John Kramer, Gamma Nu/New Mexico State 1987, was recently presented the Distinguished Alumni Award by the New Mexico State University Alumni Association at the NMSU Homecoming game held Nov. 8, 2014.
Kelly Jones, Assistant Editor of The Rattle, recently spoke with Brother Kramer about his award.
How does it feel to be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by your alma mater?
“It is an incredible feeling to have an institution that has been so foundational to the success in my life recognizes me in this way,” said Kramer. “Most of all it sets a certain expectation for the rest of my life,” he continued.
According to the New Mexico State University Alumni Association’s facebook article, you were honored with the award for your contributions to NMSU’s scholarship programs over the years, for your lectures on public relations tactics, and more recently for your work to bring Gamma Nu Chapter back to NMSU campus. What are some of the things that you have been doing to make this happen?
“I’m working closely with the Theta Chi Headquarters to re-colonize the Gamma Nu Chapter at New Mexico State University. We recently met with the Dean of Students office and, if all goes well, we may be able to restore the Gamma Nu Chapter by the spring of 2016,” said Kramer “It will be great to reunite all the brothers and give us all yet another reason to go to our old school come homecoming time,” he added.
As an alumnus, what effect has your Theta Chi experience had on your adult life?
“Even decades after graduating, many of my closest friends remain the brothers of Theta Chi from my college days,” said Kramer. “We can spend many years apart, but as soon as we’re reunited, it is like no time at all has expired; we can talk in each other’s shorthand and that common bond of brotherhood remains just as strong today as it was during our college days,” he said.
The following article has been posted with permission from New Mexico State University Alumni Association.
NMSU Alumni Association presents Distinguished Alumni Award
For the past 58 years, the New Mexico State University Alumni Association has presented accomplished alumni with the association’s highest honor—the Distinguished Alumni Award.
This award carries the tradition of excellence New Mexico State University has upheld throughout the years, and each Distinguished Alumni is selected based on personal accomplishment, professional achievement, or charitable service. Since the award's inception in 1956, New Mexico State University has recognized over 450 alumni as standouts in their community, university, and career fields.
The New Mexico State University Alumni Association will be highlighting the 2014 NMSU Distinguished Alumni once a week until NMSU Homecoming Please help us honor these extraordinary Aggies.
The NMSU College of Arts and Sciences, Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni is John Kramer '88.
When John Kramer, ’88, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism 26 years ago, he knew he wanted to stay involved with NMSU.
“The university afforded me the skills I needed to enjoy a successful career and, following the example of so many I met there who were either classmates, professors, or part of the administration, I continually look to see how I may be of service to others.”
Now the Vice President for Communications at the Institute for Justice, where he works to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans, John has provided financial contributions to NMSU’s scholarship programs over the years and has returned several times to lecture on public relations tactics for undergraduate classes. He is also working with the university and the national headquarters of Theta Chi Fraternity to get the Gamma Nu Chapter of Theta Chi re-chartered at NMSU. He says the idea that those actions added up to a life others consider distinguished just rekindles his desire to work harder and do better, offering a helping hand to others as a partial repayment to those who helped him get where he is today.
John is most grateful for the support of four people: His mother, who raised nine kids on her own after the early passing of his father; his wife, Holly, who he says is the love, inspiration, and driving force in his life; Dr. J. Sean McCleneghan, who nominated John and mentored him during and after his days at NMSU; and his brother, Pete, who showed him the importance and joy of being social.
John is not alone when it comes to sharing Aggie pride. His family members Joseph Kramer, Mary Kramer, Elizabeth (Kramer) Quirk, Thérèse Kramer, and Peter Kramer also graduated from NMSU.
To view the facebook article, visit https://www.facebook.com/NMSUAlumni/photos/a.10151437752730368.828423.77349435367/10154446516840368/?type=1