Elders' Banquet & Homecoming Celebration

The Elders' Banquet is a cherished annual tradition orchestrated by Black Programs, uniting the wisdom of Las Cruces community elders with the vibrancy of NMSU alumni. With the overarching theme of 'Framing the Future', the 2023 edition stood as a beacon of inspiration, with Retired Honorable Tommy Jewell delivering the keynote address. This significant gathering also provided a poignant platform to pay tribute to trailblazers like Clara Belle Williams, whose indomitable spirit blazed a trail as the first Black student and graduate at NMSU. Likewise, Ambassador Delano Lewis, a pivotal figure in shaping NMSU's International Relations Institute, and Professor Clarence Fielder, whose profound contributions enriched NMSU's academic landscape for four decades, were honored with heartfelt reverence.

Dorris Hamilton and a fellow Alumni. The image shows two individuals seated side by side at a table in a room with a beige vertical paneled curtain backdrop. On the left, a man is wearing a black blazer over a patterned shirt with brown and black designs. He accessorizes with a brown flat cap, clear-framed glasses, and is smiling. On the right, an elderly woman is wearing a dark gray blazer adorned with various pins and a maroon blouse with a textured fabric. She has short, white hair, large glasses, and is also smiling. The table in front of them contains some papers and a colorful pamphlet, partially visible at the bottom right corner.
Darren Fletcher, Dr. Turner, Tommy Jewel (keynote speaker), and Dr. James Hall. The image depicts a group of five men standing indoors, posing for a photo in what appears to be a communal or conference setting with beige wall panels. Individuals from left to right: The first man, with dark, shoulder-length hair, is dressed in a tan jacket, white shirt, and blue tie. The second man, wearing a light gray plaid suit, black shirt, and brown crossbody bag, has a bald head and glasses. The third man in the center is dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and yellow tie, has short gray hair and a serious expression. The fourth man, with a shaved bald head, wears a black t-shirt, a black shoulder bag, dark jeans, and holds a small item in his left hand. The fifth man, bald with glasses, is dressed in a gray quilted vest over a gray sweater and black pants, extending his right hand for a handshake. In the background, there are chairs, some people, and tables with white tablecloths.

Attended by esteemed members of the NMSU community, both past and present, the event exemplified a commitment to nurturing intergenerational connections. By facilitating meaningful interactions between NMSU alumni and current community members, the Elders' Banquet catalyzed collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective growth. Through dialogue, shared experiences, and a mutual dedication to advancing the university's mission, participants were empowered to envision and create a future imbued with resilience, innovation, and inclusivity.

2023 homecoming attendees at Black Programs office. A group of twelve women poses for a group photo indoors. They are dressed in various shirts and sweaters, predominantly in red, black, and purple, many with Greek letters or logos. Two women in the front are seated on a low table, each holding a maroon pennant and surrounded by white and maroon pom-poms. Behind them, ten women are standing in a semi-circle and smiling. The background includes a light-colored wall with a fire alarm, part of a transparent glass office partition, and some visible office elements, including a rack with brochures and booklets.

Homecoming is an annual event at New Mexico State University (NMSU) that brings together alumni, current students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to celebrate the university's heritage and achievements. It serves as a nostalgic gathering where past and present members of the NMSU community come together to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate their shared experiences.

The alumni attendee of the 2023 Homecoming event. The image shows a group of around 25 men posing together indoors in front of a beige, vertically-ridged wall. Most are dressed in casual and semi-formal attire, primarily featuring purple apparel with Greek letters and fraternity symbols. Some men wear jackets, sweatshirts, or caps displaying "ΩΨΦ," which stands for Omega Psi Phi fraternity. One man in the front row wears a maroon sweater with "NEW MEXICO STATE" printed in white, while another in a denim shirt kneels beside him. The men exhibit a sense of camaraderie, with some giving fraternity hand signs and others smiling. The group includes older and younger men, highlighting generational diversity.

Homecoming events typically include alumni reunions, tailgates, sporting events, parades, concerts, and various campus activities. It's a time for alumni to return to their alma mater, visit old friends, and see how the university has evolved since their time as students. For current students, it's an opportunity to engage with alumni, learn about the university's history, and feel a sense of pride and belonging to the NMSU community. Overall, Homecoming embodies the spirit of camaraderie, tradition, and school pride that defines the NMSU experience.