Distinguished Faculty Emeriti Announced

Five emeritus faculty members were recently honored with the Distinguished Faculty Emeritus distinction at the annual ENMU Foundation Faculty Emeritus Luncheon this past May 8, 2013. Mrs. Ruth Moore was honored with the Exemplary Service to the University Community Award.

Dr. William “Bill” Brunsen has been a part of ENMU in a variety of ways over the past 24 years. Dr. Brunsen earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from ENMU, Master of Arts in Economics and Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He became a member of the College of Business faculty in 1987. During his time at ENMU, Dr. Brunsen held different positions within the department and university, including department chair, graduate coordinator of the MBA program, associate dean and coordinator of interns. He earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service in 2005 and the Spirit of Eastern Award in 2001. Dr. Brunsen helped re-establish the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. A leader and opinion shaper in the College of Business, Dr. Brunsen’s stern exterior never quite managed to camouflage his deep concern for students, his colleagues, his college and the University.

Dr. Gerardus “Gerry” Huybregts dedicated 24 years of quality service to ENMU. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Master of Business Administration in Finance and International Business, and Ph.D. in International and Comparative Management from the University of California, Los Angeles. Upon completion of his doctoral program, Dr. Huybregts began his career at ENMU in 1988. During his tenure, he led both graduate and undergraduate teams to annual International Business Competitions. Dr. Huybregts served as the dean of the College of Business from 1999 to 2005 as well as department chair, graduate coordinator and the assessment coordinator. He was inducted into Delta Mu Delta and Phi Kappa Phi. He was generous with his time and volunteerism, including working with United Way and, when no one else came forward, serving as faculty sponsor of the Muslim Student Association. Dr. Huybregts’ optimism, his quiet humor and his teaching eloquence made classrooms better places and the College of Business a great place to work.

Dr. V. Scott Johnson joined ENMU as an associate professor in 1981, and after 32 years of service, retired in 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oklahoma City University and his Ph.D. in Psychology from Iowa State University. Dr. Johnson served ENMU in many capacities, from being the chair of Psychology, long-time chair of the Human Subjects Committee, faculty senator and as a graduate advisor. His students have won research competitions at Texas Tech, Texas A&M, the Psi Chi National Convention at ENMU and West Texas A&M. During his time at ENMU, Dr. Johnson was the faculty marshal for many commencements and his classroom stories of working in the criminal justice field were legendary among students. In 2010, Dr. Johnson received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, and he is still filling classrooms with enthusiastic students when he teaches an occasional course for the Psychology Department.

Mrs. Ruth Moore graduated from ENMU Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Education in 1975, and then received a Master of Business Education in 1977. In 1971, Mrs. Moore began at ENMU as a secretary for the Special Education Department. When a part-time position opened within the Teacher Education Department, Mrs. Moore applied and was hired. She then took an accountant position in the payroll department. In the 1977-1978 school year, Mrs. Moore received the Outstanding Professional Employee award. After being promoted to comptroller, she held that position for ten years. In 1991, Mrs. Moore was again promoted, to the position of vice president for Business Affairs, which she held for five years until retiring in 1996. Mrs. Moore brought openness, honesty and integrity to everything she did. Her leadership of Business Affairs was marked by her service-oriented attitude and her readiness to help get the job done. She is truly an ENMU alumna success story.

Dr. Merlene Olmsted started her career at ENMU in 1991. At Walla Walla University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics with a minor in Sociology, her Master of Arts in Secondary Education emphasis in Textiles, at Loma Linda University and her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Dr. Olmsted served as the department chair of Family and Consumer Science and Agriculture, along with serving twice as the interim Dean of the College of Education and Technology. She has chaired the Curriculum and Instruction Department and was the assessment coordinator for CET. Dr. Olmsted served as the sponsor of NMAFCS student unit at ENMU. In 1999, she received the Spirit of Eastern Award and in 2011 the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service. After dedicating 20 years of service to ENMU, Dr. Olmsted retired in 2011. She still teaches part time for the FCS department, a department that her teaching excellence and inspired leadership helped to build.

Dr. M. Francine Stuckey came to ENMU in 1974. At Kansas State University, Dr. Stuckey earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Family Studies and her Master of Science in Home Economics, emphasizing in Child Development. She earned her Ph.D. from Texas Tech in Child Development and Family Studies. In addition to being a member to the faculty, Dr. Stuckey spent 33 years serving as the Director of the Child Development Center and has served as the department chair of Family and Consumer Science three times. During her tenure, Dr. Stuckey secured grant funding of nearly $3 million. In 1995, she received the Spirit of Eastern Award. Dr. Stuckey retired in June 2012 after 37 years of dedicated service, but she is still serving her profession as the President of the New Mexico Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Over 1,000 children, their families and every one of her students are the direct beneficiaries of her dedicated professionalism.