The University of New Mexico is commemorating 135 trips around the sun with its annual Lobo Day celebration: Lobo Day 2024. To join in, head to the Cornell Mall, east of the Student Union Building (SUB) on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. with your LoboID.

This year, Lobo Day is space-themed to highlight UNM’s significant contributions to space exploration and research. The chosen theme is designed to recognize the instrumental UNM programs pushing space science and exploration boundaries. Pop in and out of the festivities between classes as you wish.

"Lobo Day is an exciting celebration of UNM's birthday, usually consisting of a large group photo in matching new shirts, desserts, a photo booth, and a noontime concert by ASUNM Student Special Events," said Anthony Rice, executive director of Associated Students at the University of New Mexico  (ASUNM) Lobo Spirit. "To celebrate UNM’s 135th birthday this year, in addition to everything mentioned above, we are bringing in spaced-themed information tables from different departments/areas around campus and a rock wall.” 

For the first time in Lobo Day history, check out the 10 interactive displays to learn the ins and outs of space and the research that UNM plays an instrumental part. The groups include the Meteorite Museum, April Eclipse, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space and Air Force ROTC, the UNM Observatory, the Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies, and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.

More information on the groups and programs tabling Lobo Day can be found here.

There will be a hard-to-miss line of students eager to get the 2024 Lobo Day T-shirt. The UNM Student Activities Center team recommends that those seeking a T-shirt arrive early at Cornell Mall to be the first in line.

“To guarantee a shirt and be in the large group photo, people usually start lining up around an hour early, 10:45 AM in this case, but plenty of people still get shirts when arriving later. Anyone wearing red is welcome to participate in the picture, even if they can't get one of the 135 free shirts,” said Rice.

There are 135 T-shirts to correspond with 135 years of Lobo Days.

This year, the available T-shirt sizes range from small to XXXL. Each shirt has a hidden easter egg that gives a nod to the famous “Center of the Universe” concrete structure on campus. For those who won’t make it that afternoon, Lobo Day shirts will also be available at the UNM Bookstore until they are sold out.

As is customary for Lobo Day, UNM President Garnett S. Stokes will give a speech and introduction along with Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Holloway and Eric Scott, vice president for Student Affairs. ASUNM Student Special Events will also ring in the next year at UNM with live music.

Next, squeeze into a campus-wide group photo at the Student Health and Counseling ramps. Each year, the group photos get printed and hung in the Student Union Building, and the previous year’s photo retire to their perch on the La Posada dining hall walls.

After you get your shirt, listen to the speeches and take the group photo, then go up the ramp for Lobo Day dorm posters and stickers sporting the Lobo Day logo and Lobo Louie and Lucy cookies. What kind of a birthday celebration would this be if not for desserts and Snugglecubs Cookies? Take a peek at the rock wall and scan the tables for all they offer.

Lobo Day 2024 is brought to life by ASUNM Lobo Spirit and UNM Student Activities Center. Students who wish to volunteer and get first pickings of the T-shirts should contact Anthony Rice of ASUNM Lobo Spirit.