DAILY LOBO new mexico
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wednesday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
September 16, 2009
Repelling reaps charitable benefits by Kallie Red-Horse Daily Lobo
Junfu Han / Daily Lobo Gov. Bill Richardson answers student questions about Cuba and U.S. relations after his speech in Dane Smith Hall on Tuesday. Richardson said he supports lifting the embargo but not unconditionally.
Lifting the trade embargo by Andrew Beale
“I want to provoke discussion,” he said. “I want some of you to get a little pissed off at me.” Richardson said there were some things that both countries should do in order to improve their relationship. He said the U.S. should make it easier for American companies to export goods to Cuba, and travel restrictions should be loosened for Americans who want to travel to Cuba. “We need to expand categories of travel for Americans to go to Cuba,” he said. “In other words, let anyone go to Cuba.” Only Cuban-Americans can
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Gov. Bill Richardson got major applause early in his speech at Dane Smith Hall yesterday. “Full disclosure: I am for getting rid of the embargo,” he said. However, Richardson said he didn’t want to get rid of the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba unconditionally, which prevents goods from being imported to the U.S. from Cuba. Richardson said he traveled to Cuba and met with officials there to discuss the controversial policy.
For more Latin American and Iberian Institute events, visit laii.unm.edu return to Cuba to visit their families, Richardson said. Richardson said that, in return, Cuba should lessen travel restrictions for their own citizens and release Cuban political prisoners being held in the country. Overall, Richardson said Cuba should be more democratic. “I want some things in return, like a good negotiator,” he said.
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Alum. honored for green energy innovations by Tricia Remark Daily Lobo
The UNM School of Architecture and Planning recognized Travis Price, published author and founder of a successful firm, as their distinguished alumnus of the year. Price received the award at the school’s 9th annual Honors and Awards Convocation Ceremony, and almost a dozen students were awarded scholarships of up to $2,000. Price said developing his own architecture firm, Travis Price Architects, was already in the works before he graduated from UNM. He said a budding interest in solar power helped make his senior thesis a reality. “In school, I found some developers interested in my thesis, which was a solar village,” Price said. “I literally went up to Santa Fe, and while I was finishing my thesis here I got a gang of architects together and started my own business while I was in school.” Price said early experiences with solar power and green energy have helped him develop his company into a global architecture firm. He said the buildings he creates are both energy and wallet-friendly. “If you can’t build the first model for everyone, then you aren’t solving the problem,” Price said. “I’ve made a really strong presence in the practice through all these
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exciting, creative structures that are green and poetic, but all cost exactly the same dollar per square foot as any other conventional project.” Price said students who get ideas in college should follow through with them because they are important. He said his firm built a shrine in Nepal, a stargazing temple in Machu Piccu and a temple in Ireland. Price said attending the ceremony showed him how his career has evolved. “It’s been like The Odyssey — I’ve come full circle back to the place where it all started,” Price said. “Just coming home and to get the applause is about as good as it gets in terms of feeling appreciated.” UNM architecture major Kevin Naynard received a $1,000 scholarship and said he has already put the award to good use by purchasing a new laptop. Naynard said he is interested in Price’s environmentally-friendly architecture. “I’d like to make more sustainable buildings and make them on a smaller scale, not just these huge buildings that take up all this space and energy, and also have more gardens,” he said. Jan Bandrofchak, development officer for the UNM School of Architecture and Planning, said the ceremony is important to students because they have
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On Friday, Sept. 25 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., a glance at downtown Albuquerque will deliver a startling view of people rappelling down the side of the 203 foot tall, 14 story New Mexico Bank & Trust Building. Don’t be alarmed by such a sight however, the unexpected site is only a creative fundraiser for the Special Olympics in progress. Over the Edge is an organization based in Nova Scotia that has been assisting non-profit organizations in raising funds across America since 2003. It allows people to be monetarily sponsored to rappel down buildings, with all of the proceeds going to the non-profit organization. “It all goes straight to us. 100 percent stays in New Mexico,” said Randy Mascorella, executive director of the Special Olympics of New Mexico. Mascorella is highly supportive of the daring fundraiser, stating that it gives non-disabled people perspective into the day-to-day life of a disabled person. “This highlights the amount of courage they have to have to go through life everyday,” Mascorella said. “It enables non-disabled people to have the same amount of courage, because going off a 345 story building takes a lot of courage.” One UNM student, Kari Harnick, is going “over the edge,” and has raised over $2,300 in efforts to do so. Kari is not afraid of heights, but is slightly nervous nonetheless, suppressing any fears by focusing on the goal of the fundraiser “just to open peoples’ minds and show people what it is,” Harnick said. “(Not only to) raise money but raise awareness.” Kari’s father, Dr. David Harnick, has served on the board of Special Olympics of New Mexico for
10 years. Not only is Kari following in her father’s professional footsteps, with the plan of joining his orthodontic practice after college, but she is planning on being highly active in the Special Olympics organization as well, potentially mirroring his current board position. “You can’t do anything better than helping people with learning and physical disabilities to improve their lives and their families’ lives,” the elder Harnick said. “It gives them a focal point. You ask a special athlete who they are and they tell you that they are a Special Olympian.” The younger Harnick said she could not agree more. “The athletes get the best treatment, anything they need and (access to) every sport. It is their life, you talk to them and they really consider themselves a part of the group,” Harnick said. “They need it to be who they are. They meet people in their situation and learn how to cope with their disability and be considered normal people, because for a long time they weren’t and they hate that more than anything.” Ryan Hanson, a Special Olympic athlete, is participating in the “Over the Edge” event as well, and although he is nervous he feels it is well worth it, treasuring the travel experiences brought about by his involvement in the Special Olympics over the nerves. Mascorella is extremely supportive of the fundraiser, which is raising funds for the five state-wide competitions organized by Special Olymics of New Mexico every year, and hopes to eventually have 80 people rappelling, each bringing in a minimum of a $1,000 sponsorship. “Any time you can take someone who is challenged with a disability and bring them into the mainstream of life, not only does that person value that experience but so do the non-disabled involved,” Mascorella said. “It gives all of us a chance to learn and grow by being together.”
Vanessa Sanchez / Daily Lobo Student Kari Harnick stands in front of the New Mexico Bank & Trust building downtown. Harnick will rappel down the building’s face Sept. 25 to fundraise for the New Mexico Special Olympics.
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