MAGAZINE
AUGUST 2016
Green&Silver
EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
Steven Williams’ Ghostly Wind Vortex Page 4-5
ENMU Olympians Page 7
Volunteer Spotlight: Draco Miller, All He Does Is Win Page 9
Cover photo by: Robbie Jones
Green&Silver MAGAZINE
Features 04
Where the Wind Blows: Steven Williams’ Ghostly Wind Vortex
06
Miss Congeniality, 1969
07
ENMU Olympians
08
Filmmakers Take Pride in Student and Staff Production
09
Volunteer Spotlight: Draco Miller, All He Does Is Win
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Young Musician Keeps Country Music Alive in Rural New Mexico
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2016 Emeritus Faculty and Exemplary Service to the University Community Awards
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Homecoming Schedule and Honorees
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Greyhound Grad’s Music Surpasses 30 Million Plays on Pandora
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ENMU Athletics News
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Student Spotlight: Cross Country
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Alumni and Friends Updates
Green & Silver Magazine | August 2016 Managing Editor Noelle Bartl
Content and Design Editor Rachel Bass
Writers and Contributors
Desiree Cooper, Randy Dunson, Anna George, Robert Graham, Adam Pitterman, Melissa Sena, Steven Williams
New address, questions, comments or story ideas? Contact us at 888.291.5524 or enmu.foundation@enmu.edu.
From the President Competition. A dirty word? Not at Eastern, it isn’t. In fact, our goal is to graduate students who can take their education into their chosen career fields and compete well with the graduates of any other university. ENMU students have done this for more than 80 years, and both the graduates and I can tell you a major reason why. For decades the institution has attracted and retained faculty who excel in the classrooms, laboratories and studios. These men and women come from all over the world but have a common characteristic—a desire to deliver an excellent educational experience to their students. Eastern’s faculty serve as mentors, not just instructors. They are available to our students outside the classroom, many involve their students in their research, and all are committed to “student success.” At ENMU, we know we are fortunate to have a dedicated faculty who put the needs of our students first. For over 80 years the faculty of Eastern New Mexico University have been the heart and soul of the institution. Earlier this year on May 14, the University graduated over 600 new alumni, giving us a total of more than 1,100 graduates for the year—an all-time record. Gary Tonjes, president of Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. and member of Eastern’s Alumni Board, delivered an excellent commencement talk which emphasized to our new graduates that they have the education to enable them to rise to the top of their professions. Our alumni have been doing this for eight decades, and the class of 2016 will undoubtedly continue this outstanding record. This month we welcome the new Greyhounds of the class of 2020. They will receive a fine education from Eastern’s excellent faculty and exceptional support from our staff members. As alumni, friends and supporters of Eastern New Mexico University, all of you reading this should be very proud of the ability of our former students to compete with the best and rise to the top. Your financial and other support has enabled the University to prepare these students for success. We are grateful. Sincerely,
Steven Gamble ENMU President P.S. This November, New Mexico voters will decide the fate of the state-wide General Obligation Bond. Please remember that “Bond C” on the Nov. 8 ballot contains $11,000,000 for ENMU’s Golden Student Success Center/Library. Green & Silver | August 2016
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Where the Wind Blows:
Steven Williams’ Ghostly
Steven L. Williams (BFA 92) is a professor and head of design and production for the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s theatre department. He is a freelance scenic, lighting and graphic designer with more than 100 productions under his belt. He has designed scenery for “The Thorn,” one of the largest touring church productions in the country, seen live by nearly 750,000 people and televised to over 20 million households. But even before his career really took off, Steven was incredibly involved with Eastern’s theater department where he acted and worked on almost every production during his four years on campus. He also served as president of ENMU’s theater honor society Alpha Psi Omega, and spent three summers acting, designing and stage managing for “Billy the Kid” at Caprock Amphitheater. Steven credits former theatre arts instructor Dr. Patrick Rucker and past professor of theatre, Felipe Macias, as challenging him daily, showing him it’s ok to fail, learn and move on, and for sparking his interest in the teaching he loves today. In his most recent production, Steven was the mastermind behind an enchanting wind sculpture technique used during the immersive telling of Japanese ghost story “Kwaidan.”
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Green & Silver | August 2016
I witnessed a small wind vortex at an art installation about 10 years ago and I thought to myself that this— full scale—would make an amazing addition to the right play. Years passed, and while discussing the play “Kwaidan: Japanese Ghosts and Demons,” the team and I spoke about the importance of the implied spirits in the story. It was a perfect fit. I suggested the idea that I’d been keeping in my back pocket for years, and the production team was thrilled with the possibilities. Ideas flowed out of my mouth like, “wouldn’t it be cool if Snow Woman enters the center of the vortex with artificial snow in her hands? She slowly spins releasing the snow as it is sucked into the spiraling air above.” Or “I would love to have two spirits of fabric battling above our audience. I want this fabric to possess emotions: anger, fear, love and sensuality.” Then I had to figure how to live up to my promises. I had to master the science behind creating a life-sized wind vortex sculpture. I tried three different sizes of fans and roughly $500 worth of different fabrics. Going into this process, I figured it wasn’t going to be more than arranging 12 fans in a
circle and placing some fabric in the middle. Much to my surprise, copious amounts of math, air volume studies, degrees of pan and tilts of the fans and weight, size and texture of the fabric all played into the success of the finished piece. Once the sculpture was dialed in we added 50 trial audience members which, given their body heat, also changed the dynamics of the performance space and in turn the behavior of the fabric. In the end, the sculpture was utilized three separate times during the production. As the audience first arrived into our space, the fans were silent and our fabric laid quietly on the floor as our lead character, played by Tuyet Pham, kneeled in prayer. As Tuyet began to raise her arms, summoning the spirits, the fans projected the fabric into their ritualistic dance overhead. As this sequence progressed, Tuyet began to grab and throw the spirits around the space. At times, these spirits would physically wrap themselves around her as though in retaliation. Finally, once she had grabbed each of the spirits, the fans were dowsed and the spirits fell to the ground in submission.
Wind Vortex Snow Woman’s scene was also a success. Our actress walked to the center of the stage and opened her snow-filled hands, sending it in a violent twist to the ceiling. Lastly, four ensemble members held the four corners of a large piece of fabric, allowing the fans to push it up into a canopy, creating a new and transformable performance space on the stage below.
By: Steven Williams
The finished sculptures were mesmerizing. After around 100 hours of trial and error, I still enjoyed the randomness and quiet chaos that was ultimately created. I then took what I’d learned outside and tried my hand at creating a fire vortex with similar technology. The students loved it.
About Steven L. Williams
Photo by: Kenzie Hunter Photography
Steven was recognized by the Omaha Theatre Arts Guild for Outstanding Scenic Design for A Streetcar Named Desire and Hedda Gabler, and Outstanding Lighting Design for Dark Play, Or Stories For Boys. He has worked with notable theatre companies including the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, Omaha Community Playhouse, The Rose Theatre, Theatre Aspen, Heritage Repertory Theatre, Indiana University, McLeod Summer Playhouse and more. Steven recently designed a police investigation/ training facility for child abuse and neglect cases in partnership with Project Harmony. He is in his 20th year with the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He and his wife, Nancy, just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. They have two sons, Nolan (13) and Gavin (9).
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Miss Congeniality, 1969 By: Robert Graham
her for features with the New Mexico Ballet Guild and Albuquerque Light Opera. Karen also garnered silver and bronze medals at the 1962 National Ballroom Competitions held in Long Beach, CA.
Karen’s official Miss New Mexico photo in 1969.
It was a cloudy, sleeting day of 35 degrees when Karen Maciolek Salb (BBA 76) attended the 46th Inaugural Ceremonies on Jan. 20, 1969. Karen was a special guest at President Richard Nixon’s inauguration. “In throwing wide the horizons of space, we have discovered new horizons on Earth,” said Nixon. No place on Earth may be more synonymous with humanity’s movement into the next frontier than New Mexico, a place Karen moved to from Whitefish Bay, WI at the age of five. That year, in 1954, the famed Bolshoi Ballet did not appear in Paris after the U.S., Great Britain and France’s rejection of Russian membership to NATO. The seeds of globalization found their way to the Land of Enchantment, as Karen began her formal training in dance with the Russian ballerina Natalie Krasnoff who directed the Krasnoff School of Fine Arts in Albuquerque. Before the age of 18, the Krasnoff School of Fine Arts introduced Karen to the legendary Ballet Rousse de Monte Carlo and Harkness Ballet while also preparing 6
Green & Silver | August 2016
After graduating from high school Karen headed to the east side of the state where she brought her winning touch to ENMU. She did not shy away from the stage lights and in 1968 Karen represented Portales as Miss New Mexico before catapulting herself and her alma mater onto the national stage in 1969, just as Greyhound basketball brought the University its first national championship by defeating Maryland State College 99-76. 18 hours east in Atlantic City, NJ, Karen rivaled basketball icons Gregory Peck Hyder (Attended 66-70), Jim Guymon (BS 72), Jerry Hyder (Attended 67-71) and John Irwin (MS 71, BS 69) with her stellar showing at the Miss America Pageant. Karen performed a special dance routine with legendary host and Miss America Pageant icon Bert Parks, and the pageant recognized her as Miss Congeniality for 1969. The following year Karen continued her studies and married Dr. Thomas J. Salb (MS 72, BS 70). She began operating dance studios in Hobbs and Portales, and the Lubbock Civic Ballet also tapped her to perform as a soloist. Over the years she enhanced her Hobbs studio by adding gymnastics to the ballet, tap and jazz ensembles and in 1978 she started the Maciolek School of Dance. In 1989, Karen saw a need and answered the call. She created the Maciolek Fine Arts Scholarship Trust, allowing students with parents who may have lost their jobs to continue (top right): A current photo of Karen Salb (bottom right): Karen reacting to the moment she was named Miss Congeniality in 1969.
their fine arts education. Today the trust has awarded more than $150,000 to students in Lea County. Karen continues to work as the owner/artistic director at the Maciolek School of Dance. She is the gold standard for excellence and is a champion of the belief that fine arts can give young people the tools to handle anything. On April 16, ENMU hosted the Statewide Pageant Extravaganza. Kagan Massey, a student from Karen’s Maciolek School, won the title of Miss Hobbs.
ENMU Olympians With the 2016 Summer Olympics in full swing, we wanted to take some time to acknowledge a couple of the talented ENMU alumni who have competed in past Olympic Games.
Rex Maddaford
• Rex Maddaford (BBE 73) competed in two 1968 Olympic events in Mexico City where he was 10th in the 5,000 meters (14:39.8) and 12th in the 10,000 meters (30:17.2) for his native New Zealand.
• He was recruited by former ENMU cross country coach Bill Silverberg. He helped the team win national titles before graduating with a degree in communication and physical education.
• He was inspired by two gold-medal recipients from the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
• Maddaford went on to teach at the Tucumcari Municipal Schools for 31 years before retiring in 2007.
• He found his love for running when he was 13 years old. For 14 years of his life he was running 100 miles per week. • Maddaford won the cross country championship his senior year of high school. He set a New Zealand record for the 6-mile run at 27 minutes, 22 seconds.
Mike Boit • Mike Boit (BS 76) participated in the 1972 Olympics in Munich for Kenya where he won a bronze medal in the 800 meter run and was fourth in the 1,500. • Unfortunately, the experience was marred for all participants when 11 Israeli athletes and coaches were killed by Palestinian terrorists. • Boit ran competitively in high school
in the Great Rift Valley—an area in Kenya well known for its distance running.
• He was recruited by Bill Silverberg, who told Boit that the eastern New Mexico region was the closest thing to Kenya in the U.S., and that he wouldn’t get swallowed up by a smaller university. Boit chose to attend Eastern over his other recruiters including Villanova and Colorado. • Boit led ENMU to NAIA cross country titles in 1973 and 1974, and he was the individual champion in 1974 and 1975.
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ENMU Station 8, 1500 S Ave K Portales, NM 88130 888.291.5524 www.enmugift.org Green & Silver | August 2016
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Filmmakers Take Pride in Student and Staff Production
By: Anna George
Digital filmmaking professors and students alike spent this past spring in the preproduction, production, and post-production stages of the student-written film titled Orgullo, meaning “pride.” ENMU film professor Jon Barr directed the film that was written in one of his classes last year by alumna Brianna Delgado (BS 15). The film tells the story of three generations of New Mexican women, the oldest trying to reconnect with her estranged daughter by babysitting her granddaughter. Filled with folk tales like La Llorona, Barr said he felt it was important that New Mexican culture was highlighted in the story. “Especially being in New Mexico, I thought it was important to tell a New Mexican story,” said Barr. The movie was shot with an entirely ENMU oriented crew. From the director of photography to the grips to the location manager, every position was filled with either ENMU
staff or students, the majority being students. Chelsea Nunez, who is primarily an actor in the theater and film program, was also Digital filmmaking major Ramiro Garcia prepares lights involved as a grip, or on-set as the key grip (lighting technician) on Orgullo. lighting technician. She said it was nerve-wracking to be out of her comfort zone but that she learned Barr said that the student’s a lot from the experience. professionalism and efficiency really stuck out to guests on set such as the professional actors. “I didn’t know much about the lighting equipment, but I learned “I was very pleased with how well while I was on set and I think that’s everyone worked together so it the best part about this field is that is good to know that as a teacher you get to be hands on,” Nunez said. I have taught my students those skills,” said Barr. Film professor Shelly Short acted as assistant director on Orgullo and enjoyed seeing the students apply what they had learned. “No matter what, I am always in an advisory role with my students. That being said, it was nice to just let go and let them do their job and show what they knew,” Short said. Avery Pelzman, an ENMU senior and the director of photography, said the set was very professional.
Photos by: Anna George
“I just saw it as another job, another chance to make a story come to life and treated it, as any project, with the utmost respect and professionalism,” said Pelzman.
ENMU senior Avery Pelzman sets up a shot with child actress, Faith Jasso, during the final day of shooting for Orgullo.
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Green & Silver | August 2016
Volunteer Spotlight:
Draco Miller, All He Does is Win By: Robert Graham “Al Davis said it best, just win baby, win,” sings Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. (Snoop Dogg) in the 2010 inspirational anthem “All I do is Win.” The parallels between Al Davis, best known for his previous ownership of the Oakland Raiders, and Draco Miller (MS 06, BS 04), ENMU’s new director of Stadium Operations, are striking. Both served as coaches and were tapped by their organizations to lead them through inceptive projects. Draco is a former greyhound athlete, Enrollment Services recruiter, Campus Life director and now, as the new director of Stadium Operations, is the one at the helm to carry the stadium across the goal line that matters: the threshold of longevity. A Brownwood, TX native, Draco comes from a culture that lionizes not only excellence, but also service. “Brownwood is a lot like Portales. It is family-oriented, the kind of place where you would want to raise your kids,” says Draco. The community is supportive in every way imaginable. One thing that stands out to me are my high school football games at
Gordon Wood Stadium where it was nothing for 10,000 fans to come out for Friday night lights.” What Draco remembers more are the early lessons his father impressed upon he and his siblings about service to the community. “As a kid my father would have us, every year, go to Cecil Holman Park and re-paint the benches, swing sets, handle bars–everything. It wasn’t until my adult years I understood my father’s lesson to give to something greater than ourselves,” says Draco. Since 2010 Draco has served on ENMU’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. In his six years he has changed the culture on the board by introducing younger alumni to the organization, by inviting the ENMU president and vice presidents to meetings, while also increasing the number of student senators who attended the University’s government lobbying initiative, of which students and alumni play a crucial role.
Photo by: Kait Roberts
Draco has also introduced far more students to philanthropy. As the recent advisor for ENMU’s affiliation with St. Jude’s Children Hospital, students raised $40,000 through the University’s ‘Up Til Dawn’ fundraiser, where participants show solidarity with children cancer patients by staying awake as long as they can for 24-hours. ‘Up Til Dawn’ brings the Portales-Clovis community together on annual basis, an indication of the event’s strength. A member of the 1999/2000 Conference championship football teams, Draco also recalls the emphasis on community service from Eastern’s coaching staff.
Draco Miller and St. Jude client Lance Fletcher during a past Up Til Dawn event.
“When I came to Eastern, Coach Elliott and the entire coaching staff emphasized the importance of giving back,” said Draco. “We had to do so many community service hours, even before the NCAA required it. We also won a national award for a peerreading activity.” In 2014 Draco brought another national award to ENMU as the director of Campus Life, when Campus Activities Magazine recognized him as the National Student Advisor of the Year. “This was the first time that ENMU has ever been nominated for these awards,” said Ian Kirby, Campus Activities Magazine Editor and Director of Customer Relations. “Normally, major Division I schools win this award, not small, regional schools. For ENMU to have beat out these larger schools was amazing.” Draco took one organization from regional relevance to national notoriety and is excited to do the same for the stadium, arguably the most important University project that has been 50 years in the making. “This is a project of possibilities,” says Draco. “It is flexible, as there are always things we can improve to let the stadium transform with the passage of time.”
Draco helped the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority raise money during their “Pink Out Basketball Game” philanthropic event for cancer awareness. Participants paid $1 for a strip of tape to cover Draco, and all proceeds went to the fight agains breast cancer.
Green & Silver | August 2016
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Young Musician Keeps Country Music Alive in Rural New Mexico
By: Randy Dunson
Coby Carter, a 21-year-old ENMU student and fiddle player from Portales, is the first artist to receive the Academy of Western Artists’ Western Swing Male Vocalist of the Year award for two consecutive years. In addition to his back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015, his band 5 Miles West also received the 2015 Western Swing Group of the Year award.
is a mixture of traditional country music and 1940s big band with a little bit of blues thrown in. Coby began taking fiddle lessons at age seven, and he was fortunate to have been taught for six years by the legendary Dale Morris. As he grew, Coby won numerous fiddle contests and at age 18 he formed his own band, 5 Miles West. Overall, Coby hopes to give western swing the recognition and exposure it deserves. “It is a great brand of music that, over the years, has somewhat fallen by the wayside,” Coby explained. “Many people who have never heard western swing are instantly fans and wonder why they’ve never known about it.” Coby produced his first CD, “Legends,” in 2014. The album has done quite well in the southwest and in Europe, and at one point it even reached the number one spot in Spain. When asked about his music, Coby simply responds, “we’ll see where it takes me.”
Coby Carter
The Academy of Western Artists recognizes their honorees in order to promote and preserve our western past and contemporary western future. Western swing, which became popular in the Southwest in the 1940s,
Coby plans to graduate from ENMU in 2017 with a degree in Agricultural Business. In addition to being a full-time student, he also works for a large farm in Roosevelt
County, is in the process of getting a commercial pilot’s license, and still helps his dad and uncle in their family farm operation. Coby’s family also has a long history with ENMU. His father, Alan, attended for two years before leaving to work on the family farm. Coby’s mother, Shawn Carter (MED 07, BS 88) and both of his grandmothers, Pam Smith Shafer (MED 92, BSE 87) and Mary Helen Carter (MED 72, BS 67) earned their degrees at Eastern, and his grandfather, Alva Carter Sr. (MED 70) was president of the Board of Regents from 2004-08. His sister, Chesney, a senior honor student at Clovis High School and chapter FFA president, plans to attend ENMU this fall to major in speech-language pathology. “Because of my family’s history with ENMU, naturally I was encouraged to attend,” said Coby. “It’s is a great school with many things to offer. The online program has really allowed me to work and pursue music while still earning a degree. It feels great to know that I am carrying on somewhat of a tradition.”
Photo by: Bryan Hahn
This past May, ENMU’s Department of Theatre and Digital Filmmaking opened an original creative work by Bryan Hahn (MA 12, BFA 04) (choreographer) and Shelly Short (filmmaker) entitled Identity, A Dance and Experimental Film Concert. A thoughtful, beautiful and personal show, Identity is an artistic portrayal of Hahn and Short’s own journeys, as well as those from their dancers and filmmakers.
Soloist Justin Falls (center) and other students perform one of the dances in Identity.
“The moment that Shelly and I began working we knew this project was no longer just about us,” Hahn revealed. “The team began sharing their own personal stories about their struggles and successes realizing their own identity.” “The exploration of this concept with Bryan, the performers and the crew has been amazing, and the work that has gone into this production is truly genuine,” said Short. 10
Green & Silver | August 2016
Pictured (from L-R): Dr. Timothy M. Ashmore; Dr. Rosemary Bahr; Lorene Hallenberger; Michael O’Connor; Dr. Richard E. Propes; Thomas G. Uchtmann
2016 Emeritus Faculty Honorees Dr. Timothy M. Ashmore
Dr. Timothy Ashmore served the ENMU Department of Communicative Arts and Sciences as director of Forensics for three years, graduate coordinator for six years, and department chair for nine years. He served on a variety of University committees and was very active in the New Mexico Communication Association and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He retired in 1998 as professor emeritus of Communications, having developed Communications courses, publications, workshops and presentations.
Lorene Hallenberger (Posthumously)
Lorene Hallenberger joined Eastern’s faculty in 1965 as an assistant professor to develop a library science endorsement program for teachers. In 2001, during a meeting of the Eastern New Mexico Librarians, the question was asked: “who or what inspired you to become a librarian?” 12 of the 20 librarians named Mrs. Hallenberger. Lorene retired in 1976 as associate professor of Library Science.
Dr. Richard E. Propes
Dr. Richard Propes (BA 64) obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1964 from ENMU and returned to the University almost 20 years later as faculty. Over the years he has written six textbooks and a number of publications on the radical theory of rings, his field of specialty, including “Radical Properties of Rings,” “The Radical Equation” and more. He retired in 2005 as associate professor emeritus of Mathematical Sciences.
Dr. Rosemary Bahr
Dr. Rosemary Bahr joined the ENMU family in 1987 as an assistant professor of sociology. A living example of collegiality and the importance of lifelong learning, she has been instrumental in teaching and mentoring hundreds of students. Her care for her students and colleagues, as well as her unquestioning acceptance of others remains an example of the best that ENMU offers its students. Dr. Bahr retired in 2013 as professor emerita of Sociology.
Michael O’Connor
Michael O’Connor’s experience teaching, as well as his ag-based lifestyle farming alfalfa and raising beef and dairy cattle made him a valuable asset to the ENMU agriculture department. During his 14 years at Eastern, Mr. O’Connor taught a variety of plant and soil science courses surrounding agronomy, horticulture and agriculture education. He was also the “go to” person for the University’s dual enrollment program. He retired from ENMU in 2011 as instructor emeritus of Agriculture.
Thomas G. Uchtmann
Concert pianist Thomas Uchtmann received his bachelor’s degree in 1967 from Juilliard School of Music. He came to ENMU and dedicated 25 years to the University as music instructor and associate professor of Music. Along with the occasional piano recital, Mr. Uchtmann now enjoys retirement by being outdoors at his home in Waynesville, NC and restoring classic cars.
2016 Exemplary Service to the University Community Award Frances K. Richardson
Frances Richardson’s (EDSP 67, MA 62, BA 58) career at Eastern spanned nearly 25 years. She played a pivotal role in the inauguration of the University’s foundation, the Friends of Eastern Foundation, in the 1970s, as well as the Upward Bound Program for which she served as the inaugural documenter in the late 1960s. She also served as director of Development from 1978-88, as well as assistant to the President, director of University Relations, and carried a six-year term on ENMU’s Board of Regents.
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Homecoming
Weekend Events
FRIDAY, OCT. 14 Homecoming Golf Tournament* 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m. Portales Country Club SATURDAY, OCT. 15 41st Annual ENMU Foundation Awards Breakfast** 8-10 a.m., CUB Ballroom Homecoming Parade 11 a.m., Down S Ave C, right onto 18th St
Honors
Sodexo Buffet 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Crossroads, CUB
Educators Hall of Honors Lecil Richards R.L. Richards
Homecoming Football Game 12 p.m. tailgate, Stadium Parking Lot A 3 p.m. game at Greyhound Stadium
Outstanding Alumni Awards
Athletic Hall of Honors
Michael Benton (Football) Rufus Smith (Football) Marjorie Goble Houghton (Volleyball) Darwin Pauley (Basketball) Bria Galt (Women’s Basketball) Charles Bennett (Support)
Dimas Chavez Marty Rowley Harold Hahn
ENMU Foundation Awards
Business of the Year - Rooney Moon Broadcasting Philanthropist of the Year - Sandra Matteucci Volunteers of the Year - Thurman and Alta Elder 12
Green & Silver | August 2016
Athletic Hall of Honors 6:30-7 p.m. CUB Peanut Valley Festival 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Roosevelt County Fairgrounds SUNDAY, OCT. 16 Peanut Valley Festival 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Roosevelt County Fairgrounds
* Limited space available. Please RSVP by Oct. 1 with ENMU Athletics at 575.562.2153 ** Invitation and pre-registration required. For more event information please visit www.enmu.edu/alumni-foundation
Greyhound Grad’s Music Surpasses 30 Million Plays on Pandora
By: Desiree M. Cooper
“When someone downloads my music, that is pretty cool,” Andy explained. “I got one in Turkey the other day. They come from all over the world.” Andy has run Andy Mason Music since May 2007 and he has three children’s books based on his songs. One book and the song associated with it, both titled “Smile,” raised $10,000 for the charity Smile Train, paying for 40 kids to have cleft palette surgery. He also recently released “Music for People Big and Small,” available at cdbaby.com/cd/andymason24. Andy’s favorite part of working in the music industry is traveling to perform 100 to 200 concerts per year. He has played in Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, England, Iceland, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States. This summer Andy has been touring in New Mexico and Texas, performing for families and kids. Tour dates are available on his website, andymasonmusic.org.
Photo by: Claire Gutierrez
Children’s musician Andy Mason (BA 04) recently won two New Mexico Music Awards. His 10 studio albums have sold thousands of copies each and have over 30 million plays on Pandora on more than 60,000 stations. The “Everybody Likes Pizza” singer’s 30 music videos also have over 60,000 combined views on YouTube, and he has more than 10,000 iTunes downloads.
Andy giving high-fives to fans after his kick-off performance for the Summer Reading Program at the Roswell Public Library
“Going self-employed was the best thing I ever did. I work hard, but I work when I want and how I want.”
degree in English I took a bunch of music and choir classes. It really allowed my love for music to grow.”
Andy’s job duties include writing, recording, performing, promotion, driving, being an organizer, handling logistics and running his website. The most challenging part of his position is booking.
Andy currently lives in Santa Fe, NM with his wife, Anne, and his three children: Kew, 24, Juniper three-anda-half months, and a boy, Lennon, who is almost two years old. The musician’s career goals are to win a Grammy, get interviewed on a late night talk show and perform the Super Bowl half-time concert.
“I’d love to have an agent book for me and take a percentage of the booking fee... anybody?” The performer, who grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and London, England said the choice to attend Eastern was a “no brainer” because he lived in Portales at the time. “While teaching ESL in Peru the students had questions that I couldn’t answer, so I thought I’d better get a degree.” Andy won the equivalent of Eastern’s Got Talent in 2005, while working on his master’s degree. His other extracurricular activities during college included Relay for Life, intramural sports, swimming, volunteering and playing music. “I loved my time at ENMU,” said Andy. “While I was focusing on getting my
Green & Silver | August 2016
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ENMU Athletics Pictured left: Dr. Greg Waggoner, ENMU’s new Athletic Director
In addition to these athletic accomplishments, Western State student-athletics maintained graduation rates higher than the school’s general student population and 11 were named Academic AllAmerican honorees.
University Tabs Waggoner as New Athletic Director ENMU President, Dr. Steven Gamble, has announced the selection of Dr. Greg Waggoner as the University’s new athletic director. Waggoner brings plenty of experience to the position, having served at Western State Colorado University for 20 years. “Greg Waggoner is an excellent addition to the University,” said Gamble. “He has a sustained record of successful leadership and I feel certain he will be an outstanding athletic director.”
Student Spotlight
During his time with Western State Colorado, the University won 11 NCAA division two national team championships, 97 national “top ten” team finishes, and 32 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) team championships. The University also placed in the “Top 44” of the NCAA DII Director’s Cup standings for 19 straight years, an amazing run.
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Waggoner also helped secure and oversaw over $37 million in athletic faculty improvements, and was involved in numerous community initiatives including as President of the NCAA Division II Athletic Director’s Association for two years. He holds a doctorate in sports management from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Waggoner states: “I am honored to be provided this exciting opportunity. It is very clear that the culture at ENMU is very attractive and collegial, which reflects well on President Gamble’s leadership. I feel fortunate to step into the big shoes that Dr. Jeff Geiser leaves. His leadership has positioned Greyhound Athletics extremely well for his successor. My career has been committed to the education and personal development of student-athletics for over 35 years and my commitment will remain as I embark on this journey.” Waggoner replaces Dr. Jeff Geiser, who is retiring after seven years as the ENMU Athletic Director.
Greyhounds Register Academic Excellence For the 2015-16 academic year, former ENMU athletic director Dr. Jeff Geiser announced a major accomplishment on behalf of the Greyhound student athletes. The Hounds closed the year with a collective grade point average of higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. “This is outstanding and a true representation of the ‘student’ in student athlete,” said Geiser. The cumulative student-athlete GPA stood at 3.001, with the women’s combined GPA closing at 3.303 and the men’s teams combined for 2.698. The women’s cross country team led the way at 3.533, with volleyball close behind at 3.486. On the men’s side, the baseball team finished with a combined GPA of 2.925, and men’s soccer followed with 2.815. Eastern also had six student athletes earn Academic All-LSC honors, and junior Courtney Lawson from the volleyball team was an Academic All-District selection. “Congratulations to Coach Kcholi and women’s cross country and all of our women Greyhound teams for achieving team GPAs above 3.0,” said Geiser. “And also to Coach Gomez and baseball for leading the way on the men’s side.”
Klaudia Szych: Cross Country “Country music grew on me,” says Klaudia Szych (BS 16). Klaudia is originally from Szczecin, Poland. Two and half hours away from Berlin, Germany and the Baltic Sea, Szczecin sits in the northwest corner of Poland with a population of around 400,000 residents. “Szczecin is a far more vertical city versus the spaciousness of New Mexico,” Klaudia explained. Green & Silver | August 2016
Klaudia began her collegiate career at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) and continued at Eastern after she initiated a conversation with cross country coach Danielle Kcholi. That conversation led not only to a cross country scholarship, but also one for track and field. At ENMU Klaudia belongs to a rich tradition of international cross country and track athletics with the likes of New Zealander Rex Maddaford (BBE 73) and Kenyan Mike Boit (BA 76).
News
NCAA Infractions Report From 2008-12 ENMU was found to have failed to monitor eligibility certifications for student-athletes. The NCAA requires all institutions to uphold their bylaws and the institutional policies in reference to academic eligibility for studentathletes. All sports were affected in the area of initial eligibility determination as several athletes practiced, competed, and received aid and travel benefits without the proper certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center. As a result, the institution has been placed on probation for four years from Sept. 2015 through Aug. 2019.
By: Adam Pitterman
Track and Field Registers Best Season of NCAA Era In late May, six members of ENMU’s track and field team reached the NCAA Championships, tripling the number of athletes that ENMU has ever sent to the championship event. The quartet of Avery Rasher, Justin Rocha, Jacques Hall, and Julian ClarkCoronado were the first relay team for ENMU to compete at an NCAA Championship event. Their seventhplace finish with 40.58 qualified them for All-American honors, and was the top finish in any event for Eastern at an NCAA championship meet.
Rodeo Team Wraps Up Season at National Finals
Lone Star Conference rivals, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&MCommerce placed third and fifth.
Junior Lindsey Adcock concluded the rodeo team’s competition at the 2016 College National Finals with a score of 8.1 in the third round of goat tying, placing her in 30th and ranking her 19th in the goat-tying standings with an average of 22.1. Junior Tawny Barry finished close behind in 23rd place, while sophomore Sid Hart ranked 31st in steer wrestling with an average of 20.6.
St. Augustine won the event with a time of 39.41. Eastern’s 4x100m relay team was the only one competing with multiple freshman. Clark-Coronado also placed 12th in the men’s 200-meter sprint, while senior Klaudia Szych made a return trip to the championships and was 19th in the 800-meter run.
Get Your Tickets for the First Game at the new Greyhound Stadium!
$10 Single Game $40 Season Tickets General Admission $75 Season Tickets Chairback Seating (Greyhound Club members only) Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 7 p.m. ENMU Greyhounds vs Western New Mexico Mustangs The Athletic Ticket Office is located in the main athletic office at Greyhound Arena. Please call 575.562.2153 to purchase your tickets.
“We couldn’t ask for a better end to the season,” said coach Danielle Kcholi. “We’re excited to see what next year has in store for us.” Pictured right: ENMU junior Lindsey Adcock ropes during practice.
By: Robert Graham Klaudia credits her father with introducing her to running, as he was an 800 and 1500 meter runner whose passion today is marathons. “For International Women’s Day, my father organized a run in which 1,700 women participated in my hometown; he was also responsible for bringing Szczecin its first marathon last year,” says Klaudia.
A Biology, Pre-Medicine major, science is Klaudia’s second passion after running. The drive and pursuit of excellence that she exhibits on the track is the same that she exhibits in the laboratory. Orthopedic surgery, trauma surgery or forensic pathology are three areas of future interest. Thriving in another country, Klaudia is exemplar of balanced, student success.
Visit the official ENMU Athletics website at goeasternathletics.com Green & Silver | August 2016
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Class Notes
People You Know
Updates
Congratulations to Glen and Shirley Fields who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past March. Glen (MED 64) taught in the Portales School District for many years and the two have lived in Portales for more than five decades. They were married March 17, 1956 in Alva, OK and have raised five children. They also have eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Gary Hanson (BS 78) retired from the law firm of Stumbo Hanson LLP in Topeka, KS, where he was a partner for 34 years. He practiced environmental and municipal law. In March, Hanson received the Conger Award from the Kansas Rural Water Association, given in recognition of outstanding service to Kansas communities. He and his wife, Jeanne, live in Topeka and Wabaunsee Lake, KS. Fermin A. Rubio (BS 78) is a member of the New Mexico Air National Guard and was promoted in January 2016 to Brigadier General and appointed as Assistant Adjutant General for Air and head of the New Mexico Air National Guard. Rubio served on active duty with the U.S. Navy from 1990-1994 and is also a licensed attorney since 1986. This past April, Burk Ellison (BBA 80) was elected as vice chairman of The Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) Board of Directors for 2016-2017. Ellison is the president of Supply Chain Services for DistributionNOW where, throughout his 36-year career he has held various Operations and Sales positions. Robert “Bob” Austin (MED 95, BS 89) is the vice president of Student Affairs at Amarillo College. He is responsible for all student-related services which includes financial aid, advising, the registrar’s office, recruitment, disability services, tutoring, and career services. His favorite part of the job is getting to be around students.
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Green & Silver | August 2016
Cathy Sadeik (MBA 82, BBA 81) is the new Chaffee County Veterans service officer in Colorado. She will be assisting veterans with disability benefits, education and training, vocational rehabilitation, home loans, dependent and survivors’ benefits, medical treatment, life insurance and burial benefits. Sadeik is a veteran who spent 10 years working in Army finance. Dr. Michael Crudder (MED 95) is the Principal of Copperwood Elementary in Glendale, AZ—one of 40 Arizona public schools to earn the coveted A+ School of Excellence award for the 2015-16 academic year from the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF). Home of the Copperwood Center for Differentiated Instruction a Peoria Unified signature program, the school provides a rigorous learning environment for K-8 students who have advanced intellectual, academic or creative capabilities which cannot be successfully realized in a traditional setting. This is the second time Copperwood has received the A+ distinction. This May, Miranda N. Prather (BA 96), author of “Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape,” attended a book signing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The signing was a huge success with numerous sales and interest in the true life story of a super hero ex-race horse. “Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape” tells the story of a blue-collar racehorse who overcame a devastating illness to survive and inspire thousands around the globe who were facing their own struggles.
Padaric Kolander (BFA 02) is the winner of the 2016 $50,000 Hunting Art Prize. “You Step In” is a 42” by 64” drawing that was made with graphite, charcoal and acrylic on paper. Kolander has been a finalist of the competition for the last three consecutive years, and the drawing was selected from more than 100 finalists. His drawings have been described as “intense” and “thoughtful look[s] toward the future.”
Michael Madrid (MS 2001, BSE 98) made history during his first year as new head coach of the women’s basketball team at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX, ending the season as regional runner-up, the furthest the team has ever advanced in the program’s history. Coach Madrid led the team to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIV tournament. He has coached women’s basketball for 11 years and says he stays busy with his team, but he does find some time outside of teaching and coaching to enjoy time with his wife, Tiffany Madrid (BS 00, BA 00). Jonathan Wilson (MA 03, BA 01) is in charge of curriculum development, data analysis and management for the Bachelor of Arts in English degree program at Ashford University. He specializes in Native American literature with emphasis on 19th and 20th century American fiction, and teaches various writing and literature courses. When not working, Wilson spends the majority of his time with his four boys. Meteorologist Kris L. Nation (MA 12, BS 07) received an Emmy at the 53rd NATAS Regional Emmy Awards where his station, KMTR, won the Evening News category for the 2015 season. KMTR is an NBC affiliate in the Eugene/ Springfield market in Oregon. ENMU New Media coordinator, Desiree M. Cooper (BS 15), received her third consecutive Doris Gregory Scholarship worth $750 at the New Mexico Press Women (NMPW) State Conference at the Bosque Retreat in Albuquerque. She was also selected to serve as the new NMPW scholarship chair.
Elijah Saina (BS 15) has graduated from the New Mexico Police Academy in Santa Fe. He will be pursuing his law enforcement career in Portales. Saina grew up in Stockton, CA, a city that at one time was rated as having the fifth-highest crime rate in the nation. He hopes to be part of the positive influence for his younger siblings and nieces and nephews and give back to the community. This past April, Jennifer Laubenthal, (Faculty) performed a flute/clarinet duo with Kathleen Melagot at Penn State. The recital featured six works commissioned specifically for this instrument combination. An active performer, Laubenthal teaches applied clarinet, woodwind methods, and music theory at ENMU. She performs regularly with the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, New Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra. ENMU director of Media Relations, Wendel Sloan (Staff), won second place in NMPW’s state-wide communications contest in the category of “Photo Essays” for “The Shoes of Graduation” in the Greyhound Gazette online campus newsletter. Sloan, also a local Sunday columnist for the Clovis News-Journal and Portales News-Tribune, won first-place and second-place awards in “Humor Columns” and “General Columns.”
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Green & Silver | August 2016
17
Class Notes
People You Know
In Memory
40s
Jewell Donohue Speegle (AA 40) passed on May 4. After meeting her husband, Wink, at Eastern, Jewell and her family became longtime residents of Hobbs, NM where she worked as the Children’s Librarian at the Public Library for 20 years. When she retired, she resumed her love of art and left a large legacy of water color paintings.
50s
Leonard E. Cheney, Jr. (Attended) passed on April 12. At Eastern he was an active member of the Marching Band and Kappa Kappa Psi. He met Bettie Lou Beverly in Portales and they were married in 1954. He left college for Roswell to work for the family business, Roswell Printing Co. The business is now owned by their son J.P., making it a third generation company. Helen Hodges Gay (MA 56) passed away on April 10. She taught school in the Clovis Municipal School District and retired after 36 years in the education system. Helen moved to Charlotte, NC in 2009 to be closer to family. G.A. “Pat” Gant (MA 59, BA 51) passed on April 23, 2014. Pat spent his career with the Clovis Municipal Schools as teacher, coach, assistant principal at Marshall Junior High, and as the first principal of Barry Elementary until his retirement in 1983. Pat served as President of the Curry County Retired Teachers Association and contributed 23 years to Boy Scouts of America.
60s
John F. Buhalts III (MA 60) passed on Feb. 23. He worked at the AMAX Potash Mine in Carlsbad, started a computer networking company in Hobbs, and worked for Murphy Pest Control in Jal. If you were to ask John about retirement he would respond, “What retirement? I’m going to have to get a job so I can get some days off!” John will be remembered for his humor.
Antonio M. Villa (BA 60) passed on April 29. He was an air traffic controller in the Air Force during the Korean War, and after earning his degree, he lived in the Colorado area and was an accountant. He also wrote and published his own book on how to prepare taxes. Mahota M. Richey (BA 61) passed on Feb. 25. She was born in Clovis, raised in Tucumcari, NM and was a teacher and school counselor. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking and reading.
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Green & Silver | August 2016
Donald Servis (BA 61) passed away on April 7. Don worked for many years as a real estate appraiser and eventually retired as chief appraiser with the Chaves County Assessor office in 1999. An active volunteer in southeastern New Mexico, Don was also a past exalted ruler of the Santa Fe Elks Club. Bobby D. Barclay (BA 66) passed away April 9. He taught Special Education in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Missouri for more than 40 years. He always looked forward to class reunions, family gatherings and spending time with his kids and grandkids. You could always catch him driving his tractor with his faithful sidekick, Little Girl, running along the side. Jimmie L. Wagoner (MED 66, BA 61) passed on April 28. He taught in Hobbs for 25 years and will be remembered as a dedicated educator and for his passion for working on cars-- especially a 1953 Anglia that he built from a kit. He enjoyed creating knives and wooden objects for friends. Twila J. Brungard (ED 68) passed away March 13. Twila loved the mountains and hiking. She was very active at her church and was a member of a bible study group that had been constant in her life for the past 15 years. She was very devoted to her friends and family, especially her grandchildren. Donald R. Johnson (BS 68) passed on April 13. He joined the Air Force and specialized in electronics. He was employed by Conoco Phillips and spent 11 years in Dubai with his wife and children before returning in 1986 to reside in Houston, TX. An exceptional tennis player, Donald was passionate about technology, cars and his grandchildren’s accomplishments. Olive D. Church (MBE 69) passed on March 7. As a child, Dr. Church’s family moved all over the country, instilling a love of travel. Throughout her life she saw 49 states and 19 countries, and wrote 25 textbooks, 28 novels, and numerous other publications. She was named Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women in 2013. Willis F. Kilpatrick (BBA 67, MBA 70) passed on June 12. His career in the railroad industry took him to many places, but he spent the last 20 years working for the Kansas City Southern Railroad. He loved his family and enjoyed getting away to their place on the Wisconsin River with his wife.
70s
William Britton (MBA 70, BBA 68) passed on March 25. William served as ENMU’s rodeo coach from 1967 to 1972, and led the team to a national championship in 1969. A university administrator for over 40 years at various institutions, he was also a masterful artist and craftsman, and founded an animal humane society in Oklahoma.
80s Charles Fritz Burnett (BS 70) passed away March 31. Charles graduated with a degree in chemistry before being drafted into the US Army. He served in Germany for two years before returning to work as a chemist analyzing ore samples. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping with friends. Cindy S. Ford (MA 71, BS 70) passed on March 12. Cindy taught in the public school system for over 27 years, and her great joy was helping her students acquire a love of reading. She spent her free time serving the Tucumcari hospice, Hope Center, and San Jon Baptist Church where she was a pianist for many years.
Bishop W. Charles Green (BBA 82, AA 80) passed on April 22. He served as pastor at First Church of God in Christ since 1957, as vice chairman of the Red Cross, was on Salvation Army’s advisory board, and served as chaplain for the police and at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis. Ronald E. George (BBA 84) passed on March 15. In Tennessee, Ron served on the Kingsport Board of Education and was instrumental in the building of John Adams Elementary School. He enjoyed travel, a good cigar, working in the yard, and spending time with his wife and boys. Ann E. Standefer (MBA 85, BBE 80) passed on March 2. She graduated from Roswell High in 1977 and met her husband of 33 years, Steve, at Eastern. She most recently worked as a computer teacher for Tularosa School District. Ann loved reading, walking, sewing, cooking and studying the Bible.
Jerry L. Johnson, (BS 71) passed away March 31. A former house parent and farm manager at the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, Jerry’s degree in industrial arts prepared him for his construction career. He worked from California to New Jersey constructing homes, hotels, restaurants, vet clinics and more. Tommy W. Roane (MED 72) passed away March 26. He received his AA and BA degrees from New Mexico Highlands University before earning his master’s from ENMU. He served in the armed forces and was honorably discharged from the Navy and Army. Shirley A. Dwyer (BA 73, AA 54) passed away on April 14. She was an 8th grade math teacher at Berrendo Middle School for many years until her retirement in 1997. In her later years she enjoyed volunteering at the UFO Museum Gift Shop in Roswell, NM. John Kiker (BS 73) passed on April 23. He established a urology practice in Roswell in 1983, as well as Abundant Life for All Ministries (ALFA), an orphanage, and a school in India. He retired in 2009 and enjoyed golfing, playing guitar and painting. Lucille Franse (MA 76, BS 69) passed away on April 19. Lucille graduated with honors while raising three boys. She went on to work as a teacher in Farwell, TX for 30 years, and received her Ph.D. from Texas Tech. In her later years, Lucille was busy with 1st Baptist Church and the National Poets Society. John W. Kreuch (BS 76) passed away on March 14. John worked as a social worker and enjoyed music and sports—especially the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Lakers. John would always lend an ear and had a great laugh. He could have a conversation with anyone, but his children were his greatest source of pride. Kay Vasquez (MED 78) passed away April 26. She was an educator and counselor for the Roswell Independent School District for more than 30 years. Kay was very social. One of her favorites was her book club, and she was also a member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
90s +
Terence (Terry) Patrick Hannon (BUS 90) passed away on March 30. A Midland, TX native, Terry was a personal fitness trainer with great interest in boxing and weight lifting. He was a cast member of the reality show “Black Gold” for three seasons, and played the role of “Tank”. Laura Jean Crow (BS 92) passed away April 15. Laura earned her degree in sociology and was later employed as a case worker at the Community Services Center. She enjoyed reading, particularly mysteries and news magazines. David L. Jones (BSN 99) passed away May 13. David graduated as a family nurse practitioner and established the Portales Medical Clinic in 2005. He retired in 2015 and enjoyed woodworking, flying, and tinkering with computers and electronics. His greatest joy was his family and attending the sporting events of his grandchildren. Peter G. Palacios (BS 00) passed on March 31. After earning his master’s in Business Administration, Peter worked at many Air Force bases and at the Pentagon. For the last 10 years, he was a logistic manager and a corporate communications specialist for the Navy. He retired in 2015. Ruben Galban (Groundskeeper) passed away on May 22. A groundskeeper at ENMU for 27 years, Ruben retired in 2008 and moved to Carlsbad where he continued working as a groundskeeper at Lakeview Christian Home and Landsun Nursing Home. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and how easily he made new friends. Associate professor emeritus of Biology, Dr. Newel Jorgensen (Faculty) passed on June 7. He joined the faculty in 1969 and is remembered for his high standards and excellence in teaching and advising. He became a self-taught craftsman and enjoyed woodworking as a hobby. He retired from Eastern in 1996.
Green & Silver | August 2016
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Then and Now
1.
Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” was the first play performed on the stage of ENMU’s new University Theater Center when it first opened in 1991. The play was brought back this year in honor of the theater’s 25th anniversary.
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1.
In 1991 Stage Manager, played by Chris Cox (Attended), explains the importance of marriage to Jennifer Ramazani Halcomb (BFA 93), and Dyron Daughrity (Attended) who played Emily and George.
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Stage Manager is traditionally played by a man, but this year ENMU senior Chloe Rae Hammock took on the role.
3.
Sophomore Kay Ewing played Emily’s loving mother, Mrs. Webb, in this year’s rendition.
4.
In 1991, Mr. Webb, played by Dr. Donald Paschke (Faculty) reassures his daughter Emily before her wedding that everything will be ok.
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Senior Amy Carter played Emily in the 2016 performance, while the character of George was portrayed by Jonathon Benedetti (BS 16).
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Back in 1991, George (Dyron Daughrity) and Emily (Jennifer Ramazani Halcomb) gaze at the stars together.
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2016 photos by Bryan Hahn
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