MAGAZINE EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
Leslie J. Sawyer
APRIL 2022
Green&Silver
Working to Create Success for Others
Green&Silver Features
MAGAZINE EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
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Leslie J. Sawyer: In the Business of Success
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Dr. Patrice Caldwell to Retire in July
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Diana Ossana on Her Hollywood Success
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Sylva Pearce Compton Percussion Room Dedicated
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Whiteheads Contribute $1 Million
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Humorist Sinha Publishes Novel
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Dr. Kurt Steinhaus Working to Create Stability as New Mexico State Education Secretary
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ENMU Athletics News
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Class Notes: People You May Know
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Class Notes: In Memory April 2022 Publication Managing Editor Noelle Bartl Design Editor Todd Fuqua Contributing Editors Desiree Cooper, Christy Ruby Writers and Contributors Noelle Bartl, Cameron Brennan, Desiree Cooper, Todd Fuqua, Kemet Gatchell, Jennifer Gerard, Nicolle Holcomb, Sara Wright Cover Photo Tone Stockenstrom Photography, Inc. New address, questions, comments or story ideas? Contact the ENMU Foundation toll-free at 888.291.5524 or enmu.foundation@enmu.edu. Looking for a past issue? View all past issues of the Green & Silver Magazine online at enmu.edu/Magazine.
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Green & Silver | April 2022
FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Greyhound Family, Spring brought some very good news to the ENMU System, thanks to the tireless work of the New Mexico Legislature and our local senators and representatives. The governor’s and the Legislature’s sweeping expansion of financial assistance for New Mexico residents means that part-time, full-time and returning students will be able to pursue their job-related certificates and associate or bachelor’s degrees tuition-free. We are thrilled for our students, who now have access to the expanded New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship program. The ENMU System also did well in the legislative session, with ENMU-Ruidoso securing funding for a significant addition to their campus property, and both Roswell and Ruidoso campuses garnering funds to expand the agriculture, welding and aviation programs (Roswell) and wind, fermentation and health science programs (Ruidoso). Portales secured recurring funding for KENW and Athletics, both important programs to the campus, and funding support for teacher education. The Legislature also corrected a long-standing funding inequity for Eastern, adding $1.7 million to enhance necessary student support services and other campus programs. A special thanks to the Alumni Association Lobbying Committee who supported this effort. The ENMU System is deeply grateful for the support and encouragement of Senators Ingle, Kernan, Stefanics, Woods and others, and Representatives Andersen, Crowder, Ezell, Small, Sweetser and others who guided and supported our efforts in Santa Fe. We appreciate all these hardworking public servants and the constant support of the Higher Education Department. And finally, my upcoming retirement this summer: As you know and as I’ve said before, I’ve been happy to be here every day of my 42 years at ENMU. Every day. The supportive community, the terrific, funny and bright students and their smart and supportive faculty and staff have created a family for me, and I cannot imagine a better one. By late summer, ENMU will have hired or will be close to hiring our 12th president, and I will retire into a new role – community supporter of ENMU, side by side with you. We have more great experiences ahead and more successes for the ENMU System to celebrate. I look forward.
Patrice Caldwell ENMU President patrice.caldwell@enmu.edu
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Photo by Jennifer Gerard
Leslie J. Sawyer A Legacy of Education and Entreprenural Success
Deborah, a true trailblazer, founded EDI in 1991. EDI provides civil and environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, construction management, and land survey services in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois, the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic. After Deborah passed, Leslie’s administrative and leadership skills allowed her to meet the company’s challenges and ensure EDI remained one of the most highly regarded and sought-after small and diverse engineering professional services firms in the area. “I already knew much of what was needed to run the company – like project management, managing people and large budgets, marketing and community outreach,” Leslie said. “I just needed to acquaint myself with the network of clients, teaming partners and the Chicagoland area.” Five years later, Leslie has successfully led the company through the challenges of COVID-19 and resulting difficulties. Sisters Leslie (left) and Deborah Sawyer after their ENMU graduation in 1982.
Photo by Tone Stockenstrom Photography, Inc.
When it came to taking on the top job at Environmental Design International inc. (EDI) in Chicago, Illinois, Leslie J. Sawyer (MA 82) had the business sense and communication skills to serve as president and CEO. She already served on EDI’s Board of Directors for 20 years, and taking over the leadership role seemed to be a natural move. It was also her late sister Deborah M. Sawyer’s (MS 82) succession plan.
by Todd Fuqua
Leslie at her desk at Environmental Design International in Chicago, Illinois.
She is proud that EDI finished 2020 with increased revenue and without any staff layoffs. Her award-winning company just turned 31 years old in February, quite an accomplishment for a small, woman and minority-owned business, especially in the engineering industry. She credits her strong educational background, beginning with her secondary education at Columbus School for Girls, her undergradutate education at Lake Forest College and her ENMU graduate education with giving her the skills to take on the key leadership role at EDI. “It’s important to have transferrable skills, and I had those to succeed with this company,” she said. “I was ready for a new challenge in my life, and I’m excited every day I come to work.” Leslie had a 30-year career in management and administration for the State of Ohio before joining EDI. In that time, she worked 19 years for the Ohio Board of Regents, the planning and coordinating body for higher education in Ohio, in workforce development, health policy and planning and college access. She helped to craft a funding formula for the state’s seven medical schools. Also, during this time, she was the state director for college access initiatives, in which she worked to ensure that first-generation, financially disadvantaged and minority students had greater opportunities to pursue and succeed in higher education. That is a mission that continues to drive her today.
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Photo courtesy Leslie J. Sawyer
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Photo courtesy Leslie J. Sawyer
Photo courtesy Leslie J. Sawyer
The Sawyer family (L-R): William Gregory Sawyer, Deborah M. Sawyer, Leslie J. Sawyer and mother, Betty P. Sawyer.
Leslie’s great-great-grandmother Laura B. Pride sent all 13 of her children to college in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
(Sawyer, continued from Page 5)
young lives. Indeed, higher education has been a mainstay in the family for generations, dating back to their greatgreat-grandmother, Laura B. Pride, in Lynchburg, Virginia. She helped all 13 of her children attend and successfully graduate from colleges across the nation in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
As a member of the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Board of Trustees, Leslie has personally – and through her company – funded scholarships in her and Deborah’s names for minority STEM students enrolled in selected ACI member colleges and universities. She also has always made annual donations to scholarship funding at all her alma maters, including ENMU. Leslie’s commitment to public service continues with donations to organizations such as the Women’s Business Development Center, Chicago Foundation for Women, Federation for Women Contractors, Chicago Urban League, the DuSable Museum of African American History, SOS Children’s Villages, YWCA Chicago, Friends of the Chicago River and The Greater Chicago Food Depository. Leslie has been an active advocate, governing board member and sponsor of Gilda’s Club Chicago, raising funds to provide support services for cancer patients and their loved ones.
Photo courtesy Leslie J. Sawyer
Leslie has made it her mission to help provide higher education for Leslie with her 2021 Enterprising Woman of the Year underserved youth, award, given by Enterprising Women magazine. especially women and minorities, thanks to the emphasis that her parents Betty P. and William Wesley Sawyer placed on the value of a good eduation. She and her siblings, including brother William Gregory Sawyer (MA 78) – who was recognized by ENMU as an outstanding alumnus of the year for 2021 – found education to be a focus of their
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That tradition also includes a great-grandfather, George Dickinson (aka William Scurry) a Buffalo Soldier who taught his fellow troop members how to read and write with books he acquired from Frederick Douglas. He also established a school for “Negro youth” and was one of the early African-Americans to attend Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin was the nation’s first university to accept women and not consider race as a factor in admitting students. Additionally, both of Leslie’s maternal and paternal grandparents owned their own local businesses and passed on their passion for entrepreneurship, determination and sense of commitment to the community to their descendants. “My siblings and I always volunteered in the community and tutored kids. When I was in high school, I was already tutoring kids in the inner city in Columbus, Ohio, and I continued at Lake Forest College, tutoring low-income students in Chicago inner-city housing developments,” Leslie said. “None of us have kids of our own, but we have several through our work in education and our community involvement.” “Having had the good fortune to have parents and family that made education a priority instilled in us the drive to be successful in our academic and life goals,” she added. “Our parents also always stressed the importance of giving back to others and the community. So we have the desire to help others pursue and achieve their academic and career dreams.”
Dr. Patrice Caldwell A Career Coming to a Close Reprinted by permission from the Eastern New Mexico News Eastern New Mexico University’s 11th president will retire on July 1. Chancellor Patrice Caldwell informed the University’s Board of Regents of her plans during an executive session, Feb. 18, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. In a news release following the meeting, Dr. Caldwell expressed appreciation for her 42-year career at ENMU. “The talent and commitment of the regents and the Portales, Roswell and Ruidoso administration, faculty and staff impress me every day. I greatly appreciate the ENMU students across our System and our three great communities that generously support our campuses,” she stated in the release. Regent President Lance Pyle said the University’s search for Caldwell’s successor has begun. “Our search timeline will allow the regents to receive campus and community input, advertise the position, identify candidates and bring in finalists for campus and community interviews,” stated Pyle.
“encyclopedic knowledge” of ENMU, regents convinced her to accept a two-year deal to be president. Caldwell first joined the University in 1980 as an assistant professor and was dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for nearly a decade. News of her appointment was met with widespread approval from the University community. “On the same day that our nation was saying its final goodbyes and honoring Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg for her legacy advocating for gender equality and women’s rights, ENMU appointed its first female chancellor. I must admit, I teared up with joy when I learned this momentous news,” Noelle Bartl, executive director of the ENMU Foundation, wrote in an op-ed for The Eastern New Mexico News in September 2020. “She may not be an alumna herself, but after 40 years serving ENMU students, faculty and staff in various roles, not to mention endless hours of volunteering in the community, Caldwell ‘bleeds just as green and silver’ as those of us with ENMU degrees. This remarkable woman has left a mark on nearly every aspect of this campus.” Dr. Patrice Caldwell (center) with students at the last ENMU basketball home game Feb. 26.
University regents asked her to delay that retirement and accept the role as interim chancellor for the University system following the unexpected resignation of Dr. Jeff Elwell for health reasons. Dr. Caldwell was then named system chancellor on Sept. 25, 2020. Dr. Caldwell agreed to the interim role, but initially insisted she had no interest in the job long-term. Two months later, citing her
Photo by Kemet Gatchell
Caldwell’s ENMU career had spanned four decades when she announced plans to retire July 31, 2020, as vice president for Planning, Analysis and Governmental Relations.
Serendipity or Synchronicity? By Noelle Bartl
The life and career of Diana Ossana (attended) as an American writer and producer is primarily based on her curious mind, writing chops and business sense. However, definitive experiences have influenced her life path and professional journey. After growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Diana married and moved to Valdosta, Georgia, with her husband, who was attending Air Force pilot training. She worked full-time and saved money to attend Eastern New Mexico University when they were assigned to Cannon Air Force Base, located 17 miles north of Portales. “I looked at a map and began to cry,” Diana recalled. “I was worried we were moving to the middle of nowhere. We packed up our belongings and drove our VW Bug to New Mexico. That
is when I first saw and fell in love with New Mexico with its endless horizon, deep blue sky, the ever-expansive arid high desert landscape and incredible sunsets.” Growing up, the avid reader and writer had a thirst for learning all she could soak up about history. She wanted to understand how the world worked, and individuals’ unique stories fascinated her. By the age of 10, Diana had read over 400 biographies. After moving to Portales, she enrolled at ENMU, taking history, political science and English courses. “I was so nosy and curious about everything,” Diana stated. “My history courses with Dr. Robert Matheny (MA 62, BA 60) gave me a lot of confidence. He opened my eyes that history is best understood when examined from all different points of view,” she recalled. “I am not what one would call a ‘social person,’ and ENMU’s class size was perfect. It was not intimidating to participate and be engaged in the courses. The caliber of instructors was incredible. They were all wonderful.” It was one of her English Composition professors who urged her to become a writer. The Vietnam War disrupted her young marriage and caused her to quit school to move back to St. Louis to be with family. “I should have stayed at ENMU,” Diana acknowledged. “My time there gave me the intellectual confidence to succeed in the world.” And succeed, she did. Diana Ossana is an American writer who collaborated on writing screenplays, teleplays and novels with American novelist, screenwriter and longtime best friend, the late Larry McMurtry. His novels “The Last Picture Show” and “Terms of Endearment” were adapted into films. His Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Lonesome Dove,” was adapted into an award-winning television miniseries. In the 1980s, Diana and Mr. McMurtry met at a local all-youcan-eat catfish restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. They connected immediately as writers and friends. Their friendship grew into 35 years of symbiotic writing and collaborations. “We could finish each other’s sentences,” Diana said. “I often thought our connection might be what identical twins experience.” Diana even helped Mr. McMurtry pull through a long battle with depression after his quadruple heart bypass surgery when he chose to stay in her guest bedroom for the next two years. The two co-wrote “Streets of Laredo” (TV miniseries, 1995), “Dead Man’s Walk” (TV miniseries, 1996), “Johnson County War” (TV movie, 2002), “Brokeback Mountain” (screenplay, 2005), “Comanche Moon” (TV miniseries, 2008) and most recently, “Joe Bell” (screenplay, 2020). The film “Brokeback Mountain” was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Picture and won three Academy Awards (Best Writing/Adapted Screenplay, Best Directing and Best Original Score), two BAFTA awards (Best Film and Best Actor in a Supporting Role), three Golden Globe Awards (Best Motion Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay), two MTV
Photo courtesy Diana Ossana
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Awards (Best Male Performance and Best Kiss) and many more. Diana read Annie Proulx’s short story titled “Brokeback Mountain” in The New Yorker Magazine and was so moved by it that she insisted Mr. McMurtry read it. “Larry never immediately agreed with me on anything, but this time he immediately agreed when I asked him to co-write the screenplay,” Diana remembers. “We both knew that Proulx’s story was a masterpiece. This was a story that needed to be told and shared with the world. I was personally committed to telling all the characters’ stories truthfully, honestly and with respect.” To bring “Brokeback Mountain” to life on the big screen, Diana stuck with it for eight years, from writing the screenplay to post-production and everything in between. Diana is listed as producer and screenwriter for the small-budget independent film. She pursued and locked in the Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee. She worked on the film as the first-position producer. She helped choose potential actors, including “having to fight for Heath Ledger to be cast for the part of Ennis Del Mar.” Diana participated in choosing the songs for the award-winning score, and was involved in the pre-production, production and post-production. “It is important for novels and screenplays to tell convincing stories where the reader or audience can sympathize and empathize with the characters. “Brokeback Mountain” has the power to affect people in ways they aren’t even aware of,” Diana explained. “For example, after only reading the screenplay, the Composer Gustavo Santaolalla wrote the Academy Award-winning instrumental ‘A Love That Will Never Grow Old.’ He began composing the score before filming began.
Top: Diana with Heath Ledger during filming of “Brokeback Mountain.” Middle: Diana and McMurtry after accepting their Golden Globe award for their work on “Brokeback Mountain.” Diana and Director Simon Wincer during filming of the “Comanche Moon” miniseries, which aired on CBS in 2008. (Photos courtesy Diana Ossana)
“Everyone took ownership in their particular role in making this film,” she added. “Once the film was finished, it belonged to the world.” Over the years, many have thanked the writers for the film’s positive impact in accepting the LGBTQ community and even aiding in legitimizing gay marriage. A film from her most recent screenplay, “Joe Bell,” was released in theatres in July 2021. This film tells the story of a small town working-class father who embarks on a solo walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay. “Anything creative is a risk. I enjoy screenwriting and mentoring writers in workshops and seminars. My mentees are from Sudan, Paris, and around the globe. I love helping people realize their potential the same way Dr. Robert Matheny and all my other ENMU professors did for me.”
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A Music Room Dedication
What will you do with your
UNSPENT RETIREMENT SAVINGS?
If you are like most people, you will designate family members as beneficiaries of your retirement accounts. The issue with doing this is that much of your savings will never go to your loved ones.
Photo by Sara Wright
A charitable bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. You can create a bequest of any dollar amount, gift specific property or designate a percentage of your estate in your will or trust plan. If you wish to make a gift of your IRA or 401(k) plan, this can usually be done by filling out a beneficiary designation form provided by your plan administrator.
Sylva Pearce Compton (MA 58, BA 47) celebrated her 100th birthday in December of 2021, as the ENMU Department of Music dedicated the Sylva Pearce Compton Percussion Room. The day featured performances by the Chamber Singers, the Ragtime Percussion Group and a solo performance by ENMU senior and Student Regent Chandlar Head, a vocal performance major. ENMU Chancellor Dr. Patrice Caldwell (above left) and Student Regent Chandlar Head (above right) presented Sylva with the plaque featuring a portrait of the talented alumna. The plaque is permanently installed in the ENMU Music Building. Sylva cherishes her time as an undergrad singing with ENMU’s vocal quartet and playing drums in the band. The Greyhound grad taught elementary and junior high music classes for 25 years in Clovis, New Mexico.
BEQUEST OF RETIREMENT ASSETS
The room dedication was made possible by a generous contribution from her daughter Carol (attended) and son-in-law Dennis Criswell (MED 71, BS 65), who live in Tucson, Arizona.
Perhaps the easiest way to make a gift of your retirement assets through your estate is with a bequest. It is easy to designate us as a beneficiary. Contact your custodian to complete your beneficiary designation.
You can make a gift to the ENMU Foundation after your passing and care for your loved ones by creating a testamentary charitable remainder unitrust funded with your retirement assets.
N oelle Ba r t l Executive D irecto r ENMU g if t .o rg Toll Free 8 8 8 . 2 9 1 . 5 5 2 4
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Copyright © 2019 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. Used by permission. FP-2015-39.2-th
RETIREMENT ASSETS FOR LIFE INCOME
Sylva Pearce Compton (center) gathered with her family dedicating the Sylva Pearce Compton Percussion Room.
Green & Silver | April 2022
Photo by Sara Wright
Photo by Todd Fuqua
Whiteheads’ Giving Couple Shows Their Surpasses $1 Million Love for ENMU’s Art Thanks to a donation from one grateful pair of alumni, a portion of ENMU’s art heritage will survive well into the future. Sue (Barnett) Hale (BS 54) donated more than $26,000 on behalf of her late husband, William “Bill” Hale (BA 54), in 2021 as a “thank you” to ENMU.
ENMU would like to give a very special thank you to alumnus Al Whitehead (BS 55) and wife Lacy for their lifetime giving that surpassed $1 million in December 2021. For more than 55 years, Al and Lacy of Tulsa, Oklahoma, made ENMU a top philanthropic priority providing theatre and marketing scholarships, supporting student-athletes via the Greyhound Club and top funding priorities. “All of this is payback for a good education and four wondeful year,” Al said. “I loved every minute I was here.”
“Bill and I have always looked back on our time at ENMU with much fondness and much appreciation for the encouragement and guidance we were given related to graduation,” Sue said. “We loved the Works Progress Administration (WPA) artwork on campus, particularly the “Ecclesiastes” mural in the Administration Building.” Their gift establishes the WPA Preservation Fund to repair, preserve and protect all the WPA art located on the ENMUPortales campus.
Albuquerque Alumni EVENTS Al Whitehead during his playing days at ENMU, 1950.
Al played four seasons for the Greyhounds in 1948–1950 and 1954. His education was placed on hold for several years when he served in Korea with the U.S. Army. He has so many fond memories of his time competing with his fellow Greyhounds that he and Lacy contributed $500,000 to help ENMU build the new Greyhound Stadium. In appreciation for their gift, the football field is named Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium. Al served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for more years than we can count. Thank you, Al and Lacy!
July 7, 2022 – TopGolf, 6:30–9:30 p.m. July 8, 2022 – Alumni Golf Tourney, Santa Ana Golf Course July 8, 2022 – Alumni Mix and Mingle
For information or to register, visit enmu.edu/golf
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Humorist Publishes Novel by Todd Fuqua
A small-town writer living in the big city, the daughter of academics, sees disturbing signs of evil in the big city where she now resides. It’s not an autobiographical story, but Maya Sinha (BA 94) drew on her experience of living in the San Francisco Bay Area to create her first novel, “The City Mother.” “I have wanted to publish a novel since I was 12,” Sinha said. “I was an English major and have always loved reading fiction.” After graduating from ENMU, Maya worked in the editorial department of two magazines in San Francisco, California before returning to New Mexico to work for the Santa Fe Reporter as a staff writer. She later moved back to California, earning her law degree and beginning her career in law. Through all of that, Maya still had an urge to write. That urge turned into a humor column in the Davis (California) Enterprise newspaper entitled “Lowbrow.” That eventually turned into the column “Wit’s End” in The Saturday Evening Post and writing for other publications. Finally, at the beginning of 2021, Maya got a contract for her draft novel. She spent the year revising “The City Mother” per her editors’ suggestions. “One secret to writing a novel is to have a lot of help,” Maya said. “I was in a writing group that talked me through the chapters as I wrote them, and I had a very good writing partner for the second draft. It can be done if you stay with it and have a lot of moral support.” Maya may have taken a while to achieve her dream as a professional writer, but she hopes this novel is only the start.
Photo courtesy Maya Sinha
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“I have at least a few more stories in me, and it’s been a very positive experience,” she said. “I’m hoping this will open the door for the next novel. My message for other writers is not to give up and persevere. For me, having other writers believe in my book is what made it possible.”
Creating Educational Stability in the New Mexico Public Education Department
By Todd Fuqua
When Dr. Kurt A. Steinhaus (MED 81, BME 76) was named secretary of Public Education for the State of New Mexico in August 2021, he decided it was time to set some goals. The Public Education Department had received $1.6 billion in COVID relief from the federal government. Dr. Steinhaus wanted to make sure the money was spent efficiently and in a way that would do the most good. “It’s amazing actually how much I have done in this amount of time,” he said. “We focused on keeping schools open, learning in person while addressing unfinished learning after schools were closed last year.”
“This is the most challenging job I’ve ever had, and I love it,” said Dr. Steinhaus. “I get up every morning, jump in with both feet and run with it. When I was chosen for the job, I told the governor that I’d do it on one condition: That my decisions are based on what’s best for students and families. Sometimes those decisions are difficult and controversial.” Among his short-term goals was to declare the 2021–22 school year a “year of literacy.” Dr. Steinhaus said deans of schools of education at colleges and universities and principals and teachers at public and private schools across the state have leapt at the chance to make the initiative a success. A midterm goal involved using the COVID relief funds to get school districts to meet deadlines on their plans focused on student learning. A long-term goal is for New Mexico to be the fastest growing state in math and language arts achievement in kindergarten through eighth grade. To do this, he presented a budget to the State Legislature that raised salaries for all teachers and administrators to draw and retain qualified and capable educators.
Photo Courtesy NMPED
Dr. Steinhaus took the secretary position following his retirement from a 45-year career in public education, finishing as superintendent of Los Alamos Public Schools in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Upon taking office in Santa Fe, he identified his short, medium and long-term goals. The rate of success has been phenomenal, given how much the pandemic affected education in the state.
Taking on the education secretary position meant drawing on his experience as an administrator and as a student at ENMU. “I think one of the most important things about getting my degrees was building relationships with colleagues. I’ve kept in touch with my classmates and have reached out to them for advice and consultation in my career,” he said. “Learning how to become a teacher from my ENMU instructors played a huge part in my career success.” The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable educational system that will continue for years after Dr. Steinhaus is retired – a system that will be successful for years, regardless of who is at the helm. “I want to put New Mexico on a path that sees these initiatives grow every year. That’s important because secretaries of education come and go,” Dr. Steinhaus said. “I think of it as a flywheel. It takes a lot of energy to get it started, but then it’s easy to keep it going. Education in New Mexico is tough to get going, but once it does, things are easy from there.”
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ENMU ATHLETICS NEWS Greyhound’s Career Spans the Globe
By Todd Fuqua and Desiree Cooper
Phil Henry (BS 14) is making a name for himself in basketball leagues worldwide, playing for professional teams in 10 countries on four continents. His career allows him to fulfill two dreams – playing professionally and seeing the world. “Ever since I was young, I always aspired to travel the world to share new experiences and meet great people while doing it,” Phil said. “My love for and ability to play basketball provides me these incredible experiences.”
while a student. He believes his educational experience gave him the tools to network internationally in his travels and build relationships with teammates, coaches and fans. When Phil is not working, he volunteers his time for his friend’s annual basketball camp, working to inspire hundreds of young children to play basketball at higher levels. Courtesy Phil Henry
“The first few years are the hardest. Whether you were the best player Phil most recently played as a power on your college team or had a great forward for BK Pardubice in the Czech opportunity to play professionally National Basketball League (NBL), once you graduate, you are starting Phil Henry at the free throw line during his days playing with the highest level of competition in the over and have to prove yourself,” he the Cypriot League basketball club Apollon Lemesou in Cyprus. Czech Republic. said. “Every day is an opportunity to show why you should be here over the other millions of young Phil is the all-time single-season shot block record holder at athletes trying to play professionally around the world.” Eastern, and he majored in communications and public relations
Greyhound Athlete Takes Gold at Indoor Meet By Cameron Brennan
ENMU Senior Malethabo Seema captured the women’s 800-meter dash in the final day of competition at the 2022 Lone Star Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in February 2022. The women’s program totaled 37 points over the two days, finishing in sixth place. The men’s team totaled 7 points overall, landing in ninth place. Seema took control of the field in the 800-meter dash, only trailing the first 200 meters and then led for the remainder of the race. She crossed the line in a personal record time of 2:16.12, which Courtesy ENMU Athletics
stands as the fifth-fastest time in program history.
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Seema had won the outdoor 800-meter dash in 2021 and landed in third during the 2020 LSC ITF Championship. The last Greyhound to win the 800 at an indoor championship was senior Neri Getraide in 2020.
Anderson Finds Success at Utah State By Todd Fuqua
In his first year as head football coach at Utah State, Blake Anderson (MS 94) led the Aggies to a 11-3 record, earning a Mountain West Conference championship and guiding the team to a Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl victory over Oregon State.
“I was open-minded, but I don’t know if any of us saw 11-3 and a bowl game championship,” Anderson said. “We just wanted to be the best team we could be. These guys kept breaking barriers and had an unreal season.” Blake is a long way from his days as a graduate assistant coach for ENMU in 1992–93 under Head Coach Howard Stearns.
Brandon Misuraca is Next ENMU Men’s Soccer Coach
Courtesy Utah State University
Part of what made Utah State’s season so remarkable is how unremarkable the season before had been when the Aggies went 1-5 in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. It was the second-best one-year turnaround in the nation, behind only Michigan.
“Everyone has to start somewhere, and for me coaching at ENMU was a great opportunity,” Anderson said. “I learned a different work ethic needed to be a coach, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
Cheers at Greyhound Arena
By Cameron Brennan
ENMU’s men’s soccer program is returning, and Brandon Misuraca will be the coach when the new season starts in fall of 2022. Misuraca is the seventh coach in program history.
Prior to leading the Aggies program, Misuraca was the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs at University of Houston-Victoria. With both programs, Misuraca coached more Brandon Misuraca than 25 All-Conference, All-Region and national award winners. He helped the men’s program to their first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 2017.
Photo by Kemet Gatchell
Misuraca joins ENMU after a three season stint at Oklahoma Pan Handle State University. Misuraca was the Aggies first ever coach of the program, posting a winning record in their inaugural season in 2019 (9-6-2). During the 2020 campaign, played in the spring of 2021, OPSU finished 4-8-4.
Greyhound Club President Rose Robbins (BS 81), right, raises a glass of wine at Greyhound Arena, served by Dennis Kerg (BS 10) during the Greyhound’s final home basketball games against Western New Mexico, Feb. 26, 2022. The day marked the first time in the arena’s 55-year existence that alcohol was served during any event held there. In a partnership with Enchantment Vineyards, ENMU’s Department of Athletics secured a “picnic license,” allowing ENMU to sell wine from Portales’ own Enchantment Vineyards on a one-time-only basis.
For more news, please visit GoEasternAthletics.com or download the ENMU Athletics app. Green & Silver | April 2022
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Class Notes People You May Know Bob (BBA 70) and Nancy Hubbard (BBA
Thomas Gonzales (BS 92) has been the
70, BS 66) celebrated their 50th wedding
hearing office director for the U.S. Department
anniversary on May 30, 2020. Their immediate
of Health and Human Services in Albuquerque,
family gathered for an informal celebration.
New Mexico, since June 2021. He is a retired
COVID kept the gathering from being larger.
colonel in the New Mexico Army National
Dr. Gerald Williamson (BBA 70) is the advancement officer for the East Central
Guard, finishing as deputy chief of staff for operations and training after a 33-year career.
University Foundation in Ada, Oklahoma.
Michelle (Lacko) Isherwood (BS 91) retired in
He was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher
May of 2021 after a 30-year teaching career
Education Heritage Society Hall of Fame on
in Amarillo, Texas, having taught and coached
Oct. 24, 2021, celebrating his 38-year career.
volleyball, basketball and track at Travis Middle
Randy Royster (BBA 80) is the president and CEO of the Albuquerque Community
School. In her retirement, Michelle owns and operates KMC Jewelers in Amarillo, Texas.
Foundation, an organization dedicated
Kelle (Westerfield) Senyé (BFA 93) was
to cultivating investment in Albuquerque,
recently promoted to deputy director of
New Mexico, through giving, grants and
operations for the Greater Albuquerque (New
scholarships to develop future leaders.
Mexico) Housing Partnership, a non-profit developer working to create affordable
Gary Whitten (BS 81) has had a 30-plus year
communities for residents making less than
career in visual marketing communications.
the average household income.
He is currently a freelance graphic designer, self-employed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Glenn Johnson (MS 84, BSE 81) returns to ENMU as the assistant defensive line coach. Johnson had previously been an assistant coach at Eastern in the early 1990s, and
Jamie Widner (MED 93) was among this year’s inductees to the New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame. Jamie was a coach, teacher and FFA advisor at Corona, Roswell and Melrose. He was also superintendent at House, New Mexico, and returned to
is the owner of Coach J’s BBQ in Portales,
Melrose in 1998, where he was the principal
New Mexico.
and superintendent. Dr. Ladona Clayton (MED 94, BAE 89) is
Candie Sweetser (BS 84) is the managaing
the executive director of Ogallala Land and
partner of KDEM-FM and KOTS-AM in Deming,
Water Conservancy in Clovis, New Mexico, a
New Mexico. Since 2017, she has been
land trust created to conserve groundwater
the New Mexico State Representative for
resources by transitioning irrigated agriculture
District 32.
to dryland cropping or grazing land. Before joining Ogallala, Dr. Clayton was head of school at Tyler Street Christian Academy in
In an almost 40-year career, Larry Chavez (MS 87, BS 82) devoted himself to serving New Mexico youth. For that service, he was named to the 2022 class of the New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame. Lorynn Guerrero (BSE 88) earned the title of 2022 New Mexico Teacher of the Year,
16
Dallas, Texas. Becki Moore (BS 94) is a senior consultant at BerryDunn Assurance, Tax and Consulting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, joining the firm in June 2021. In her position, Becki works to develop data monitoring for the State Health Information Exchange in Oklahoma.
teaching English language arts at New
Scott Reed (BS 94) recently joined Royal
America School in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Caribbean as a manager of entertainment
With this recognition, Lorynn is now eligible to
media. Scott has worked in the cruise line
represent the state in the National Teacher of
industry in broadcasting or entertainment
the Year competition.
since 2013.
Green & Silver | April 2022
Bradley Norquist (BBA 98) is a full-time instructor of management development at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, taking on the position in August 2021 after four years of teaching part-time at the institution. He also taught at Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas. Kristen Mt. Joy (MA 98) began work as the cultural resource manager for the Army National Guard (ANG) in October 2021, serving as a subject matter expert involving cultural resources policy, guidance and technical support to 54 states and territories and the District of Columbia. Charlie Ragle (BS 98) is the head football coach at Idaho State University, joining the Bengals after a 10-year career as a member of the coaching staffs at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Arizona. Before his college coaching career, Charlie was the head coach at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Paul Joye (BS 02) is the acting chief of police in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he already made a name for himself as the chief crimefighter. Additionally, Paul has appeared on the NBC show “American Ninja Warrior” as a contestant in 2015 and was recently selected to compete again in 2022, with the episode set to air this summer. Paul lives with his wife, Erin Hald (BS 02).
Alumni and best friends Kendall Schlenker (BA 55) and Bill Kinyon (BS 55) reunited on the ENMU campus in November 2021, admiring the bench in front of the Administration Building dedicated to their friendship lasting more than 70 years. Shyulanda Randle-Filer (BS 96) is the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region 5 Middle School Principal of the Year for 2021–22. She has been principal at Vincent Middle School in Beaumont, Texas, since July of 2020 and is working on completing her doctorate this spring. Colton Coleman (BUS 13) was hired in August 2021 as an assistant track and field
Jennifer Sánchez (BM 03) recently appeared
coach at Sam Houston State University
in the off-Broadway play “The Alchemist” in
in Huntsville, Texas, specializing in jumps
November and December 2021. She is also
and sprints.
a member of the cast of “The Rose Tattoo,” which opened in October of 2019, and was a cast member of “Pretty Woman: The Musical.” Michelle Miller (BS 09) is a member of the Governor’s Sexual Assault Task Force as a Title IX coordinator at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, appointed to the Safety Planning Working Group in March of 2021.
Jasmine Hotchkins (BS 18) is the director of operations for women’s basketball at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon, taking the position in June 2021. Thomas Fillet (MBA 19) is a senior consultant for Premier Inc., a management firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, dedicated to assisting healthcare organizations in performing more efficiently. Thomas has
Adam Vance (BS 97), right, had a hand in documenting sports history when Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Tom Brady walked off the field for possibly the last time as an NFL quarterback after the Bucs’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL playoffs in January. Adam is a photojournalist for the Bay News 9 cable channel in St. Petersburg, Florida.
eight years of experience in consulting work for the healthcare industry.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Submit your story ideas, news and memorials to us at alumni.affairs@enmu.edu.
Green & Silver | April 2022
17
Class Notes In Memory 40s
Warren “Dwight” Sheriff (BA 57) died Dec. 29, 2021. Dwight’s life was spent as a farmer, owning farmland near Clovis, New Mexico. He was a devoted member of the Central Baptist Church in Clovis, serving as a deacon, teacher and greeter, and volunteering with the church’s jail ministries.
Mary (Hunt) Olenchalk (BA 49) died Dec. 24, 2020. Mary taught in Rawlins, Wyoming, and California at Stockton and Antioch from the 1950s until her retirement in 1993.
60s 50s
Lola Mae (Osborn) Hutchins (MA 65, BA 60) died Dec. 22, 2021. Lola taught elementary school in Logan and Portales, New Mexico, before her retirement in 1987. After retirement, she traveled extensively.
Margaret Conway (BA 51) died Jan. 13, 2022. After graduating from ENMU, Margaret headed to the Territory of Alaska to begin a 30-year career as an educator and later lived in many states, teaching and inspiring generations of students.
Joy (Cowan) Kosinski (BS 66) died Aug. 21, 2019. Joy was a physical education teacher and cheerleader coach for more than 30 years, mainly in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She was also a volunteer at the Cancer Research Center, a participant in the Senior Center Dance Group and an active community member.
Kathryn Juhan (BS 53) died Jan. 8, 2022. Kathryn was an avid horse woman and was a member of the Saddlebags and Equestrian Trails, Inc., riding in the Tucson Rodeo Parade and Grand Entry. She also ran the family business – Grant Road Industrial Center – balancing the budget through difficult times.
Mack Mitchell (MA 67, BS 66) died Jan. 31, 2022. Mack began his 30-year educational career as an English teacher with the Clovis Municipal School District in Clovis, New Mexico, in 1967. He retired in 1997 as superintendent. Mack was later the executive director of the New Mexico School Board Association for a decade.
Bobby Wood (MS 62, BS 56) died Nov. 22, 2021. Bob held several positions in finance and business in his career, including serving as executive vice president at Security Finance and vice president at First National Bank in Portales, New Mexico, and owning the Village Squire clothing store in Portales. He was also appointed to serve in the New Mexico State Senate in 1971, and was later elected to the same office from 1972–1980. A.V. Wall (MA 63, BME 56) died Dec. 28, 2021. A.V. was a choral director and administrator for Albuquerque Public Schools, directed several church choirs in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area and performed in many musicals, operas and oratorios. He also played a part in establishing the Albuquerque Opera Theatre, now known as Opera Southwest, and was a member of the Company, a musical theatre ensemble that toured nationally. A.V. died three years after his wife of 63 years, Barbara Wall (BA 55). Barbara was also involved in education as an elementary school teacher and, later, as a librarian for Albuquerque Public Schools.
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Green & Silver | April 2022
Kathryn Holt (MS 67) died Sept. 6, 2020. Kathryn had a long career of teaching in New Mexico and Oregon, and upon her retirement, she worked as a dental hygienist with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon.
Ronald Edwin Vandivere (MED 73, BS 67) died Jan. 31, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas.
70s Vivian Gail Patton (BBA 72) died Dec. 26, 2021. Vivian worked many jobs during her life, including as a teller at Valley Bank in Roswell, New Mexico, and as a partner in Castle Rentals in Artesia, New Mexico. In 2003, she became the sole owner of Castle Rentals.
Gladys Birdsong (BBA 86) died Jan. 22, 2022. Gladys served the United States Air Force as a supervisory budget analyst for Civil Engineering at Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, New Mexico. The American Society of Military Comptrollers recognized her service after a 30-year career.
Joseph “Joe” Robinson (MA 73, BA 72) died Dec. 12, 2021. Joe was a Vietnam War veteran, earning three Purple Hearts while serving as a corpsman with the Marines. After graduating from ENMU, Joe worked for Albuquerque Public Schools, Bernalillo Courts and the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, all in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Doris “Do” Razura (MED 76. BS 70) died Dec. 31, 2021. Doris had a long career as an English teacher in both public and private schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Oliver C. Toliver (BBA 85) died April 6, 2019, in Pflugerville, Texas. Valinda (Walker) Wilson (BBA 89) died Jan. 6, 2022. For many years, Valinda worked as a bookkeeper for the Curry Resident Senior Meals Association and enjoyed working on the family ranch in Grady, New Mexico, with her husband, Danny.
Jimmie Lee Hamilton (BA 76) died Jan. 16, 2022. Jimmie was a teacher, head football and basketball coach and interim principal for the Seagraves School District in Seagraves, Texas. He retired in 2000 after 22 years. Debra Ann Tatum (BS 77) died Jan. 23, 2022. Over her 40-year career she taught elementary school in Clovis, New Mexico, and at Lockwood and San Antonio, Texas. She was the assistant principal and principal at McDermott Elementary in San Antonio, Texas. She was recognized as Administrator of the Year in 2012. Ronald “Ronnie” Scott (BBA 77) died in December 2021. Ronnie worked for several years at Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Co-Op, eventually holding offices on the Arizona/New Mexico Board of Telephone Co-ops in his career. Melba Ramos (MED 83, BS 78) died Jan. 20, 2022. She taught second grade and special education for 26 years at Ranchvale Elementary in Clovis, New Mexico.
Casimiro Vigil (attended) died Feb. 4, 2022. He served in the United States Army and retired with the rank of major after 21 years of service. After retiring from the Army, he worked as an administrative officer for Bernalillo County.
2000s Lonzo Lassiter (MA 07, BA 05) died Dec. 9, 2021. Lonzo was a full-time instructor in the Department of Communication at Eastern New Mexico University before retiring in 2018. He also taught at Clovis Community College in Clovis, New Mexico, worked at KENW-TV in Portales, New Mexico, and was involved with the Clovis Music Festival, involving students in production crew work.
80s Edith Kelley (MED 81) died Nov. 9, 2021. Edith taught first grade at College Lane Elementary School in Hobbs, New Mexico. After retirement, she loved reading and water aerobics at the COM Aquatics Center in Midland, Texas.
Billie (Best) Cooper (MED 82, BS 81) died Oct. 29, 2021. After receiving her degrees from ENMU at 50 years old, Billie worked 23 years as an art teacher at Texico Schools in Texico, New Mexico. She later owned a craft store in Portales, New Mexico, with her sister Thelma. Her art led to her many appearances at craft shows.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Submit your story ideas, news and memorials to us at alumni.affairs@enmu.edu.
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Green & Silver | April 2022
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Nominate Your Friends and Colleagues
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARDS
EDUCATOR HALL OF HONOR
Eastern New Mexico University Alumni Association and the ENMU Foundation recognize alumni and non-alumni who have made meaningful contributions to the ENMU community and beyond. Since 1966, the Association has awarded more than 200 awards in three categories: Outstanding Alumni, Distinguished Service and Honorary Lifetime.
The ENMU College of Education and Technology is pleased to announce that nominations for the Educator Hall of Honor are now accepted. Submit nominations at enmu.edu/HallOfHonor.
Nominations for annual Alumni Awards are open until May 15, 2022. Submit nominations at enmu.edu/Alumni.
All nominating materials must be submitted by 5 p.m. on June 3, 2022. The Educator Hall of Honor celebrates education alumni who have demonstrated distinguished professional accomplishments, exceptional character and commitment to community service. Inductees are noted for their talents to impart knowledge, inspire a willingness to learn and instill confidence in the classrooms, schools or agencies to which they contributed.