Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 123, No. 113 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
May 10, 2014
SATURDAY
www.rdrnews.com
ENMU-Roswell has record number of grads JEFF TUCKER RECORD STAFF WRITER
A record number of Eastern New Mexico UniversityRoswell students received certificates and degrees Friday night at the 61st commencement convocation at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center. ENMU-Roswell president Dr. John Madden said 506 students graduated this spring, “yet another record for Eastern-Roswell,” Madden said. The graduates included 162 students of Roswell’s New Mexico Youth ChalleNGe Academy, who received certificates of employability. The academy is designed to reach atrisk youth before they become a permanent fixture in the criminal justice
and welfare systems. Academy students presented colors at the ceremonies. The commencement convocation was divided into two sessions Friday night at the civic center due to the large number of graduates, not to mention the hundreds of proud family members who nearly filled the civic center. Emely Stubbs Ponce gave the keynote address at both the 5 and 7 p.m. convocations. Stubbs Ponce said the graduates would be competing in a global marketplace and their certificates and degrees were a “stepping stone to success.” “Success is all about perspective,” Stubbs Ponce said. “Recognize this point in our lives is a direct result of effort.”
Danae Phillips, of Artesia, who received a certificate of employability in nursing assisting, said her graduation marked a new beginning. “I’m ecstatic,” Phillips said. “It means I can finally get over my past.” Sara Linares, of Roswell, who received a certificate of employability as a pharmacy technician, also said it was a big day in her life. “It means a lot,” Linares said. “It’s a big accomplishment. I’m extremely happy. I want to try and continue my education and hopefully get a job and be successful.” Levi Morales, of Roswell, who received a certificate of employability in welding technology, celebrated his graduation with a large contingent of family and
friends. “I feel great, happy,” Morales said. “I’m the first from my family to graduate from college and I feel really great.” Morales said his accomplishment inspired him to aim even higher. “I’m going to Minnesota and hopefully going to college with my sister in Minnesota,” Morales said. Cristina Caro, of Dexter, who received a certificate of occupational training in bookkeeping/accounting, said she hoped her graduation would inspire her children. “It is my dream come true,” Caro said. “It’s a lot of effort. I can set an example for my son and daughter. If I can do it, when my first language is Spanish, then they can do it.”
Missouri Avenue Park opens
Jeff Tucker Photo
Sara Linares, of Roswell, receives a kiss on the cheek from her mother, Alicia Segouia, after graduating Friday night from Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. A record number of students, 506, received certificates and degrees Friday night at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center.
ILEA delegates welcomed to city TIMOTHY P. HOWSARE ROSWELL EDITOR
They may speak different languages and live in countries thousands of miles away, but one thing they all have in common is commitment to enforcing the laws of countries and protecting their citizens. On Wednesday, a welcome reception was held for 29 delegates who were in their second week of training at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Roswell. The reception was held at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, which sponsored the event along with the Roswell Chamber of Commerce. The delegates traveled to Roswell from Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent
US Sen. Udall calls for VA to broaden waiting list probe
Randal Seyler Photos
Above: Students from Missouri Avenue Elementary School enjoy a break from the classroom during the grand opening ceremonies for Roswell’s newest park, Missouri Avenue Park. The grand opening was held Friday morning and students from the school led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the New Mexico State Pledge. Right: City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Jason Perry, center left, and Parks Superintendent Ken Smith, center right, accompanied by the Roswell Chamber of Commerce Red Coats, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Missouri Avenue Park on Friday.
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico is calling for federal authorities to broaden their investigation into alleged secret waiting lists at veterans hospitals.
Udall says he’s outraged at the ongoing allegations that the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System and possibly others were covering up the extent of their waiting lists while veterans died waiting for
Tucker newest reporter to join Daily Record Jeff Tucker joined the Roswell Daily Record May 7 as the newspaper’s new city and county government reporter. Tucker, born and raised in Indiana, most recently worked as the county and state government reporter for the Rio Grande Sun newspaper in Espanola. “I’m excited to be in beautiful Roswell and to lear n more about its inter national fame and alien legend,” Tucker said. “Hopefully, I’ll bring
and the Grenadines, which are Caribbean island nations; Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northeast coast of South America; and Mozambique, a nation on the southeast coast of Africa. The Mozambique delegates spoke Portuguese and were provided with an interpreter. The delegates were greeted by members of the chamber, local business leaders and pastors. Frank Taylor, ILEA project manager, served as master of ceremonies. Dr. Lili Johnson, academic dean of the academy, said that many of the delegates had been serving in law enforcement for 30 years or more in their
the area some muchneeded rain, as well as contribute to a lively daily newspaper.” Tucker began his journalism career in 1997, freelance writing for his hometown newspaper in Michigan City, Ind. He has been a journalist for several newspapers in Indiana, and for newspapers in Oil City, Pa., Robstown, Texas, and Wolf Point, Mont. He has also been a newsman for The Associated Press in Indi-
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anapolis, an independent freelance writer for the AP in Helena, Mont., and a radio correspondent in Indiana. “I’m a big believer in free speech and an infor med citizenry that holds gover nment accountable,” Tucker said. “I chose a career in newspapers because I believe local newspapers are the heartbeat of their communities and the ideal forum for public discussion and debate.”
• KRIS SHUMAN
Tucker has won 15 individual jour nalism awards, including five awards in 2011 from the Montana Newspaper Association. He has also won awards from the Hoosier State Press Association, the Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors, the Texas Press Association, the South Texas Press Association and the Texas Association of School Boards. Tucker is a graduate of Purdue University, where
TODAY’S OBITUARY PAGE B4
See ILEA, Page A3
appointments. In a letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, Udall called for VA officials to expand their investigation to facilities in New Mexico and elsewhere. Arizona, New Mexico and part of Texas fall under the same Veterans Integrated Service Network. Udall says the New Mexico VA Health Care System is in the hiring process for a new director.
he studied communications and political science. He lear ned about politics firsthand working as a Lyndon Baines Johnson congressional intern in Washington, D.C., and as a legislative intern for the Indiana House of Representatives. Tucker is a former U.S. Marine, a former semi-pro baseball player and coach, and for mer student manager of Purdue University men’s basketball team.
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 FINANCIAL ..............B3
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2
HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2
Tucker
OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ..............A8