It’s Official: Dr. Patrice Caldwell is University Chancellor and President

“Dr. Caldwell is eminently prepared for this challenge, and is the right person to put the University back together after the most serious crisis in our history. Her comprehensive training and experience in the mission of the regional university, and her understanding of curricular and teaching methodologies will keep Eastern at the forefront of higher education in the Southwest. Sandra and I wish her every success!” Dr. Robert Matheny, 7th ENMU President

Photo by Times Remembered Photography Studio

Dr. Patrice Caldwell was named Eastern New Mexico University’s 11th and first female president this fall, capping her fortieth year at the University. Named interim president when Dr. Jeff Elwell resigned for health reasons effective April 24, 2020, she was named president and system chancellor on Sept. 25, 2020 by the ENMU Board of Regents.

“We are so thankful Dr. Caldwell agreed to continue her position with the University,” Board of Regents President Terry Othick said. “We appreciate and respect her leadership.”

To many, choosing continuity, familiarity and loyalty in its next leader just made good sense. But the title comes with a daunting collection of challenges — a pandemic, an economic downturn, and fundamental changes to higher education.

“Eastern has weathered many challenges in its history and has done so brilliantly, resiliently and modestly. We can manage these times as well,” acknowledged Dr. Caldwell.

Dr. Caldwell with friend and mentor, Dr. Jack Williamson (MA 57 BA 57), circa 2000. Little in her background would have predicted an easy transition from the frenzied world of Los Angeles to a university on the high plains of eastern New Mexico.

Patrice and her sister Ellen, identical twins, were born in Los Angeles, California, the children of obstetrician-gynecologist father, Dr. William G. Caldwell, and mother, the Hollywood Golden Age actress Joan Leslie. The sisters attended Catholic schools in the neighborhood and then the University of Southern California for their bachelor’s degrees.

Both sisters planned on teaching careers, but a few months before graduation, their faculty advisor pointed out UCLA was only 10 miles away. They applied and were accepted to the English graduate program.

Seven years later, they completed their advanced degrees, dedicating their dissertations to each other and acknowledging the influences of their father’s love of history and their mother’s love of the arts, literature and reading. Ellen headed to Vanderbilt University, and then Kalamazoo College in Michigan.

For Patrice, the next stop, and her only stop, was Eastern New Mexico University in 1980.

Accepting the assistant professorship of English and director of Freshman Composition at ENMU was a leap of faith.

“From where I was raised, New Mexico was as exotic and remote as the moon,” Patrice recalled. “And everyone I knew said, ‘She’ll never stay.’”

Left to right: Ellen and Patrice at their high school graduation, May 1968. The sisters with their father, Dr. William G. Caldwell, at their USC graduation. Dr. Caldwell with mother Joan Leslie shortly after Dr. Caldwell was named Dean. After blowing up balloons for 2015 commencement with longtime friends Dr. Nancy Warr, Mary Louise Shoemaker (MA 78, BA 73) and Betty Williamson (BS 83).

“Patrice Caldwell is one of the most respected people on campus. No one loves Eastern more than she, and I have no doubt the University is in good hands. ENMU is fortunate to have Dr. Caldwell’s calm demeanor and strong work ethic at this point in its history.”

Dr. Steven Gamble, 9th ENMU President

Dr. Caldwell discussing the state of the University with President Emeritus Dr. Steven Gamble. from the Pew Charitable Trusts for enhancing undergraduate instruction, a pivotal grant that launched the Freshmen Seminar Program. From there, she was named executive director (and then later vice president) for Planning, Analysis and Governmental Relations, which include grant writing and

One responsibility led to another: first department chair, then When asked if the appointment as president was a surprise, interim dean, and then, following a national search in 1989, the an honor, a shock, or nightmare, Patrice admitted, “all of those, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. and more. But the confidence of the Regents, the acceptance of During her time as dean, the College added programs in social work and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a tribute to the expertise of nursing director Eloise Blake at ENMU-Roswell and her campus faculty, staff and students, the warm approval of the community, ENMU Foundation and the Alumni Association, and the support of the campuses at Ruidoso and Roswell convinced me that, together, we could do this.” colleagues around the state. ENMU’s alumni in the social work profession, and community leader Dolores Penrod, made their position clear, too. It was time, they said, for Eastern to bring back “Patrice is the most adaptable academic I have known. She has worn many hats at ENMU, both academic and administrative, resulting in excellent preparation for the chancellorship. Her energy is inexhaustible and her exacting standards keep us all focused on achieving the best small university possible.” She added, “I would have loved to share this experience with family (father, mother and sister all deceased), but I’ve always felt part of Eastern’s family. ENMU is my home. “ENMU has the opportunity to make social work. Today, both remain thriving programs. Dr. Everett Frost, 8th ENMU President its system (Portales, Roswell and Ruidoso) a model of innovation, Mentors were a major part of her life at ENMU, including faculty in her department and the Women’s Studies Committee, colleague deans, and administrators Bill Engman, and presidents Bob Matheny, Everett Frost, and Steven Gamble. efficiency and service to students and our communities,” Patrice said. “Strong leadership on the Portales campus from my colleagues; vice presidents Jamie Laurenz, Jeff Long, Clark Elswick and Scott Smart, with presidents Ryan Trosper (Ruidoso) and Shawn Powell (Roswell) and their administrative teams; make this more “I’ve been blessed with wonderful friends and caring counselors,” than possible.” she said. “There is simply no better model for leadership than Bob Matheny, no one more adept at institutional planning than Everett Frost and no better friend-raiser for ENMU than Steven Gamble.” "All of us at ENMU are looking forward to the campus reopening, filled with students laughing and talking, faculty visiting with each other and their students, the staff rushing around putting people and events together on our beautiful campus surrounded In 1998, Everett Frost selected Patrice to oversee ENMU’s grant by our great Portales and Roosevelt County community.” grant oversight.