News Release

Oct. 12, 2001

PNM Professorship Goes to Program's Creator

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Las Cruces: With literally dozens of New Mexico State University (NMSU) graduates in key positions, PNM has long realized the quality of the school's electrical engineering department. Now the company and the PNM Foundation are helping to ensure a steady stream of engineering professionals by contributing $750,000 toward the endowment of the PNM Professorship/Chair in Utility Management.

"The utility industry has a continuing need for engineers prepared to enter into management positions," said PNM President and CEO Jeff Sterba. "We have firsthand experience with NMSU graduates. We salute the program and are pleased to be able to support it into the future."

Barbara Barsky, president of the PNM Foundation, said, "Endowing the professorship makes sense not only for the company, but also for the Foundation, because our primary focus is promoting teacher excellence. Funding the professorship will help the university attract great educators." 

William H. Kersting, a longtime faculty member, has been named as the first PNM Professor in Utility Management. Kersting received a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from NMSU in 1959 and a master of science in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1965. He has been on the faculty of the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NMSU since 1962. 

In 1968, Kersting founded the Electric Utility Management Program, where students take advanced courses in electric power engineering, as well as courses in economics, utility regulation, management and marketing. More than 200 students have graduated from the program, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in the utility industry.

"The purpose of the program is to develop young engineers who can go to work in the electric utility industry, but who will have a larger picture of what's involved in the industry and will be qualified to move into management," said Kersting. 

The endowment was announced today by university president, Dr. Jay Gogue during the rededication of Goddard Hall in the engineering complex at NMSU. Gogue will also recognize PNM representatives at the homecoming football game on Saturday.