In Memory of Richard Mermejo

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Richard Mermejo, former Governor of Picuris Pueblo, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Richard was a beloved member of the extended Barnard community, having served as the tribal liaison for the college’s archaeological field program in New Mexico, which since 2017 has focused on the cultural history of his ancestors. In that context, Richard mentored dozens of Barnard students, working with them daily in the field and continuing to consult with them on their senior theses during the academic year. In 2022, he led a delegation to visit Barnard, meeting with students and performing a traditional Basket Dance alongside other Picuris tribal members on Low Plaza as part of the college’s first formal celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In recognition of the generous mentorship he has offered our students, Richard was invited to march in Barnard’s 2023 commencement ceremony an honorary professor. He is greatly missed.