New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) Advancement Division recently hosted the vibrant and community-centered "Thunderbird Welcome Weekend" on Oct. 4 - 5, 2024. The two-day event was filled with music, sports, and celebrations that brought together alumni, students, and community members for a fun-filled weekend.

Friday’s events kicked off with the First American Bank and Thunderbird Booster Club Golf Tournament, held at Rockwind Community Links. The tournament saw the highest number of participating teams since 2015, making it one of the standout moments of the weekend. Later in the day, the NMJC baseball team held a scrimmage on campus, building excitement for the season ahead. After, a free concert began by country music artist Aaron Watson, whose performance brought out fans from all around the region. “We are proud to bring back an Alum of NMJC in his current career as a prolific Singer/Songwriter with national acclaim.” said Dustin Garrett, Director of Entertainment Music and Technology. “Aaron felt very welcomed here, and his team was excellent to work with. We are excited for the growth of our program and being able to connect our Entertainment Technology students directly with the industry professionals and teams that visit us here at our campus.” 

Saturday began with a community fun run/walk, followed by a variety of sports activities. Youth basketball and baseball camps followed, allowing the community to participate. NMJC’s men’s and women’s basketball and baseball teams collaborated to provide an engaging experience for all the young campers.

Meanwhile, the NMJC Rodeo Team hosted a special recognition for the 1973-76 team, which was inducted into the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. Honorees included Clabe Pearson, Danny Watson, Helen Lee Nave, Luann Hubbard Pearson, Kevin Roberts, and Bill Fort, as well as the late Glenda Rowland Bearden and coaches Tuffy Cooper and Gayle Hopkins. The celebration was followed by a team roping event, which current NMJC Rodeo Team members participated in.

Capping off the weekend, the #16 ranked NMJC Volleyball team secured a decisive 3-0 victory against Western Texas College in a conference match held at the Caster Activity Center.

The Thunderbird Welcome Weekend was a tremendous success, with a high turnout and energetic participation. From the well-attended sports camps to the emotional recognition of the 1974-75 rodeo team, the event was the first of its kind to create a sense of community and pride for NMJC. As the inaugural year for this event, NMJC looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come, celebrating both its rich history and exciting future.

New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a leading educational institution committed to providing success through learning and high-quality education to its diverse student body. Founded in 1965, NMJC offers a wide range of academic programs, certifications, and services to empower students to achieve their educational and career goals.

Contact: Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Outreach and Engagement, 575-492-2780, vgauna@nmjc.edu, or Brittney Garcia, Recruiter, 575-492-2794, bgarcia@nmjc.edu.