A Joint Publication by
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The ENMU Effect Alumni & Friends Making a Difference
March 2009
Eastern New Mexico University Marks 75th Anniversary
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eventy-five years ago this June, Eastern New Mexico Junior College opened its doors to 145 students for its first summer session. Ten months later, the first graduating class marked a milestone in Roosevelt County’s and Portales’ long campaign to bring a college to its community.
FOUNDERS PICNIC-JUNE 28, 2009 Eastern’s 75th Anniversary Year will open with a Founders’ Picnic on Sunday, June 28, 2009. Beginning at noon, with the historical Administration Building as its stage and the beautiful campus as its backdrop, Eastern will host an old-fashioned picnic, with entertainment, dignitaries from around the state, tours of the historic sites on campus and plenty of visiting with friends and viewing of campus memorabilia. The event pays tribute to the community founders of the University who worked long and hard to win legislative support for locating the college in Portales. YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION All year long, Eastern will pay tribute to its “roots”—the growth of the University, the additions of its facilities, colleges and programs, the faculty who built these programs and the successful students they prepared and always the strong support of its community. Each event of the academic year will recognize the people and the ideas that shaped the University’s mission and vision for its future. Homecoming, the traditional President’s Holiday Reception and special events sponsored by each college will showcase an aspect of Eastern’s history or pay tribute to one of its successes. Graduations in December and May will provide another opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of current and past students. The Anniversary Year also celebrates the 35th Anniversary of a jewel in Eastern’s crown, KENW, Eastern’s public broadcast station. Short historical “memories” of Eastern’s history are being prepared by the staff and students at KENW to air prior to and during this anniversary year. NEW GREYHOUND FOUNTAIN Finally, as a special recognition of the 75th Anniversary Year, the organizing committee will install a special commemorative sculpture in the newly renovated campus fountain located at the heart of campus. This sculpture, designed by the late sculptor, Barry Lambirth, will be cast by House Bronze in Lubbock, Texas and installed sometime during the anniversary year. The sculpture depicts three greyhounds in chase of their prey. The University is very grateful to the Lambirth family for their permission to use this beautiful model for this campus sculpture.
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Eastern New Mexico University’s long partnership with the community of Portales and Roosevelt County is rooted in history but it remains as vital and active as its early history records. ENMU and its community can look forward to another successful seventy-five years. For additional “Anniversary Year” information, please visit www.enmu.edu/75Annniversary or contact Information Services at 575.562.2134.
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Class Notes............................6-7 ENMU Marks 75th Year..............1 Hall of Honors Nominations....2 Music’s Sound Investment......5 Regent President Passes.........8 Support the Sciences...............2 Weight Room Equipment.........2
Who Are Ron and Nell Bass?
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ou might think that Ron (BS65 MED68) and Nell Bass (MBE65) are a lot like other ENMU alumni. They became teachers, play golf and enjoy spending time with their Boston terrier, Bea. Like you, they also have fond memories of their years at ENMU. Ron remembers taking classes with Dr. Albert Bettina and Dr. Ralph Black in Industrial Education and Nell recalls the courses she took with Dr. Geraldine Ebert and Dr. Becky Sharp in Business Education. SO, WHAT MAKES RON AND NELL UNIQUE? For one, Ron and Nell made their first visit back to ENMU and Portales in January 2009 after being gone for 41 years. They were surprised at how familiar the layout of the campus was to them. Ron particularly remembered most of the buildings by name and function. Nell noted after touring the campus, “In talking with employees, who were also alumni, it seemed they had similar reasons for attending ENMU as we did.” Second and even more unique, Ron and Nell Bass have remembered ENMU in their estate planning. Their will bequests their estate for ENMU Starter Scholarships and the University Fund. “For Mr. and Mrs. Bass to leave everything to ENMU is a remarkable tribute and gift,” states ENMU Foundation Director Noelle Bartl. “Alumni love ENMU and are grateful for the education, but most never take the steps to include ENMU in their estate plans.” “We both received degrees in education from ENMU and have spent our entire professional careers in teaching,” stated Ron Bass. “We feel ENMU gave us the background for this opportunity. By providing a bequest to the ENMU Foundation, we feel it is a way of providing opportunities for ENMU students like those we have experienced.” Nell Bass added, “Our will specifies our funds are to be used for Starter Scholarships and the University Fund.” “If other alumni are considering a bequest to the ENMU Foundation, we encourage them to make contact with the director, Noelle Bartl,” stated Nell Bass. “We had a desire to do a bequest but had many unanswered questions. Ms. Bartl has been most helpful.”
Governor Bill Richardson was recently presented with an ENMU letter jacket in Santa Fe. Pictured are (l-r): Randy Harris, ENMU Board of Regents member; Governor Richardson; Chad Lydick, ENMU Board of Regents member and Steven Gamble, ENMU president.
And finally, even though they were both graduates of ENMU, Ron and Nell did not know each other until they were teachers in Hobbs, New Mexico. They have been married almost 42 years and currently live in Austin, Texas. Nell is retired from teaching business subjects for 30 years, and Ron teaches computer science at Austin Community College. “It seems it is a small world. We have met several other ENMU graduates in Austin,” said Nell. “Updating a will is a lot of work and there are many details to attend to,” added Ron, “However, once the process is done it is satisfying to know that you will have a part of making an education at Eastern a possibility for others. Maybe it will change future students’ lives as it has ours.” 1
Ron and Nell Bass with their dog, Bea