role, is being recognized for her distinguished service and leadership at UNM. Since becoming president in 2018, Stokes has guided major initiatives focused on student success, research growth, enrollment expansion and campus transformation. Under her leadership, UNM earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, expanded research initiatives through the Grand Challenges program and strengthened its national academic profile. With more than four decades of experience in higher education leadership, Stokes has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing the university's mission and serving the state of New Mexico.

Zia Award: Honors New Mexico residents with a UNM degree who have distinguished themselves in any one or more of the following categories - philanthropic endeavors, public office, service to the University, community, and volunteer activities, and/or business professional fields, or educational fields.

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi
Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi, an award-winning Diné journalist and University of New Mexico alumna, is being recognized for her contributions to journalism, education and Indigenous representation in media. As Indigenous Affairs editor at High Country News, she reports on issues affecting Indigenous communities across the region while also teaching writing at Arizona State University. A graduate of UNM's rhetoric and writing doctoral program, Clahchischiligi was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame for sports writing and serves as president of the Indigenous Journalists Association board of directors. Her work reflects a commitment to storytelling, community engagement and elevating Indigenous voices in journalism.

Arturo Madrid
Arturo Madrid, a New Mexico native and University of New Mexico alumnus, is being honored for a lifetime of scholarship, leadership and service in the humanities. A distinguished professor emeritus at Trinity University, Madrid is an award-winning author and educator whose career has advanced cultural scholarship and student success. He is the founding president of the Tomás Rivera Center, which provides resources and support to help students thrive academically and professionally. Madrid's contributions to education, public service and the humanities reflect the values of leadership and community engagement recognized by the Zia Award.

Lobo Award: Presented to a UNM alumnus/a who has given outstanding personal service to the university or whose career achievement reflects on the University.

Anthony Yanez
Anthony Yanez, chief meteorologist for KPRC 2 News in Houston and a University of New Mexico alumnus, is being recognized for his professional achievements and continued connection to the university. An Albuquerque native, Yanez began his broadcast career at KRQE-TV covering UNM Lobo athletics before transitioning into meteorology, later working at KNBC in Los Angeles. A two-time Emmy Award-winning meteorologist, he is also a children's book author and advocate for science education. Yanez's career in broadcast journalism and public outreach reflects positively on the university and exemplifies the spirit of the Lobo Award.

Inspirational Young Alumni Award: Recognizes significant contributions by an individual, whether through professional achievement or community service. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to excellence in post-academic life and an ongoing commitment to professional work, research, multicultural relations and/or volunteerism, while being recognized as an emerging leader.

Chaitanya Korra
Chaitanya Korra, a University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning alumnus, is being recognized as an emerging leader in sustainability and infrastructure design. As senior design manager at Redwood Materials, he leads projects that support lithium-ion battery recycling, carbon reduction and circular-economy initiatives critical to the clean energy transition. Previously, Korra worked at Amazon, where he led sustainable design efforts for fulfillment centers across North America. His work bridges architecture, technology and environmental strategy, and he remains active as a researcher, speaker and mentor. Korra's professional achievements and commitment to sustainability and innovation reflect the leadership and excellence honored by the Inspirational Young Alumnus Award.

Faculty Teaching Award: Recognizes outstanding teaching and service to students. The recipient is a faculty member currently employed full-time in any school or college of the University.

Dimitri Kapelianis
Dimitri Kapelianis, associate professor of marketing at The University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management, is being recognized for excellence in teaching and service to students. Known for his dedication to student mentorship and curriculum development, Kapelianis teaches courses in professional selling and marketing strategy that prepare students for careers in business and sales leadership. In addition to his classroom contributions, he has held academic leadership roles and conducted research focused on international and emerging markets. His commitment to student success and applied learning reflects the impact honored by the Faculty Teaching Award.

Research Award: Recognizes outstanding research being conducted at the University of New Mexico. The recipient is currently conducting research full-time in any school or college of the University.

Dr. Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc
Dr. Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc, professor in The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, is being recognized for outstanding research in vascular physiology and pulmonary disease. Since joining the UNM Vascular Physiology Group in 2004, her work has focused on the molecular and inflammatory mechanisms that drive pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling under hypoxic conditions. Gonzalez Bosc's research has advanced understanding of how inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress and metabolic pathways affect vascular function and disease progression. Recently awarded National Institutes of Health funding to study inflammatory immune cells in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, her discoveries continue to contribute to interdisciplinary research and the development of potential new therapies for cardiovascular disease.

This year's awards ceremony will be held at the Sandia Golf Club event center. Admission is $75 per person. You and or your organization can also sponsor a table of eight for $700 and receive special recognition at the event. The dinner includes a reception sponsored by the UNM Foundation. The banquet offers an opportunity for alumni, faculty, staff and friends to come together to honor these distinguished graduates and celebrate the diverse contributions Lobos make in their professions and communities.

To register, visit unmalumni.com