2021 HOMECOMING HONOREES
Honorees at this year’s Homecoming breakfast were (L-R) Randy Harris, President of The Bank of Clovis, John W. Templer, Rose Robbins, Dr. Joseph Gallegos, and Wayne Anderson representing University Friends of Music. Not pictured is Dr. Gregory Sawyer.
Volunteers of the Year
University Friends of Music In the fall of 1967, a small group of supporters met with personnel from the ENMU Department of Music about a community-based group to support music students. On Nov. 29 of that year, a board was elected, and the Eastern New Mexico University Friends of Music was born.
Photo by Todd Fuqua
Philanthropist of the Year John W. Templer John W. Templer has found success in the banking industry in both Texas and South Dakota. In 1975, he became president of the Commercial State Bank in Palmer, Texas, and later sold the bank to become a co-owner of the Amarillo Livestock Auction in 1982. In 1983, the auction held its first video sale, which later became Superior Livestock Auction. During his career, John had ownership in eight banks in West Texas. He also owns and has ranched the Bar L Cattle Co. ranch for more than 40 years in Union and Colfax counties in New Mexico. Recently, John Templer gave generously to the ENMU Rodeo program. He recalls that ENMU’s rodeo facilities were limited compared to others, but he was always impressed with the strength of the program. He knew that coach Albert Flinn and his Portales volunteers made significant enhancements to the arena in recent years. To continue this positive momentum, John generously supported funding the construction of the new metal 250-foot-long metal building. This facility houses the concession area, public restrooms and a large area for storage, team meetings and other events.
Business of the Year
Since that fall day 54 years ago, Friends of Music has worked tirelessly to support music students at ENMU, from raising money for scholarships to promoting student concerts to purchasing suits and sewing dresses for the ENMU Symphony. Each year, the most memorable and anticipated event is the Pops Concert, held annually since 1968, when Dr. Art Welker directed the ENMU Symphony Orchestra in a selection of popular and light classical music based on the Boston Pops concerts. The orchestra has transitioned to a wind orchestra, with no string instruments, but the Pops Concert remains a beloved tradition on the ENMU campus. The high point of each concert is when the orchestra is guest-conducted by a concert attendee. The winner of the “name that tune” competition conducts a spirited rendition of the ENMU fight song. In addition to all the work Friends of Music does to support ENMU music students, the organization has also aided public school children through the School of Music’s preparatory department and funding guest artists who come to perform on the campus.
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Green & Silver | December 2021
Although he’s not an alumnus of Eastern New Mexico University, CEO/Chairman Randy Harris, and The Bank of Clovis have supported ENMU and its educational mission ever since Clovis National Bank became part of the Sunwest Bank network in 1997. Randy helped create the 4.0 Program, recognizing all Clovis High School seniors who achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in their four-year high school careers. The ENMU president was asked to speak at each banquet, inviting these dedicated students to attend ENMU. Since then, the program has evolved and encourages the best and brightest of Curry County to attend ENMU. With the founding of the Bank of Clovis in 2000, the tradition of supporting Eastern continued, as the Bank’s combined giving surpassed $100,000 in 2020.
