UNM's 2025 General Year-in-Review highlights notable news across campus

Each year, University Communication and Marketing (UCAM) curates a Year-in-Review that captures the stories shaping the University of New Mexico-from campus milestones to research making an impact. Below is a curated selection of UCAM Newsroom's top general news stories of 2025, spotlighting the achievements and moments that defined the year for UNM students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Highlights range from the long-awaited return of stolen paintings to the Harwood Museum of Art more than four decades after their disappearance, to record-setting enrollment growth, an art-inspired road trip, and the demolition of the former Humanities building. The year also marked major moments in University life, including President Garnett Stokes' retirement announcement and the reopening of the iconic UNM Duck Pond following its renovation.

Looking ahead, UCAM will release the 2025 UNM Health Sciences Year-in-Review next week, followed by the 2025 Research News Year-in-Review on Jan. 2, 2026.

FBI returns stolen paintings to UNM's Harwood Museum of Art and Taos community 40 years after art heist
TAOS, N.M. - It has been a nearly forgotten, 40-year circuitous path for two brazenly stolen paintings to find their way back to gallery walls at Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, New Mexico. Victor Higgins' Aspens and Joseph Henry Sharp's Oklahoma Cheyenne are, at long last, returned home in Taos, where both artists lived and worked for most of their careers. FBI Agents from its Santa Fe office delivered the stolen paintings to Harwood Museum of Art's Collections Department on May 12, 2025, 14 months after agreeing to take the 39-year-old cold case.

UNM Board of Regents approves land conveyance for Lobo Crossing Retail Center
The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has approved the conveyance of approximately 38.06 acres of university-owned land to SimonCRE, a Phoenix-based commercial real estate developer, for the creation of the proposed Lobo Crossing Shopping Center. The site is located on the west side of University Boulevard, south of Sunshine Terrace and north of Gibson Boulevard.

UNM President appoints Dr. Mike Richards as executive vice president of Health Sciences
UNM President Garnett S. Stokes has announced the appointment of Dr. Mike Richards as the executive vice president of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System, effective immediately. This decision comes after Richards' successful tenure as interim leader since August 2024.

UNM sets news records for enrollment growth, fall 2025 numbers show
For the fourth consecutive year, total enrollment is on the rise at The University of New Mexico, and for the sixth year in a row, first-year student registrations grew as well, according to data released for the fall 2025 semester. Total enrollment at the Albuquerque campus grew to 23,955 for fall 2025, an increase of 3.13% over last year's total of 23,228. Total enrollment across all UNM campuses for fall 2025 stands at 28,285, an increase of 4.5% from last year.

Humanities building demolition makes way for state-of-the-art Humanities & Social Sciences Facility
Throughout the remainder of 2025, the Humanities Building located on the southern edge of Smith Plaza on UNM Central Campus will be demolished to make way for the new state-of-the-art Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) Facility. The demolition process began mid-July and was completed in late fall 2025. The new HSS Facility is scheduled to begin construction mid-year 2026 and is planned to be open for classes the fall semester of 2028.

Route 66 Remixed: An Art-Fueled Road Trip includes a stop at UNM's ARTS Lab
The University of New Mexico is taking part in one of the city's most ambitious public art initiatives in decades-Route 66 Remixed, a cornerstone of Albuquerque's Route 66 Centennial Celebration. The citywide project reimagines Albuquerque's 18-mile stretch of the legendary highway through a collection of murals, sculptures, and cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) experiences, blending history, art, and innovation into an immersive celebration of culture.

Lobo Lift to launch, other ASUNM campus safety initiatives
The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico (ASUNM) are tackling the student complaint they receive the most-safety. The first item on their initiatives list is launching Lobo Lift in the spring. It will provide students who live on campus with a ride back to their dorm in the evenings after late classes.

UNM President Garnett S. Stokes announces retirement after eight years of transformative leadership
The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced today that President Garnett S. Stokes, the University's 23rd president and the first woman to hold the position, will retire in July 2026. The UNM Board of Regents approved a six-month contract extension to ensure she remains in office through that date, providing continuity of leadership and steady progress on the University's major initiatives during the transition.

UNM launches Feasibility & Development Plan Study to modernize University Stadium and develop South Campus
The University of New Mexico (UNM) is launching a comprehensive development planning and feasibility study to create a long-term vision and implementation action plan for modernizing University Stadium and revitalizing South Campus as a mixed-use, economic development district. The plan created through this process will outline modernization options for the stadium and explore development opportunities that benefit students, fans, and the community.

UNM professors publish rock climbing guidebook to support local recreation and safety
With ropes, notebooks, and a shared mission, two UNM professors have turned passion into purpose-developing new rock-climbing routes in the Sandias and publishing a guidebook to benefit mountain rescue teams and outdoor access across the state. Dr. Michael Russo, assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Benjamin Warner, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, recently co-authored Nova Canyon: A Rock Climber's Guide, a community-driven climbing resource that also serves as a fundraising tool for outdoor safety.

UNM's Duck Pond reopens to campus community
Finally, University of New Mexico's Duck Pond is officially open. UNM's Duck Pond reopened amid a celebration featuring speakers, duck shaped cookies and buttons commemorating the reopening. The only thing missing was the ducks. Originally designed by Garrett Eckbo and completed in 1976, the Duck Pond has long been celebrated for its scenic beauty and thriving wildlife. It was initially created as a man-made urban water feature, but over its nearly five decades, it grew into a beloved landmark for the campus and even greater Albuquerque community.

Clarence Cruz leaves a lasting Native pottery legacy at UNM
If you've ever taken a traditional Native American pottery class at The University of New Mexico or gone hiking to gather natural earthen resources for making traditional Native pottery, chances are you've met Clarence Cruz. Cruz is Tewa from Ohkay Owingeh, formerly known as San Juan Pueblo. He is an associate professor of ceramics in the Art Department in UNM's College of Fine Arts.

Campus Watch: Community policing to help protect the pack
It's a proven concept that The University of New Mexico hopes will strengthen communication, awareness, and shared responsibility to help ensure a safer campus. UNM's latest safety initiative-Campus Watch-adapts the long-standing Neighborhood Watch model created by the National Sheriffs' Association in the early 1970s, bringing its community-policing philosophy to a large, diverse urban university environment.