SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) – Western New Mexico University is experiencing steady growth, with a 5% increase in first-year student enrollment. Story continues below Investigation: Arresting deputy refuses to testify in DWI license hearing News: City employees required to pick up trash during work hours ahead of Balloon Fiesta Community: City of Albuquerque officially opens long anticipated slide near Tijeras Canyon Trending: Neighbor speaks out about Sunday’s police shooting in Valencia County In the lead-up to the fall semester, the university received a record number of first-year applications, highlighting the rising interest among high school graduates, according to the university. The university attributed the growth to the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, which provides qualifying New Mexicans tuition-free access to education and training.