Eastern New Mexico University Marks 75th Anniversary

Seventy-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.

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.