New Mexico Military Institute Celebrates 125 Years of Success

Quasquicentennial Festivities Begin

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Jul 01, 2016, 02:00 ET

ROSWELL, N.M., July 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Major General Jerry Grizzle announced today that he is designating July 2016 through July 2017 as New Mexico Military Institutes "Quasquicentennial - a year-long observance" that celebrates 125 years of Duty, Honor and Achievement for NMMI, including the iconic importance to Roswell and the State of New Mexico. As the birthplace of the Future Leaders of Tomorrow, NMMI will celebrate the Quasquicentennial anniversary with Ceremonies, Events, and Inspirational Speakers, then, of course, Homecoming in October. Also, we kick off the 125^th Campaign, which will raise revenue for Scholarships and Cadet Activities.

"New Mexico was the perfect location for one of the nation's most impressive Military Schools, founded in 1891, and since that time our state has become the pivotal gateway for some of the most prestigious and successful Leaders in the present day," MG Jerry Grizzle said. "The storied history of the school is directly connected to the State of New Mexico, and we are proud of the critical asset this state has been able to provide for our Institute over the years."

New Mexico Military Institute was founded by Colonel Robert S. Goss and Captain Joseph C. Lea in 1891, originally as the Goss Military Academy, with an initial enrollment of 28 students. In 1895 it acquired the land at its current location, and in 1912 it received land-grant status and revenue from the New Mexico government.

Hundreds of Institute graduates served in World War I and World War II, including Medal of Honor recipient John C. Morgan and hotelier Conrad Hilton of Hilton Hotels fame. In 1948, the Institute introduced a four-year liberal arts college program but discontinued it in 1956. The Institute became a fully coeducational High School and Junior College in 1977, although some females had attended as non-cadet day students from 1891 to 1898. The current superintendent, Major General (Retired) Jerry W. Grizzle, was appointed in 2009. Duty, Honor, Achievement.

Additional information on the celebration and New Mexico Military Institute can be found on its official website www.nmmi.edu.

If you would like more information about the 125^th Celebration, please contact LTC. Colleen Cole-Velasquez at 575-624-8011 or email at [email protected].