MAGAZINE EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
HOSSEIN ZAMANIAN
A TRULY AMERICAN TALE Page 6
WINDOWS of OPPORTUNITY
AUGUST 2017
Green&Silver
Green&Silver MAGAZINE EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
Features 04
Educator, Playwright, Athlete Named ENMU’s New President
06
Windows of Opportunity: A Truly American Tale
09
2017 Distinguished Emeritus Faculty
10
Sheryl Borden: Featured on the Cover of CHOICES Magazine
11
2017 Homecoming Schedule and Honorees
12
Giving Scholarships is Deeply Satisfying
13
Dr. Gay Su Pinnell: Enhancing ENMU’s Child Development Center (CDC)
14
An Adventure Through History: Get to Know the Museums at ENMU
16
Jack West: The Victor Who Believed in Himself
17
Banking on Life
18
ENMU Athletics News
Class Notes: 20 People You Know 22
In Memory
Green & Silver Magazine | August 2017 Managing Editor Noelle Bartl
Content and Design Editor Rachel Forrester
Writers and Contributors
Scott Christianson, Dr. Jim Constantopoulos, Dr. Ken Cradock, Will Edwards, Judi Moreo, Adam Pitterman, Dr. Darron Smith, Melissa Sena, Wendel Sloan and Betty Williamson
You can view all issues of the Green & Silver Magazine online at enmu.edu/Magazine New address, questions, comments or story ideas?
Contact us at 888.291.5524 or enmu.foundation@enmu.edu.
22
Green Green&&Silver Silver| |August August2017 2017
From the President Dear ENMU Family, I am honored and humbled to be addressing you as the 10th President of Eastern New Mexico University. As I write this, my wife Edwina and I are wrapping up things in Chattanooga, Tenn. and preparing to move to Portales. This is a special time in the history of the University, with record enrollment, the recent opening of Greyhound Stadium, and the ongoing work on the Golden Student Success Center. Additionally, and most importantly, the University had a successful 10-year reaccreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission. Eastern has grown in enrollment, stature and numbers of successful alumni. A great deal of the credit for the success of ENMU must be given to Dr. Steven Gamble, who led the institution for 16 years. I wish him well in his retirement and only hope that I can be half as successful during my tenure. On July 1, I officially become the president of this great University, and I look forward to leading it to even greater prominence into the next decade and beyond. Edwina and I are anxious to become part of the ENMU and Portales community. We are looking forward to meeting all of the Greyhound Nation whether on campus, at sporting events, while walking our two rescue dogs, Molly and Mindy, or when we are on the road. Please stop and introduce yourself when you see us.
Sincerely,
J.S. (Jeff) Elwell, President Eastern New Mexico University
Green & Silver | August 2017
3
WELCOME
Rescue dogs, Molly and Mindy, are part of the family for Dr. Elwell, who enjoyed walking them in Atlantic Beach, N.C. last year.
ENMU’S 10TH
PRESIDENT
DR. JEFF
ELWELL
EDUCATOR
SELECTED
By: Wendel Sloan At the April 12 meeting, the ENMU Board of Regents selected Dr. Jeff Elwell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as the new president of the ENMU system, which includes campuses in Portales, Roswell and Ruidoso. He becomes ENMU’s 10th president since the 1934 opening. Dr. Elwell follows Dr. Steven Gamble, who had been president since 2001 and retired at the end of June. Accepting the appointment, Dr. Elwell said, “I am thrilled and excited beyond belief. I look forward to leading the Eastern New Mexico University system into the next decade. My wife, Edwina, and two rescue dogs, Molly and Mindy, are also looking forward to this next exciting phase of our life.” Prior to his five years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Dr. Elwell was provost and special assistant to the chancellor at Auburn University at Montgomery from 2010-12. From 2004-10, Dr. Elwell served as the founding dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at East Carolina University. He was an administrator at the University of Nebraska (1999-2004), Marshall University from (1996-99), and Mississippi State University (1989-96). He holds a Ph.D. in Speech Communication/Theater from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a master’s in Communication/Theatre from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, and a bachelor’s in English from California State University-Bakersfield. Dr. Elwell said being named president of ENMU was the “fourth best day of my life. Meeting my wife, getting married and having a son were the other three.” He was attracted to ENMU by its
Left: Dr. Elwell with his wife, Edwina, watching their son compete at the Big South Track and Field Championships in 2015.
PLAYWRIGHT ATHLETE
AS ENMU’S NEW PRESIDENT “size, reputation and location. I grew up in Southern California, and graduated from Cal State Bakersfield. I find the desert attractive, pleasant and interesting.” The high school and college cross country and track athlete says his goals and aspirations for ENMU are to “stand on the shoulders of Dr. Gamble and other leaders before him. I want to make ENMU even more prominent and increase its reputation.” In his current position, Dr. Elwell successfully dealt with a substantial budget reduction in his second year “in an open and transparent way.” He increased fundraising by almost 900 percent – from $296,000 to $2.6 million. His college also increased distance education offerings over 1,000 percent from 1,188 student credit hours to 14,080. Born in Brooklyn across from Ebbets Field, he moved to California as a toddler. There, he played beach volleyball against Wilt Chamberlain, spotted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar towering above a fence, and saw John Elway play Pop Warner football. “It was common to see famous athletes and actors,” Dr. Elwell said. A track scholarship helped Dr. Elwell pay for college. “You learn so much as an athlete: about winning, losing and how to deal with disappointment,” he said. “You learn how to improve and what it means to be part of a team.” Athletics informs Dr. Elwell’s leadership style, who says winning is important for many reasons, but it’s not THE reason for varsity athletics. “If you’re winning in the right way, it’s great. If winning is the objective and you start taking shortcuts that hurt the reputation of the athletic program or the school, then it’s not that important. If you’re doing really poorly, like going 1-10 in football three years in a row, you have something going wrong and you need to address it.”
Liberal and fine arts are also an important part of Dr. Elwell’s background. As a doctoral student at University of Illinois at Carbondale, Dr. Elwell wrote nine plays in two years, with six of them produced professionally in various genres. “Escape from Bondage” about the early life and times of Frederick Douglas was produced in New York. While waiting for a doctoral loan check, Dr. Elwell met his wife at the Financial Aid Office at Southern Illinois Carbondale. He had to “wait a bit because they messed up my check. It gave me a chance to flirt with Edwina. When she handed me the check for $5,000 I asked her out and she said ‘yes.’” Their first date was on March 5, 1983, and they married in Dec. of 1984. Their son, Preston, just finished his junior year at Winthrop University, where he went on academic and track scholarships and is majoring in Spanish with a minor in political science.
Above: Dr. Elwell at the Parthenon in Athens, Greece in 2011, with his son Preston and wife Edwina.
Asked about his hobbies, Dr. Elwell said, “I’m pretty boring. I work a lot. I enjoy attending college and professional sports events. We like to travel and meet new people, have new experiences and learn about history.” His philosophy of life is, “If you don’t ask, the answer is always ‘No.’ If you’re willing to work hard and make the sacrifices necessary, there is nothing you can’t achieve. You can’t measure grit or motivation.” Dr. Elwell is “looking forward to coming to Portales, meeting people, and working with everyone to make Eastern New Mexico University the best university it can be.”
Green & Silver | August 2017
5
Hossein Zamanian: A Truly
Above: Hossein with his son, Reza, at a CPA swearing-in ceremony in Austin, Texas in 1984. Right: Hossein Zamanian has patented multiple successful products, including a kabob maker and an easy-access, rolling computer stand. His most recent patent is an innovative education software for bilingual reading and for learning to read music.
OF OPPORTUNITY
American Tale By: Noelle Bartl
O
nce upon a time there was a young Iranian man named Hossein Zamanian (MBA 74) with grand dreams. From a Persian family of modest means, Hossein’s parents sacrificed to send him to America. Flying across the Atlantic, Hossein smiled with anticipation as he looked through the airplane window and saw America and all its possibilities. His future in America all began in Portales, New Mexico when he chose ENMU because of the low-cost tuition and the excellent reputation of the College of Business. Portales offered Hossein the safety of a small town to not only adjust to America and study, but to also be a place to begin to learn English. Hossein worked hard, earning his degree in 18 months before going on to earn his doctorate in education from East Texas State (now known as Texas A&M-Commerce). He married his lovely Persian wife Marzi in Iran and because of the unrest during the Iranian Revolution in 1978 and 1979 they returned together to America. Hossein taught for nine years at Southwest Christian College in Terrell, Texas, but once the couple’s two children were born, their son Reza and their daughter Sheila, Hossein began to have visions of something bigger. He wanted to provide more for his family. Over the next two years, Hossein studied diligently for the CPA exam. Passing the exam on the first try, Hossein began working for a national firm as a junior accountant with an “inside office” without windows.
Above: Hossein Zamanian on campus at Eastern circa 1974 while he was earning his master’s in business administration. Left: Hossein and his wife, Marzi, on their wedding day in Iran.
“When do you think I will have one of these windows?” His supervisor saw the potential in him and responded, “The way you work, Hossein, you will have many windows.” Unfortunately, shortly after this encouragement, Hossein was let go. The determined ENMU alumnus asked his boss, whose office had one large window, “When do you think I will have one of these windows?” His supervisor saw the potential in Hossein and responded, “The way you work, Hossein, you will have many windows.” Unfortunately, shortly after this encouragement, the firm merged with another and Hossein was let go. He always wondered if his Green Card status influenced his departure. That day, he returned home at 11 a.m. unemployed. It was the same day they were celebrating their son’s third birthday. The Iranian immigrant was at a crossroads again and worried how he would make ends meet. His close Christian friend and mentor advised him to print his own business card and start knocking on doors ... lots of doors. Over the next two weeks he knocked on doors and approached many businesses with no success. Things were looking dark with no leads. His friend asked him, “How many doors? 100?” Hossein answered, “49.” His friend’s supportive response, “Great! You are getting close.” After this encouragement, Hossein continued asking everyone he met if they needed accounting services. Surprisingly, while waiting for his grocery store to open early one Sunday morning, he struck up a conversation with another patron who owned several dry cleaning businesses and coincidentally had just happened to have fired his CPA the day before.
Green & Silver | August 2017
7
... continued from previous page
His CPA firm grew from there. For the next two years, Hossein conducted business out of his home for 20 clients before needing to open what Hossein described as a “small, one room office with three windows.” After attending numerous Zig Ziglar personal and professional development seminars, Hossein continued to set his sights on bigger dreams. He recalls, “One Zig Ziglar seminar in particular included President Ronald Reagan in attendance and taking notes along with everyone else. I went on to set my own life goals for family, academic, work, finance, innovation and health.” These goals have provided the guiding force to Hossein’s success. “I wrote my goal on an index card and read it every day.”
designed computer stand base with wheels, manufactured in Dallas, is sold online and via Fry’s Electronics. His most recent patent pending involves an innovative education software for bilingual reading and for learning to read music, and is currently being rolled out at Montessori schools.
“One never forgets the first city you move to in a new country. I had no money. I didn’t speak English. I knew my future was at stake and ENMU was the portal.” About once a year, Hossein and Marzi return to Iran to visit family. “My parents were very proud and enjoyed knowing their son had lucrative success as an inventor and as a business owner. I’m thankful for my parents’ vision to send me to America. One never forgets the first city you move to in a new country. I will never forget Portales and ENMU. I had no money. I didn’t speak English. I lived in the dormitory. I worked in the library and studied from sun up to sun down. I knew my future was at stake and ENMU was the portal.” Hossein’s advice to current students and young alumni, “Take the setbacks. Learn from them and make it big.” He concluded, “as long as you have your burning desire, one must continue to dream ... Dream big. Work hard. Work smart.”
Above: Hossein and Marzi with their two children, a son Reza, and a daughter, Sheila circa 1989.
Today, his firm has 10 accountants on his team and more than 500 clients of which Hossein is very selective. Hossein’s eighth floor firm is surrounded by windows providing a view of all of Dallas. In fact, the internal staff offices also have walls of glass so everyone on his team can enjoy the view and keep their eyes on the prize. “Portales gave me my start and opened doors for me,” acknowledges Hossein. “One must look past your career and your bills and look for other needs and fill it with your intentions, inventions and talents.” This truly American success story isn’t simply about building a prosperous accounting firm. Hossein’s life goal for “innovation” provided a ray of inspiration. In the 1980s he designed, marketed and manufactured a booming jewelry line sold to major department stores including Nordstrom. Hossein also designed and patented two products. One invention is a kabob maker manufactured and sold in both Iran and in America at World Market stores nationwide. His uniquely
SUBMIT
A STORY IDEA,
UPDATE OR MEMORIAL We would love to hear from you! Please send news about your career, marriage, accomplishments, etc., and make sure to send a photo for inclusion in the Green & Silver Magazine. Please email your news to us at alumni.affairs@enmu.edu.
Find us on Facebook 8
Green & Silver | August 2017
2017
Dr. Kenneth L. Hillier (Posthumously) Retired: 1981, Professor Emeritus of Finance
Dr. Hillier dedicated 23 years of his life to teaching at ENMU, first as an assistant professor in business economics, later as a professor of finance. The husband and father of five came to ENMU in 1959. He wore many hats during his time on campus, as chair for the Department of Accounting, as a member on several faculty senate committees, and as a volunteer speaker to graduates of Air Force supervision classes. In 1966, he worked with Doug Stone to set up a 15-frame display of currency dating from colonial times, on loan from the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas.
Distinguished
Emeritus Faculty Honorees Dr. Mark Isham Retired: 2009
Professor Emeritus of Education
Mr. Felipe E. Macias Retired: 2012, Professor Emeritus of Theater
Felipe Macias held a number of positions within the ENMU Department of Theatre and Dance, including as designer/technical director for mainstage and studio seasons. During his 25-year tenure, he designed more than 140 productions, directed 27, and mentored over 75 student designs. He served as interim and department chair for eight years, and was active in campus and community committees, councils and professional associations. In 2002 ENMU honored him with the Spirit of Eastern Award, as well as the Presidential Award for Excellence in Advising in 2008. He is currently the technical director for the University of Mississippi Theatre Department.
Dr. Isham came to ENMU in 1982 as an instructor of secondary education and dedicated himself to teaching foundations of education, educational research methods, educational history, educational philosophies, politics of education and more. Over the next 27 years he was a major contributor to the success of the Department of Educational Studies. He coordinated the education foundations and secondary education curriculum areas, was the head writer for the 1998 and 2004 National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) reports, and completed a threeyear term as the department’s graduate coordinator.
Dr. Leslie Paternoster
Retired: 2015, Associate Professor Emerita of Nursing
One of the first of eight graduates in 1994 to complete ENMU’s BS in Nursing program, Dr. Paternoster returned to ENMU as the director of nursing in 2007. She took the lead in transforming the program to being totally online, which increased enrollment dramatically, and was instrumental in the creation of the ENMU master’s in nursing program that began in 2013. In 2014 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Advising. Since retiring, Dr. Paternoster moved to Montana to be near family and enjoy time with her granddaughter. She has fallen in love with the beautiful mountain view and river near her home, and has married her longtime friend, Tom Harris.
Dr. Antony Oldknow
Retired: 2012, Professor Emeritus of English Originally from Peterborough, England, Dr. Oldknow joined Eastern’s faculty in 1987 as an assistant professor of English, where he taught many undergraduate and graduate courses, directed theses, and completed mid-level administrative functions. He was a member of multiple committees and served eight years as the languages and literature department chair. In 1991, he received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service for his active involvement in the faculty senate and the Collegiate Renewal initiative. He is also a published poet, literary translator, painter, writer and small-press publisher.
Dr. Robin A. Wells Retired: 2016
Professor Emerita of Special Education
Dr. Wells has dedicated 49 years to the field of education, and has committed her life to promoting early childhood education and supporting families who have children with diverse abilities. In 2009 she developed the ENMU master’s program for early childhood special education. She has given over 300 hours of her time during KENWTV fundraising efforts, and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service. In 2011, the ENMU Foundation recognized her as Volunteer of the Year. She is a member of a plethora of local, statewide and national organizations promoting early childhood education.
Green & Silver | August 2017
9
Photo by Times Remembered Photography
Sheryl Borden
Recently Retired KENW Marketing Director Featured on the Cover of CHOICES Magazine
By: Judi Moreo, CHOICES Magazine For over 40 years, Sheryl Borden (MED 72, BS 68) has produced and hosted the popular how-to show on PBS called “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.” “Yet,” she says, “it seems like just yesterday when we started the show.” When Sheryl Borden finished her degrees in Home Economics and Education (now called Family and Consumer Sciences), she had no idea she would ever work on a national television program. Today, the ENMU graduate is producer/host of one of public television’s most popular and longest running “how-to” shows. “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden” will begin its 41st year and is listed on Wikipedia as one of the longest running shows on television! The series, produced by KENW-TV, the public television station which broadcasts from facilities on the ENMU campus in Portales, is carried on more than 118 PBS stations in the United States, Canada, Guam and Puerto Rico. Sheryl, herself, is very creative and has abundant energy. She maintains a beautiful balance of personal and family life, productive professional career and active community service, with more time than most for new ventures. “Creative Living” continues to attract guests from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. Viewers often comment that “meeting these guests via their television” has opened a new world for them. Besides offering current, informative topics, career opportunities are often featured which appeal to persons interested in changing jobs or just entering the job market. As a guest on Sheryl’s show numerous times, I have always been amazed at how down-to-earth and warm she is as well as being one of the best interviewers I have ever worked with. “I have always felt very blessed to have this job and the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented people from all over the country,” said Sheryl. “It’s very gratifying to hear from viewers who tell their stories about how the show has helped them in different ways. I like being a part of the “good” that television can do for people and that we all can be proud to be associated with. It’s also fun working with college students who make up the show’s crew. I still hear from many of them via Facebook and email. I love hearing how KENW and the staff here have played a huge roll in their lives.” In addition, Sheryl is a busy wife, with three grown children and two grandchildren, and she knows the importance of applying to her own life the organizational principles she preaches. She is very involved in several local civic clubs, has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as was a past state president of her sorority. She is a member of Altrusa International where she served as Governor of a 4-State District and General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
10
Green Green & Silver | August 2017
Sheryl has been honored by the New Mexico Family and Consumer Science Association as “Friend of the Family,” an award that is presented periodically for outstanding service to the family unit. She also received the “Warm Heart of the Sunbelt” award from the Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her community volunteerism and longevity of service; was selected the recipient of the prestigious Governor’s Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women; was named among
All the way from Athens, Greece, Sheryl welcomed Aris Kefalogiannis, CEO of Gaea Products, to the show in 2010.
the Outstanding Young Women in American Colleges and Universities; and was featured in the New Mexico Business Journal as one of the “10 Best Dressed Businesswomen in New Mexico.” She has served as a spokesperson for several national businesses and regularly presents speeches, seminars and workshops for both adults and youth groups. The saying: “If you want something done right, ask a busy person to do it,” certainly applies to Sheryl Borden. She enjoys the challenge of producing and hosting “Creative Living” and enjoys hearing from viewers about the show. “Although I’m semi-retired as of April 2017, I will continue to produce and host ‘Creative Living’ as long as the station wants me to,” Sheryl explained. “I will work quarter-time which will leave me lots of time to travel or take on volunteer work, do crafts and share adventures with my grandkids.” Fan email confirms that “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden” meets the needs of today’s active and involved families. Hopefully, it will continue to do so for many years to come.
To read Judi Moreo’s full interview with Sheryl Borden, please visit Issuu.com/JudiMoreo
WEEKEND HOMECOMING
EVENTS Friday, Oct. 6 Homecoming Golf Tournament* 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m. Portales Country Club *Limited space available. Please RSVP to ENMU Athletics at 575.562.2141 by Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Dedication of the Thurman Elder Hall of Mathematical Sciences 5 p.m., JWLA 2nd Floor
Pre-Bonfire Tailgating Event
5-6:45 p.m., Greyhound Stadium
Bonfire and Pep Rally
7-10 p.m., Greyhound Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 7 42nd Annual ENMU Foundation Awards Breakfast* 8-10 a.m., CUB Ballroom
*Invitation and pre-registration required
Homecoming Parade
11:15 a.m.-1 p.m., US Hwy 70
2017 HOMECOMING HONOREES Athletics Hall of Honor
Outstanding Alumni Awards
Anna Bellum (Volleyball)
Honorees to be announced later this month.
Gary Good (Rodeo) Samantha Lawrence-Ward (Soccer) Alex Mayo Otis (Softball)
ENMU Foundation Awards
Larry Riley (Basketball)
Business of the Year Big Valley Ford Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Educators Hall of Honors
Philanthropist of the Year Healy Foundation Ed and Trudy Healy
Bette Kimbell Dr. Joan Accardi
Volunteer of the Year Bill Gaedke
ENMU Men’s Soccer Game 1-4 p.m., ENMU Grass Pitch
ENMU Tailgate
4-7 p.m., Greyhound Stadium, Section B
Homecoming Football Game 7-10 p.m., Greyhound Stadium
To view a full Homecoming schedule (Oct. 2-8), please visit
enmu.edu/Homecoming
Giving Scholarships By: Betty Williamson Eastern New Mexico News
is Deeply Satisfying
I discovered some years ago that I have an unusual knack for giving away other people’s money. Not only is it easy to do, it is highly satisfying. That is only one of the reasons I look forward to the annual scholarship and awards ceremony at ENMU. This year’s version happened in April, and 418 students left the Campus Union Ballroom with a total of $376,000-worth of scholarships. I started attending this event about 20 years ago when my Uncle Jack Williamson was getting up in years and asked if I’d fill in for him one year to pass out the scholarships given in his name. As I said, giving away other people’s money is a piece of cake. Who was I to say no? I was hooked immediately. This event is the Thanksgiving and Christmas of the academic year at a university — plus a bittersweet time to remember some of the finest individuals who ever lived in this community. To the right are just a handful picked from the dozens of named scholarships Eastern awards each year. “Our named scholarships are incredible at helping specific deserving students each year,” according to Noelle Bartl, executive director of the ENMU Foundation, and she added that contributions to departments and to the University general fund also provide important support to all students. “Offering scholarships benefits the students not only in the ability to help them attend college now,” Bartl added, “but also in the long run to reduce their debt upon graduation.” Few of the students who received scholarships ever knew the individuals who made those gifts possible; many of them were born after their benefactors were long gone from this earth. But for those of us who have been here for a lifetime, each year this ceremony is a chance to reconnect with names and memories that are very dear to this school and this community ... and pass out money to deserving young scholars. I wouldn’t miss it for anything!
REMEMBERING SOME OF OUR ENMU FAMILY THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS • Arvel Branscum — his named scholarship assists a business major, but I will always remember a perpetually cheerful man whose delighted welcome always brightened a day. • Minnie Navarro — generations of ENMU students were counseled by this gentle soul who helped us navigate the trail to graduation. It is fitting that the scholarship in her name assists female students who are widowed, divorced or single parents. • Carl and Ruby Parker — the Parkers led travel groups from eastern New Mexico all over the world. Their endowed scholarship helps elementary education majors prepare to open up new worlds to their future students. • Dallan Sanders — there was never a finer cheerleader for ENMU and eastern New Mexico than Dallan. It will surprise no one who knew him that the scholarship given in his name is for “meritorious service” and requires applicants to submit an essay about what the terms “work ethic” and “community service” mean to them, and how they contribute to higher education. • Dr. Herbert E. Bergstrom — Dr. B. was one of the first students to attend Eastern, later a faculty member, and a beloved Baptist pastor to many local congregations. His memorial scholarship assists a humanities major in financial need. • Peggy Tozer — the longtime former director of Golden Library was my first boss when I was a Greyhound long years ago. She was kind and fair and funny. She never married or had children, but it would be impossible to count the number of young lives who continue to be assisted by the ongoing scholarships in her name to students in anthropology, English, music and theater.
You may have heard about planned giving, but are not familiar with the benefits. A planned gift is really quite easy – it involves some planning that helps both you and our mission. The planning tools on our website can help you create a legacy in your will or trust, increase lifetime income for you and your spouse, and pass on property to your heirs through a charitable plan. To learn more about the benefits of making a planned gift, please call the ENMU Foundation at 888.291.5524, or email noelle.bartl@enmu.edu. You can also visit our website:
12
Green & Silver | August 2017
ENMUGift.org
Dr. Gay Su Pinnell
Enhancing the ENMU Child Development Center (CDC)
By: Dr. Darron Smith
Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture ENMU and the College of Education and Technology are most appreciative of the new possibilities presented by alumna Dr. Gay Su Pinnell (BA 66) and her generous contribution to enhance the ENMU Child Development Center (CDC) and the early childhood education program. When asked what inspired her to fund the $300,000 grant, Dr. Pinnell explained, “A superb child development center is well worth investing in. It gives ENMU students a chance to interact with the children in a professional setting. The college students learn how to observe children closely as the little ones engage in active learning. And one of the critical benefits is the chance to observe excellent teaching before they go on to student teach.” Dr. Pinnell is Professor Emeritus in the School of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State University. She has extensive experience in classroom teaching and field-based research, and is well known in public education for developing and implementing comprehensive approaches to literacy education. She has received numerous awards including being a member of the Reading Hall of Fame. Together Dr. Pinnell and her co-author, Irene Fountas, have authored numerous books, videos and websites that are now considered standards in the field of literacy instruction and staff development. “It is a pleasure to give these funds, especially as my parents were both educators in Portales,” stated Dr. Pinnell. Her father Dr. Leroy Pinnell was the dean of the ENMU College of Education and Professor Emeritus of Education. Her mother Elfrieda Pinnell taught first grade at L.L. Brown Elementary School in Portales.
ENMU’s CDC currently has two classrooms: one for children 3 to 4 years of age, and another for children 4 to 5 years old. The development of a new room specifically for 2 to 3 year olds is necessary to provide ENMU students opportunities to work with this younger age group as required for revised New Mexico licensure pathways. Dr. Pinnell’s generous donation is making this transformation possible. Funding received will: • Serve the needs of young children and their families of both the campus and surrounding communities. • Expand the experiences of early childhood education (ECE) teacher candidates as well as majors in Health and Physical Education, Communication Disorders and Social Work. • Re-dedicate the work of the CDC to focus on the fundamentals of literacy. Childhood literacy is a major focus for our nation’s educational system. With this grant, the new CDC literacy center will house an expanded selection of literacy materials available for young children to interact with our college students and for parents to check out for home use. Dr. Pinnell recalls her own professors, “All of my instructors were excellent, but two especially provided mentoring. Shirley Wahlman (BA 58) taught the 5-year-old class and directed the preschool and I did student teaching with Jackie Harmon. Both were and are superb educators.” “ENMU provides a real service to that larger community,” acknowledges Dr. Pinnell, “And by that I mean the United States and perhaps beyond – by giving students a chance to have a high quality educational experience at an affordable price and by educating high-quality teachers.” ENMU and the College of Education and Technology are honored to accept the generous donation from Alumna Dr. Gay Su Pinnell.
Green & Silver | August 2017
13
An Adventure Thro Roosevelt County Historical Museum Founded in 1940, the Roosevelt County Historical Museum is located on the north end of campus across from the Administration Building. All items and displays have been donated by Roosevelt County residents, and upon entering the museum, visitors are immediately swept backward in time to the early life and times of the county’s residents. The displays reflect the 12,000-year history using antique furniture and an Edison phonograph, as well as the technology of the past as evidenced by the printing press pictured to the left, patented in 1899, and a medical instrument collection. There is clothing and equipment from local ranches including a peanut roaster from the 1890s, examples of old typewriters, cash registers and sewing machines, and a dentist’s office. The museum also owns one of the few examples of a 47-star United States flag.
Gennaro Natural History Museum Written by Dr. Ken Cradock, Chair of the Department of Biology This live-animal exhibit was originally developed by Dr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Gennaro and was housed in the basement of Roosevelt Science Center. It’s popularity with students and the public grew rapidly and it moved to the first floor, where there was more room and easier access. Today the museum houses both live animals and preserved specimen exhibits. The emphasis is on the fauna found in the eastern New Mexico to west Texas region, allowing visitors to see some of the wildlife that calls this area home.
For school tours please contact 575.562.2174. 14
Green & Silver | August 2017
The live exhibits provide an easy-access, safe environment for both the public and the creatures on display including reptiles, fish and invertebrates like the American alligator, rattle snakes and the gar. This museum is a great resource for the Department of Biology, the University and the residents of the area. It is regularly used as a teaching resource for biology classes, and students work with faculty and staff to maintain the museum and its exhibits. Local school groups (mainly grades K-4) also visit to enhance their early learning experiences in the life sciences. Each year the museum receives over 4,000 visitors. This museum is a real gem and we look forward to continued success and engagement in the years to come.
ugh History
Getting to Know the Museums at ENMU
Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark and Museum
Miles Mineral Museum Submitted by: Dr. Jim Constantopoulos Professor of Geology, Director and Curator When Fred Miles and his wife Gladys moved to Roswell, New Mexico in 1928, they began exploring along the Pecos River. There they found beautiful quartz crystals called Pecos Valley Diamonds. This was the beginning of a love affair with minerals and rocks which lasted for 40 years and was the beginning of the Miles Collection. The collection was displayed in a back room at his Texaco service station in Roswell. If you mentioned any interest in minerals and rocks, he would proudly show off his collection, which also included Native American artifacts.
“I wanted to get this collection into a school where the students could enjoy it.”
Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the earliest Paleoindian cultures in North America while touring this interactive archaeology site located six miles north of Portales. The Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark is a 640-acre landscape of human activity areas in an upland area that once contained a major water source: the spring-fed Pleistocene lake. View uncovered bison bones in the Interpretive Center, well as many species of extinct fauna and various projectile points and tools in the Visitor Center. Outstanding bone preservation allows visitors to view different areas of a bison kill site as they were laid down thousands of years ago. The original Blackwater Draw Museum was built in 1969 to house the artifacts excavated from Blackwater Draw. This past May, the museum opened the doors to a new home on ENMU’s campus in Lea Hall, focusing on the 85 years of work at Blackwater Draw, as well as the broader material cultures of the Southern High Plains. The museum also houses the Miles Anthropological Collection and the Calvin Smith Collections, as well as several other donated collections.
In August of 1966, Miles and ENMU entered into an agreement to purchase the collection, which included approximately 2500 geological, archaeological and anthropological specimens. On Feb. 23, 1969 the Miles Museum was opened on the ENMU campus. The museum was originally housed in space adjacent to Lee Hall. After several moves around campus, in 1997 the collection was placed on display in the present space on the first floor of Roosevelt Science Center. Most of the specimens on display are from the original Miles Collection. Additional specimens have been obtained through donations and purchases. The new location for the Blackwater Draw Museum opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in May of 2017. From L-R: Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce representatives Victoria Garrett (MA 82, BUS 77) and Karl Terry, John Montgomery, Cori Snobble, museum curator Jenna Domeischel, former museum director George Crawford (BS 88), former ENMU President Dr. Steven Gamble, Chamber of Commerce representative Kathy Mead and ENMU Foundation Executive Director Noelle Bartl (BS 92).
Green & Silver | August 2017
15
Jack West
The Victor Who Believed in Himself
By: Scott Christianson Current NFL alumni member and former ENMU Greyhound Jack West (BS 72) is an example of turning adversity into triumph. West, the current director of the Pro-Athletes Team, had the unique opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes preparation and everyday operation of the NFL as a scout team/practice squad player for the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys in the mid-1970’s. However, just as many victors could attest, he began his ascent from difficult and humble beginnings.
While playing football at ENMU, Jack West qualified as a candidate for All American and led the Greyhounds’ 1970 season with 57 catches. Jack West with Vince Lombardi Jr., the former football executive and son of legendary coach Vince T. Lombardi.
While playing football at ENMU, a coaching change placed West at a crossroads. He could continue playing at Eastern, or could restart his football career at another university. One man stood in the gap. New head coach Jack Scott arrived in 1970 and said to West, “If you stay, I promise greater things for you and this team. You have the potential to become a great player, perhaps a shot at All American if you dedicate yourself.” Consequently, Jack had to face the greatest opponent that most athletes have to face, “Himself!” He overcame this obstacle and led the Greyhounds’ 1970 season with 57 catches. He also made the list as a candidate for All American. “Coach Scott helped me change my way of thinking, in many ways he saved my life by conditioning me to expect the best of myself in everything I approached,” said
SIGMA CHI
REUNION Earlier this year, alumni from the ENMU chapter of Sigma Chi gathered in Portales this year to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
16
Green & Silver | August 2017
West to Green Bay Packers quarterback Lamar McHan, a friend of Coach Scott’s. ENMU has habitually made student success their main goal, and that is the experience West received during his time on campus. “Those counselors at Eastern stayed on me to finish. They often said, ‘You are going to finish, don’t leave here until you complete that goal.’” Ultimately, West did graduate and went on to be a part of the NFL during the 1974-75 seasons, where he possessed the ability to not only catch passes but also crack-back-block. “Crack back blocks were legal in those days so I made it a point to stand out that way,” explained West. Afterward, West coached football at Grants and Las Cruces high schools and led Las Cruces to the 1976 state championship. As the national director of the ProAthletes Team, a company comprised of former athletes and coaches who use their unique ability to connect with businesses and nonprofits in effort to help them save or raise money, West hopes to support athletes who did not share the same fortune he did in having mentors in ENMU counselors, professors and coaches. West now resides with his wife in Edmond, OK and is looking forward to retiring. “My time at Eastern was more valuable than I can express. I thank my counselors, coaches and teammates for tolerating me in those days ... and I mean the times of adversity, difficulty and the good times.”
Banking on Life
Dennis Edwards’ Education Proves a Solid Investment
By: Robert Graham Dennis Edwards (BBA 65) was a typical young college man who grew up in Clovis, New Mexico. He didn’t know what he wanted to study, so he decided to take a semester off from school and work for the Santa Fe Railroad. It was during this time that he had a life experience while working the night shift as the ticket agent in Clovis, which he will never forget. “It was late one evening when in walked a person that looked very familiar. He was kind and warm and chatted with me for two hours. He talked about his deep convictions regarding the perils of Communism,” says Dennis. The man’s name was Ronald Reagan. He had been the keynote speaker that evening at the Roswell Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet. It was a few months thereafter that Mr. Reagan announced he was running for Governor of California. After graduating from ENMU with a degree in finance, Dennis became a banker in Arizona and reached the level of executive vice president of First Business Bank. Dennis returned to New Mexico in 1991 and opened Edwards Men’s Wear. He later re-entered banking and retired in 2004 as community bank president of Wells Fargo - Portales, ending a 38-year banking career. Like Ronald Reagan, a man he deeply respected, Dennis has lived a robust life by affecting the communities where he lives in measurable ways. In addition to his distinguished banking career, Dennis is a life director of the Fiesta Bowl. He was involved as a member of the Clovis and Portales Rotary clubs, as well as the Clovis Chamber’s Committee of 50 and Portales Affairs Committee. He was an honorary commander of the
Dennis and Carolyn with their two “hairy children.”
logistics squadron at Cannon Air Force Base and he cherishes the memory of a ride in an F-16 fighter jet. Dennis also met his wife, Carolyn Mullenax (MEd 76), in Clovis. Carolyn worked at ENMU as the assistant alumni director and then as director of publications until she retired in 2002. That same year, Dennis became District Governor Nominee of Rotary District 5520 and during his 2006-07 year as district governor, he and Carolyn drove 27,000 miles in seven months to visit all 69 district clubs. Dennis initiated a district special annual fundraising event to support the Rotary Foundation. To date, it has raised over $1 million. The intrepidness with which Dennis approaches his personal endeavors parallels his zeal for community service wherever he lives. He currently lives in Angel Fire, New Mexico where he serves on the Rotary Club, the Angel Fire Search and Rescue Team and recently completed his time as the interim executive director for “Music from Angel Fire.” “I have had an interesting and rewarding life since I left ENMU, which gave me a solid education,” says Dennis. “My banking career provided me with opportunities to serve the communities I love.”
Photo by: Adam Vance
50 YEARS
STRONG The event was an enormous success, with several generations of Sigma Chi alumni and Sigma Chi Sweethearts in attendance.
Green & Silver | August 2017
17
ENMU ATHLETICS By: Adam Pitterman and Will Edwards
Greyhound Athletics Registers a Strong Year in the Classroom The 2016-17 year was a highly successful one for the ENMU Department of Athletics in competition and in the classroom. As a group, the Greyhound student-athletes posted a 3.08 gradepoint average for the academic year. “At ENMU, we are very proud of our student-athletes both in the classroom and in their sports,” said ENMU President Dr. Steven Gamble. “I congratulate both the players and the coaches for their demonstration of ‘student success.’” “These term GPAs and cumulative GPAs are represent the respect, commitment and dedication that our student-athletes have for their academic pursuits,” ENMU Athletic Director Dr. Greg Waggoner said. “We applaud their efforts and academic
results, as well as their coaches and other athletic staff that set a standard of expectation for our student athletes, as well as support and advise them.” As far as overall grades, ENMU athletics performed extremely well for the year compared to the University’s student body. Eastern’s women’s teams posted a combined GPA of 3.27 for the year, ahead of the female portion of the student body, which was an impressive 2.96. The men’s teams combined for a GPA of 2.88, slightly ahead of the 2.76 GPA of ENMU’s male student population. The women’s cross country team boasted a 3.52 GPA for the year, while all seven women’s teams finished with combined GPAs of at least 3.08. The baseball team paced the men’s teams with a 3.18 GPA for the year.
Softball Team Reaches 20 Wins for First Time Since 2007
Baseball Team Surges to Second-Most Wins in Program History
The Greyhound Softball team also had a banner year, with second-year Head Coach Katie Welborn moving into fifth on the career win list. With a doubleheader sweep at Oklahoma Panhandle State on April 19, the Hounds clinched their first 20-win season since 2007. One key highlight of the year was a perfect 7-0 mark against in-state opposition.
In early May, the Greyhound baseball team concluded a season for the ages. Eastern posted the second 30-win season in program history, and just missed the Lone Star Conference tournament. Eastern’s 32 victories were the most since the 1996 team’s record of 34.
Senior Audrey Velasquez concluded her career as the recordholder for games played (213) and at bat (692). She also was fourth in runs scored and doubles. Freshman Kaylee Rogers posted 15 wins in the circle, the most since 2007, and fourth on the ENMU single-season list. Erikka Burke continued her habit of knocking the ball out of the park, and tied for second on the single-season list with 13. Junior first baseman Erikka Burke earned Second Team All-Lone Star Conference honors, while shortstop Susannah Chandler made third team. The selections marked the third time in Chandler’s career that she has earned All-LSC honors. Burke’s selection was her first. The duo were among the top defensive players in the conference this season.
For more news visit the
OFFICIAL WEBSITE goeasternathletics.com 18
Green & Silver | August 2017
The year included a pair of wins over Lone Star Conference Champions Angelo State and West Texas A&M. On the final weekend of play, ENMU came within one game of claiming a tournament spot for the second time in team history. All-American Alex DeLaCruz turned in a historic season for the Greyhounds to earn a First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region Selection before garnering All-American status. The second baseman set the program record for runs scored in and finished second in the Lone Star Conference in average, second in on-base percentage, fourth in hits, tenth in doubles, sixth in total bases, and sixth in stolen bases. He has consistently been the best hitter in the Lone Star Conference, leading the league in batting average, runs scored, hits, total bases, slugging percentage, third in doubles, sixth in home runs, sixth in RBI, tenth in walks, 14th fewest strikeouts, third run on-base percentage and second in stolen bases.
You can now purchase Greyhound gear online!
enmu.ShopTrueSpirit.com
NEWS Pictured left: Junior second baseman Alex DeLaCruz set the program record for runs scored in and earned a First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region and All American.
Barry Wins Goat Tying, ENMU Rodeo Finishes in Third in National Finals ENMU rodeo senior Tawny Barry won the goat tying event at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. After a 23rd-place finish a year ago, the Carter, S.D., native reined in the top spot with a time of 6.4 seconds in the short go, besting Wyoming’s Amelia Anderson by 0.1 seconds to win the event. The ENMU rodeo team wrapped up a third-place finish, marking the third time in the last four years the women’s team has finished in the top-three nationally. Celie Vick finished in seventh-place in the short go of the goat tying with a time of 7.7 seconds. Tierra Gray reined in a time of 2.3 seconds in the breakaway roping, but was saddled with a pair of no-times to finish in a four-way tie for 30th at the CNFR. Lindsey Adcock finished with an average of 21.1 seconds in the goat tying after runs of 7.3, 7.1 and 6.7 seconds.
Ryan Spence Tabbed as ENMU Women’s Soccer Coach When Ryan Spence returns to Portales to become the fifth ENMU women’s soccer coach, don’t be surprised if he finds the town familiar. A former player and assistant coach at rival Midwestern State, he also served as an assistant at Texas A&M University-International. “The opportunity to come back into the region I played and am familiar with is a great one,” said Spence. “Coming into a small town is a good thing, considering where I’m coming from. The Lone Star Conference is one of the top conferences in division II. I think there is a good group of girls coming back and I’m excited to progress ENMU women’s soccer in the future.”
Seven Greyhounds Qualify For NCAA Outdoor Championships in Six Events
Photo by: Whitty Wittenberg of Two Dog Enterprises
ENMU attended the Outdoor Track & Field Championship meet in Bradenton Florida, with seven athletes qualified to participate in six events. Leading the way for the Hounds was the men’s 4x100m relay team. The quartet of Jacques Hall, Marcus Parker, Avery Rasher and Julian Coronado entered the event as the top seed. That group includes three of the four runners (Rasher, Hall, and Coronado), that placed seventh at last year’s championship and earned All-American status. Parker and Coronado also qualified to compete in the 100m dash, while Parker also ran in the 200m dash. Augustus Swanson competed in the 400m hurdles. For the women’s team, Melina Gryschka participated in the 3,000m steeplechase and Alexis Aguirre reached the championship meet in the javelin toss.
Pictured left: Rodeo teammates junior Celie Vick with seniors Tawny Barry, Lindsey Adcock and Tierra Gray all competed in the National Rodeo Finals, where the team placed third.
Green & Silver | August 2017
19
Class NotesPeople You Know It’s unusual to find someone who has dedicated his entire life, and counting, to the attainment of a single goal – especially when that goal is to maximize physical fitness. But Phillip Dan Cook (BS 67), Ph.D., ACE, NASM has done just that. Devoting 67 years to this pursuit, he has continued to improve and maintain his physical health – with extraordinary results. His new book, “My Life in Pursuit of Exceptional Physical Fitness,” chronicles Cook’s lifelong exploration of fitness and offers a road map for all those interested in improving their health and enhancing their enjoyment of life. Robert Donohoe (BS 72) recently starred as Truman Capote in the oneman show “Tru” in West Palm Beach, Florida. Originally from Albuquerque, Rob has worked as an actor for the last 44 years in and out of Germany, Los Angeles and New York City, where he now resides. He received a Drama Logue Award for his performance in Spoon River, and was nominated for the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award for his portrayal of Otto Kringelein in Grand Hotel. Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative (RCEC) Jerry Partin (BBA 81) will retire this fall. His cooperative service career began 41 years ago, when Jerry was fresh out of the Navy looking for a job to get him through college. He started in 1976 as a custodian, and after earning his degree in business administration, was promoted to member services advisor. He was hired as general manager for Southwestern Electric Cooperative in Clayton in 1986, and began his 26-year career as RCEC’s sixth general manager in 1991. RCEC Engineering Manager Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr. (Attended) has been selected to step in as general manager after Partin steps down.
Kevin Kaplan (BA 85) was inducted into the Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor during its 70th Biennial Grand Conclave. He is the 20th overall inductee, and one of only five living inductees. He has been an active volunteer for over 30 years. Professionally, Kaplan serves as CEO of Coaching Charities, a foundation management company and Promotion Dynamics, a sports marketing firm, both based in Las Vegas. He has also been inducted into the ENMU Athletics Hall of Honors (1996), the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame (1993) and was honored with the 2015 Black College Football Hall of Fame Founders Award. Earlier this year, Kevin also received this magnificent carved Kava Bowl by legendary master carver, Tuione Pulotu and the great Junior Ah You at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. On April 25, 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico presented incoming freshman Jessica Mosier with a $1,000 scholarship. Tisha Pierce Aldredge (BM 96), special events coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, and Steven Aldredge (BS 96), deputy sheriff for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, welcomed Jessica to the ENMU family.
It was quite the reunion at the Ross Black Track and Field Invite in Lovington this past April, when coaches from southeastern New Mexico gathered — many of whom were former classmates including Quintin Wilson (BS 83), Lovington High School, Bob Jackson (MS 83, BS 81), Hobbs High School, Ron Egan (BS 81), Carlsbad High School, Glenn Johnson (MS 84, BSE 81), Portales High School, Michael Prokop (BS 80), Portales High School, and Larry Dodson (BS 81), Carlsbad High School. Do you recognize any of your former classmates? Go Greyhounds!
20
Green && Silver Silver || August August2017 2017 Green
Greg Qualls (BS 04) joined DMC Logistics as regional account manager. He will be responsible for generating new revenue and cultivating relationships throughout New Mexico and west Texas. Thomas Maguire (BS 06) graduated with his MBA last December from UNM. He plans to work in government or medical and is currently involved with the New Mexico Tech Council, as well as several community service projects in Albuquerque. The ENMU Choir recently spent 10 days touring the United Kingdom and France, where they performed at numerous historic cathedrals including St. Paul’s, Chartres, Notre Dame and more. The trip was in the works for over a year prior to take-off, and Associate Professor of Music Jason Paulk was required to submit recordings a year in advance to cathedrals where they were hoping to sing. China, central Europe, Italy and New York have also been visited by the choir in the past decade. Paulk explained to the Eastern New Mexico News that it’s all part of a plan to encourage the students to “think globally about cultures, music and society in general.”
Dr. Beatriz Pacheco (MA 09, BA 89) has completed requirements for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. She published her dissertation entitled The Impact of iPad Multimodalities on the Literacy Skills of Adolescent Identified as Low-Achieving Readers and will present her findings at the Innovative Teaching Strategies Conference in Las Vegas.
After a successful CowDrop fundraiser, ENMU’s Theta Zeta chapter of Kappa Sigma presented $2,000 to the ENMU Foundation for scholarships, and $2,500 to the Greyhound Stadium. The men of Kappa Sigma work hard to give back to the University, and their donations will help ENMU continue to provide high quality education.
Samara Fellows (BS 14) has traveled to Cochabamba, Bolivia to volunteer and intern. During her time there, she was involved in three different projects: canine therapy, equine therapy and a hospital internship. Roger Johns (Faculty) is having his debut novel “Dark River Rising” published. The novel is a mystery featuring female Baton Rouge homicide detective Wallace Hartman. 2012 Distinguished Emeritus Faculty honoree Dr. Anthony Schroeder (Faculty) was inducted into the Adams State University Educators Hall of Honors. He came to Eastern in 1975 as an assistant professor in the Department of Communicative Arts and Sciences, coached the debate team, and held several administrative positions from department chair to acting dean of the Graduate School. He has been a mentor and friend to many who have walked the halls of ENMU.
Pictured from left to right: Kappa Sigma fraternity members Zach Santos, Jody Bailey, Sergio Uvalle, and Jonathon Elkins, ENMU Foundation Executive Director Noelle Bartl, ENMU Director of Stadium Operations Draco Miller, ENMU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jeff Long, and Kappa Sigma members Edgar Munoz (fraternity president) and Riley Daggett.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Submit your story ideas, news and memorials to us at alumni.affairs@enmu.edu. Green Green&&Silver Silver| August | August2017 2017
21
Class NotesIn Memory 50s
Dr. John T. Decker (BS 54) passed away on Dec. 28, 2016. John grew up in Portales and was a proud ENMU graduate. As the son of former ENMU professor Hermann Decker, John grew up with the embrace of the extended family of the college community. He appreciated his college education and recognized how it prepared him for the rigors of medical school and the challenges he would face in his professional future. Jesse Lee Wallace (BS 56) passed away on April 26, 2017. Jess decided from a young age that he wanted to become a doctor. College was interrupted by the conflict in Korea, so Jess joined the Air Force as a radio operator before graduating from medical school in 1962. He began his practice in Tucumcari, and in 1969 he helped open the first emergency room in Ogden, Utah. Later he also opened NowCare clinics to help provide medical service to a burgeoning population. Jess retired from medicine in 1998 and continued to enjoy golf, fishing, grandfather-hood, travel and playing guitar as his wife, Kathy, accompanied on the piano.
60s
Gloria Faye Miller (MA 60 BA 58) passed away May 11, 2017. Gloria served in the Lovington Public Schools as a teacher, school counselor, and director of Elementary Education. While attending ENMU, Gloria met her husband of more than 65 years, Curtis Dale Miller (MS 60 BA 61). Gloria and Curt owned the local Montgomery Ward Store and a Driver Education School. They retired to Ruidoso, New Mexico in 1989 and after 20 years, the couple moved to Albuquerque. Gloria loved to go to the racetrack and to casinos to play the slot machines. Norman Richard Dillard (MA 62, BA 57) passed away on April 4, 2017. After earning his degree in education, Norman began teaching in Clovis. He and his wife Sue (AA 55), moved to Oklahoma City where he served as a principal for 20 years, and as the director for Oklahoma teacher certification. He finished his career as athletic director for Sapulpa Public Schools and was an active member of many professional educator organizations. Ava Arlene Bogard (BA 63) passed away April 4, 2017. Arlene grew up in west Texas before moving to Portales during high school. With the Great Depression having just ended, times were still difficult, so in 1941 Arlene found a job taking tickets at the Yam Theater. She met her husband of 70 years, Ira “Bogle” Bogard, there and the two moved around with the Coast Guard. Eventually they returned to Portales to raise their family. Arlene taught at James Elementary for 11 years before the couple moved to Ruidoso where she taught for another 10. After retiring, Arlene and Ira moved to Las Cruces.
22
Green && Silver Silver || August August2017 2017 Green
Mary Nell Kelley (MA 63) passed away May 1, 2017. She graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1943 and married Virgil Kelley in 1947 in Clovis, NM. She graduated from West Texas State with her bachelor’s degree in 1948 and began teaching career in Happy, Texas. She retired from Denver City ISD. Robert D. Nymeyer (BA 64) passed away on May 24, 2017. Bob taught industrial arts for several years and enjoyed running Nymeyer Machine and Welding for 30 years. He married Katherine Skaggs in 1992. Bob’s hobbies included farming, shooting, hunting, playing his guitar and restoring tractors and farm machinery. He was a member of Carlsbad Rifle and Pistol Club and was past president of FFA. Wanda Lou “Bunchie” Robinson (MED 65, BA 59) passed away on May 7, 2017. Bunchie was ENMU Homecoming Queen in 1958. She worked as an elementary school teacher for 37 years and was a member of the Clovis Education Association and the New Mexico Education Association. Charles Sorgen (BS 65) passed away April 18, 2017. He was born and raised in Clovis, and graduated from ENMU with a degree in economics. He was a member of the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha and worked as an Insurance Adjuster for USAA from 1963-92. Joyce DeVaney (BS 66) passed away on April 14, 2017. Joyce worked for the USDA in Mission, Texas as part of the screw worm eradication program. In retirement, Joyce traveled to Thailand, Vanuatu, Korea, and Africa. She enjoyed helping the Aggies for Christ and she often took elderly people to their appointments or to get groceries, played cards with them, and cooked for others. She was a substitute teacher in Melrose and also served as a school bus driver. She loved watching the kids compete at school sports. John Armistead Burt (BS 66, MA 67) passed away on March 28, 2017. He was a proud civilian employee of the U.S. Coast Guard for 35 years, and was named honorary master chief petty officer in 2001, which was his proudest professional achievement. John lived in Las Cruces since 2010 and was an active member of his housing association, poker group and neighborhood. Ann Echols (BS 68) passed away April 14, 2017. She began a career as the PE teacher at Yucca middle school in Clovis. After moving to Santa Fe in the 1980s, she began working for the Public Regulation Commission and retired from the Corporation Commission as the bureau chief. Ann loved to bike ride, play tennis and of course her favorite form of exercise was dancing with her husband, Bill.
Billy Dean Seymour (BS 69) passed away March 6, 2017. Before earning his degree, Bill served in the Navy and was a member of the Underwater Demolition Team 12 that helped map the Polar Cap with Jacques Cousteau. Bill coached for many years in various public Texas schools. Upon retirement, Bill enjoyed golfing and spending time at the beach.
70s
Willie “Charles” Green, Jr. (MBA 71) passed away in April 2017. Charles was accepted to West Point Military Academy and the Air Force Academy, but continued his education at ENMU after persevering through many challenges including a life-changing sickness. He worked at MHMR as an accountant and tax consultant for Barclays Financial, city of Lubbock, city of Dallas, and the city of Garland. He was a member of the First Church of God In Christ and began the video/audio ministry. Walter Martin Hisenberg (BS 72) passed away on April 1, 2017. Walt was born in Tularosa, a place and a childhood he recently published a book about. He worked for the state of New Mexico for 25 years, most recently in the State Forestry Division where his passion was fighting forest fires, where he continued to do after retirement. He cared deeply for the St. Francis De Paula Church in Tularosa and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Steven Allard (MA 74, BS 72) passed away on March 9, 2017. After earning his degree in psychology and counseling, Steve was a rehabilitation counselor for Region IX Education Service Center, an adolescent counselor with the Wichita Falls state hospital, and a psychologist for the James V. Allred Prison in Texas. He retired in 2012, but continued to work as a counselor at the Recovery Center in Wichita Falls. Steve was a lover of history and he especially loved reading National Geographic. He rarely missed a chance to take a road trip, and was a top-notch Trivial Pursuit competitor. Dennis Ray Gwin (BBA 76) passed away on March 31, 2017. A Portales native, Dennis graduated from Hobbs High School and joined the Navy. Later, he spent several years working as a CPA for various oil companies. After 17 years working for Slough Equipment in Odessa, Texas he retired at the age of 65. He enjoyed fishing and bowling. Matthew Hinde (AS 79) passed away on April 24, 2017. After working as a hardware engineer maintaining and repairing satellite ground station equipment, and being involved with several space shuttle and satellite launches, Matthew worked for Lockheed Martin on the PAC3 Missile program for 14 years. Matt and his wife loved to travel and greatly enjoyed the outdoors.
80s+
Charlene Durrett (MBE 86, BS 80) passed away on April 19, 2017. She began her teaching career as a New Mexico History teacher at St. Edwards Catholic School in Carlsbad. Later, in Bloomfield, New Mexico, Charlene taught business education and coached an awardwinning cheerleading squad. She was a talented woman who had the will and determination to succeed at whatever she began. Bonnie J. Ledbetter (AA 86) passed away on May 6, 2017. After graduating from ENMU, Bonnie continued working for the University as secretary to the dean of Fine Arts for 20 years. She then moved to Michigan where she had been residing. Michael Kyte (MA 88, BS 80) passed away on June 15, 2017. Archaeology was Michael’s passion, and he retired from Carson National Forest as the west district archaeologist earlier this year. Michael spent many years protecting historical sites from impending development. Also a talented artist, Michael’s early works are still utilized at Blackwater Draw Museum on campus, where he brought the pre-history to life for visitors. Teri Lynette Holcomb (BUS 88) passed on March 1, 2017. Teri grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico before moving to Portales. After earning her degree, she was a teacher for the Carlsbad Municipal Schools, and enjoyed working with special needs and grade school children. Susan C. Mote (ADN 90) passed away on May 19, 2017. Susan’s patient and caring personality was shown through her work as a teacher’s aide, and this was strengthened through nearly two decades of work as a registered nurse. She enjoyed leisurely activities such as latch hook, reading real crime and mystery stories, and surrounding herself with all-things zebra. Susan also enjoyed watching wildlife, and touched the lives of her friends and family in countless ways. Flori Jo Nunez (BS 00) passed away May 5, 2017. She was an assistant trial attorney and was most recently working for the New Mexico Public Defender’s Office in Carlsbad. Flori was an Air Force veteran and was awarded an achievement medal, an Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon and Air Force Training Ribbon. Ross C. Greathouse (AA 2007) passed away March 30, 2017. He earned his degree in agriculture and, for a period, he worked in eastern Colorado in an animal husbandry operation. After returning to the Portales area, he took care of the two family ranches in Floyd and Elida. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, enjoyed doing yard work, hunting, cooking, and loved to watch Rachel Ray shows on the cooking channel.
Green Green&&Silver Silver| August | August2017 2017
23
NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTALES NM 88130 PERMIT 15
ENMU Foundation Station 8 1500 S Ave K Portales, NM 88130 enmu.edu
Return Service Requested
New address, questions, comments or story ideas? Contact us toll-free at 888.291.5524 or enmu.foundation@enmu.edu.
The 10 Presidents of Eastern New Mexico University
1-4
The first four presidents of ENMU (from L-R): Donald MacKay (1934-41), Floyd D. Golden (1941-60), Dr. Donald C. Moyer (1960-65) and Dr. Charles Meister (1965-75).
5
Warren B. Armstrong (1975-83), the fifth president, prioritized landscaping on campus, as well as policy development. Pictured to the right: Armstrong and his wife, Joan.
A group of past presidents welcomed Dr. Jeff Elwell as the 10th University president during the ENMU Foundation’s annual summer barbecue. From L-R: Dr. Jeff Elwell (current president), Dr. Steven Gamble (2001-17), Dr. Everett Frost (19912001) and Dr. Robert L. Matheny (1983-89).
7
The seventh University president, Thomas Bond (1989-91) and his wife.
Photos courtesy of ENMU Special Collections
6, 8-10