Montoya Campus History
The Montoya Campus, located at the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, opened its doors on Tuesday, September 4, 1979, with an enrollment of 400 students. The Montoya Campus construction history includes the H Building (1979), the J, G, and GT Buildings (1980), the K Building (1987), Tom Wiley Hall (1990), the J Building addition (1996) that includes the library, and the I Building completed in 2002. Construction of a new bookstore and faculty office builing is planned for 2008. Current enrollment at the Montoya Campus ranges from over 4,000 to 5,000 students.
Joseph M. Montoya
The Montoya Campus is named after Senator Joseph M. Montoya (1915-1978) whose long public service career included terms as New Mexico's Lieutenant Governor, state Representative, and state Senator; as well as United States Representative and Senator. Senator Montoya was recognized as a diligent legislator particularly devoted to issues concerning agriculture, civil rights, education, health care, alien workers, and the economic well-being of his New Mexico constituents.
Joseph Montoya was born in Peña Blanca, and graduated from Georgetown Law School in 1938. He was admitted to the bar the next year and practiced law in Santa Fe. He was elected to the United States Senate to complete the term of Dennis Chavez. He served until January 3, 1977. Senator Montoya died in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 1978.
