00. Dev Fall 05.indd - UNM Foundation

Art Charette endowed a Presidential Scholarship
in his wife’s memory.
Otilio Ruiz, left, and Chuy Martinez entertain at Tables of Content.
Credit: Hari Ziznewski
Jane Butel converses
about Southwestern cuisine.
Clockwise from left are Charlotte Knipfing, table host news anchor
Dick Knipfing, Bruce Marsh, guest of RMCI sponsor, Donna Rust and
Camila Alire, Dean of University Libraries.
Foundation Board of Directors, contributing his time and talent for 10 years. Although now a resident of
California, Charette remains an active member of the UNM community.
In light of his wife’s strong ties to UNM, at her passing in 1972, Charette thought it fitting to endow a
Presidential Scholarship in her memory. “When this program was instituted in 1976, it caught my attention
as an ideal way to encourage many of New Mexico’s brightest students to stay in the state,” he says. Recently,
he’s added another endowment to his list of contributions to the University, the Clinton and Grace Koch
Endowment in the Literature of the Americas. This endowment to UNM’s Center for Southwest Research
Special Collections will enable the center to add significantly to the collections and will enrich research
opportunities for students and faculty, while aiding processing, digitalization and preservation.” He is
particularly pleased to support this unique UNM facility. “What a great resource it is, and a marvelous way
for students and visiting scholars to see the importance of UNM’s relationship to Latin America,” he says.
Charette chose the library when establishing this endowment fund to honor the memory of his late
wife’s parents, and the Koch family’s long involvement with the University. Eight of the Koch’s children, six
grandchildren and one great grandchild (so far) have attended UNM. Books and the University Library were
always an important part of Koch family life. For Charette, “The library is the heart of any university.”
Despite close ties to Stanford, and a graduate degree from Harvard, Charette considers UNM the pearl of
his academic experience. “UNM expanded my horizons and enriched my life,” he says. “I’ve gotten a great
deal of pleasure seeing UNM expand and grow over the years.” He still comes to Albuquerque occasionally to
visit family and his Presidential Scholar. During each trip, he can’t leave without stopping for breakfast at the
Frontier Restaurant, a favorite UNM hangout.
When he can’t make it to New Mexico for a visit, he’s found a way to bring a little taste of the state to him.
A member of the Northern California UNM Alumni Association, Charette participates in a special fall
tradition. “We import chiles from Hatch to roast together.” Just as the University community is grateful for
alumni like Charette, he likewise feels “honored and privileged to be associated with UNM.”
Credit: Hari Ziznewski
Credit: Hari Ziznewski
Mike Kelly, director of the Center for Southwest Research/Special Collections,
left, talks with event sponsor, Daniel T. Kelly, and John O. Baxter.
From left are Lisa Lenard-Cook, among the guests of top-sponsor, RMCI Inc.,
table host author Rudolfo Anaya, Mike Krasnow and Virginia Seiser.
Credit: Hari Ziznewski
Credit: Hari Ziznewski
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