DACC will honor distinguished alumni April 8

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) will honor is 2021 class of distinguished alumni in a private ceremony Friday, April 8, and then they will be recognized at a DACC block party held that afternoon at DACC’s East Mesa campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.

The 2021 honorees “were chosen for their contributions to their professions and their communities,” DACC said in a news release.

Distinguished honorees are:

Martin G. Lopez, advanced technology. Lopez is general manager of the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority in southern New Mexico and a part-time instructor with the DACC Water Technology Program. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and agriculture economics from NMSU and two associate degrees from DACC in water technology and business technology. Lopez served as president of the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association and attended the Utility Management Institute in San Antonio. He has served as both a member and chair of the New Mexico Utility Operator Advisory Board.

• Jim “Jim Bob” Leon, business and public service. Leon is a 2017 graduate of DACC with an associate degree of science in culinary arts. He moved to Las Cruces from Ohio with a passion for slow-smoked barbeque, DACC said. At DACC, Leon served as president of the Culinary Service Club and began cooking professionally at a local brewery. After graduation, Leon opened his first restaurant, Jim Bob’s BBQ, eventually opening a second location at Las Cruces International Airport.
• Maria G. Terrazas, Centers for Education and Career Development. Terrazas received a high school equivalency certification in 2020 after enrolling and studying at DACC. She manages her own business, a kiosk at a local mall. Before enrolling at DACC, Terrazas worked as a nursing assistant and previously received training in Mexico as an accountant and executive assistant, DACC said. Terrazas has served as a volunteer for the Catholic Church, Communities in Action (also known as CAFE or Comunidades en Accion y Fe). She also participated in a Catholic social ministry in Washington in 2019 to represent local immigrants. In 2020, Terrazas participated in a national faith forum.
• Karl Ngoye, health sciences. Ngoye graduated from DACC with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in 2015. He earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from NMSU and is now employed with Memorial Medical Center, where he has assisted and managed emergent and critical care situations. Ngoye has received the hospital’s Daisy Achievement Award multiple times, acknowledging his outstanding patient care. In addition, Ngoye has received four other awards during his career in nursing. He currently works as a clinical instructor for the ADN program and serves as a volunteer for Jardin de los Niños and Las Cruces First Baptist Church and has assisted disadvantaged children from Cuidad Juarez, Mexico.