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.

Dennis and Carolyn with their two “hairy children.”

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 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.”