Miller Gates
Hadley Hall
Goddard Hall
Memorial Tower
The NMSU Foundation, originally named the New Mexico Foundation, was established in 1959 under NMSU President Roger Corbett. The first major campaign raised money to purchase a large computer for data processing, subsequently attracting a new segment of students interested in computer science.
The President’s Associates group was formed in 1977, consisting of downtown Las Cruces business owners who pledges at least $1,000 a year to NMSU for student scholarships. The inaugural President’s Associates Ball was held Sept. 16, 1977 and was, according to then-President Gerald Thomas, “the event of the year.” The PA Ball is a tradition that continues today in support of PA Scholarships, a program designed to keep start students from New Mexico in the state.
During Homecoming weekend of 1988, NMSU’s decade-long Centennial Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in NMSU history at the time, successfully reached its goal to raise $18,881,988 – an amount signifying NMSU’s first 100 years.
The Aggie license plate was released in 2001, allowing New Mexico drivers to show their Aggie pride. Since its launch, more than 20,000 Aggie plates have been issued. Partnering with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division, $25 of every license plate is donated to the NMSU Foundation in support of student and alumni programs.
The first #Giving Tuesday – a global day of giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – was held at NMSU Dec. 1, 2015. The successful inaugural event became an annual tradition. Since #Giving Tuesday 2015, hundreds of alumni, friends, staff and students in the state, across the country and around the world have raised $13.4 million for Aggie students.
On Dec. 31, 2019, the historic Ignite Aggie Discovery! Capital campaign came to a close. The largest cash-only campaign in NMSU history went public in 2017 and the $125 million campaign goal was successfully completed thanks to NMSU’s generous supporters.
Hadley Hall Commencement 1913
Milton Hall built in 1941 served as the student union building until 1968
New Mexico A&M in 1948
Students painting the "A"
Alumni Homecoming Parade 1950s