Annually, the University Communication and Marketing (UCAM) Department compiles a list of its top-10 general news stories during the course of the year. Below is the list of UNM's top-10 general news stories for 2017. The stories are in random order.

Garnett S. Stokes appointed president of The University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has unanimously selected Garnett S. Stokes as its 22nd president. Stokes, 61, will succeed Interim President Chaouki Abdallah, who has served in the role since the beginning of 2017. Stokes takes office March 1, 2018.

How Native languages lead to better outcomes
The University of New Mexico is part of a $1 million, multi-university study designed to examine the effect Indigenous-language immersion schools have on Native American student success, both in the classroom and beyond.

Investment in student success paying dividends at UNM
The University of New Mexico’s investment in student success is paying off with a record number of graduates this spring and a continued climb in the graduation rates for students completing degrees in four years and in six years.

Werner-Washburne receives AAAS Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement
Margaret Werner-Washburne, Regents Professor Emerita of Biology at The University of New Mexico and principal investigator of the UNM-IMSD program, will receive the Lifetime Mentor Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Venues renamed Dreamstyle Stadium & Dreamstyle Arena
As a young child, perhaps that's where the seeds of today lay. Larry Chavez, as a 15-year old teenager, inside a large football stadium, selling sodas in the stands as the Lobos played football. When you are young, you can dream of anything. Today, that stadium will figuratively become a place where dreams can come true. In what will be the largest philanthropic agreement in the history of the UNM Athletic Department, Dreamstyle Remodeling, Inc., a local company with roots in Albuquerque since the 1980s, has signed an agreement for 10 years and $10 million that will rename two major athletic facilities.

A Lobo Rainforest in the desert
Building a rainforest in the desert sure sounds like a crazy idea, but officials at UNM, and other stakeholders including the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo county and other private partners, hope it rains economic opportunity much like a rainforest provides moisture.

UNM promotes six to rank of Distinguished Professor
University of New Mexico Interim Provost Craig White and Health Sciences Center Chancellor Paul Roth announced the promotion of six faculty to the rank of Distinguished Professor. They include: Mark Burge, Ke Jian “Jim” Liu, Kurt Nolte, Anil Prinja, Jim Stone and Adrian Brearley.

UNM women's cross country team wins 2017 NCAA Title
For the second time in the last three years, the Lobo women's cross country team won the national title at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in Louisville, relying on a dominant performance by individual winner Ednah Kurgat for its second team title ever.

Stroke recovery and socializing through song
For many people, the holiday season is a time for writing Christmas cards, singing festive songs and catching up with friends and family. But for people who have experienced a stroke or other brain injuries, these small tasks of writing, singing or speaking holiday cheer can take an enormous amount of effort. That’s why one University of New Mexico faculty member created the Neuro Choir, a group of singers dedicated to supporting and including members recovering from brain injury. 

Urlacher officially enshrined into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame
The New York Hilton Midtown's Grand Ballroom played host to Urlacher and an all-star cast of history's greatest football legends and the sport's most promising student-athletes during the 60th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner Tuesday night.