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.

Photo by Todd Fuqua

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.

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.

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

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.

Distinguished Service Award, Rose Robbins

Having never been away from her hometown of Ennis, Texas, Rose Robbins (BS 81) was grateful to be greeted with welcome arms at ENMU. Many people made her feel at home and mentored her. Duane Ryan, ENMU’s director of broadcasting, worked tirelessly with her voice and diction abilities, knowing the difference it would make in Rose’s future success.

Rose credits Don Criss and Clyde Powell at KENW-TV for spending countless hours with her to hone her broadcasting skills and opening her eyes to career possibilities. Her mentors imparted a valuable education, but her true learning was in acquiring her passion for volunteering. More than anything, Rose came to understand the importance of helping others.

Among the many volunteer opportunities and awards she’s garnered over the years are ENMU Greyhound Club Member of the Year in 2019, Cannon AFB Honorary Commander from 2015-2017, Member of Leadership Portales in 2016, ENMU Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and Portales Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2013.

Rose Robbins embodies the spirit of volunteerism. She knows first-hand the difference that giving back to the community can make, and she hopes others follow suit and “pay it forward.”

Outstanding Alumni Award, Dr. Gregory Sawyer

After a very brief retirement, Dr. William Gregory Sawyer (MA 78) was appointed vice president for Student Affairs at Sonoma State University in 2018. Before joining Sonoma State, Dr. Sawyer was the founding vice president for Student Affairs at California State University Channel Islands, where he established a nationally recognized student affairs division. Under his leadership, Channel Islands’ Division of Student Affairs was recognized as one of the nation’s Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs for four consecutive years.

Dr. Sawyer, or “Doc” as most know him, began his professional career in Student Affairs at the University of North Texas (UNT) as a residence hall director. He later served at UNT as coordinator of Intercultural Services, assistant and associate dean of students and finally as dean of students. Later, he was named the founding dean of students and senior student affairs officer at the newly-chartered Florida Gulf Coast University.

After seven years there, he was offered another chance to be in on the ground floor of a new state university, California State University Channel Islands.

Outstanding Alumni Award, Dr. Joseph Gallegos

In his 30-year career as an educator, Dr. Joseph Gallegos (MED 98, BS 91) has served as an instructor, assistant principal and instruction services director at schools throughout Texas. He returned to Portales in 1998 to serve as assistant superintendent for Portales Schools before moving back to Texas in 2000.

Since his return to the Lone Star State, Dr. Gallegos was superintendent of schools in the Sierra Blanca Independent School District. He returned to the Odessa area in 2006 and served as chief academic officer.

In 2006, he created an online high school, Orion High School, and founded Orion Online Learning, Inc., intending to open additional digital schools in the future. Since then, Orion Online Learning has added two other schools – All Gifted School in Singapore and New Mexico Trinity Prep, an online school for New Mexico students.

Dr. Gallegos has been involved in researching digital education since 1999 while working as an adjunct at one of the first online, accredited universities in the nation. He explored different digital universities to create a high school that could follow the best practices. Orion High School is now in its 15th year and has graduated more than 12,000 students internationally.