Support the Alumni Association through one of the many giving and naming opportunities for the Hodgin Hall Plaza. Call the Alumni Relations Office at (505) 277-5808 or 800-258-6866 for details and to discuss how you would like to be involved.

How Can I Get Involved?

The U, Then and Now

Architect’s rendering of the U

(Courtesy of RMKM Architecture, P.C.)

Lighting the U

Giving Opportunities

A Symbol of Spirit

4

HODGINHALL

PLAZA

The University of New Mexico was known throughout Albuquerque as “the U” in the early days of its history. To promote University spirit, a 10-foot U was placed atop Hodgin Hall in 1922. It remained there until the mid-1930s and was illuminated when the Lobos won football games.

In 2012, the UNM Alumni Association commissioned a cast-bronze U for the University. As with the electric U, the new U will light up to show Lobo pride and to mark significant occasions on the UNM campus.

UNM’s unique heritage and traditions bind its students and alumni together. By reimagining the U, the Alumni Association seeks to honor established traditions and create new ones for future generations with the belief that a strong sense of community and spirit will endure at UNM.

The Alumni Association also renovated the plaza in front of Hodgin Hall’s main entrance with landscaping, pavement, and signage identifying Hodgin Hall as the Alumni Center of UNM. This plaza was once known as “the quad” and was incorporated into Hodgin Hall’s design around 1915. The new Hodgin Hall Plaza reaffirms Hodgin Hall as the soul of the University and will be used for alumni gatherings and UNM celebrations.

THE ALUMNI CENTER AT HODGIN HALL:

Hodgin Hall, which opened in 1892 with 108 students, was the first building on the UNM campus.

Originally a four-story brick building, the University remodeled the building in 1908 to Pueblo Revival Style.

H O D G I N H A L L U : T O S H O W L O B O P R I D E A N D T O M A R K S I G N I F I C A N T O C C A S I O N S O N C A M P U S

The U will be lit in red to celebrate key achievements.

The U will be lit in red to celebrate key achievements in athletics, academics, and other occasions on campus, including:

• All football victories (the original tradition)

• For other athletic victories in conference championships, national championships, the Rio Grande Rivalry (against New Mexico State University), and “big wins”

• Significant academic achievements and recognitions

• Special campus and alumni events such as graduation, Homecoming, and Lobo Day

The lighting of the U will be determined and managed by the UNM Alumni Association.

Other special naming opportunities are available for the Plaza. For more information, please contact the Alumni Relations Office.

1 PRIMARY DONOR PLAQUE (6) . . . $25,000

2 PARK BENCH (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,500

3 GRANITE PAVER . . . . . . . . . . . $2,500/$1,000

4 LOBO ROSE GARDEN . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000

5 REDONDO FLOWER PLANTER . . . . . $5,000

RECOGNITION PLAQUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250

Relighting A Historic Tradition

A Symbol of Spirit

Was constructed by the Albuquerque Gas and Electric Company, and placed atop Hodgin Hall in 1922.

Was made of tin and fitted with 25 electric lights running down each side.

Cost $200 to build and was paid for by M.K. Wylder, the Albuquerque Gas and Electric Company, and UNM.

H O D G I N H A L L U : T O S H O W L O B O P R I D E A N D T O M A R K S I G N I F I C A N T O C C A S I O N S O N C A M P U S T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W M E X I C O

A beacon of lasting promise shining over the University campus.

— UNM ARCHIVES, CENTER FOR SOUTHWEST RESEARCH

Originally, the U . . .

NOW: The U stands 12’ tall and is cast in bronze.

THEN: The U stood

10’ tall and was made of tin.

The U was installed in 1922, the same year UNM received accreditation.

If you have questions, please contact us. We look forward to talking with you!

The University of New Mexico Alumni Association / Alumni Relations Office

(505) 277-5808 or 800-258-6866 www.unmalumni.com alumni@unm.edu

MSC01-1160 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

The illuminated U could be easily seen throughout town.