Former New Mexico State University men’s basketball head coach Lou Henson and his wife, Mary Henson, and New Mexico educator Herb Torres were honored earlier this month with the NMSU College of Education’s Aggie Cornerstone Award.
The award, which was established in 2012, recognizes excellence in education and individuals who have made a significant impact on New Mexico children and families. The honorees were recognized at a banquet on April 9 at the Las Cruces Convention Center.
College of Education Dean Michael Morehead said the college is proud to have honored the Hensons and Torres.
Of Lou and Mary Henson, Morehead said, “They both have been great leaders in our community, and have provided lifelong service to Las Cruces and our state. We are proud to have Lou as the college’s first Distinguished Alumni, and proud to now have both Mary and Lou Henson as Cornerstone Award honorees.”
Morehead called Torres an “educational pioneer in Southern New Mexico.”
“Herb is the best example of a lifelong educator and we thank him for his commitment to education,” Morehead said. “We were honored to have shared this night with (Herb) and his family, and to recognize Herb Torres as a recipient of the 2015 College of Education Aggie Cornerstone Award honoree.”
Lou Henson served as NMSU’s athletic director from 1968-1975, and he and his wife attended NMSU in the 1950s. The couple has established the Lou and Mary Henson Endowment Scholarship for NMSU Basketball, and the Lou and Mary Henson Annual Community Breakfast and Reception benefitting the Las Cruces Boys and Girls Club.
Mary Henson is also an active member of the NMSU Women’s Club, and serves on the board of Myrna’s Chilldren’s Village, Aggies for Kids.
Torres earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at NMSU, and has had a long career as an educator in New Mexico. He spent 17 years in the Gadsden Independent School District as a teacher, principal, associate superintendent and deputy superintendent. He’s also spent 18 years in the Silver Consolidated School District, including eight years as superintendent. He also worked for seven years as an administrator for the Las Cruces Catholic School.
In 2002, Torres became a college instructor and master’s program admissions adviser in the College of Education’s Educational Management & Development Department at NMSU. He remained at NMSU until 2007, when he became associate superintendent of operations for the Las Cruces Public Schools.
He retired in 2011 after spending 41 years in education.
Torres remains active in several organizations, including Rotary International, Lions International, Hispanic Staff & Faculty Caucus, Las Cruces Catholic School’s Board of Education and Serra Club of the Mesilla Valley.
Proceeds from ticket sales for the banquet will benefit the Aggie Cornerstone Scholarship.
Information from NMSU