Mexican agriculture secretary to visit NMSU, sign agreement with APLU

Mexican agriculture secretary to visit NMSU, sign agreement with APLU DATE: 09/01/2016 WRITER: Adriana M. Chavez, 575-646-1957, adchavez@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Cornell Menking, 575-646-7041, cmenking@nmsu.edu José Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa, a New Mexico State University graduate and minister of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, will visit the NMSU campus Sept. 9. During his visit, Calzada Rovirosa and Peter McPherson, president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, will sign a memorandum of understanding committing to strengthening communication; promoting scientific research, knowledge transfer and technological innovation; and collaborating with Latin America, the Caribbean and other countries on research, extension, training and assessment. The signing will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 9 in Hadley Hall, Room 130. The public is invited to attend. During his visit, Calzada Rovirosa is scheduled to meet with NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers, Provost Dan Howard and Rolando Flores, the new dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “We’re very excited that the Secretary of Agriculture would come back to visit NMSU where he earned his MBA and return to where his daughter was born,” Carruthers said. “We know he is very fond of the university and we have a fondness for the people of Mexico as we continue to work together on a number of efforts.” Calzada Rovirosa will also speak with NMSU students during a Domenici Institute Forum at 2 p.m. at the KRWG-TV studio in Milton Hall. Calzada Rovirosa will join Edward Avalos, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture, and Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, at the Domenici Institute Forum, which is sponsored by First National Rio Grande. A reception and question-and-answer session with additional students will follow at Domenici Hall. The public is invited to attend both events. In August 2015, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto appointed Calzada Rovirosa, who holds a master’s degree in business administration from NMSU, as the country’s agriculture secretary. From 2009 until his appointment, Calzada Rovirosa was the governor of the Mexican state of Querétaro. In 2009, Calzada Rovirosa received an honorary degree from NMSU in recognition for his dedication to serving the people of Mexico, especially in his home state of Querétaro. During his career in public service, he has focused on economic reforms and championed worker’s rights and environmental causes, all while continuing to show support of NMSU. Calzada Rovirosa is married to Sandra Albarran. They have three children, Sandra (born in Las Cruces), José and Diego. Calzada Rovirosa’s niece and brother both attended NMSU as well, graduating in 2008 and 1982. NMSU’s Office of International and Border Programs, along with the College of ACES and the NMSU President’s office, are helping coordinate Calzada Rovirosa’s visit. “We are delighted to help Chancellor Carruthers host Secretary Calzada at NMSU. While he was governor of Queretero he received a delegation led by interim NMSU President Manuel Pacheco and we are delighted to have the opportunity to reciprocate and receive him in Las Cruces,” said Cornell Menking, associate provost of International and Border Program. “It is also well-timed to receive the Secretary of Agriculture of Mexico since we are involved in many exciting initiatives in Mexico, including some involving agriculture and extension at a national level.” Calzada is expected to attend the Sept. 10 football game against UNM at Aggie Memorial Stadium.