Dec. 23, 2008 by Margaret Kovar NMSU News Center
The New Mexico State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics will now be known as the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).
The NMSU Board of Regents approved the change Dec. 12 and the name went into effect the same day. Events will be held to advertise and celebrate the name change after the university’s holiday break.
“The new name of the college more adequately reflects the college’s continuingly evolving activities, such as the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department,” said Lowell Catlett, dean of ACES.
Since the 1980s, changing the name of the college has been studied and considered. Faculty and staff have long indicated the name did not reflect the college’s vast and diverse research and outreach activities.
“It’s important that the name reflects a comprehensive view of our work. Through our college, NMSU faculty are in every county in the state, serving with the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural Experiment Station. For most New Mexico citizens, this college is the face of NMSU,” said Jeanne Gleason, professor in the college and director of media productions at NMSU.
In 2007, alumni, stakeholders, faculty, staff and students voted on several choices for the new name. The name “College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences” won with 65 percent of the vote.
The name then went on to the Department Heads Council, College Cabinet, Associate Dean’s Academic Council and the Academic Dean’s Council before being approved by the Board of Regents.
