UNM Honors Alumni to honor 2026 award recipients Oct. 21
October 8, 2026 - Alexandria Hewitt
The UNM Honors Alumni Association will celebrate the recipients of its 2026 UNM Alumni Association Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 21, recognizing four outstanding members of the UNM community whose leadership, service, scholarship and professional achievements embody the values of the Honors College.
This year’s honorees have made lasting contributions to education, athletics, healthcare, and the humanities, while strengthening communities across New Mexico and beyond. The 2026 award recipients are:
- Leslie Donovan, Professor, UNM Honors College
- Ryan Berryman, Vice President and Director of UNM Athletics
- Enrique Lamadrid, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Spanish
- Abdullah Shah, practicing dentist, La Clinica de Familia.
Distinguished Service Award:
Leslie Donovan, Ph.D.,
Professor, UNM Honors College; Editor, Mythopoeic Press
Beloved professor and scholar Leslie Donovan, Ph.D, has devoted decades of service to The University of New Mexico and the Honors College. Holding degrees in creative writing and journalism, and both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in English, Dr. Donovan’s scholarship spans medieval literature, Tolkien studies, mythology, gender and disability studies, and pedagogy. Her work has appeared in numerous scholarly publications, and she has presented extensively at national and international conferences while serving in leadership roles with the National Collegiate Honors Council and Mythopoeic Society.
Dr. Donovan’s time with Honors reflects an extraordinary commitment to students, faculty, and interdisciplinary education, serving in many capacities including mentor, chair of many Honors committees, faculty advisor, professor, and interim dean. Over the years, she has created interdisciplinary learning opportunities that encourage students to explore interests ranging from literature and creative writing to disability studies, publishing, global learning, and technology. Her dedication to both students and faculty has helped shape generations of Lobos and strengthened the culture of the Honors College.
Distinguished Alumni Award:
Ryan Berryman
Vice President and Director of UNM Athletics
A proud New Mexican and Honors College alumnus, Ryan Berryman earned his undergraduate degree, MBA, and master’s degree in sports administration from The University of New Mexico. He served as a student regent, worked as either a student manager, graduate assistant or director of operations under three Lobo men’s basketball coaches - Steve Alford, Craig Neal and Paul Weir - and has served in several roles in addition to his business operations duties within athletics.
Today, as Vice President and Director of Athletics at UNM, Berryman leads one of UNM’s most visible programs, while championing student success both on and off the field. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to developing student-athletes, creating opportunities for growth and representing UNM with excellence, integrity, and pride. Among the youngest athletic directories in Division I and the first UNM alumnus to lead Lobo athletics in the modern era, Berryman continues to strengthen the University’s tradition of achievement and community engagement.
Distinguished Alumni Award:
Enrique Lamadrid, Ph.D.
Distinguished UNM Professor Emeritus of Spanish; Co-founder and director of Conexiones
Enrique Lamadrid, Ph.D. earned his bachelor’s degree from UNM, and has spent decades advancing scholarship, cultural preservation, and experiential learning. As co-founder and longtime teacher of the Honors College’s Conexiones study abroad program in Spain, he has inspired generations of students through immersive, cross-cultural education and interdisciplinary inquiry.
An accomplished scholar, educator, and author, Dr. Lamadrid has written or edited more than 20 books focused on literary heritage, folklore, and bilingual children’s literature – many of which have won awards. He also serves as the editor of the UNM Press Querencias Series and has contributed extensively to the work of the Smithsonian Institute’s Festivals of American Folk Life, the Museum of New Mexico, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Through his teaching, mentoring, creative scholarship, and program leadership, Lamadrid has helped define the Honors College education at UNM and expand opportunities for students to engage deeply with language, culture, and community,
Distinguished Young Alumni Award:
Abdullah Shah, DDS, BSPH
Dentist, La Clinica de Familia
Dr. Abdullah Shah is a Rio Rancho native and general dentist practicing at La Clinica de Familia in Sunland Park, New Mexico. As part of a Federally Qualified Health Center, he provides dental care to underserved and low-income communities across southern New Mexico, helping expand access to essential healthcare services.
As a Presidential Scholar at UNM, Shah earned his bachelor’s degree in population health in just three years, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the Clauve Award. He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Creighton’s School of Dentistry as a National Health Service Corps scholar. Since graduating in 2023, Shah has been recognized for excellence in endodontics, implant dentistry, research, leadership, and community service, all as the youngest graduate in his class. His commitment to improving health outcomes through service and clinical excellence reflects the values of both the Honors College and The University of New Mexico.
For more information and to RSVP, visit the 2026 UNM Honors Alumni Awards page.
