Who Are Ron and Nell Bass?

You 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.

Ron and Nell Bass with their dog, Bea

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.”

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.”