SANTA FE (February, 2009) The official logo design that will be used to identify and promote the Centennial anniversary of New Mexico's statehood was unveiled at a press conference next Thursday, February 19th. The unveiling took place at 3:00pm during "Culture Day" in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Santa Fe.

The Governor-appointed Centennial Task Force, House and Senate leadership, along with members of a steering committee, selected the logo from among designs submitted by students at the Art Center Design College of Albuquerque. The winning logo was created by Ryan Rodriguez, a graduate student at the College, who will also attend the February 19 unveiling ceremony.

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish introduced the student designer and unveil the Centennial logo. She also presented the Centennial Graduates Initiative, which will involve numerous projects statewide for New Mexico high school students who will graduate in 2012.

Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman hosted the event, joined by Mike Cerletti, Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico Tourism, and State Historian Estevan Rael-Galvez. Centennial organizers envision the state's 100-year anniversary of statehood as an important opportunity to celebrate New Mexico's vibrant past while looking ahead to the next one hundred years.

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish with the NM Centennial Logo designer, Ryan Rodriguez.