2018 HOMECOMING AWARDS
The ENMU Foundation and ENMU Alumni Affairs officially inducted these honorees at the 43rd annual ENMU Foundation Homecoming Breakfast in October.
CHRISTIAN HOUSE FOUNDATION
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Since its conception 42 years ago, the Christian House Foundation has been a faithful supporter of ENMU. Chartered in 1976 by the state of New Mexico, the foundation’s purpose was to receive and administer property, endowments, trust funds and gifts for purposes of furthering Christian education on a non-denominational basis at ENMU. By providing scholarships for students and furthering the development of the Christian Campus House located adjacent to the main ENMU campus in Portales, the foundation has positively affected the educational experience for hundreds of students. In 2006, when ENMU alumna Jean Hall (MED 75, BME 75, BS 70) passed away, in her will, she remembered the Christian House Foundation with a generous gift in memory of her beloved father, E.C. Luna. She asked that the Christian House Foundation use these funds to continue providing scholarships for deserving ENMU students. Many people contributed to this fund to help grow the campus ministry and scholarship offerings. Then, in December 2017, the Christian House Foundation board of directors transferred these assets to the ENMU Foundation
RON AND SARAH HOLCOMB
PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE YEAR Since their attendance in the 1950s, Ron (BA 56) and Sarah Holcomb
scholarship tradition.
TERRY OTHICK
They have been significant financial backers of the Greyhound Club,
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
the ENMU Alumni Association and the ENMU Foundation for the past
Terry Othick (MBA 70, BBA 68)
27 years. During the construction of ENMU’s new Greyhound Stadium,
has been bleeding green and
they stepped up as loyal patrons and were thrilled to see the beautiful
silver for more than 50 years – dedicating his time, energy and money
stadium back on campus for students to enjoy.
to ENMU. As an active member of the ENMU Alumni Association, he
In addition to their financial generosity, Ron and Sarah
was an influential member of the committee that started the Alumni
(Attended) have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ENMU.
enthusiastically dedicate their time to the University. The couple returns to Portales multiple times per year to cheer on the Greyhounds during athletic events and Homecoming. Ron also served on the ENMU Alumni Board for a number of years, acting as president from 1984-85. He is currently a member of the ENMU Foundation board. Ron and Sarah first met in Portales while attending ENMU. Ron became ENMU’s very first All-American football player and was also one of Eastern’s top tennis players with a Texas Conference championship in both singles and doubles play. In 1984, ENMU Athletics held their first Hall of Honors banquet, and they inducted Ron
Golf Tournament nine years ago. He has volunteered for the event every year since, and helped raise more than $300,000 for alumni scholarships. Mr. Othick has also served on the ENMU Board of Regents since 2015, for which he served as president and vice president. More recently, he spent a significant amount of time and work as the chair of the search committee for ENMU’s current president, Dr. Jeff Elwell. In 2013, ENMU Alumni Affairs awarded Mr. Othick with the Distinguished Service Award for his dedication and success in fundraising. He also remains in close contact with members from the Kappa Sigma chapter he joined while at ENMU, and the fraternity
as one of their first honorees.
recently inducted him into their Theta Zeta Chapter Hall of Fame.
After graduation, Ron and Sarah were married. Ron served in the
Mr. Othick explained that it is his personal belief that “the opportunity
military and dabbled in a few career fields, eventually working his way into the oil business. Sarah and Ron currently reside in Midland, Texas, but also try to absorb as much cool, fresh air as they can at their mountain home along the Highway of Legends in Colorado.
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to administer and honor the
Green & Silver | December 2018
to pursue a post-secondary education should be made available to any individual who desires and strives to earn a certificate or degree. One way all of us can help those aspiring students reach their goals and dreams is to donate whatever time and money we can afford to ENMU.”
