By Stefan Kiesbye
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Portales and Clovis. Since then, they have become a fixture of the local music scene and always draw an enthusiastic crowd.
In late summer, two new members joined the band – professors Edward Avila and Neil Rutland -- and the Blackwater Draw Boys started to play regularly at venues in
The Blackwater Draw Boys come from four different departments (Communication, English, Music, and Digital Filmmaking) and enjoyed very different forms of training and musical experience. The mixture of talent The Blackwater Draw Boys performing from left to right: Jonathan Barr, Neil Ruthland, Roger Gatchet, Edward Avila,Travis Erwin. accounts for the band’s unique repertoire. The band has plans to record their first Gatchet says that, “although I album next year. And although it’s in the like to think that we’re based early planning stages, fans of the band can in the blues, our live shows look forward to a mix of originals and a few feature an eclectic array of styles, choice covers, something that captures the including country, folk, ragtime, jazz, excitement of their live performances. even steel drum tunes.”
n the spring of 2012, Eastern professors Travis Erwin, Jonathan Barr, and Roger Davis Gatchet discovered that they shared a love for blues, and started rehearsing on campus. “We hit it off, had some good chemistry together (musically and personally), and after a handful of rehearsals, Travis booked our first gig at Mark’s Grill here in town,” Gatchet remembers. “We just wanted to play together, play good music, and share that with the local community while trying to inject a bit of energy into the music scene here.”
Graduating Debt-Free
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By Amy Archuleta
help me.” She also explained how much she loves Eastern. Rachel feels that she is getting a great education from dedicated instructors. She has had the opportunity to be involved in Psy Chi Honor Society and is currently the vice president of Psyched-In, the on-campus psychology club.
Rachel, a 21 year-old ENMU Psychology major, will graduate this May completely debt-free. She credits her debt-free college education to ENMU’s low cost of tuition, the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, her frugal spending habits and ENMU scholarships like the ENMU Alumni Association Scholarship.
Rachel puts her scholarships to use by spending wisely and saving at least 30-40% from every paycheck from her part-time job. She explained, “I don’t have to have a nice car or the newest iPhone, and I
“I almost cried when I opened the award letter for the Alumni Scholarship,” Rachel stated appreciatively. “I think they saw that I work hard and the scholarship could really
rarely eat out. I’m willing to sacrifice now for something better later.” Her goal is to earn both her Bachelor and Master degrees without having to take out any loans. “I’m starting to save my money toward my masters and because of scholarships, I will be finishing my bachelor’s degree completely debt free!” Photograph courtesy of Christa Maese
ith growing costs for education and cuts in federal aid, the words “degree” and “debt” may seem synonymous to many. Students may assume debt is inevitable on their path to a college degree. ENMU senior Rachel Schaub thinks otherwise.
To help students like Rachel, please donate online at www. enmu.edu/ foundation.
Rachel Schaub
Green & Silver | November 2013
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Photograph by Katherine Moore
ENMU Professors Play the Blues
