Aggie Pride runs deep in the Marrufo family bloodline

Elizabeth Marrufo ’78 ’82 ’87 ’09 not only holds an impressive four degrees from NMSU, but she also was the first of eight members of the Marrufo family to graduate from the same university.

Marrufo earned bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and family and consumer science, kickstarting a long career in education. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in educational leadership.

Marrufo’s sister, Elsa Diane Marrufo ’81 ’88, earned the family’s next NMSU degree, when she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from the College of Education, now known as the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation. She went on to earn a master’s degree in educational administration.

Other members of the Marrufo family who earned degrees from NMSU are brother Joe Marrufo Jr. ’85, sister Jacqueline McCravey ’00, and nieces Kristen Tyler ’05, Felicity Marrufo ’08 ’12, Brittany Lankford ’10 ’12 and Megan Burton ’13 ’15. In all, the family has earned 15 degrees with NMSU, with one family member, Desiree Marrufo, currently majoring in business and accounting at NMSU.

Joe and Josephine Marrufo, parents and grandparents of the Marrufo family, were born and raised in Deming, New Mexico. Joe Marrufo Sr. was a New Mexico State Police officer who was assigned to different districts across the state. The assignments meant the family got to live in various regions of the state, including the Four Corners area in Farmington and Shiprock, along with Anthony, Grants and Las Cruces. Josephine Marrufo worked as a paraprofessional in education while coaching a soccer team and advising a youth group. Her experiences became a source of great inspiration for the rest of the family.

Education was important to the family, who chose to attend NMSU because of its positive reputation, wide range of educational and social advancement opportunities, national ranking among Hispanic-serving Institutions, availability of academic and New Mexico Lottery scholarships, and affordability. As a bonus, the tight-knit family was able to stay close to home.

“Our family has that crimson pride,” says Elizabeth Marrufo, who retired as an administrator for Las Cruces Public Schools following a 30-year career. “Our family greatly values education, and NMSU aligned with our values.”

Thanks to the first generation of Marrufos who chose to attend NMSU, a new generation is now able to take advantage of everything the university has to offer.

“The first-generation family members shared their positive experiences and interactions with the subsequent generation, and that created a lasting impression on them,” Elizabeth Marrufo says.