5 minute read
Distinguished Faculty Emeritus Recipients
Dr. Carl Richardson was a professor of physical education and served Eastern New Mexico University for some 37 years in health and physical education. He was the coach for five sports during his tenure. His baseball team won 52 games between 1949 and 1953, losing only 12. He coached track during the 1952-53 year. Between 1954 and 1963, the football teams he coached won 59 games and lost 37, with an undefeated season in 1957 and a fourth-place national finish. Seven players from those teams were All-Americans. In 1964, Carl became the head tennis coach and led those teams to 113 wins, 32 losses and four NAIA District 7 Championships. In 1975 he began coaching golf, producing four NAIA District 7 Championships, 14 NAIA All-District 7 golfers, one All-American and four All-Lone Star Conference golfers. Carl has been named NAIA District 7 Coach of the Year nine times in three different sports. He was also director of the School of Health and Physical Education. He retired in 1986 as professor emeritus of health and physical education.
Dr. Thurman Elder came to ENMU as an assistant professor of mathematics in fall 1969. He received tenure in 1974 and advanced through the academic ranks to professor in 1983. Thurman was chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences from 1981 through 1997. He published his research in journals of applied mathematics and presented at professional meetings. He was a visiting research professor at the Institute for Numerical Transport Theory. Thurman served on many committees and chaired search committees for faculty, coaches, athletic director, deans and vice presidents. He was the faculty athletic representative to the NCAA for many years. He was inducted into ENMU’s Athletic Hall of Honors in 2004. After 37 years, Thurman retired in 2006 as professor emeritus of mathematics and computer science, of which the last nine years he served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. After his retirement, he was asked to come back and be the director of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Program working with students primarily in New Mexico and Texas, as well as students from around the country.
Dr. Dale Davis held many positions at ENMU, but is most proud of his role as a teacher. His success as a teacher was validated in 2004 when he was selected the U.S. Professor of the Year for New Mexico by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Dale began his career at ENMU in the College of Business in 1982 as an assistant professor of marketing. He was promoted to associate professor and tenured in 1986; he earned the rank of professor in 1997. He had previously taught at Berry College and Kennesaw College in Georgia. Dale’s scholarly pursuits involved applied research that supported his teaching. He was published in academic journals and presented numerous papers at regional, national and international conferences. During his time at ENMU, Dale served three years as coordinator of graduate business programs, two years as a department chair and three years as dean of the College of Business. In addition, he served on many standing and ad hoc committees, as well as performing community service in Portales and Roosevelt County. Dale retired in 2006 after 24 years at ENMU as professor emeritus of marketing.
Mr. Ray Gormley was hired the summer of 1974 as assistant professor in marketing. He taught vocational teacher certification classes required for teacher certification by the State Department of Education through the College of Business—Business Education Department, as well as at other sites throughout New Mexico. Ray’s ENMU classes were for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in marketing and business education. Other sites focused on classes primarily for individuals from industry who were hired to teach industrial education programs in high schools and community colleges. In addition, his on-site technical assistance was provided to business and marketing education programs throughout New Mexico. Ray served as state advisor for New Mexico DECA (student organization for high school students enrolled in distributive education programs now called marketing education). He also served as state advisor for the collegiate division of DECA (Delta Epsilon Chi) and as state advisor for New Mexico OEA—organization for high school business education students (now Business Professionals of America) for several years. During the last five years at ENMU, Ray focused on providing services to five vocational student organizations in New Mexico. He was recognized by National DECA for 40 years of service to New Mexico DECA and National DECA with DECA’s highest award (Honorary Life Membership) in April of 2008. He retired in 2005 as assistant professor emeritus of marketing.
