Birds were flying south for winter over the weekend as hundreds of people from across the country flocked to the sun-kissed, mountain vistas of the campus of New Mexico State University for the 25th anniversary of the Imagining America (IA) Gathering.

Three days of immersive experiences began Oct. 3 with a joyful opening plenary. Mariachis ignited the festive gathering with lively music joined by colorful ballet folklórico dancers. Tortugas Pueblo Cacique Patrick Narvaez opened the event with a blessing for participants at the gathering.

NMSU President Valerio Ferme and IA Managing Director Stephanie Maroney embraced the audience of scholars, students and community in the Atkinson Recital Hall. Ferme thanked the Imagining America leadership for their vision in creating the annual event 25 years ago. Imagining America is a national consortium of colleges and universities that promotes public scholarship and practice in the arts, humanities and design to foster a more just and equitable society.