Retired ENMU Professor Remembered

By Lori Brunsen

Professor Emeritus of Finance Dr. William “Bill” Brunsen (BA 68) passed away in July of 2015. Dr. Brunsen met and married Judie Williamson (MS 67, BA 66) in February of 1964. An Airman, the United States Air Force deployed Bill during his undergraduate career. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs awarded him a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship to study Economics at Frei Universitaet in Berlin, West Germany during his undergraduate studies as well.

Dr. Bill Brunsen

After graduating, Dr. Brunsen moved his family to his hometown of Lincoln, NE where he completed his Master’s and PhD at the University of Nebraska. At this time, he also worked as a Financial Specialist for the Nebraska State Legislature. Dr. Brunsen began his college teaching career in 1983 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC and also taught at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.

Dr. Brunsen returned to ENMU as a finance professor in 1987. He spent 24 years at the University and retired in 2011. In the College of Business, Dr. Brunsen served as the Graduate Coordinator, Associate Dean and as the Secretary of the ENMU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. He also activated the ENMU Chapter of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in 1988 and went on to become the President of the National Executive Council.

Dr. Brunsen was close friends with Emeriti professors Dr. Dale Davis and Dr. Gerry Huybregts. Students remember Dr. Brunsen as a caring professor who challenged students to realize their full potential. Upon learning of his passing, students established an ENMU Foundation scholarship in Dr. Brunsen’s memory.