General News

'Dances with Wolves' Author Returns to Eastern
(Michael Blake is former ENMU student)
by Scarlet Smith
Communication Services

Kevin Costner's good friend, author and partner in the collaboration of the movie "Dances with Wolves," Michael Blake, is now currently on a book tour of the nation's public libraries. Blake recently visited Eastern New Mexico University and the Portales Public Library.

In an interview in the Office of Communication Services at ENMU, he said his goal is to enlighten people to get back into the habit of reading. "It is a shame that our country does not embrace the art of reading. We have become a society of spoon-fed commercialized people, fueled by the media and computers. We have become more enamored by reality television then we are with using our imaginations."

Blake was a student at ENMU in 1968 and then went on to graduate from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He said, "In the time that I attended ENMU it was a volatile time in the United States. Everyone was torn apart, choosing either the side of pro-war or anti-war. It was no different on ENMU's campus; most students were faced with choosing sides."

While at ENMU Blake was on the student senate and was runner-up for student body president. During the race the votes were split between different factions of the campus--such as the ROTC, agricultural department, Greeks, athletics and others. Along with running for student council, he was an editor for ENMU's school newspaper, The Chase, and was always highly involved in campus activities.

He noted, "The teachers at Eastern are some of the best that I have experienced, including my professor Dr. Jack Williamson (world-renowned science fiction writer). I have many great memories of Eastern and it is always a pleasure to come back from Arizona to visit."

When asked how he came to write "Dances With Wolves," he explained that "it was the time that I spent in eastern New Mexico that I was able to understand the Native Americans of the area, mainly the Comanche. I developed a mission to portray the Comanche people as real people with everyday life problems and struggles."

Blake has been working on four novels: one of which is an autobiography which portrays the high and lows of his life. He said that he wishes to leave his three small children a written legacy of his life. "I hope the autobiography is funny, poignant and instructional," he said.

Along with his autobiography, he did enormous research on a novel, "Marching to Valhalla," about his newfound hero Colonel Custer." Through learning about Custer, Blake realized his judgment of Custer was not thoroughly correct. He discovered that Custer was much more cultured than normally
portrayed. "Custer was an interesting character who not only was a good
fighter, but also had tremendous passion for life."

The sequel to “Dances With Wolves” is “The Holy Road”, which took 14 years to write. Unfortunately, it was published on September 11, 2001, giving the release of the sequel a missed opportunity to become as famous as its predecessor.

"The Holy Road” is a continuance of Blake’s epic saga of Lt. John Dunbar’s life with the Comanche Indians. The novel is set 11 years later while he has still remained part of the Comanche culture. The main conflict of the novel is about the dilemma the Comanche are faced with, either to resist the United States government to be placed on a reservation or stand up and fight.

The third of the sequels to “Dances With Wolves” takes readers on the path of the Comanche to the twentieth century.

“Dances With Wolves” has been published in 20 languages. Blake was able to raise over $7 million dollars from oversees distributors to put in motion the production of the movie. All major studios turned him down, but with his own ambition and the help of others the movie was made and became an outstanding success at the box office.

Blake has been married for 11 years to Mary Ann Blake, a Danish woman from Copenhagen, Denmark; she is his publisher and the mother of his three children, 7, 6 and 3 1/2.

According to Blake, all of his books are made of the highest quality of material, designed to last a lifetime and beyond.

From age 17 to 44, Blake never made more than $10,000 dollars per year. "The success of 'Dances With Wolves' “has given me the confidence to continue writing and the privacy and peace to live my life the way I choose.”

Unfortunately, due to past health problems, Blake was unable to fully enjoy the success of “Dances With Wolves”--unable to attend Oscar night in Hollywood to receive his Academy Award for the screenplay.

Blake added, “I am proud of what I have accomplished; everything I have done has been honestly earned.”
(photo by Dave Ortega)

ENMU Alumnus Traveling the World to Help Find Cure for Parkinson’s Disease
by Helena Rodriguez
Communication Services

Justin Mounts is doing something many people only dream of. He has taken a leave of absence from his software job in California’s Silicon Valley to drive around the world in nine months, crossing four continents and 34 countries.

To top it off, Mounts and a team of eight others have a camera crew following their entourage around to document their globetrotting adventures. It’s almost like a reality TV show, but with a real purpose. The object of Drive Around the World is not for the team to be pitted against each other. Instead, they work together to create awareness and help raise money to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.

For Mounts, Drive Around the World is not just about traveling to exotic places. Via an email interview, Mounts said, “It’s about giving something back and making a difference in the lives of others.” And this Eastern New Mexico University alumnus credits Eastern for allowing people like him to break ground. Mounts graduated from Eastern in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration. During his days at Eastern, Mounts was active with the Kappa Sigma fraternity and said that the fraternity organization also drove him to strive for excellence in all areas of his life.

“It was at Eastern that I made some of my best friends in life – all of whom I still speak to regularly,” Mounts said. “Going to a smaller school taught me that at any point in your life, you can choose to do something different – literally wipe clean the slate and charge at a new set of goals.”

Mounts set out to trek the world with the Drive Around the World organization on Nov. 1 at the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale, Calif., and will finish at the same place in September. Mounts got involved with the drive when one of the organization’s founders, Chanda Baggarly, contacted him. “Chandra was aware of the volunteer work I perform regularly for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and knew that I had a lot of connections around the U.S.,” Mounts explained. “At first, I signed up to be the volunteer coordinator. As time went on, I was eventually asked to take a larger role with the organization, that of assistant director.”

Mounts also added, “What most people don’t understand is that each team member has paid their own individual expenses up front. Each of us paid $10,000 to go
along, and we don’t receive salaries. Money can come and go, but I believe I was in the right place at the right time to help out. When you have the opportunity to meet the Parkinson’s patients worldwide and share their experiences, it makes the entire investment worth it.”

Currently, Mounts and the Drive Around the World team are in Bangkok, Thailand, and are applying for permission to drive through Myanmar (Burma) China and India.
Mounts explained that this dream adventure around the world is not a vacation. “It is a job,” he said. “We manage four unique programs, so the team is literally working 18 hour days while driving anywhere from 150-700 miles a day.”

“Driving around the world is a double-edged sword,” Mounts continued. “I am lucky enough to see some places I have only seen on Discovery Channel. The downside is that I may only get to see them for less than one day. Our route and schedules are extraordinarily challenging and jam-packed. Even though we are traveling through 34 countries, we don’t necessarily get the full experience each one has to offer.”

Mounts is proud to be a part of Drive Around the World because of the adventures, but most importantly, because of the cause. However, he said that when the drive is over, his future trips will be of a smaller scope. “I would rather go explore one continent for five to six months to really get to know the culture better, plus I wouldn’t be learning new languages all the time. Thus far, Mounts has studied Malay, Mandarin, Thai, Bermese, Hindi, Urdu and Kazakh. He said that his Spanish, Portuguese and Russian speaking abilities are passable and his Asian could use some work.

Mounts is not married, although he does have a girlfriend in Brazil. He came to Eastern from Wichita, Kansas in the early 1990s. While at ENMU, Mounts was active in theater productions, Kappa Sigma, the Interfraternity Council, American Marketing Association and Blue Key.

The Drive Around the World team’s primary task is to bring information to people around the world about Parkinson’s Disease, most importantly, bringing research to the forefront of people’s mind. Mounts noted that proceeds from the film being made on Parkinson’s and their drive around the world will be donated to the Parkinson’s Institute to help them continue to search for a cure.

Mounts encourages people to visit their Web site at www.drivearoundtheworld.com to make a donation or get more information about the organization or Parkinson’s Disease. On the Web site, the team is keeping a detailed journal of their drive around the world. “The National Institute of Health actually put a price tag on finding a cure at one billion dollars,” Mounts said. “Scientists have identified all the avenues to a cure, now they just need the research dollars to make it happen.”

Jack Williamson Sculpture Dedication, Communication Building Groundbreaking Set for Saturday, June 26
by Helena Rodriguez
Communication Services

Eastern New Mexico University will celebrate the installation of a new sculpture dedicated to its own science fiction grandmaster, Dr. Jack Williamson, and will also break ground on a $4.2 million Communications Center on Saturday, June 26.

The formal dedication and installation of the Jack Williamson bronze sculpture is front of the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building is slated for 1 p.m. This will be followed by the groundbreaking of the Communications Center at 1:30 p.m. at the center’s future site, which is located at the Technology Building parking lot across the street from the current KENW-TV station. ENMU's president, Dr. Steve G. Gamble, and Board of Regents' president, Marshall Stinnett, will speak during the ceremonies.

The bronze bust, located in front of the Liberal Arts building bearing Williamson’s name, is in honor of the accomplished science fiction author and emeritus professor. It is a gift to Eastern from Huo Baozhu, president of Shaanxi Five Rings Sculptural Arts Company of Xi’an, People’s Republic of China.

As for the long awaited, state-of-the-art Communications Center, it is being made possible thanks to the voters of New Mexico. In November of 2002, voters approved a general obligations bond to fund the multi-million dollar facility.

The center will house both the Broadcast Center, home of KENW/KMTH TV and FM stations and the Department of Communicative Arts and Sciences. The department
of Communicative Arts and Sciences serves hundreds of mass communications, journalism, public relations and speech communications majors.

The Communications Center will house KENW-TV’s new digital television production equipment which is expected to improve the range and quality of the station’s broadcast transmission. It will also house faculty offices and classrooms for the academic arm of the university. In addition, the center will also hold the Broadcast Center’s studios, instruction television control rooms, production areas, editing rooms and a production studio where students can prepare their class projects.

The Communications Center is the result of years of collaboration between the academic and professional broadcast staff and will allow students, faculty and staff to work with the most modern radio and television equipment and facilities available. KENW and the Broadcast Center have served as the area’s Public Broadcast affiliate for more than 30 years. Covering Eastern New Mexico and West Texas, it is one of the largest broadcast areas in the nation.

The Communications Center is expected to be completed and ready for use by the fall of 2006.
(photo on right by Wendel Sloan)

Chinese Representatives Donate Bust of Science Fiction Writer to ENMU
Story and photos by Scarlet Smith
Communication Services

Eastern New Mexico University has added a sculpture of Dr. Jack Williamson, emeritus professor of English and world-renowned pioneer science fiction writer, to its campus.

The bronze bust was donated to ENMU on March 10 from Xian Jiao Tong University in the Shanxi Province of the Peoples Republic of China. The artist, Jia, Zhuofei, sculptor of the Williamson bust and professor at Xian Jiao Tong University, along with Huo Baozhu, president of Shaanxi Five Rings Sculpture Art Co., Ltd., visited ENMU in March to confer about the details of installing the sculpture with Mike Nuckols, ENMU building services manager.

With the translation help of Dr. Zhiming Liu, and his wife, Jane Liu, Nuckols was able to ask questions regarding the installation. Nuckols said, "Many hours of thought and preparation went into mapping out the installation of the bust."

The bust alone weighs nearly 350 pounds, took five strong men to lift it to its pedestal and seven days to install. Jeff Watts (left), ENMU's concrete finisher, said, "To install the sculpture took nearly 2,300 pounds of concrete per square yard to fill a 7 by 4 foot, 20-inch-deep footing with steel reinforcements."

The bust is surrounded by a bronze square arch with the titles of Dr. Williamson’s award-winning novels, such as, Legion of Space, Stonehenge Gate, The Black Sun and Darker Than You Think.

According to Nuckols and Watts, the science fiction bird facing Dr. Williamson is made of mechanical steel parts. The head of the bird is a lifter out of a gasoline engine; the beak is the jaw off a vice grip; the body is a steel wok hammered to shape the form of the bird; the feet are a mechanical chain used for cutting steel; and the neck is the swivel for a socket set with a mechanical spring.

Dr. Williamson says, “The mechanical bird is a symbol of the scientific imagination.”

Of his latest honor, Dr. Dr. Williamson says, “This is like winning the lottery or being struck by lightning.”

Alumni Band Reunion Set for June 24-26
Several graduates of Eastern New Mexico University will return to campus on Thursday, June 24, for the biannual Alumni Band Reunion. In addition to rehearsals, alumni will attend a banquet at The Roosevelt restaurant on Friday evening and perform a concert in the University Theatre Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. The concert is free and open to the public.

The ENMU Alumni Band was founded in 1988 in order to pay tribute to legendary Director of Bands and Music Educator Floren Thompson Jr. The group is comprised of graduates from the 1950's to present. Alumni travel from across the United States to attend this important biannual event.

For more information, call Dustin Seifert at 505.562.2671.

There Is a Lot to Know About 'You Should Know' Host
Story and Photo by Scarlet Smith
Communication Services

You should know that Don Criss, Eastern New Mexico University's television production services director, is the host of the weekly program “You Should Know” on KENW-TV every Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Among his many fascinating guests, Mr. Criss recently interviewed Michael Blake, former ENMU student and author of “Dances With Wolves.”

Mr. Criss is from New York’s up-state area. Back in the 1960’s a friend convinced him to move to eastern New Mexico, where he has remained since. He graduated with a bachelor's in theatre and a minor in television/radio in 1967, and was one of Eastern’s first students to enter the broadcasting department.

Upon graduation Mr. Criss picked up a TV Guide and found 13 television stations in the surrounding area and sent resumes to each. He soon landed his first broadcast job in Odessa, Texas. In June of 1974, he returned to Eastern, where he worked his first month for free.

He currently does a myriad of jobs for Eastern, including interviewing for his "You Should Know" program, directing, shooting video and teaching.

“Working for a small station like KENW is like being a renaissance person. It is exciting to see the many changes that have occurred in the 30 years that I have worked at Eastern, and the many more changes to come,” said Mr. Criss.

Right now Mr. Criss is preparing for an interview with Colorado author Kate Niles. When asked how he prepares for his interviews and what type of interviews are his personal favorites, he said, “I try to read up on the person, watch CNN or listen to NPR. My favorite types of interviews are political people. I was the first person who interviewed Governor Bill Richardson’s wife. She was quite nervous because this was her first interview as the First Lady. One of my not so favorite interviews was with the Prince of Wales, due to the amount of high security; it made the interview a little awkward.”

Mr. Criss had the opportunity to be in Dr. Jack Williamson’s English course and through the world-famous science fiction writer he has had various interviews with other famous science fiction authors.

When the veteran broadcaster is not working at ENMU or directing plays at Clovis Community College, he enjoys teaching history to young students in a quite interesting manner. Mr. Criss portrays George Washington or Johnny Appleseed by dressing in costume and speaking in character. “It is a wonderful way to get the children interested in history.” said Mr. Criss.

“It is an exciting time to be in broadcasting at Eastern," said the producer of award-winning commercials for ENMU. "We will soon be breaking the ground for the new communications building, which will be the beginning of another new era in Eastern broadcasting,” said Mr. Criss

ENMU Grad's Successful Business/Sports Career Influenced by ENMU
by Scarlet Smith
Communication Services

Steve Loy, an Eastern New Mexico University alumnus, is a four-time National Golf Coach of the Year and a member of the National Golf Coaches Hall of Fame.

The four-time National Golf Coach of the Year owns the majority interest in Gaylord Sports Management. Among his many famous and successful clients is Phil Mickelson, the reigning champion of the Master's golf tournament.

Mr. Loy has been very active in sports his entire career. He also owns his own golf course and income investment real estate properties in Arizona and Canada.

Graduating from ENMU in 1974 with honors, he received a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation and a master's in athletic administration at the University of Utah in 1975. He is originally from Albuquerque, but now resides in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his wife, Linda, also an ENMU alumna. Mr. Loy has two daughters: Kelli Lyn, 24, and Kristin, 22.

Mr. Loy came to ENMU on a football and golf scholarship, was the captain of the football team in 1974 and a member of Eastern's Hall of Fame. He was an honorable mention All-American football member in 1973 and an honorable mention All-American golfer in 1972.

Mr. Loy says, "Eastern was some of the best days of my life. Playing college football and college golf gave me the opportunity to meet people and learn a lot about discipline in my life. My football coach (Jack Scott) became one of the greatest influences in my life.

"My professors in the College of Business and HPER prepared me for a career as an educator and the business executive I am today. I will always remember ENMU and the people associated with it as a great footprint in my life."

With more than 25 years in the golf industry, he has a solid network of industry relationships at all management levels.

When asked what makes a successful CEO and president of a company, Mr. Loy said, "I think the key to being a great leader of people is to lead by example and treat your career as an opportunity to make a difference and not just a job you go to."

The All-American was a collegiate golf coach at Scottsdale Community College, the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University, capturing three national titles and 11 conference championships.

For more information about Steve Loy and his company, log onto www.gaylordsports.com.

ENMU-Roswell Respiratory Therapy Graduates Earn Advanced Certification
by Donna Gutierrez
ENMU-Roswell

The Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Respiratory Therapy Program congratulates graduates Jacob DiCello and Charles Benevides, who recently passed their Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) exams. DiCello and Benevides are the first in the 2004 class to earn the prestigious RRT credential. "That means we have a 100 percent pass rate for the Respiratory Therapy Board exams so far with this class," said Gina Buldra, director, Respiratory Therapy Program.

Buldra said to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist, students must pass three board exams in increasing difficulty. Combined, the exams take nine hours to complete. The RRT is the highest credential a respiratory therapist can earn. Buldra said in most cases, RRT's command a higher income because of increased responsibility and have access to additional placement and training opportunities in the field.

In addition, a 2001 graduate of the Respiratory Therapy Program, Jeff Molina, recently passed the exam to earn his Neonatal Pediatric Specialty credential. Molina is currently the head of a respiratory therapy department at an area hospital. "The placement rate for respiratory therapists is 100 percent, as there is a significant national shortage," said Buldra. She said ENMU-Roswell graduates are currently working all across New Mexico, as well as in Texas, Colorado, and Vermont. Graduates are working predominantly in hospitals and for home care agencies. Some are also currently serving as adjunct faculty in the ENMU-Roswell Respiratory Therapy Program.

Respiratory therapists are the only allied health care providers formally trained and tested in the provision of respiratory care and the routine use of highly complex technical medical equipment. The job market and salaries are excellent for this Associate of Science degree field. For more information, contact Buldra at 505.624.7217.

Read the June Issue of ENMU-Roswell's Monthly Newsletter, The Grapevine – [read]

Special Thank You

Thank you to the Physical Plant for transplanting the three five-year-old Archer Pines on the southeast corner of the Technology Building to the front of the Administration Building. The trees, which came from Las Cruces, were moved (and saved) to make room for the groundbreaking for the new Communication Center this Saturday on the Technology Building parking lot.

If you would like to pubicize a special thank you to someone, e-mail information to monday.memo@enmu.edu.

(photo by Jillian Butler)

Don't Forget

The dedication of the Jack Williamson sculpture at 1 p.m. this Saturday in front of the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building, followed by the groundbreaking for the new Communication Center at 1:30 p.m. by the Technology Building.

Employee Briefs

Dave Ortega, graphic artist, will marry ENMU student Gloriane Havrilla in Los Alamos on June 26.

Top

Candid Camera

Winner of Mystery Tie Contest Revealed (photo by Jillian Butler)

Four Were Correct – in identifying the person wearing this tie at the retirees' reception in May.

(photo by Jillian Butler)

Who Else, but Gerry Huybregts – would have such a keen sense of fashion. Those correctly picking the sartorially clad dean were Gayle Pratt, K. Paul Jones, Trish Maguire and Noelle Bartl.

(photo by Jillian Butler)

The Winner: Trish Maguire – Trish will now receive her choice of any flavor blizzard from Dairy Queen.

Scenes from Intramural Kickball Staff Team (photos by Sia Poyer)

Perfect Record for Two Years – The Commissioners, the faculty/staff intramural kickball team, has maintained a perfect record for two years: they have yet to win a game.

Scenes from Spring Graduation (photos by Richard Salas, Scarlet Smith, Wendel Sloan)

Fine Arts Students Express Appreciation (photos by Wendel Sloan)

To Faculty for a Job Well Done – Students from the College of Fine Arts expressed appreciation to their faculty at the end of the spring semester by treating them to dessert.

Blessid Union of Souls

Will Give a Free-Admission Concert – in Eastern New Mexico University's Greyhound Arena at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28. ENMU's Student Activities and Organizations is sponsoring and paying for the concert. The public is invited.

The Monday Memo is published by the Office of Communication Services Editor Wendel Sloan Monday.memo@enmu.edu 505.562.2253 Staff Writers Scarlet Smith Marc Schoder Helena Rodriguez Staff Photographer Richard Salas Jillian Butler ENMU-Roswell Contributing Editor Donna Gutierrez ENMU-Ruidoso Contributing Editor Jim Miller Technical Support ENMU Web Team