Dr. Pinnell Establishes Endowed Chair

By Noelle Bartl

ENMU alumna and philanthropist Dr. Gay Su Pinnell (BA 66) established the “Professor Gay Su Pinnell Endowed Chair for the Literacy and Language Education of Young Children” in the spring of 2023. The newly endowed chair will fund a faculty position for the ENMU College of Education and Technology. Interest earnings from the $1 million contribution will support the teaching, research, service, and other activities for the assistant professor appointed to fill the chair.

According to Dr. Pinnell, “The ENMU faculty member must have an established record of excellence in literacy education, particularly in the education of young children.”

Pinnell explained that it is desirable for the assistant professors appointed to this position to have expertise in helping children who struggle to learn to read. She stated, “The individual will have qualifications that enable ENMU to serve as a leader in helping teachers and schools to provide literacy interventions such as Reading Recovery (i.e., individual tutoring) and small group reading instruction.”

“ENMU is truly fortunate to have an alumna such as Dr. Pinnell. Through the ENMU College of Education, we share Dr. Pinnell’s vision and passion for helping young children learn to read and excel in school,” said ENMU President and Chancellor Dr. James Johnston. “Dr. Pinnell’s gift is one that will allow ENMU to continue to lead the region in preparing new teachers with the skills to positively impact generations to come.”

Because of her inspiring career success in developing comprehensive literacy systems, Dr. Pinnell was invited to be the commencement speaker on May 13, 2023, at the ENMU-Portales campus. Speaking to 657 graduating students and a Greyhound Arena full of family and friends, Dr. Pinnell gave the following advice, “Persistence pays off. I was turned down three different times at Ohio State before being awarded a faculty position… don’t give up on your dreams…. My goal wasn’t so much that I needed to be on the faculty as it was to be able to do my work.”

The day before commencement, the former ENMU Greyhound spoke at the ENMU College of Education and Technology Medallion Ceremony, where 39 education graduates were presented medallions as a symbol of the journey they started as students and will continue in their future careers.

ENMU invites the campus and Portales community to celebrate the official dedication and naming of the Dr. Gay Su Pinnell Education Building on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at 2 p.m., when the University Regents will officially dedicate the Education Building in her honor.