SOCORRO, N.M. – New Mexico Tech President Dr. Stephen Wells officially unveiled the new university logo design earlier today at the Athletic Field during the annual 49ers Celebration.

To note the occasion, Dr. Wells and top administrators handed out more than 400 free T-shirts to students, alumni, and employees at the rugby game. Wells made the presentation between the women’s and men’s rugby games. Another 600 T-shirts will be given away during the rest of 49ers. 

“This is an exciting time for the university because we officially unveiled our mascot and our logo representing that mascot,” Wells said. “This is an exciting design of a pick axe, leaning forward, cutting through NMT, cutting a swatch for the future of our university.”

(Pictured are (from left) Dave Wheelock, Dr. Stephen Wells, David Gonzalez, Deborah Peacock, and Veronica Espinoza.)

Wells was joined by Board of Regents members David Gonzalez, Deborah Peacock and Veronica Espinoza, and former rugby coach Dave Wheelock for the reveal. The rugby teams were sporting their new jerseys, while Wells and the Regents wore new polo shirts.

Merchandise with the new logo was made available at the Tech Bookstore, including T-shirts, polos, long-sleeve shirts and hats.

“I think this is a good display of who we are,” Wells said. “I hope this excitement carries on for our university and our sports programs.”

The unveiling completes a year-long initiative to formalize NMT’s mascot. In August 2018, Wells and the Board of Regents put forth an initiative to adopt an official mascot. While Miners was widely considered the mascot of the university for decades, no previous administration or board action had ever formalized it. Alumni, faculty, staff, and students submitted suggestions, then cast their ballots online for five finalists in October 2018.

The NMT community cast over 1,500 votes, ending a two-month process and electing Miners as the official mascot for the university by an overwhelming margin.

– NMT—