I have been an Aggie for a little over a year. Since I love the serenity and scenery of the New Mexico State University campus, I always make it a habit to not take shortcuts when walking from building A to building B. For instance, going from my workplace in Knox Hall to the Activity Center, I would take the South Horseshoe St, then turn slightly right towards the Branson library, head to Frenger St., walk around the Zhul Library and Breland Hall, and then to the gym. The shortest way would have been to just follow Stewart St. and walk straight for a few blocks. But, I prefer to take the longer route.

In some weekday afternoons when there is a deep craving for Starbucks coffee, the best option would have been to walk from Knox Hall to Starbucks located at the corner of E. University Ave. and Espina St. Yet, my love for walking inside NMSU campus oftentimes supersedes the logic of efficiency and rationality. I would find myself sacrificing few minutes of my work time, walking in between buildings, crisscrossing the greens, and eventually buying my cup of coffee at Starbucks inside the Barnes & Noble building!

Weekends are not an exemption. Rather than running indoors at the gym, I run around the campus.

The past couple of weekends, I opted to walk.

Fall sceneries decorated the sidewalks as leaves radiate in myriad colors. Barely holding on to the twigs, I took photos before the leaves would finally succumb to the winds.

I noticed few sculptures and monuments that are placed around the campus. Some are hidden between buildings, some are in full view. I found some of them.

Do you know what they are?

1. The Traders.

Made of bronze, by Duke Sundt. Circa 1988. This statue is located behind the College of Health & Social Services.

2. A Quest for Knowledge.

This steel and granite sculpture was created by Albuquerque native Federico Armijo. It is about 20-ft wide. This is located north of of the Zuhl Library.

3. Joy of Learning.

Near Branson Hall, this sculpture was created by Grant Kinzer, former NMSU Department Head of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science. Circa 1988.

4. Miller Field Gates.

Located near Skeen Hall, the gates were built by New Mexico A&M senior class in 1924. They were named for John Oliver Miller, who was registrar and volunteer coach of the highly successful football team from 1901 to 1908.

5. Equatorial Sundial.

Located in front of Hadley Hall, this large equatorial dial was constructed in 1974. The sculpture, which was designed by Gerald E. Ohsfeld, is in memory of Raye Hines Rigney, class of 1911.

6. Murray Corliss Steam Engine.

Circa 1912. This 30-hp steam engine was installed in the Mechanical Engineering building in 1914. The engine was used to generate power for many years.

7. Frank Bromilow Monument.

There is a monument in front of the engineering complex that is dedicated to Frank Bromilow. Prof. Bromilow was dean of the College of Engineering and director of the Engineering Experiment Station— positions he held until his death in 1974. The area where the monument stands is now called the Frank Bromilow Mall.

8. New Mexico Historic Women Marker.

At first, I didn’t understand this marker until I did a little research. According to NMSU’s post, this historical sign was placed to honor the legacy of Maria Gutierrez Spencer, a pioneer of bilingual and bicultural education and advocate of the indo-hispanic experience. She was the founder of the Bicultural Orientation and Language Development Program in Silver City, New Mexico, a first of its kind. The marker is located on Espina Street (NM Highway 38) between E. University Avenue and Stewart Street.

9. Old Tractor.

Since I could not find any description around it, I am not sure what’s the significance of this old tractor. Anyway, it is located near Skeen Hall.

10. Clock of Dreams.

Time. Work. Inspiration. Chance. And the whim of nature. This structure, built in 1997, can be found in front of the Engineering building.

11. Hugh M. Milton II.

The Hugh Meglone Milton II statue is located in that small space between Domenici and Milton halls. From a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 1924, to a Dean of Engineering, to President of New Mexico State University in 1938, Hugh M. Milton II served the U.S. Army as a Major General during the second World War.

If you really would want to walk around the NMSU campus, I would suggest taking a walk close to sunset. You don’t want to miss the spectacular tint of orange in the horizon, do you? This view was taken behind the Chamisa Village building.

Have you been to the pond at sunset?

So how many sculptures are you familiar with?

I will update this post if I see more sculptures around the campus. If you know one, please leave a comment below.

Go Aggies!