4 5t h A nnua l Homecoming Bre a k fa s t Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 Ballroom, Campus Union (CUB)
45th Annual Homecoming Breakfast Program Speakers INVOCATION
Mr. Jim Lucero Member, ENMU Foundation
Introductions
Mr. Stephen Doerr President, ENMU Foundation
Welcome
Dr. Patrice Caldwell Chancellor, ENMU
ENMU Foundation Awards Mr. Stephen Doerr President, ENMU Foundation
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Ms. Carla Anaya Vice President, ENMU Alumni Board Music Provided by Max Felt of the College of Fine Arts
BUILDING DREAMS INTO REALITIES The ENMU Foundation is dedicated to the ideals of Eastern New Mexico University and our primary emphasis has always been on building a program of scholarship support to reward academically and creatively talented students. In fiscal year 2020-21, the ENMU Foundation received over $1.9 million in contributions, estate gifts and “in kind” donations. Thank you to everyone for believing in our fine University at such a generous level. Thanks to you, we were able to award 480 ENMU Foundation Scholarships totaling more than $480,000 for students this academic year. Plus, we presented another $100,000 in Starter Scholarships to incoming freshmen this fall. Founded in 1978 as the Friends of Eastern Foundation and renamed the Eastern New Mexico University Foundation in 2005, our efforts touch almost every academic discipline, as well as athletics, public television and the performing arts. Our donors maintain their interest in Eastern because of their appreciation for the value of a higher education and investment in our future leaders. It is always a challenge to reach our annual fundraising goal, but definitely a worthy challenge. As the circle of ENMU Foundation supporters grows, so does our potential for achievement. Thank you for partnering in the success of young people today, helping ENMU students build their dreams into realities. Please remember the ENMU Foundation in your estate plans. Noelle Bartl Executive Director ENMU Foundation
ENMU FOUNDATION AWARDS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Although he’s not an alumnus of Eastern New Mexico University, CEO/Chairman Randy Harris, and The Bank of Clovis have supported ENMU and its educational mission ever since Clovis National Bank became part of the Sunwest Bank network in 1997. While he was president of Clovis National Bank, he met ENMU President Emeritus Dr. Bob Matheny, who had come looking for the Bank’s support. Dr. Matheny showed him a report which illustrated the retention of ENMU graduates who remained in New Mexico, became successful, and contributed to the overall success of this state. That included several graduates who had careers with Sunwest Banks. Randy helped create the 4.0 Program, recognizing all Clovis High School seniors who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in their four-year high school careers. The ENMU president was invited to speak at each banquet, inviting these dedicated students to attend ENMU. Since then, the program has evolved and encourages the best and brightest of Curry County to attend ENMU. With the founding of the Bank of Clovis in 2000, the tradition of supporting Eastern continued, as the Bank is a consistent major sponsor for all Alumni golf tournaments and university events. The Bank’s combined giving surpassed $100,000 in 2020. Randy’s commitment to student success included serving four years as an ENMU Regent. During his term he was elected president of the Board of Regents in 2012. Randy regularly met with the New Mexico Governor’s office lobbying for support and was a champion of the new Greyhound Stadium on campus “from day one.” Additionally, the Bank of Clovis is a big sponsor of the College Daze Rodeo and initiated a program to feature the ENMU men’s and women’s basketball teams playing games at Clovis High’s Rock Staubus Gymnasium, garnering more exposure and support for Eastern. As the Bank of Clovis has supported Eastern, so has Eastern contributed to the Bank of Clovis’ success. Bank shareholders and board members are ENMU alumni, and Randy proudly acknowledges that 25 percent of the Bank’s workforce are alumni.
ENMU FOUNDATION AWARDS PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR JOHN W. TEMPLER John W. Templer has found success in the banking industry in both Texas and South Dakota. In 1975, he became president of the Commercial State Bank in Palmer, Texas, and later sold the Bank to become a co-owner of the Amarillo Livestock Auction in 1982. In 1983, the Auction held its first video sale, which later became Superior Livestock Auction. While experiencing great success in his career, John was stricken with Guillain-Barré Syndrome in 1986. He spent 20 months in the hospital, including four months in an iron lung machine, while his body recovered from this paralyzing auto-immune disorder. As John focused on his rehabilitation, he began strategizing his next business plan. In 1988, he founded Mr. Payroll Check Cashing, which eventually opened 165 stores and was later sold to Cash America International. During his career, John had ownership in eight Banks in West Texas, and for the past 17 years, has been the owner and president of The Western Dakota Bank with three locations in South Dakota. He owns and has ranched the Bar L Cattle Co. ranch for more than 40 years in Union and Colfax counties in New Mexico. In conjunction with his professional successes, John was an active volunteer and supported local charities. He served as president of the Palmer Lions Club, Llano Cemetery Association, Second Chance Foundation of Amarillo, the Texas Check Cashers Association, Ruidoso Downs Jockey Club, and was a 20 year board member of the National Check Cashers Association (now known as FiSCA). After experiencing his own life-changing health issues in the 1980s, John began to support the Second Chance Foundation in Amarillo to help Texans with disabilities to have an opportunity to lead more active and productive lives. He also recognized the need to support the homeless by founding the Second Chance II Foundation. Recently, John Templer gave generously to the ENMU Rodeo program. The Templer family traveled to many rodeos in the region in the 1980s when their son and daughter competed. He recalls that ENMU’s rodeo facilities were limited compared to others but was always impressed with the strength of the ENMU’s rodeo program. He knew that coach Albert Flinn and his Portales volunteers made significant enhancements to the arena in recent years. To continue this positive momentum, John generously supported funding the construction of the new metal 250-foot-long metal building. This facility houses a commercial kitchen, the concession area, the public restrooms, and a large area for storage, team meetings, and other events. John explained that he is pleased to be a part of making the Lewis Cooper Arena one of the best outdoor rodeo arenas in the country.
ENMU FOUNDATION AWARDS VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
University Friends of Music In the Fall of 1967, a small group of supporters met with ENMU Music Department personnel about a community-based group to support music students. On Nov. 29 of that year, a board was elected, and the Eastern New Mexico Univerisity Friends of Music was born. Since that fall day 54 years ago, Friends of Music has worked tirelessly to support music students at ENMU, from raising money for scholarships to promoting student concerts to purchasing suits and sewing dresses for the ENMU Symphony. Each year, the most memorable and anticipated event of the season is the Pops Concert, held annually since 1968, when Dr. Art Welker directed the ENMU Symphony Orchestra in a selection of popular and light classical music based on the Boston Pops concerts. The high point of each concert is when the orchestra is guest-conducted by a concert attendee, winner of the “name that tune” competition, in a spirited rendition of the ENMU fight song. Since those days, the orchestra has transitioned to a wind orchestra, with no string instruments, but the Pops Concert remains a beloved tradition on the ENMU campus. In addition to all the work Friends of Music does to support ENMU music students, the organization has also aided public school children through the School of Music’s preparatory department and funding guest artists who come to perform on the campus. When ENMU completed the $12 million renovations of the Music Building in 2010, the first-floor gathering area was named the University Friends of Music Student Lounge as a way to say thank you for the many years of generous support from the Friends of Music organization. Each year, entering and continuing music students can apply for the University of Friends Music Scholarship, awarded each spring and administered by the ENMU Foundation.
ENMU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD ROSE ROBBINS Having never been away from her hometown of Ennis, Texas, Rose Robbins (BS 81) was grateful to be greeted with welcome arms at ENMU. Many people made her feel at home and mentored her. Duane Ryan, ENMU’s director of broadcasting, worked tirelessly with her voice and diction abilities, knowing the difference it would make in Rose’s future success. Rose credits Don Criss and Clyde Powell at KENW-TV for spending countless hours with her to hone her broadcasting skills and opening her eyes to career possibilities. Her mentors imparted a valuable education, but her true learning was in acquiring her passion for volunteering. More than anything, Rose came to understand the importance of helping others. Throughout her 25-year career in corporate communications and event marketing for Texas Instruments and Radio Shack, Rose prioritized volunteering. After her marriage to Gary Robbins (BBE 70) and returning to Portales, she has volunteered as an active member and leader in the Greyhound Club, Main Street Portales, the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, the Military Affairs Committee and the Catholic Daughters. She is also committed as a Zia Mom for ENMU’s women’s basketball and volleyball teams. This proven workhorse even jumped in to assist with planning and logistics for an alumni football reunion in September. When the group needed help, Rose was there to make it all come together. You might even describe Rose as the “pinch hitter” because she knows exactly what to do when projects, organizations, or reunions are struggling. Besides being willing to roll up her sleeves and take on the sometimes unglamorous and time-consuming volunteer duties, Rose is most proud to share her career wisdom and mentor the college students. “I want ENMU students to understand that where there is a will, there is a way,” Rose says. “Opening their eyes to even more career opportunities and providing the kind of encouragement I received is very rewarding. It complements what they are learning in class at ENMU.” Among the many volunteer opportunities and awards she’s garnered over the years are ENMU Greyhound Club Member of the Year in 2019, Cannon AFB Honorary Commander from 2015-2017, Member of Leadership Portales in 2016, ENMU Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and Portales Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2013. Rose Robbins embodies the spirit of volunteerism. She knows first-hand the difference that giving back to the community can make, and she hopes others follow suit and “pay it forward.”
ENMU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD DR. JOSEPH GALLEGOS In his 30-year career as an educator, Dr. Joseph Gallegos (MED 98, BS 91) has served as an instructor, assistant principal and instruction services director at schools throughout Texas. He returned to Portales in 1998 to serve as assistant superintendent for Portales Schools before moving back to Texas in 2000. Since his return to the Lone Star State, Dr. Gallegos was superintendent of schools in the Sierra Blanca Independent School District, where the administration’s greatest accomplishment was bringing a low-performing district into recognized status in a short time. He returned to the Odessa area in 2006 and served as chief academic officer. What makes Dr. Gallegos’ story unique is in 2006, he created an online high school, Orion High School, and founded Orion Online Learning, Inc., intending to open additional digital schools in the future. Since then, Orion Online Learning has added two other schools – All Gifted School in Singapore and New Mexico Trinity Prep, an online school for New Mexico students. Long before the COVID pandemic made online learning commonplace around the globe, Dr. Gallegos knew that helping students achieve their goals of high school graduation and beyond didn’t need to only be in a “brick and mortar” environment. In fact, his online schools grew significantly during the pandemic because students and their parents were searching for premier and proven online education programs. From 2006 to 2015, Dr. Gallegos also worked at the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas as a senior project director and interim project director for K-12 Services. In that role, he worked with state and local systems to implement the Common Core State Standards. Dr. Gallegos has been involved in researching digital education since 1999 while working as an adjunct at one of the first online, accredited universities in the nation. He explored different digital universities to create a high school that could follow the best practices. Orion High School is now in its 15th year and has graduated more than 12,000 students internationally.
ENMU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD DR. GREGORY SAWYER After a very brief retirement, Dr. William Gregory Sawyer (MA 78) was appointed vice president for Student Affairs at Sonoma State University in 2018. Before joining Sonoma State, Dr. Sawyer was the founding vice president for Student Affairs at California State University Channel Islands, where he established a nationally recognized student affairs division. Under his leadership, Channel Islands’ Division of Student Affairs was recognized as one of the nation’s Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs for four consecutive years. Dr. Sawyer, or “Doc” as most know him, began his professional career in Student Affairs at the University of North Texas (UNT) as a residence hall director. He later served at UNT as coordinator of Intercultural Services, assistant and associate dean of students and finally as dean of students. Later, he was named the founding dean of students and senior student affairs officer at the newly-chartered Florida Gulf Coast University. After seven years there, he was offered another chance to be on the ground floor of a new state university, California State University Channel Islands. Dr. Sawyer served as the founding vice president for Student Affairs before retiring in 2017 and “un-retiring” in 2018 to lead the Division of Student Affairs at Sonoma State. Dr. Sawyer served two terms as a Governor-appointed commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission and served as a co-director and faculty for the National Association of Personnel Administrators’ African-American Male Summit. Among the awards Dr. Sawyer has earned in his career are the NASPA Pillar of the Profession, Diamond Honoree and Senior Student Affairs Practitioner of the Year by the American College Personnel Association. He was also selected by the Trustees and Chancellor of the California State University system for the Wang Family Award as the Outstanding Administrator of the Year in 2008. Other notable recognitions include the President’s Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Notable African-American award from the Black American Political Association of California, Barrier Breaker Award for being the first African-American Dean of Students at UNT, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Tutoring Association. He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from UNT, his Master’s degree in Organizational Communication from ENMU, and a bachelor’s degree in Communication and English from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Doc and his wife, Dr. Rita Gloria Sawyer, have been married for 25 years and currently reside in Petaluma, California.
distinguished Alumni Board Members
DENNIS CRISWELL
Oustanding Alumni Association Board Member
TERRY OTHICK
Honorary Alumni Association Board Member
AL WHITEHEAD
Lifetime Alumni Association Board Member The ENMU Alumni Association will recognize these honorees at the joint board meeting of the Alumni Association and ENMU Foundation on Sunday, Oct. 3
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE
Please...
SATURDAY, OCT. 2 11 a.m.
Homecoming Parade US Hwy 70
Noon
Women’s Soccer vs. St. Edwards Greyhound Stadium (GS)
Noon to 9 p.m.
New Mexico and West Texas Art Educator Exhibition Golden Student Success Center (GSSC) Runnels Gallery
3–6 p.m.
ENMU Tailgate Greyhound Stadium (GS)
6 p.m.
Greyhound Football vs. California Lincoln University Greyhound Stadium (GS)
7 p.m.
Blithe Spirit, written by Noel Coward and directed by Anne Beck University Theatre Center (UTC) General admission: $10 Senior citizens (60+): $7 Active duty military: $7
SUNDAY, OCT. 3 Noon to 9 p.m.
New Mexico and West Texas Art Educator Exhibition Golden Student Success Center (GSSC) Runnels Gallery
7 p.m.
Blithe Spirit, written by Noel Coward and directed by Anne Beck University Theatre Center (UTC) General admission: $10 Senior citizens (60+): $7 Active duty military: $7
consider a gift to help students fulfill their dreams.
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EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY ENMU Station 8 1500 S. Ave. K Portales, NM 88130