Couple Establishes Two Scholarships

By Noelle Bartl

What would inspire New Mexico natives and longtime San Diego, California, residents Darwin and Patricia Ludi, who didn’t attend ENMU, to establish not one but two $25,000 endowed scholarships? Perhaps it is because donors Darwin and Patricia Ludi had six relatives that attended ENMU and ran for the Greyhounds in cross country and track.

Darwin and Patricia grew up in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Patricia’s sister Irene Henderson (attended) was the first to enroll at ENMU, followed by her brothers Leroy Chavez (BS 74) and George Chavez (attended), who were both offered cross country and track scholarships. Even their first cousin Gary Roybal (BBA 74) was on the cross-country and track teams because of scholarship support. George, Leroy, and Gary, along with Greyhounds and future Olympians Rex Maddaford (BBE 73) and Mike Boit (BS76) and teammates Philip Ndoo (BS 75) and Dennis Williams (MBA 77, BBA75) were part of the famous Eastern cross country team that won national titles in 1973 and 1974 when ENMU was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Patricia’s nephew Larry Chavez (MS 87, BS 82) was also recruited via scholarships to run for ENMU. He married his high school sweetheart, Rosemarie “Rose” Chavez (AA 82), and the couple lived in West Campus with their first two children. Larry and Rose’s daughter, Hilaree Chavez (BS 11), and son, Lawrence Chavez (BUS 14), were stellar high school athletes. Theya also lettered and continued the family cross country and track legacy at ENMU.

Nine of the Chavez siblings: Standing (l-r) George Chavez, Clarence Chavez, Norman Chavez and Leroy Chavez. Sitting (l-r) Patricia Ludi, Connie Chavez, Larry Chavez, Sr., Irene Henderson.

Courtesy Photo

The couple heard great things about ENMU Rodeo and recognized how invaluable the sport and agriculture degrees are for our state and the high plains. In 2022, they established the Frank and Orlando Chavez Rodeo Scholarship, named in memory of Patricia’s other brothers, who competed in rodeos. The $25,000 endowment will provide scholarships for students on the ENMU rodeo team.

“Rodeo Coach Albert Flinn (MBA 70, BBA 68) has taken the Eastern Rodeo program to new levels,” explained Darwin. “The recent facility improvements at the Lewis Cooper Arena and the quality students Coach Flinn recruits proved this was worth investing in. We want Rodeo to continue to succeed and be what ENMU is well known for.”

As 2023 begins, the Ludis have committed to donating a second $25,000 to endow the head track and field coach position. The new fund will be named The Chavez Family Fund in honor of all eleven siblings.

The couple owns two award-winning 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupes. They’ve loaned their Corvettes to be displayed at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 2003, 2008, and again in 2023 from June to December.

This generous couple recently updated their estate plans to include ENMU as a beneficiary. They plan to continue to enjoy the two Corvettes and travel to car shows for the rest of their lives. According to Darwin, “The longer we are above ground, the more the corvettes will continue to grow in value and will someday benefit these two endowments.”

Patricia remarked, “We are honored to support ENMU and pay tribute to the Chavez family legacy. Adding ENMU as a beneficiary in our trust was super easy. I hope others consider doing the same.”