The Alma Mater (in Latin means “Nourishing” or “Dear Mother”) was a source of contention at UNM in 1947. The original Alma Mater was set to the tune of “AnnieLyle,” which was an unpopular tune with the student body for a long period of time.

The student body voted in a general election to change the Alma Mater and found Glee Club Director Craig Summers to oblige. Actually Mr. Summers and his father wrote the present Alma Mater three years before and called it “The New Mexico Hymn.”