2026 Alumni Association Awards Recognize Nine Outstanding Lobos

Presented by Parnall Law – Hurt? Call BERT.®

The University of New Mexico Alumni Association celebrated nine remarkable members of the Lobo community at its annual Alumni Awards Dinner, honoring alumni and campus leaders whose careers, service and achievements continue to bring distinction to the University and communities around the world.

The event, sponsored by Parnall Law, with additional support from reception sponsor the UNM Foundation and event sponsor Frontier, recognized this year’s honorees: The James F. Zimmerman Award, William H. Itoh; the Bernard S. Rodey Award, Marjori Krebs; the Erna S. Fergusson Award, Garnett S. Stokes; the Zia Award, Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi and Arturo Madrid; the Lobo Award, Anthony Yanez; the Inspirational Young Alumni Award, Chaitanya Korra; the Faculty Teaching Award, Dimitri Kapelianis; and the Research Award, Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc.

James F. Zimmerman Award

William H. Itoh

U.S. Ambassador

UNM alumnus William H. Itoh has spent a lifetime advancing diplomacy, public service and global engagement. Itoh served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand from 1995 to 1999 and held senior leadership roles at the U.S. Department of State and the National Security Council. During the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s, he helped strengthen U.S.–Thailand relations and support Thailand’s economic recovery.

Today, Itoh continues his commitment to international understanding as president of the World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, helping connect New Mexicans to global issues. His distinguished career reflects a lifelong dedication to leadership and service, bringing pride and distinction to The University of New Mexico and the state of New Mexico.

Bernard S. Rodey Award

Marjori Krebs

Professor, UNM College of Education and Human Sciences

Marjori Krebs has spent more than four decades strengthening teacher preparation and educational leadership in New Mexico. A professor in The University of New Mexico’s College of Education and Human Sciences, she serves as director of licensure and coordinates the District Partner Teacher Residency program, helping prepare future educators for classrooms across the state.

Krebs has secured more than $25 million in grant funding to expand teacher residency programs and has partnered closely with schools and communities, including teacher preparation initiatives in Zuni Pueblo. Her work focuses on collaborative teacher development, service-learning and building strong educator pipelines. Krebs is recognized for her lasting impact on teacher preparation and professional practice across New Mexico.

Erna S. Fergusson Award

Garnett S. Stokes

President, University of New Mexico

Garnett S. Stokes, the 23rd president of The University of New Mexico and the first woman to serve in the role, was recognized for her distinguished leadership and service. Since becoming president in 2018, Stokes has advanced major initiatives focused on student success, research growth, enrollment expansion and campus transformation.

Under her leadership, UNM earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, expanded research through the Grand Challenges initiative and strengthened its national academic profile. With more than four decades of experience in higher education leadership, Stokes has shown a deep commitment to advancing UNM’s mission and serving the people and communities of New Mexico.

Zia Award

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi

Indigenous Affairs Editor, High Country News

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi, an award-winning Diné journalist and University of New Mexico alumna, is recognized for her contributions to journalism, education and Indigenous representation in media. As Indigenous Affairs editor at High Country News, she reports on issues affecting Indigenous communities across the region and teaches writing at Arizona State University.

A graduate of UNM’s rhetoric and writing doctoral program, Clahchischiligi was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame for sports writing and serves as president of the Indigenous Journalists Association board of directors. Her work reflects a strong commitment to storytelling, community engagement and elevating Indigenous voices in journalism.

Zia Award

Arturo Madrid

Author & Educator

Arturo Madrid, a New Mexico native and University of New Mexico alumnus, is being honored for a lifetime of scholarship, leadership and service in the humanities. A distinguished professor emeritus at Trinity University, Madrid is an award-winning author and educator whose career has advanced cultural scholarship and student success.

He is the founding president of the Tomás Rivera Center, the country’s first institute focused on policy studies affecting Latinos. Madrid’s contributions to education, public service and the humanities reflect the values of leadership and community engagement recognized by the Zia Award.

Lobo Award

Anthony Yanez

Chief Meteorologist, KPRC 2 News, Houston, Texas

Anthony Yanez is being recognized for his professional achievements and continued connection to the University. An Albuquerque native and UNM alumnus, Yanez is the chief meteorologist for KPRC 2 News in Houston. He began his broadcast career at KRQE-TV in Albuquerque covering UNM Lobo athletics before transitioning into meteorology, later working at KNBC in Los Angeles.

A two-time Emmy Award-winning meteorologist, he is also a children’s book author and advocate for science education. Yanez’s career in broadcast journalism and public outreach reflects positively on the University and exemplifies the spirit of the Lobo Award.

Inspirational Young Alumni Award

Chaitanya Korra

Senior Design Manager, Redwood Materials

Chaitanya Korra, a University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning alumnus, was recognized as an emerging leader in sustainability and infrastructure design. As senior design manager at Redwood Materials, he leads projects that support lithium-ion battery recycling, carbon reduction and circular-economy initiatives critical to the clean energy transition.

Previously, Korra worked at Amazon, where he led sustainable design efforts for fulfillment centers across North America. His work bridges architecture, technology and environmental strategy, and he remains active as a researcher, speaker and mentor. Korra’s professional achievements and commitment to sustainability and innovation reflect the leadership and excellence honored by the Inspirational Young Alumnus Award.

Faculty Teaching Award

Dimitri Kapelianis

Associate Professor, UNM Anderson School of Management

Dimitri Kapelianis was recognized for excellence in teaching and service to students. Known for his dedication to student mentorship and curriculum development, Kapelianis teaches courses in professional selling and marketing strategy that prepare students for careers in business and sales leadership.

In addition to his classroom contributions, he has held academic leadership roles and conducted research focused on international and emerging markets. His commitment to student success and applied learning reflects the impact honored by the Faculty Teaching Award.

Research Award

Dr. Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc

Professor, UNM School of Medicine

Dr. Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc, professor in The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, is being recognized for outstanding research in vascular physiology and pulmonary disease. Since joining the UNM Vascular Physiology Group in 2004, her work has focused on the molecular and inflammatory mechanisms that drive pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling under hypoxic conditions.

Gonzalez Bosc’s research has advanced understanding of how inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress and metabolic pathways affect vascular function and disease progression. Recently awarded National Institutes of Health funding to study inflammatory immune cells in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, her discoveries continue to contribute to interdisciplinary research and the development of potential new therapies for cardiovascular disease.

UNM Alumni Award nominations for 2027 will open in Fall 2026.