2018 Homecoming Awards

The ENMU Foundation and ENMU Alumni Affairs officially inducted these honorees at the 43rd annual ENMU Foundation Homecoming Breakfast in October.

Ron and Sarah Holcomb, Philanthropists of the Year

Since their attendance in the 1950s, Ron (BA 56) and Sarah Holcomb (Attended) have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ENMU. They have been significant financial backers of the Greyhound Club, the ENMU Alumni Association and the ENMU Foundation for the past 27 years. During the construction of ENMU’s new Greyhound Stadium, they stepped up as loyal patrons and were thrilled to see the beautiful stadium back on campus for students to enjoy.

In addition to their financial generosity, Ron and Sarah 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 Ronas one of their first honorees.

After graduation, Ron and Sarah were married. Ron served in the 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.

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 ENMUcampus 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 HouseFoundation 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 deservingENMU students. Many people contributed to this fund to help grow the campus ministry and scholarship offerings. Then, in December 2017, the ChristianHouse Foundation board of directors transferred these assets to the ENMU Foundation to administer and honor the scholarship tradition.

Terry Othick, Volunteer of the Year

Terry Othick (MBA 70, BBA 68) has been bleeding green andsilver for more than 50 years – dedicating his time, energy and money to ENMU. As an active member of the ENMU Alumni Association, he was an influential member of the committee that started the Alumni 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 recently inducted him into their Theta Zeta Chapter Hall of Fame.

Mr. Othick explained that it is his personal belief that “the opportunity 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.”

Dr. Lonnie Alexander, Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Lonnie Alexander (BS 78) came to ENMU in 1972 to study agriculture. He graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 1982 and completed his family practice residency from the University of Colorado. He returned to Portales in 1986 to take over for his friend and local family physician at the time, Dr. Robert Coleman.

Over the next 12 years, Dr. Alexander became the iconic and beloved doctor of the Roosevelt County communities. He truly was a family physician. From the delivery of babies and care of women before, during and after their pregnancies, to the care of children, teenagers, men, and the elderly, Dr. Alexander was reliable and steadfast. In 1997 he turned his career to focus on women’s health and joined Women’s Medical Center where he practiced until his retirement in 2017.

When asked what advice he would give to today’s medical students, Dr. Alexander stated, “Take full advantage of every educational opportunity. I felt like the degree that I got at Eastern prepared me very well for medical school. I applied in 1978 along with four other students from ENMU. All five of us were accepted, and all five of us had productive medical careers.”

Dr. Patrice Caldwell, Honorary Lifetime Award

Dr. Patrice Caldwell began her academic career at ENMU in 1980 … and never left. Serving as assistant professor and director of Freshman Composition from 1980-84, she chaired the department of Languages and Literature from 1984-88. In 1988, after a national search, she became dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When ENMU received the prestigious Pew Leadership Award for Institutional Renewal in1997, she became the director of that grant, which launched ENMU’s Freshman Seminar and substantially enhanced campus technology.

The next year, she moved to the Office of Planning and Analysis, where she continued her work with grants, strategic planning and institutional data. This August, her title changed to Vice President for Planning, Analysis and Governmental Relations, and she becameENMU Chief of Staff. As a faculty member, she happily taught grammar, writing and literature courses, Women’s Studies and – her favorite –Victorian literature to ENMU students.

Dr. Caldwell received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence in 1986. Her happiest teaching memories are team-teaching creative writing and science fiction with Dr. Jack Williamson. She has been a board member for the ENMU Friends of Music since 1997, and has served as their president for the past 17 years. She also actively supports the arts on campus and is also a loyal attendee during ENMU Athletics and student activities.

Mike Smartnick, Outstanding Alumni Award

While attending ENMU, Mike Smartnick (BA 83) took his father’s advice and enrolled in his first computer programming class, which led him to his 35-year career in information technology. He began his career working in the University Computer Center, as well as through several energy industry internships. These experiences were the beginning of his love affair with technology. Mike’s wife would tell you that he has had a “square-headed girlfriend” (e.g. the computer) for the entirety of their 34-year marriage.

Upon graduating, Mike worked as a programmer taking on assignments in the engineering and operational fields, while also adding skills to his business information systems background. He also continued his education at Webster University where he earned his master’s with emphasis in computer resource management.

The vast majority of Mike’s career has been spent working in the energy sector. He has worked alongside people who set industry standards for safety through automation and for companies who care about environmental and energy conservation. He has been able to contribute tothese efforts with a solid educational foundation.