ENMU Green & Silver Magazine - August 2023

The “Father” of Criminal Profiling

John Douglas

Photo by Kemet Gatchell

ENMU mascot Ralph’s new look debuted in May and made an appearance at the ENMU Alumni Association sponsored game at Albuqueruque’s Isotopes Park in June.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Greyhound Family,

At the time of this writing, we have just finished the first six months at ENMU. Stephanie and I have also experienced celebratory activities and traditions that typically conclude an academic year. The traditions and sense of family are all that we expected. We love being a part of such history and tradition. I will admit that starting in January is a bit like reading the second half of a great novel first. It is still a great story, but you miss a few things. We now look forward to the beginning of “the story” this fall.

Reflecting on the year, I must first thank our area legislators and all who worked with me to bring resources to ENMU and the ENMU system during the legislative session. For ENMU, we received an additional $17 million. This investment by New Mexico will allow us to continue our mission and remain a vital resource for the state and region. I also recall my inauguration ceremony. We hosted family, friends, and colleagues, and I remain truly humbled that so many were present to show support and honor an academic tradition. Once again, I extend my thanks and appreciation. We also celebrated more than 650 Greyhounds earning their degrees. The energy, pride, and excitement at Greyhound Arena were extraordinary to be a part of and witness.

Summer brought a time of planning and preparation. With the input of campus and leadership, I continue working on the next steps for ENMU to grow and thrive as a valuable educational resource. Those plans will be implemented as we begin the fall semester, and I look forward to sharing our success through this letter in future editions of Green & Silver. I also hope you will return to your alma mater to participate in all that we will achieve together.

Finally, as you read this letter, I hope you will reflect on the beginning of each fall semester during your time at ENMU. I hope it brings back fond memories, a sense of family, and pride in your achievements. One of the great joys of working in higher education is that I have the opportunity to experience all those things over and over with each group of students we serve. Indeed, there are times of doubt and challenge, but we are here to help students through that so that they experience the celebrations and traditions that I noted to begin this letter.

As you read this edition of Green & Silver, I hope it finds you well, and I hope to meet you in person somewhere down the road.

All the best, and GO HOUNDS!!!

James Johnston, Ph.D. President and Chancellor

The “Father” of Criminal Profiling JOHN DOUGLAS

His journey from the Air Force to the Federal Bureau of Investigation took him through many twists and turns, not the least of which included face-to-face meetings with some of this nation’s most notorious murderers.

But before he became an FBI agent and the inspiration for the Netflix series “Mindhunter,” John was a serviceman at Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, New Mexico.

“I was supposed to go to Lackland Air Force Base (in San Antonio, Texas) but ended up training in Amarillo,” John said. “They tested me and were going to send me to radio intercept school. There was an opening at Cannon, and I didn’t want to stay on the training base, so I went there.”

The job at Cannon was “miserable,” but John found his way into special services, responsible for the base’s athletic programs. While stationed at Cannon, he began his bachelor’s degree in psychology, completing it in under four years.

Just after starting his master’s degree at Eastern, John met FBI Agent Frank Haines (MED 64), who ran a one-person field office in Clovis. He saw something special in John and suggested he apply to the Bureau.

“I had never even considered law enforcement as an option, but he convinced me,” John said. “I went to Albuquerque for the interview and to take the test. Within 30 days, I was in Washington, D.C., with the new agent class. I was among the youngest in the class at 25 years old.”

Fourteen weeks later, the ENMU alumnus was assigned to the office in Detroit, Michigan, and later was stationed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He worked violent crimes, fugitive cases, and hostage negotiation before being transferred to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, to begin teaching. He trained law enforcement officers across the nation, where he ran across some friction.

“I saw the FBI agents challenged. Some police officers we were training had worked some of the cases discussed in class,” John said. “They were arguing with the instructor, and that’s not what I wanted.”

By Todd Fuqua

This friction inspired John to delve into what motivated criminals to commit particularly heinous crimes. During one trip to California, John convinced his partner to get an interview with Charles Manson. This was first of many interviews with convicted killers the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) conducted.

“The tool of criminal profiling was there, and the FBI was dabbling in it, but they weren’t organized. They never went into the prisons to do interviews for this. My interviews were from an investigative perspective, and I began coming up with many terms to refer to the job. I was shaping the tool.”

He first came into prominence from his work investigating the Atlanta, Georgia, murders of 1979–1981, thanks to an interview with People Magazine, in which he successfully profiled the unidentified killer as a young black man. After the arrest of Wayne Williams, he helped convince a jury that Williams was the murderer, earning John a letter of commendation from the FBI.

His job entailed more than just catching criminals. Sometimes he was in the business of working to exonerate the wrongly prosecuted.

John pointed to his assistance in the “West Memphis Three” case of three men convicted of killing three 8-year-olds in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1993–94. They were later set free after new forensic evidence came to light in 2007, and John provided an analysis of the killings, which disputed the original conviction.

He was also instrumental in defending Amanda Knox, presenting evidence supporting her innocence in a murder case in Italy, and he provided an analysis in the JonBenét Ramsey murder case in Colorado, concluding that the family was not responsible for the death of their 6-year-old daughter.

“I received a lot of criticism from many within the law enforcement community who believed the family was responsible,” John said. “The case remains unsolved, but DNA ruled out the family as suspects years later. This case still haunts me, and hopefully, it will be solved one day.”

His career as a criminal profiler also led to consulting work while he was a unit chief with the FBI, including work on the 1992 Oscarawarded film “The Silence of the Lambs.” He has also served as a consultant on several true-crime shows.

(continued Page 6)

The career trajectory for John Douglas (BS 70) is part luck, part fate.

Photo by Masterclass

Douglas, continued from Page 5

After retiring from the FBI, John collaborated with Mark Olshaker to write his first book, “Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit,” published in 1995. It was a New York Times bestseller in hardcover and paperback, bringing him fame. He has written and published 15 books in his career.

“After the book, I was a celebrity, and it was really weird,” John said. “I never imagined I’d end up being the father of criminal profiling.”

Eventually, Netflix adapted his story for the screen as the “Mindhunter” series, but it portrayed a more dramatic interpretation of his work.

“They Hollywood-ized it, of course,” John said. “The interview process and how it evolved is true. There was a lot of skepticism within the FBI about what we were doing.”

Recently, John used his experience as a criminal profiler to create a class titled “How to Think Like an FBI Profiler” with the online streaming platform Masterclass.com. He is also a soughtafter speaker, discussing his career and its impact on the law enforcement community.

This ENMU alumnus is a busy man, but he remains focused on advice given him by the late ENMU Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Dr. Garland Tipps, while John was still an undergraduate.

“Dr. Tipps was excellent in personal psychology, and he’s the one who motivated me to go into graduate school in psychology. Dr. Tipps talked about the importance of balancing your life, and it felt like he was talking directly to me,” John said. “He said to imagine walking down a forest path in the dark. If you shine the flashlight too far ahead, you’ll lose sight of what is right in front of you and fall. That stuck with me.”

John Douglas (far right), with fellow FBI agent Rob Ressler (far left), and convicted serial killer Ed Kemper. In the 1970s, Kemper was one of the first convicted criminals Douglas and Ressler interviewed when building the Bureau’s criminal profiling database.

Courtesy Photo

John (left), with actor Scott Glenn in 1989 on the set of “The Silence of the Lambs.” Glenn played the part of FBI agent Jack Crawford, a character based on John.

Courtesy Photo

John, (far right), listens as investigative reporter Maria Awes, (center), speaks with Captain Steve Cooper of the Criminal Investigative Division in the Spartanburg Sheriff’s Office in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The interview was filmed for an Investigation Discovery series about convicted serial killer Todd Kohlhepp, which first aired in 2019.

Courtesy Photo

Using Science and Innovation to Treat Pain

Sarah Lieb (BS 16) was a coach and teacher in Texas before deciding to make a career change. After seeing the physical rehabilitation needs of athletes and non-athletes alike, she earned a certification in personal training online from the International Sports Sciences Association, and began working as a personal trainer before opening her own studio. Once in business for herself, she researched other forms of sports fitness treatment and discovered cryotherapy. After further exploration, she realized this was a field she wanted to pursue.

Eventually, she took her business to Clovis, New Mexico, where she owns and operates Clovis Cryo.

“Cryotherapy uses low temperatures to perform a treatment,” Sarah said. “It’s special because of its ability to instantly reduce pain and inflammation, helping the body heal naturally.”

Clovis Cryo offers two types of treatment – localized and full body. In localized therapy, cold temperatures are applied to specific muscle areas such as the lower back, neck, ankles, and wrists. This flushes the tissue of fluid and waste to reduce inflammation and swelling. As a result, there is an improved range of motion and faster recovery time.

In full-body cryotherapy, clients stand in a cryo-chamber for three minutes, exposing the body to subzero temperatures while wearing minimal clothing. While this may sound uncomfortable, Sarah said the benefits go beyond pain relief and physical healing. Anxiety and depression decreased in clients thanks to reduced pain and increased overall well-being.

The recovery and healing time from such treatments allow clients to return to total

By Todd Fuqua

activity in half the expected time for many injuries. This is a tremendous advantage for student-athletes during a competitive season.

“From where I started to where I am today is exactly where I want to be,” she said. “We’ve paired cryotherapy with a 24-hour gym and recovery services and even have a full-time massage therapist. I guess my next goal is to offer strength and speed training to young athletes.”

Sarah’s past with ENMU continues to drive her. She was the MVP for the ENMU women’s basketball team for two seasons, leading the team in scoring and being selected All-Lone Star Conference twice. She also served as a graduate assistant coach at Angelo State and coached volleyball and basketball in the Texas public school system.

“My experience playing and coaching, and my ENMU degree in sports recreation management, prepared me to help studentathletes reach the next level, both high school and college.”

Sarah demonstrates a localized cryotherapy treatment on Clovis Cryo employee Britney Watts. The targeted treatment uses compressed carbon dioxide to quickly chill the affected area.

Photo by Todd Fuqua

Educating through Art

As a boy, Josh Van Thang (BFA 22) often sat in the cold morning air and drew on the large boulders outside his home. Using charcoal from the fire pit or vines he’d collected from the fields that had been burned for farming, he would sketch as the sun rose over his village, warming the people and the land.

Living in the mountains of Chin State in Myanmar, Van had never heard of Leonardo DaVinci, Andy Warhol, or Georgia O’Keefe. When he was a teenager, his family fled to Malaysia to escape the military conflict in Myanmar. It was there Van discovered the idea of creating art for a living.

As Van completed his BFA at ENMU, he was approached by the Refugee Language Project in Amarillo, Texas, to illustrate stories as part of the organization’s Heritage Language Storybook Project. Van was eager to provide artwork for a story they had collected from a woman named Naw Klein.

Though Naw Klein is part of the Karen ethnic group, and Van is Chin, their experiences living in fear of the Myanmar military were similar. He didn’t have to research what she had gone through to create the artwork.

“Naw Klein’s story is very familiar. I can relate to that. Those events are difficult for some of my [American] friends to imagine.” Van said. “I have seen things like that with my own eyes, so imagining it is not very hard.”

Van now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a float patient navigator for WindRose Health Network, helping Chin people connect to healthcare services in his area. But his real passion is creating art, and has been accepted to the University of Texas at Austin and pursue an MFA in design.

He also seeks to educate people and spread awareness about the current situation in Myanmar.

The book he helped illustrate, “A Long and Weary Road: Memories of a Brave, Young Village Leader,” is set to be published later this

By Crystal Pennington Refugee Language Project

year and recalls the years Naw Klein spent as the mediator between the military and the Karen people in her village. Each picture Van created is a testament to the daily insecurity people like his family and Naw Klein lived with. His favorite image in the story speaks to this tension, depicting a woman keeping watch at a house doorway while other women sleep inside. Two men in military uniform are seen standing nearby at a campfire.

“That is what is happening almost every day right now. It’s been happening for a very long time. We’ve always been insecure about our situations,” Van said. “The military can come any time in the house or the village, and someone could die at any moment. We always must stay alert, protect, and look out for each other.”

Van didn’t touch typical art supplies until he was 17. As a refugee awaiting resettlement, he decided that his talent and future success was in making art rather than pursuing medicine or law as many refugee parents encourage their kids to do.

Van likes to dabble in everything – some photography, watercolors, pencil sketches, and especially mixed media projects. His dream is to one day run his own art business and help people understand the current climate in his home country. Van hopes to give Western readers a deeper understanding of the situations refugees come from and how those traumas affect them.

“[The effects] might be in education, how we work, our families, and even our communication, relationships, or friendships. It might affect us in so many ways,” Van said. “It is not because we choose to be like that, but because of our environment and what is going on around us so much that shapes us the way we are. Returning to normal will take a while because many of us are affected mentally.”

ENMU Department of Art

Dr. Buck Wilson: An ENMU Legend

By Noelle Bartl

ENMU lost a volunteer legend this summer. Dr. Buck Wilson (BS 60) died on June 25, 2023, at age 86.

Dr. Wilson served as an ENMU Regent from 1979-1985, including a term as president. He was a founding member of the ENMU Foundation (formerly known as Friends of Eastern Foundation) when it was just an idea among friends wanting to help ENMU in 1976 and officially became a nonprofit in August 1978. From their initial $50 contributions and years of advocating for the University, the ENMU Foundation has contributed over $42 million to support ENMU programs and scholarships.

Dr. Wilson served as the ENMU Foundation president from 1978–2002, then as treasurer from 2002–2023, and was honored with Emeritus status on June 3, 2023, at the ENMU Foundation board meeting. He was also instrumental in establishing ENMU’s Educator Hall of Honor, Athletics Hall of Honors, and the Greyhound Club.

“There are too many contributions to catalog because Buck represents the very best of Eastern,” said retired ENMU Chancellor Dr. Patrice Caldwell. “His most meaningful contribution is that he never stopped contributing.”

Wilson completed an engineering degree from Eastern in 1960 and entered the Air Force. He was sent to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and met Ira Shannon, a researcher who was credited with discovering the importance of fluoride to tooth health. It was Shannon who encouraged Wilson to enter dental school.

He completed dental school at the University of MissouriKansas City in 1968 and opened his Portales dental office.

“Uncle Buck,” as many called him, did not stop at supporting the Portales campus. While on the Commission for Higher Education, he was instrumental in helping the Ruidoso community secure initial approval for the future ENMURuidoso campus. According to alumna Sandy Gladden (BS 72) and the ENMU-Ruidoso Foundation Board vice president,

“There was a moratorium against additional sites for higher education in New Mexico. Buck guided us through the process, championed our presentation to the CHE, and made the motion to approve our application after our presentation.”

Noelle Bartl (BS 92), executive director for the ENMU Foundation, stated, “Buck taught me so much about giving back to one’s community, connecting the dots of opportunity, asking the tough questions, and loving everyone always. I don’t believe you can find another volunteer that has worked so hard for so long nor had as monumental an impact on ENMU. Buck will be missed dearly, but his legacy will continue in all these traditions.”

“The largest contribution Buck has made to ENMU is his love and enthusiasm for the university,” said Stephen Doerr (BS 77), president of the ENMU Foundation. “The title of ambassador is overused these days, but I have always believed that Buck is the best and most influential ambassador Eastern has ever had.”

Dr. Wilson (left) receives the Greyhound Hero Award from ENMU Foundation President Stephen Doerr at the annual Foundation Barbeque in 2019.

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.

Dr. Gay Su Pinnell

Foundation Sets Scholarship Record

The ENMU Foundation awarded the highest number of scholarships in its 45-year history for the 2023–2024 academic year, giving 479 scholarships totaling $679,000 to Eastern students. The awards reflect a $179,000 increase in funding, made possible by a growing network of supportive alumni and friends who generously contribute to these scholarships.

“These big dollar amounts represent the even bigger hearts of the alumni and friends of ENMU,” said Dr. James Johnston, ENMU President. “Their generosity and willingness to support so many students are truly inspiring and greatly appreciated.”

The ENMU Foundation manages 320 endowed and restricted named scholarships that funded the 479 awards based on academic accomplishments and individual qualifications that adhere to criteria set by donors.

Since its establishment in 1978, the ENMU Foundation has awarded over $11.6 million in scholarships and over $15 million to support ENMU programs and initiatives.

“We take great pride in being good stewards of the funds entrusted with the ENMU Foundation,” Noelle Bartl (BS 92), executive director of the ENMU Foundation. “Each spring,

we are reminded why we love what we do when notifying the deserving students. Many recipients are surprised, honored, and humbled to be selected for these awards and even express relief to receive financial support.”

For more information on the ENMU Foundation and how to contribute to ENMU student scholarships, visit enmu.edu/Foundation.

Eastern Dedicates New Pickleball Courts

ENMU officially opened new pickleball courts on campus with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Vetville Recreation Area on June 21, 2023. Two of the six existing tennis courts at Vetville were renovated into eight pickleball courts, allowing up to 32 players at a time.

The courts were funded in part by generous donations from longtime Portales residents Max (attended) and June Merrick (attended) and Scott (MBA 85) and Jane Christensen (MBA 83, BBA 80)

“Because of their love of pickleball and their generosity, we can ensure ENMU facilities continue to be innovative and responsive and a great place to enjoy for students and the entire community,” said Dr. James Johnston, ENMU President.

“Pickleball is a great sport,” Max Merrick said. “All ages can participate, and it can become very competitive for those that fall in love with the sport.”

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with 48.3 million players in the country as of March 2023. It combines many elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton and can be played as doubles or singles, enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.

Since their completion, Eastern’s pickleball courts have been a hit, as many are seen taking advantage of the new surface to try their hands at this fast-growing sport.

Photo by Kemet Gatchell

The Voice of Rodeo

Ferron Lucero Turned Rodeo Announcing into a Career

By Todd Fuqua

How does one go from majoring in computer information systems to a career as a popular rodeo announcer?

Ferron Lucero, Jr. (BS 04) said it was necessary.

“I was a team roper in college but didn’t go to any rodeos after I was done. I was told to announce a rodeo after not attending a team meeting, but I didn’t want to do that at all,” Ferron said. “I had a friend who announced, and it was cool to hear him do it, but it was nerve-racking when I tried it. However, it paid more than my work-study job, and I was hungry.”

He continued to announce for the next three years, appearing on Cowboy 101 on the Outdoor Life Network. Later, while doing the dishes in his house back in Portales, he overheard an announcer on TV and was impressed.

“I wanted to know who it was, and it turned out to be me, announcing the College Daze Rodeo!” Ferron said. “That’s when I realized I could do this for a living.”

He switched majors to a sports communication degree and now has an 20-plus year career of event announcing and promotion under his belt, working as the director of customer service and digital integration for the Equine Network.

He also returns regularly to Portales each September to announce the College Daze Rodeo at Lewis Cooper Arena. His profession requires much more than showing up to the mic and announcing; he also helps schedule the events and market them to the public.

Then there’s the announcing.

“You’re orchestrating the entire show. You’re making sure everyone knows who’s supposed to do what and when,” Ferron said. “If you do this enough, you get to know the contestants better and can put together notes about each one, which makes my announcing more interesting to the audience. It takes organization, and you have to have a rhythm.”

That rhythm is just as applicable to his career. When asked to announce, he can choose where he wants to work and set his price. It’s a luxury he has after 22 years in the business.

Ferron pointed out the contributions of Richard Rivera, production manager at KENW-TV; Charles Bennett (BBA 81), who tirelessly promoted him; and Arkie Kiehne, who kickstarted Ferron’s career with a trip to San Angelo, Texas.

“One day, someone told him I should get off the mic because they thought I wouldn’t make it,” Ferron said. “Arkie told that guy to get on the mic himself if he felt he could do it. Arkie was a big reason I wasn’t cut loose early on.”

“Announcing these events has been a blessing, but it’s only because of people like that who planted the seed and watered it,” he continued. “You have to have the breaks, blessings, and support.”

He’s passing that blessing on to the next generation as well.

“I have become a big part of families’ lives because of this job,” Ferron said. “I meet young men who remembered something I said or did at events when they were kids. They remember my work better than I do. It meant something to them, and it is gratifying to be part of that. It’s a great community to be a part of.”

Alicia Jare Photography

Zoe Hutcherson Earns Research Grant

For Zoe Hutcherson (attending), this past summer was not one for vacationing.

Instead, she worked hard in the Sacramento Mountains and Lincoln National Forest in south-central New Mexico, gaining valuable experience while studying the effects of wildfires on forest wildlife. The Southwestern Center of Herpetological Research funded the project, awarding Zoe the Laurence M. Klauber Memorial Summer Research Grant for 2023.

Under the guidance of ENMU professor Dr. Drew Davis, Zoe’s research studied the impact of wildfire on pathogen prevalence in Sacramento Mountain Salamanders. This species is not listed as endangered due to its restricted range of threatened habitats along the narrow mountain range.

However, that very restriction is why Zoe feels this research is essential.

“Given its ecological importance and biodiversity significance, conservation measures are imperative to ensure the long-term viability of this species,” Hutcherson said. “It could benefit the area overall by helping educate people on the impact of wildfires on native species.”

The research involved taking swab samples and small tail clips from salamanders to test for viruses and pathogens. The samples were sent to the ENMU campus in Portales for analysis.

“This grant has given me a chance to grow, learn, and gain valuable experience in the field while also contributing to vital conservation and education efforts,” Zoe said. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity this grant has provided me.”

A Love of Beauty Inspires Sajan K C’s Study

Sajan K C (attending) finds great beauty in insects.

He is often seen with a camera, taking detailed photos of his subjects. Whether it’s in his native Nepal; Portales, New Mexico; or the Panamanian jungle, he is never short of subjects to study.

“I began my entomology career during my undergraduate program in Nepal,” the master’s student said. “I studied the diversity of insects around my college there and did an undergraduate thesis on it. I was more inclined toward butterflies due to their diversity and beauty.”

“There are millions of species of insects, so I knew I had to choose a certain group and become an expert on it. I raised caterpillars and

released them as adults in Nepal while studying their life cycles,” he said. “The vast diversity of butterflies attracted me. Since their population is declining worldwide, I am dedicated to their preservation.”

Butterflies were not his first interest when he came to Eastern.

“I was perhaps more interested in beetles – I still am,” Sajan said. “So, currently, I am working on an obscure group of beetles called Hemipeplinae as my thesis.”

But make no mistake; butterflies are still his passion.

“I plan to join a Ph.D. program after graduation to do my dissertation on butterflies of tropical regions,” Sajan said. “I want to become a Lepidopterist.”

By Todd Fuqua

Courtesy

Photo

By Todd Fuqua

Courtesy Photo

Bill Joy Fund to Benefit Training Program

In recognition of Bill Joy (MS 70) and his contributions to the ENMU Athletic Department as the head trainer for a quarter of a century, a new fund has been established to encourage future athletic trainers.

“ENMU Athletics is grateful that Bill Joy’s family agreed to set up this endowment,” said Paul Weir, director of Athletics. “Athletic trainers as a profession are under tremendous pressure, and it is becoming harder and harder for us to keep such valuable personnel. An endowment like this will help us recruit and retain the future Bill Joys of our profession and infinitely improve Greyhound Athletics.”

Bill joined the athletic staff at ENMU in 1966 and was certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association in 1973. In 1986, he was appointed by Gov. Toney Anaya to the New Mexico Athletic Trainers Advisory Board, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1991. In his career, he was part of many athletic accomplishments on the ENMU campus, including national rodeo championships, national cross country and track and field titles, and the 1969 NAIA men’s basketball national title.

Donate online at ENMU.edu/BillJoy to honor Bill Joy’s legacy and help ENMU hire and keep the best athletic trainers our student-athletes deserve.

Poyer Named to New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame

Jennifer Goble-Poyer (BS 97), a star basketball and volleyball athlete at ENMU, will be the first Greyhound student-athlete inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame at the Hall’s annual banquet on Aug. 19. “This was a wonderful surprise,” Jennifer said. “It is truly humbling to be honored with so many great people involved in New Mexico sports.”

Jennifer came to Eastern in the fall of 1990 and immediately starred on the basketball court, earning Lone Star Conference (LSC) Player of the Year and the LSC Freshmen of the Year honors. She was also a four-time AllLSC pick, finishing her career at ENMU as the all-time scoring leader with 1,852 points. She also owned the top per-game scoring average for a season (23.9 in 1991–92) and career (20.4). She led her team to a regular season LSC basketball title and a best-ever 23–5 record in 1992–93. In volleyball, Jennifer was a four-time first-team All-Lone Star Conference pick and was named the LSC player or co-player of the

By John Houser

year all four years. She finished her career with several ENMU and LSC volleyball records and led ENMU to their best-ever volleyball record (33–6) in 1993, en route to the LSC regular season and tournament titles. Jennifer was also named the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year in 1993 and voted the Greatest Zia in all four years she played.

In 1999 Jennifer was named a member of ENMU’s All-Century and All-Decade (1990s) volleyball teams, and in 2000, she was inducted into Eastern New Mexico University’s Athletics Hall of Honors. In 2011, Goble-Poyer was elected to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor, and in 2012, ENMU retired her basketball and volleyball jersey numbers, making her the most decorated athlete in Eastern New Mexico University history.

“On behalf of ENMU, I extend a heartfelt congratulations to Jennifer,” said Dr. James Johnston, ENMU Chancellor. “What an incredible athlete and journey! ENMU is honored by her achievements, and we thank her for being such an outstanding representative of the Greyhound Family.”

ENMU Athletics

ENMU Honors 36 Greyhound Athletes at Graduation

By Cameron Brennan

During ENMU’s spring commencement, 36 Greyhound student-athletes received diplomas at Greyhound Arena on May 13, 2023.

Nine different athletic programs had graduates take the stage. Baseball led the way with nine graduates, and the football program boasted six student-athletes receiving diplomas.

The ENMU graduates have set records on the field and in the classroom. Two of the graduates received their master’s degree, with one of them being a double-graduate of Eastern. Of the graduates, 33 received a bachelor’s degree and one earned an associates degree.

Greyhound Football Tickets On Sale Now

With the release of the Eastern New Mexico University football schedule in June, coaches, athletes, and fans are getting ready for the season’s start on Aug. 31, when the Greyhounds take on in-state rival New Mexico Highlands at Greyhound Stadium.

To purchase tickets to any ENMU home game this season, scan the QR code below.

All ENMU games are available on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network (LSCDN) for those who cannot make it to games in person. Visit the LSCDN via the QR code below to the right.

Those wanting to give additional support to ENMU student-athletes can join the Greyhound Club. Membership levels range from $100 to $1,000 and feature a wide range of experiences and perks for every athletic season. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information, visit ENMU.edu/GreyhoundClub.

ENMU Athletics

Class Notes People You May Know

Ed Johnson (MA 86, BS 84) is the founder and president of Ed JohnsonAP International Consulting and a former mayor of his hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Ed serves as an honorary member of the Global Parliament of Mayors and is a member of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and the New Jersey League of Municipalities. In January 2023, he assumed office as president of the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Alumni Members of the Zeta Sigma chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity joined ENMU Chancellor Dr. James Johnston in May to dedicate a memorial bench and plaque in front of the Administration Building. Pictured are standing, left to right: Dave Mathews (BS 80), Dr. Johnston, David Porter (MED 83, BS 69), Gary Robbins (BBA 73), Dwayne Grenko (BUS 05), Bob Goldsborough (BS 80), Tom Meadows (BS 71), Mark Bergman (BBA 87), and John Armijo (BA 84). Front row, left to right: J.R. Jacobs (Attended), Larry Brock (BS 72), Matthew Gormley (BS 95), and Joshua McCarty (BBA 08).

Bill Ford (BS 71) retired as a principal lecturer at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas, in 2022. Recently, the Dallas Society of Visual Communications awarded Bill the Golden Orchard Award for his work in teaching young professionals the art of visual communication and marketing. He is only the seventh person to earn the award since it was established in 1997.

In April, the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) named Dr. Glenda Balas (MBA 89, BS 75) vice president for academic relations at the BEA’s conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the same meeting, she also received recognition as BEA research committee chair from 2019–2022, during which she was series editor for three volumes of the BEA’s annual media research series. Glenda was also recently named a professor emerita by the University of New Mexico, commemorating her professorship in communication there from 2010 to 2013.

Marcos Hinojos (BS 91) was promoted from defensive coordinator to head football coach at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. The announcement came after a 32-year education and coaching career at the high school and collegiate levels.

Porfirio (Pilo) Delgado (BS 01) is the new director of KENW. Pilo started at the station as a studio engineer in 2004 and was promoted to the director of broadcast engineering in 2020.

Jensen (BS 01) and Carol (Logsdon) Silver (BS 99) are proud of their son, J.J., who graduated from Queen Creek High School in Queen Creek, Arizona in May of 2023, and now attends ENMU, playing football for the Greyhounds. The Silvers also celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this fall.

Dr. Jonathan Burgos (MS 03) works as a microbiologist at the Food and Drug Administration, part of an interdisciplinary team studying food outbreaks nationwide. He is also an officer for the United States Public Health Services as an outbreak responder for infectious diseases such as Ebola, COVID, and other viruses.

James Villanueva (BS 05) is an award-winning author and educator in Slaton, Texas. His latest book, “The Secret Language of Prairie Dogs,” was released in paperback in June, his third full-length book. He has also published the young-adult novel “Flick,” which was adapted as a teleplay and entered in the Austin Film Festival in Austin, Texas. He is also the author of “Remembering Slaton, Texas: Centennial Stories 1911-2011.”

Diego Espinoza (BA 06) has been president of Leadership New Mexico since February of 2023. Diego has served as Congresswoman Heather Wilson’s statewide community outreach director, then was director of government programs for CSI Aviation, overseeing several government contracts and more than $100 million in annual sales.

Steven Mathews (MED 12, BOE 09) was named vice president of workforce and economic development at South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) in September 2022. He has more than 18 years of curriculum and workforce development experience within the SLCC system.

Jonathon Tafoya (BS 10) had a 13-year career working with schools and tribal programs at Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, and now works for the State of New Mexico Indian Affairs Department as the policy and government relations director.

Rachel Sanchez (BUS 11) is the director of community health and grants program manager for Healthy Rural California, overseeing grant applications to serve rural and underserved areas of Northern California. She is also a Glenn County Behavioral Health Advisory Board member and a Butte County Child Abuse Prevention Council member.

Members of Kappa Sigma gather with ENMU Foundation Director Noelle Bartl (BS 92), far right, to celebrate another donation to the ENMU Foundation following the chapter’s annual Cowdrop fundraiser. Since 2004, active members of Kappa Sigma have raised $69,890 for the ENMU Foundation.

Melissa Rice (BM 11) has been the head band director at Lovington High School in Lovington, New Mexico, since July 2022. Before that, she taught music and band at Lockwood Elementary and Marshall Middle School in Clovis, New Mexico.

In September 2022, Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, promoted Jason Emory (MED 19) to dean of industrial programs. Jason had been a career and technology instructor at Frank Phillips since January 2018 and was named director of industrial education in September of that year.

Jenna Wethington (BS 20) is the watershed coordinator for the San Juan Soil & Water Conservation District in San Juan County, New Mexico, overseeing the planning and implementation of water quality improvement.

Colin Gasper (MS 20) has coached the men’s water polo team at Oxford University since October 2022. In December 2022, he was also named head coach for the U17 and U19 women’s national water polo teams in England.

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Class Notes In Memory

50s

Mary Willis (BA 53) died March 24, 2023. Mary was a homemaker, traveling the world and to all 50 states with her husband, Air Force Lieutenant James B. Willis.

Paul Summersgill (MA 57, BME 53) died April 9, 2023. Paul was a band director throughout New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, teaching in Dora, Causey, Roswell, New Mexico; Muleshoe, Texas; and Winslow, Arizona. He retired after a 35-year career.

Norman Hale (BA 55) died March 23, 2023. Norman pursued a career in accounting, working first for the firm of Barrett & Barrett in Hobbs, New Mexico, before establishing his own firm in 1975. He fully retired in 2001.

Calvin Lynn Wood (MA 55, BA 52) died March 20, 2023. Lynn taught woodshop, drafting, and physical education in Aztec, New Mexico, for 36 years, also serving as Aztec High School’s baseball coach.

Sen. Carroll Leavell (BBA 58) died June 26, 2023. Carroll served in the New Mexico State Legislature for 22 years. An insurance agent, he was a member of the Senate Finance Committee and was a valuable resource when it came to insurance-related issues and played a lead role in modernizing New Mexico worker’s compensation laws. First elected to office in 1996, he stepped down in 2018.

Robert Patrick O’Connor (attended) died April 23, 2023. Robert was a celebrated playwright in the off-off-Broadway scene in New York City, New York and Los Angeles, California. His best known work is “Kennedy’s Children,” which got a Broadway production in 1975-76 and a TV movie adaptation in 1982.

60s

David Goin (MED 67, BA 64) died April 27, 2023. David taught high school drafting in Tucson, Arizona, before teaching vocational metalworking and drafting at Clovis High School in New Mexico. In 1969, he was named a state supervisor of industrial arts in Santa Fe before returning to Portales, New Mexico, to join the ENMU faculty in 1970, retiring in 1990.

Gayland Roberts (MA 61, BA 59) died May 15, 2023. Gayland was a math teacher and coach at Dumas and Channing, Texas, school districts before starting a 25-year career at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico. After retiring, he served as an assistant professor of mathematics and was chairman of the mathematics department at York College in Nebraska.

Don Hunton (BS 69) died March 1, 2023. Don started his service, sales, and regional sales management career as a government contractor in the Army Reserves, using his appreciation for hard work, being a good neighbor, and respecting the land and wildlife in his career.

Grant Thomas “Bill” Brown (BBA 69) died April 21, 2023. Bill worked at First National Bank in Portales, New Mexico, later serving as vice president of Home Federal Savings and Loan. He purchased Prestige Carpets in 1983 and ran the store before selling in 2013 and moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico. He worked for Las Cruces Public Schools as a custodian before retiring.

70s

A memorial service for Eva Green (BA 65) and her daughter Cynthia Beard (AA 76) was held May 15, 2023. Eva died December 27, 2018, while Cynthia died October 31, 2022. Eva was an English teacher for several years, while Cynthia was a home health care provider in Cedaredge, Colorado.

Larry Baggette (MBA 72, BS 70) died July 1, 2022. Larry was a successful real estate businessman, custom homebuilder and entrepreneur in Granbury, Texas.

Bobbie “Joy” Best (MED 71, BS 70) died March 25, 2023. Joy taught at ENMU before becoming the Roosevelt County Home Economist in 1977, then was the county director starting in 1985. Joy was an officer in many local, state, and national organizations as a representative of the New Mexico State University Extension Service.

Barry Burton Shiek (BA 72) died January 19, 2023. Barry was an English teacher and wrestling coach at Stevenson Middle School in Westland, Michigan, for many years before retiring.

Ray Bailey (MED 72) died June 11, 2019. Ray taught elementary and junior high music in Las Cruces and Hobbs, New Mexico, for 30 years. He was also the elementary music coordinator for Hobbs Municipal Schools for ten years.

Carolyn Mullenax Edwards (MED 76) died March 21, 2023. Carlolyn worked in public relations and marketing for ENMU Alumni Affairs, Clovis Community College, Portales Mental Health Resources, and KENW. She received multiple awards from New Mexico Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women.

Robert “Bob” Lawrence (BBA 76) died December 23, 2022. Before moving to Los Lunas, Bob enjoyed a long real estate career in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He served on several committees, dedicating real estate to honor coaches’ and teachers’ education.

Harold Redden (BS 77) died November 28, 2022. Harold enjoyed a lifetime doing what he loved, music and teaching. His music took him to many venues nationwide before returning to ENMU to complete his degree and begin his teaching and coaching career. Harold taught in Tucumcari, Fort Sumner, Clovis, and Moriarty, New Mexico.

Marvin Teitelbaum (MS 79, BM 77) died March 21, 2022. Marvin worked extensively as a music teacher to the developmentally disabled in New Mexico and traveled widely as a musician. He participated in USO tours to Germany, Greenland, Iceland, and Korea with Chico International and was the founder and director of the Mariachi Nuevo Sonido group in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

90s

Randal Burnett (BBA 78) died March 28, 2023. Randy earned his Certified Public Accountant’s license in 1983. Over the ensuing years, hundreds of Portales and Roosevelt County, New Mexico, residents relied on him for their accounting needs and financial advice.

Michael Baldwin (BBA 79) died December 31, 2022. Mike was a long-time insurance agent for Farm Bureau Insurance in Arizona before retiring in 2006. He was also his granddaughter’s biggest purchaser of Girl Scout cookies.

2000s

Mary Lou Lozano (BS 93) died Feb. 27, 2023. Mary dedicated her career to the Hartley House domestic violence shelter in Clovis, New Mexico, advocating for the legal rights of battered women. She retired in 2011.

Chris Lindemann (MBA 19, BA 15) died March 13, 2023. Chris was a manager of client and network services for ENMU and was working on his Ph.D. at the University of Cumberlands at the time of his death.

Duane Ryan: Dedicated to Public Broadcasting on the High Plains

Duane Ryan (Faculty/Staff) died April 6, 2023. He came to ENMU in 1967 as an assistant professor in theater and speech and eventually was at the helm of the founding of KENW-FM public radio. In 1974, KENW-TV went on the air, serving the public on the high plains of eastern New Mexico and west Texas. Numerous locally-produced shows debuted, some of which are still on the air, including Sportslook, You Should Know, Cultura, and the flagship program, Creative Living. Duane’s dedication to the broadcast center and telecommunications program at ENMU created lifelong friendships and allowed countless students to launch their professional journalism and broadcasting careers nationwide. In 2015, Duane was inducted into the New Mexico Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame. KENW was his life’s work and will remain an enduring legacy of his commitment to ENMU and its impact on the state, region, and nation. “Mr. Ryan worked tirelessly and passionately to bring public media into the homes of local viewers,” said former student Paul Hunton (BS 06), now president and general manager of WUNC, Public Broadcasting in North Carolina. “He knew that high-quality news and educational television inspired and elevated others. It mattered.”

FRIDAY,

8 a.m.

Golf Tournament Colonial Park Golf Course, Clovis, New Mexico Contact Athletics to participate, 575.562.2153