Daniel H Lopez

Dr. Daniel H. López is the longest serving President at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Since his appointment as President in 1993, Dr. López has overseen significant growth at the university - in research projects, student population and overall budget. A native of rural Puerto de Luna, New Mexico, Dr. López served four years in the Air Force before earning three degrees from the University of New Mexico, all in political science. Prior to coming to New Mexico Tech in 1987, Dr. López held several key leadership positions in state government and education. Under Governor Toney Anaya, he served as secretary of the state Employment Security Department for two years and secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration for two years. He first came to Socorro as associate director of the Terminal Effects Research and Analysis Group (TERA), which later became EMRTC. After four years as Vice President of Institutional Development, he was hired as president in 1993. Dr. López' experience with state government in Santa Fe has made him an effective champion for New Mexico Tech throughout the years. As the president of the Council of University Presidents, he is also a spokesman for all higher education in the state. He and his wife, Linda Vigil López, live in Socorro with their chihuahuas.