SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University's (NMSU) Library recently received a significant endowment gift from John Porter Bloom, the grandson of one of NMSU’s founders. The donation honors the legacy of John R. McFie and will bolster the Archives and Special Collections department.

Bloom expressed his satisfaction with the decision to accept this endowment, which acknowledges the historic role of John R. McFie. He shared his personal connection with Las Cruces and NMSU through his mother, who was brought to Las Cruces as a child and later graduated from A&M College in 1903.

Dennis Daily, department head of Archives and Special Collections, highlighted that the endowment would provide continuous funding for several crucial initiatives. These include establishing the John R. McFie Gallery of NMSU History, funding a research fellowship in the Archives for NMSU history students, offering student employment and internships in the Archives, acquiring new collections related to New Mexico and border history, and financing lectures on borderlands history.

Kevin Comerford, dean of NMSU Library, emphasized that financial gifts like Bloom's endowment are vital to the success of NMSU Library and its Archives and Special Collections Department. He stated that such support not only recognizes important figures in southern New Mexico history but also provides opportunities for today’s students.

Bloom is a public historian who co-founded and later presided over the Western History Association. During his career, he worked at the National Archives in Washington as an editor of ‘Territorial Papers of the US’ and was designated senior specialist for Western History.

McFie played a crucial role in establishing the college in Las Cruces in 1888. His contributions included organizing meetings of leading residents, serving as president of both the Las Cruces College Board of Trustees and Board of Regents of the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.

Daily explained that McFie led a committee of Mesilla Valley residents to advocate for establishing the college in Las Cruces. Their efforts resulted in the passage of the Rodey Act, which established the agricultural college at Las Cruces.

Bloom also recalled that when it was time for the College to construct its first building, it was named after his grandfather. He noted that McFie's significant contributions were recognized statewide when he passed away in 1930, and state flags were lowered to half-staff in tribute.

McFie was a pioneer lawyer, Supreme Court Judge, and proactive citizen in New Mexico. His accomplishments included founding and serving on the board of directors of the Presbyterian Sanitarium in Albuquerque, presiding over the New Mexico Archaeological Society from its inception until his death, and serving as president of the Board of Regents of the Museum of New Mexico from its beginning until his death.

Endowments like these provide crucial funding for work at NMSU Library’s Archives and Special Collections department. They also directly benefit students by giving them access to unique collections for class projects, research, theses and dissertations, as well as experiential learning opportunities through internships and employment.

Daily stressed that such funds are essential for their program's efforts in collecting and preserving primary source documentation of New Mexico and borderland history. He added that they highly value relationships with community members who support them through financial gifts or donations of important historical materials.

Comerford expressed gratitude to Bloom for his transformative gift that contributes to preserving and enriching NMSU’s heritage. He said Bloom's support allows them to continue documenting NMSU’s past, present, and future.

An event will be held on Thursday, June 27th to inaugurate the John R. McFie Gallery of NMSU History at Branson Hall’s 4th floor at the NMSU Library Archives and Special Collections department.