General News

G. O. Bond "B" Worth Almost $13 Million to ENMU System
by Wendel Sloan
Communication Services

General Obligation (G.O.) Bond Proposition “B” in the November 2 General Election in New Mexico is worth about $9 million to the Portales campus of Eastern New Mexico University and about $13 million to the ENMU system as a whole. Statewide, the bond issue is worth over $94 million to New Mexico higher education.

	(photo by Janice Cowen)

Bond “B” would cost the owner of a home with an assessed value of $50,000 about an additional $5 per year or 42 cents a month. A $100,000 assessed value house would cost about $10 per year or 83 cents per month. A $150,000 assessed value would be taxed at $15 per year or $1.25 per month.

Assessed value is lower than the actual value of a house. Also, since some bonds may be retired at the same time as the new bond would take effect, the homeowner may not pay more in overall property taxes.

ENMU would receive $7 million for a new science building. In fact, the science building is the number one statewide priority fore Bond “B,” as determined by the Commission on Higher Education.

Eastern currently houses its science programs in two buildings, the Science Building (built in 1949) and Roosevelt Hall (built in 1953).

According to Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president, “The facilities committee from the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) made a tour of all the higher education institutions in the state and realized that our facilities were inadequate by today’s standards. We pride ourselves on the quality and preparation of our science graduates, and have done an amazing job, but our current two buildings can no longer meet our needs. It became very obvious to the CHE that Eastern needs new science facilities.”

Dr. Gamble says that a new building would enhance Eastern’s ability to educate science majors as well as non-majors taking the two required science courses. “If the G.O. Bond passes, we would go from having some of the poorest science facilities in the state to some of the best.”

In addition to the $7 million for a science building, ENMU-Portales would receive $766,000 to help with KENW-TV’s digital conversion, $500,000 for infrastructure repair, $462,000 for information technology upgrades, and approximately $40,000 for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access improvements.

ENMU-Roswell would receive $3 million for a health science center and $175,000 for infrastructure renewal and replacement. The ENMU-Ruidoso Instruction Center would receive $750,000 for an expansion, and $100,000 for infrastructure renewal and replacement. Roswell and Ruidoso would also receive funds for ADA improvements.

Dr. Thurman Elder, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, says, “A new science building will greatly enhance teaching, research, and student learning in the sciences. New lecture halls and new teaching and research laboratories for biology, chemistry, geology and physics are badly needed.

“A new building would provide adequate space for storing chemicals and equipment in a manner that would meet safety regulations. Science education has a major role at Eastern and it is crucial that the university offer the students the best experience possible. That requires adequate facilities that a new building would provide.”

Vikram Vijay Puvenna, a graduate student in biology from India, is studying cell and molecular biology. He says, “A new science building would mean a lot to the department and the students. It would enable us to work more efficiently, give us more space to organize and use the equipment much more efficiently. The lecture rooms would be supported with the latest infrastructure for presentations and speeches.

“More lab space is needed so that we can place the right equipment or machinery in the right place. For example, sometimes it’s hard when we have an autoclave (sterilization device that produces intense heat) in the same lab where we maintain fishes which are required for research purposes. The fishes need a specific temperature and when we use the autoclave the room temperature increases.

“Eastern has excellent biology faculty, good research opportunities and the latest equipment for research purposes, but it needs more lab space and teaching rooms.”

Dr. Marvin Lutnesky, chair of the Department of Biology, believes that Eastern has already been succeeding in training science students, and that a new building will add to this success. “We’ve been doing great things, sending people to medical school and doctoral programs left and right. There is a lot of talent in New Mexico and the region, and new facilities would help us ensure that these talented people live up to their potential.”

Dr. Lutnesky also notes that a new science building would allow the biology department to offer fully functional anatomy and physiology labs, including a cadaver room.

“A new science building will also impact our recruitment of students and faculty,” says Dr. Lutnesky. “Every one of our science faculty is a researcher and publisher, and a new building will enhance our students’ opportunities to benefit from this faculty expertise.”

Dr. John Montgomery, chair of the Department of Anthropology, feels that a new science building would expand opportunities for archaeology and anthropology teaching, research and collections management. “Our long and successful tradition of archaeology and anthropology at Eastern depends on students and faculty having opportunities for field work, artifact analysis, and collections storage. As Eastern New Mexico University grows, these opportunities should also grow.”

President Gamble encourages the entire Eastern New Mexico University extended family to vote for the November 2 General Election.

What Bond "B" Means to ENMU

ENMU-Portales
$7 million for science building
$766,000 for KENW digital conversion
$500,000 for infrastructure renewal and replacement
$462,000 for information technology upgrades
$50,000 for ADA improvements

ENMU-Ruidoso
$750,000 for Ruidoso Instruction Center Expansion Phase I
$100,000 for roof repair
ADA improvements

ENMU-Roswell
$3 million for Health Science Center (Building 700 Renovation)
$175,000 Infrastructure Renewal and Replacement
ADA improvements

Mayor Urges City of Portales to Pass Resolution Supporting Bond "B"

Editor's Note: The following is the statement Portales mayor Orlando Ortega made to the Portales City Council in urging the Council to pass a resolution supporting Bond "B." The resolution passed.

Eastern New Mexico University is a tremendous asset to the City of Portales, employing some 700 employees and offering educational opportunities for almost 4,000 students, including ourselves and our children.Education Bond Issue B is one of those opportunities that come before us supporting our efforts to continue to improve our community.

This resolution presented to the Council tonight represents our support for ENMU and its future. By supporting this resolution we endorse growth and success for everyone.

I strongly urge our community to embrace ENMU by supporting and voting for the Bond Issue B in the November election.

I would also like to voice my strong support for Bond Issue C which is of tremendous benefit to public libraries and if approved, our Portales Public Library will receive $59,146 as part of the $293,005 that will benefit all of Roosevelt County. Monies from Bond Issue C will benefit all 33 New Mexico Counties and will be used to replace outdated, worn-out and lost books with new, educational materials and electronic resources. Supporting Bond Issue C is also a continued positive step forward to support the vital services that our Library currently delivers to our community.

State's Libraries, Including ENMU's Golden Library, Would Benefit from Bond "C" in November General Election
Library Books Acquisition Total Amount: $16.3 million. Which libraries will benefit?
• 89 Public and Community Libraries (including rural bookmobiles) will receive $5.8 million
• 684 Public School Libraries and 2 Juvenile Detention Libraries will share $6.2 million
• 26 Public Colleges and University Campus Libraries will divide $3.9 million
• New Mexico State Library and History Library, Palace of the Governors, share $324,000Bond “C” Highlights
All of New Mexico’s 33 counties will receive books bond funds.
Roosevelt County’s libraries would receive approximately the following amounts:
Portales Public Library: $ 59,146
Roosevelt County Schools: $ 84,609
ENMU Golden Library $147,750
Elida Public Library $1,500
For more information: www.nmbooksbond.org

ENMU Presenting Free Choral Concert on Tuesday Evening
by Scarlet Smith
College of Fine Arts
(photos by Richard Salas of Communication Services)

Eastern New Mexico University will present the Fall Choral Concert at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the Music Building's Buchanan Hall on the Portales campus. It is free and open to the public.

The concert will feature the Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. David Gerig, director of choral activities and dean of the College of Fine Arts; and the University Singers, conducted by Ms. Marsha Brandon, ENMU instructor of voice.

The University Singers will perform two sacred pieces, two American and Chilean folk songs, and will end with Ralph Hunter's "Five Nursery Rhymes."

The Chamber Singers will perform madrigals by Thomas Morley (16th c.) and John Rutter (20th c), along with several sacred pieces in Latin, and the "musical sound of mosquitoes that should bring an aural and visual experience to the audience," according to Dr. Gerig.

"The voice is its own musical instrument and every year the ensemble has to develop a cohesive sound. That takes time. We begin practicing for the choral concert at the beginning of the semester, meeting three times per week," said Dr. Gerig, who has been with Eastern since 1984.

Ms. Brandon, who graduated from Eastern in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in choral education and a master's in vocal performance, said, "It was wonderful to be a student at Eastern, and now a great experience to give back to my alma mater."

Dr. Gerig added, "We are pleased that students interested in music gravitate to the Music Building no matter what their degree is. There are many talented students that enjoy expressing themselves musically and they have a chance to do that at Eastern."

For more information, call 562.2373.

ENMU Hosting Annual Peanut Festival on October 23-24
by Helena Rodriguez
ENMU Communication Services

If you’re nuts about arts and crafts, then the 31st annual Peanut Valley Festival is the place to be.

More than 100 arts and crafts and food vendors will be peddling all kinds of handmade goods - from woodwork and jewelry to salsa and Christmas décor, and, oh yes, peanuts - during the Peanut Valley Festival. The event is Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 24, from noon to 5 p.m. inside the Campus Union Building at Eastern New Mexico University. Admission is free.

Besides handmade goods, other attractions will include tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting) by Sigma Chi, live entertainment in Ground Zero and train rides for the kids. Food concessions will include fried bread, roasted corn, funnel cakes, turkey legs, cowboy taters and more.

The area event began in the 1970s as a small arts and crafts bazaar on the downtown square in Portales and has grown to the arts and crafts extravaganza it is today, attracting vendors from all over the country. The festival coincides with the annual peanut harvest in Portales.

“All of the goods that are sold are supposed to be handmade, not the kind of stuff you can find at Wal-Mart. They are unique gifts,” said Jeff Blake, student activities and organizations program coordinator at Eastern. “You could say the Peanut Festival kicks off the Christmas holiday shopping season.”

Stacy Fickley, an out-of-town organizer for the arts and crafts show, said most of the vendors are coming from around New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and other parts of the Southwest. “There will be candles, pictures, woodwork. You name it, and it will probably be there. This includes salsa, dip mixes, crochet items, metal art and a lot more,” she said. “There will also be people there who can their own food and sell it. They’ve got pickles, different kinds of pickled recipes, stuffed olives and much more.”

For more information, call 505.562.2631.

English Professor to be Featured in PBS Documentary
by Helena Rodriguez
Communication Services

Dr. Linda Sumption, assistant professor of English at Eastern New Mexico University, struck a goldmine while doing research for her dissertation in 2000. She stumbled across a 500-page narrative by William Manly detailing his heroic rescue of three families from Death Valley during California’s infamous Gold Rush.

	(photo by Helena Rodriguez)

As a result of an article Sumption published on William Manly in the Autumn 2002 issue of “Journal of the Southwest,” a film company, Forgotten Journey Productions, invited Sumption last summer to be featured in an upcoming PBS documentary, “Escape from Death Valley” which will be aired nationwide in about a year. Sumption recently returned from shooting the interview in September at a downtown library in Los Angeles. While she described her first-time experience in front of the movie cameras as “a bit grueling, involving a number of retakes,” she said she is pleasantly surprised that someone is shining the spotlight on this important episode in American history.

“I think it is important to showcase American writings that have been neglected,” said Sumption, who is beginning her second year at Eastern. “Manly’s narrative is a unique American autobiography. He is candid about his trials as well as his triumphs, which is unusual in gold miner stories. He doesn’t hesitate to tell both sides. I think this documentary will have the effect of focusing attention upon little known American literary collections.”

In the documentary, Sumption said she was the only literary scholar interviewed. The other experts featured are all historians. “Since my field is literature, my approach is textual analysis more than historical examination.”

Sumption’s “Journal of the Southwest” article titled “The Domesticated Gold Rush in William Manly’s Death Valley in ‘49” came about as a result of her doctoral dissertation research at City University of New York in 2000. Her dissertation was titled, “A Wayless Way: Patterns of Adventure in Nineteenth-Century American Travel Narratives,” in which she traced narrative patterns in journals of Lewis and Clark as well as in nineteenth-century migration chronicles and travel narratives. Her dissertation focused on three aspects of this literature: exploration, migration and literary travel writings.

It was in doing that research Sumption came across Manly’s writings and she quickly discovered that it was a historical event in which little, if any, attention had been focused. Manly set out for California during the Gold Rush in 1849, but ended up going on another mission. According to Sumption’s article, Manly joined a small group of families hoping to find easy passage to California through the Southwestern plains, in a very rough, inhospitable landscape along the California and Nevada borders. As a result, the group found themselves stranded in the desert, very weak, lost and with no food. Manly and another young man decided to go to California and get help. The rescue took longer than they had hoped for, but, miraculously, they managed to get everybody safely back to civilization. “This is a remarkable story because a number of the ‘49ers just left these people stranded,” Sumption said.

This is exactly the kind of digging for research materials that she often encourages her own students to embark upon, according to the professor. “I tell students to do this kind of research, besides their usual online research. It can be very rewarding, especially if they look at it like it is part of a treasure hunt. Look behind those scenes. Snoop around and dust off old books. I looked around for many days in old book collections in New York before I found Manly’s narrative.”

Sumption is originally from Minnesota. She said she has made something of a full circle, going from Minnesota to New York and then to Portales. She is particularly fascinated with Southwest literature because of all of the regional literature, the Southwest has “a fascinating mix of culture and traditions which often meet, clash and sometimes blend together.”

Sumption has taught Literature of the Southwest classes at Eastern. Next spring, she will teach a class titled “Adventure and Travel Literature.”

ENMU-Ruidoso ABE Program Receives $30,000 Grant
by Dr. Jim Miller
ENMU-Ruidoso

The Adult Basic Education Program at ENMU-Ruidoso has been awarded a $30,000 Workplace Literacy grant by the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education. The purpose of the award is to underwrite the costs of English as a Second Language and basic literacy skills for an estimated 50 workers in hospitality/tourism, construction trades or retail business across Lincoln County. Partners in the project include the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln County Homebuilders Association, and Wal-Mart of Ruidoso Downs.

“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our adult education services to the residents and businesses of Lincoln County,” said ABE Director John Hemphill. “I would encourage any Lincoln County business, particularly those in hospitality, construction or retail trade, interested in training for their employees to contact our office in the near future about participating in this important project.”

“The ability to bring outside funds into Lincoln County communities and the regional economy underscores the importance of having a strong local college,” said Dr. Jim Miller, director ofr ENJU-Ruidoso. “The ABE program brings in over $185,000 in outside dollars into our economy, creating 10 local jobs.”

Thirty five area residents received their GED diplomas through the program at graduation exercises held in May 2004.

For more information, contact John Hemphill at the Lincoln County One Stop Center at 505.630.8181, or toll free outside of the local calling area at 1.800.854.4712.

ENMU Going to Farmington to Offer Master Degrees
by Brian Hassler
The Farmington Daily Times
(reprinted by permission)

FARMINGTON — Shauna Stevens and Tawni Gillen just wanted stability and now they feel their prayers have been answered. The announcement that Eastern New Mexico University will be coming to Farmington to offer classes and degrees in education, special education and business has the two college students breathing easier.

“I just wanted stability,” Stevens said. “I showed up at the start of the school year and didn’t know what classes would be offered and didn’t know what the school would be offering us.”

Stevens, in her first semester as a student at New Mexico Highlands University, will be one of many who plan to attend the special meetings that ENMU will be holding in Shiprock Oct. 18 and in Farmington Oct. 19 to talk with potential students, transfer students and those interested in teaching for ENMU.

“On the 18th and 19th of October, Dr. K. Paul Jones, vice president for academic affairs, along with a representative from the education program and the business administration program will be in Farmington to talk with perspective students about the programs we intend to initiate in January of 2005,” said Steve Gamble, president of Eastern New Mexico University.

While the course curriculum hasn’t been determined, the classes will likely be conducted in classrooms located at Farmington area high schools and at San Juan College.

“Our plan is to deliver master’s level education of the MBA and we need to meet with the prospective students,” Jones said. “It wouldn’t be possible to talk about specific classes, but we have the MBA in business and special education and CNI (curriculum and instruction in reading emphasis).

“The local principals have offered to make their schools available in Farmington. We’ve had discussions with San Juan College. Our prior conversations have been that San Juan will be committed as they have with other schools.”

Linda Baker, director of Marketing and Public Relations for San Juan College, said, “Dr. Spencer knows of and approved any sort of partnership with Eastern New Mexico to offer higher-level course work.”

“When I talked to Dr. Spencer, she said, ‘Our whole motivation was to give students more opportunity,’” Baker said.

Eastern New Mexico would be provided with classrooms, offices, etc., just as has New Mexico Highlands has been, she said.

ENMU was originally contacted after Heights Middle School Principle Dave Wilden recognized a need for another university to come to Farmington to offer courses in special education as well as education administration and business.

“We’ve been talking to ENMU and they have agreed to come to Farmington,” Wilden said. “They’ve been in talks with people in the area and they have agreed to come and meet some of our educational needs that currently aren’t being met or served. I’ve been the main one that made the initial contacts with President Gamble and have been in contact with K. Paul Jones.”

Students looking to transfer to another university often have problems getting all of their completed credits to transfer, but ENMU currently will allow 12 credits to transfer and is considering a plan that would allow 16 credits to be transferred over for those transferring in the next two semesters.

Currently ENMU is planning to offer on-site classes for those in the Education Program, but will be looking to add business soon.

The meetings with ENMU will take place at Shiprock High School Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. and on Oct. 19 at Heights Middle School at 6 p.m. Those meetings are for interested parties, perspective students, teachers and transfer students.

Skull and Bones Author Coming to ENMU
by Helena Rodriguez
ENMU Communication Services

Journalist and best-selling author Alexandra Robbins has just released a new book, “Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis,” geared toward the college-age crowd. She is still riding off the success of her previous book, “Pledge,” and has also been in high demand this election year because of her 2003 title, “Secrets of the Tomb,” which investigates the hidden paths of power in politics that goes back to a secret Yale society in which she says both George W. Bush and John F. Kerry were members.

The young author will make two presentations at Eastern New Mexico University on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Her first presentation at 5 p.m. is a leadership lecture with a catered dinner inside the Zia Room at the Campus Union Building. During this session, the 28-year-old Robbins will try to help students answer the question, “What if I don’t know what I want?”

She will also speak on Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. inside of the Campus Union Ballroom on “Skull and Bones… The Hidden Paths of Power” and there will be book giveaways and signings during both sessions.

Robbins' “Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis” book is the first successful publication to specifically address the unique dilemmas people in their 20s and early 30s face as they finish college and prepare to venture out into the “real world.” During her talk at Eastern, Robbins said, “I hope to share some easy-to-use, already tested tips with students to help them learn how to deal with the ‘real world’ after school.”

With the current presidential election referred to as a “double Skull and Bones election,” Robbins said she has been receiving many interview requests, both here and abroad, particularly from European publications. Robbins, a graduate of Yale herself, wrote “Secrets of the Tomb” long before the current presidential election. She said her intention was to be the first author to treat Skull and Bones as a legitimate subject of mainstream investigative reporting. “Basically, I wanted to separate the truths from the rumors about the society,” she said.

Yale's infamous Skull and Bones society was founded in the 19th century and housed in an ominous building referred to as the “Tomb.” According to Robbins’ book, the society secretary taps for membership a small amount of students who are sworn to secrecy about what goes on inside the Tomb and how powerful the organization is. It has been said that Skull and Bones is the “dark heart of the secret world government,” with many members serving in high positions – from U.S. senators and CIA officials to cabinet members and heads of major international corporations.”

Robbins said her book is more about the society itself than the two presidential candidates.

Before launching a successful book-writing career, Robbins worked for The New Yorker magazine and has also written for The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan. In addition, she has appeared on TV shows such as “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “60 Minutes.” Her most successful book to date,” Pledge,” which is about the secret life of sororities, is a New York Times bestseller and has sold more than 100,000 copies.

Space is limited for Robbins’ 5 p.m. presentation and dinner inside the Zia Room. People can RSVP at 505.562.2242.

The event is sponsored by ENMU’s Student Activities and Organizations.

Math Instructor Picks up Certification from National Center for Development Education
by Marc Schoder
Communication Services

VK Bussen, math instructor and Title V Math Plus Coordinator at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, has received certification as a Developmental Education Specialist from the Kellogg Institute for the Training and Certification of Developmental Educators.

Ms. Bussen was one of 45 educators selected from all over the country to participate in the Kellogg Institute and the certification process during the 2003-2004 academic year. The Kellogg Institute is for earning certification in developmental education for college professionals, faculty and administrators who are involved with developmental education.

“I attended the institute during the entire month of July 2003 on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.,” says Ms. Bussen, mathematics instructor/coordinator of Title V Math Plus at Eastern. Ms. Bussen says that she didn’t get into the program just on her own merits. “Dr. (Patrice) Caldwell and Dean (Thurman) Elder gave references and recommendations regarding ENMU and for me as well.”

The research project that Ms. Bussen authored was a review of the entire developmental mathematics program and services at Eastern. “A program review first observes and assesses, then uses the results to make recommendations based on research based best practices to our institution,” says Ms. Bussen. “I was given the 'exemplary' status based on the wide scope of the research project, the organized presentation of the report and, because of the 'professional job' on the review of literature, which I learned from Dr. Mark Isham!” adds Ms. Bussen.

The exemplary projects are put on display and will be kept in the resource library for future Kellogg participants to use as a model.

“Considering the experience, education and professionalism of the participants that I was with, I was honored to be included in the Institute and ecstatic to receive the exemplary status,” says Ms. Bussen.

Internationally Known Endocrinologist Donates Books to ENMU
by Marc Schoder
ENMU Communication Services

Dr. James Mrotek of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., is donating 160 copies of an endocrinology textbook he wrote to Eastern New Mexico University.

“This is being paid for by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, an NIH organization,” says Dr. Mrotek. “The grant asked for funds to come to institutions with a high percentage of under-represented minorities as students,” added Dr. Mrotek.

The grant came about because in this country most minorities suffer from different endocrine disorders like diabetes or even low birth weight, according to Mrotek.

During Dr. Mrotek’s recent six-day visit to ENMU, at the invitation of ENMU associate professor of biology Dr. Zhiming Liu, he gave presentations to 253 ENMU students, and 64 of them chose to join the Endocrine Society, an international society founded in 1916 with 11,000 members from 80 countries.

“We are giving a free three-year electronic subscription to Endocrine Review from the Endocrine Society as a free membership into the society to students interested in going into endocrinology,” said Dr. Mrotek. “Currently, the Endocrine Society doesn’t have enough physician or research members to solve endocrine disorders and, in many cases, we do not know why the problems exist,” added Dr. Mrotek.

The internationally known endocrinologist noted that European Americans do not suffer from this to the extent that American Indians, among others, suffer.

“To give you an example, in Tucson, Arizona, 70 percent of the Pima Indians are diabetic. For European Americans, on the other side of the coin, it's approximately 30 percent,” said Dr. Mrotek. “We can’t solve it; we do not have enough workers,” added Dr. Mrotek.

Visiting Biology Professor from China Studying Fish Behavior at ENMU
by Marc Schoder
ENMU Communication Services

Dr. Kaihong Lu, professor and chair, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Ningbo University, Ningbo, P.R. China, is at Eastern New Mexico University studying fish reproductive behavior.

Dr. Lu is working with Dr. Marvin Lutnesky, professor and chair of Eastern’s Department of Biology. “Two years ago, Dr. Lutnesky and I first met during his visit to my university and we got along very well,” said Dr. Lu. Dr. Lutnesky has been working on how female-female competition influences mating systems. Last year, his lab published a paper on how a female fish (mosquitofish) could chemically inhibit growth and ovary size in developing females.

“This is the first finding of this phenomenon in a fish,” said Lutnesky. “We knew that some female mammals could chemically inhibit reproduction in other females, but this suggests the phenomenon may be much more widespread” continued Lutnesky.

Dr. Lu studies aquaculture in China. While in China, both professors realized that they may be able to apply knowledge of female-female competition to optimize the reproductive output of female aquaculture organisms. At Eastern, they are using a small minnow, a local red shiner, as a model system to test how egg-laying females influence each other in their mate choice and productivity.

“The shiner is a good animal for initial studies because of its small size and the ease of using it in replicated experiments,” said Lutnesky. The professors then intend to study the same subject in China using different fish and crustaceans (crabs) that are cultured for human consumption. Dr. Lu will be at ENMU for two months.

ENMU Graduate Student Spends Summer Vacations Fighting Fires
by Shelley Gilmore
Communication Services

Eastern New Mexico University graduate student Kayne Gutierrez fights fires during his summer vacation.

While most students are enjoying time away from school, Gutierrez, a 1999 graduate of Reserve High School and from Aragon, N.M., has been fighting fires for the past six summers. In the summer of ’99, Gutierrez had a next-door neighbor who is an engine foreman in for the USDA forest service. Gutierrez needed a job for the summer and, through this contact, starting working for the forest service in Luna, N.M.

In the summer of ‘99 there were many fires in New Mexico. Gutierrez dug trenches, helped with fuel reduction, and thinned out the forest. He was able to travel to Arizona in the summer of 2002 to help with the “Rodeo” fire and was there for 21 days.

Gutierrez has traveled to many states fighting fires, including Washington, Oregon, Arizona, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Colorado.

In 2003 he had the opportunity to travel to Bozeman, Mont. By then he had been qualified to be an Incident Commander on a small fire and squad boss who is in charge of 10 people on a big fire.

This summer Gutierrez was in Jackson Hole, Wyo., working in the Grand Tetons as a “helitack.” He would repel 250 feet out of a helicopter for small fire suppressions (10 acres or less) and large fire support to set up base camps so 12-20 helicopters could bring in supplies to crews. On large fires he would repel and cut a heli-spot out of a big area of trees so that the helicopters could land.

“Sometimes you can’t drive to the fire, so the helicopters bring crews in,” he said. After repelling off the helicopter he would have to walk back to a location where he could be picked up. “It was hard work, packing 104 pounds and hiking eight miles,” Gutierrez says. “Helitack is the most fun; how often do people get to ride in a helicopter? It’s not as dangerous as people think; it's an adrenaline rush.”

Aside from repelling out of helicopters, Gutierrez was able to participate in search and rescue missions, assisted Game and Fish by doing animal surveys, and started fires to achieve resource management goals. “I get to meet different people, see the country and I got paid to do it.”

In high school Gutierrez was involved in many activities, including student council president, Business Professionals of America, football, track and manager of the girls’ basketball team. He played football for ENMU from 1999-2002. What keeps him busy during the fall and spring is officiating football, basketball and baseball for the New Mexico Activities Association.

Gutierrez, a sports administration major, plans to work in athletics and be a wildland fire fighter for two or three more summers. He is looking forward to the next summer vacation.

ENMU Graduate Performing Benefit Concert for MDA
by Wendel Sloan
Communication Services

An Eastern New Mexico University graduate is giving a benefit concert in Farwell, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 23 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Singer-songwriter Jana Stanfield will perform at 7 p.m. that evening in the Farwell (Texas) High School Auditorium. She will also offer a songwriting workshop at 3 p.m. There will also be other workshops offered by event organizers. All proceeds will be donated to the Panhandle Region (eastern New Mexico and West Texas) of MDA.

Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults. They can be purchased by calling 505-356-5533 or mailing checks to first Presbyterian Church, 108 S. Ave. F, Portales, NM 88130.

A song, "If I had Only Known," written by Stanfield and recorded by Reba McEntire sold four million copies. She also wrote a song on the "8 Seconds" soundtrack which sold over a million copies. She received a gold record for a song she wrote on Suzy Bogguss' "Aces" album. Her songs have also been recorded by Andy Williams, Gary Morris, John Schneider and Megon McDonough.

Her songs have been heard on "Oprah," "20/20," and "Entertainment Tonight," among others. She has performed nationally on The Grand Old Opry, TNN and The Jerry Lewis Telethon.

Stanfield has opened for such performers as Bernie Seigel, Kenny Loggins and the Dixie Chicks.

For more information, call Dr. Mary Ayala at 505.562.2707.

Grants High School Graduate Writing Rodeo Column
Story and photo by Shelley Gilmore
Communication Services

Jason Ortega, a former cowboy for the Eastern New Mexico University rodeo team, has been hired to write columns for the United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) magazine, the "Super Looper."

Ortega's first column will appear next month.  The Grants High School graduate says, "Team roping is my passion; I want to be involved in the USTRC."

While taking a reporting class at ENMU in Portales, Ortega needed some guidance on a paper he was writing and called the editor of "Super Looper," Ben Clements.  Clements then asked Ortega if he would like to write for the magazine.  Ortega agreed, and now that he is enrolled in magazine writing this fall, he feels very confident about writing.

"I'm somewhat nervous, considering team ropers from all over the nation are going to be reading my columns, but very exited," says Ortega. The "Super Looper" contains team roping events, the latest rodeo news, results, photos and ads.

He is very familiar with rodeo, competing in high school and college.  He also had the opportunity to announce some at the High Plains Junior rodeos, 4-H rodeos, and the USTRC in Gallup.  He has judged a few rodeos and says, "If you can't beat them, judge them."

From his hometown of San Mateo, N.M., Ortega attended high school in Grants. Aside from rodeo, he was involved in the Spanish Club.  He went to Mesa Tech in Tucumcari his first years of college and then transferred to ENMU.  He is a senior majoring in public relations with a minor in Spanish, and a member of the AHORA and Public Relations Club.

As a student athlete at ENMU, Ortega says, "I used to put team roping first, but now I put school first; that's a lesson we all learn."

With the support of his parents, Lloyd and Chela, he was always encouraged to stay in school and graduate. After graduating from Eastern,  Ortega plans to go to graduate school.  He wants to be a part of the USTRC and hopes that someday he can work at the main headquarters in
Stephenville, Texas.

Planning Ahead for Future Fine Arts Events
by Scarlet Smith
College of Fine Arts

Classical Guitarist Carles Pons
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Monday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall
Admission is free and the public is invited.
Carles Pons Altes began his music studies at the age of 5 in the city of Lleida, continuing his studies to the highest qualifications in the seventh and eighth guitar courses by 1990. Mr. Altes will perform classical guitar from Spain and other parts of the world.
For more information, call 505.562.2377.

Student Choreographed Dance Concert
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Oct. 27-30, 8 p.m., University Theatre, Studio
Admission is $3 and the public is invited.
This student-driven choreographed dance concert will feature a variety of dance from hip-hop to modern dance to ballet.
For more information, contact Jill Pribyl at 505.562.2711.

Roberto Mancusi, Bass-Baritone Faculty Recital
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Monday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall
Admission is free and the public is invited.
Dr. Mancusi singing bass-baritone and Mr. Brady McElligott playing piano will perform a variety of classical pieces from Brahms, arias from Messiah, Arrigo Boito’s Opera “Mefistofele” and four songs from the movie Don Quixote.
For more information, call 505.562.2711.

Scene/Unseen 2004 National Juried Exhibition
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Nov. 9-23, Library hours, Runnels Gallery, Golden Library
Admission is free and the public is invited.
A display of media from across the nation.
For more information, contact Dr. Haig David-West at 505.562.2778.

“Misery”
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Nov. 11-13, 8 p.m., University Theatre Center, Mainstage
$7 general admission, $6 senior citizens, $5 pre-college and $4 ENMU students
with current ID.
Director: Janeice Scarbrough
The stage version of Stephen King’s novel “Misery.” Two characters come together to do a backwards twist and perform a play from a movie. This is an opportunity to see a stage version of a very popular movie.
For more information, call 505.562.2711.

Contemporary Native American Graphics
Event marking Native American Month
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building, Room 112
Visiting artist/lecturer to be announced
For more information, contact Dr. Haig David-West 505.562.2778

Women's Health Clinic Opens Doors in Roswell
Story and photo by Donna Gutierrez
ENMU-Roswell

The new La Puerta Abierta (The Open Door) clinic officially opened its doors following a ribbon-cutting cutting ceremony Thursday, October 7. The clinic, located at 809 West Alameda, will provide preventive health services, such as mammograms, for low-income women and educational opportunities for ENMU-Roswell students.

Jane Batson, Chair of the Division of Health at ENMU-Roswell, spoke during the ceremony and thanked a number of community partners and legislators who worked together to make the clinic possible. Batson said statistics show women in Chaves County are the least likely in the state to access health services. Steve Gonzales, ENMU-Roswell Community Advisory Council member and community health advocate, thanked State Senator Tim Jennings and State Representative Pauline Ponce for their assistance in providing legislative capital outlay funds for the purchase of the clinic and the mammography van. The RV will be remodeled and equipped to travel throughout the county providing screening services. He also praised ENMU-Roswell for continuing to bring new health care programs to those in need. “ENMU-Roswell is really a community college and is a part of this community,” he said.

Also speaking during the ceremony were Dr. Judy Armstrong, ENMU-Roswell Provost; Pauline Ponce, State Representative; Jerry Wood, Chaves County Commissioner; Katy Byrd–Humphreys, Altrusa Club member; and Judy Stubbs, City Councilor. Stubbs read a proclamation from Mayor, Bill Owen declaring October 7, 2004 as Women’s Health Day in the City of Roswell. All called the clinic a dream come true for women in the community, because healthy mothers mean healthy families.

Resources to support the program also include a $1,000 grant from the Altrusa International Foundation that is being used to purchase educational materials for women in English and Spanish. Altrusans and several local health care volunteers will also work in the clinic and in the mammography van. Susie Russell and J. Phelps White III with the Community Foundation of Chaves County also presented a check for $1,000 to be used for the purchase of a microscope for the mammography van.

Residents Invited to Career/Job Fair at ENMU-Roswell
by Donna Gutierrez
ENMU-Roswell

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is hosting a free Career/Job Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Physical Education Center on campus. The public is invited.

About 30 employers from the throughout the region will be represented, including several educational institutions: University of Texas-Permian Basin, New Mexico State University, and ENMU-Roswell.
Anyone who is looking for employment or interested in a career change is welcome to attend. Job seekers are encouraged to come professionally dressed with a resume and prepared to interview. A number of area employers will be accepting applications.

For more information, contact the New Student Relations/Career Resource Center at ENMU-Roswell at 624.7032.

General Comments and Compliments

Thank you, one and all, for the prayers, hugs and gifts given during our time of sorrow. Everyone at ENMU has been very cordial and understanding. – Families of Boe and Amanda Garrison/Sharon Potter

The Bilingual Education Students Organization (BESO) would like to thank student Mayla Garcia who donated the blanket for the raffle. Thank you for supporting us. Great job Mayla. – BESO Organization

The Inventory Department would like to thank all of the campus areas that assisted with our recent Auction Sale. These include, but are not limited to: Information Technology Services, Physical Plant, University Police, Athletics, Sodexho, KENW-TV, Communications Services, and the students working for Inventory Control.

"We were very proud of your band yesterday (in the Roswell fair parade). They were excellent!" – ENMU-Roswell employee

"Special thanks to Angela Ayers, Administrative Secretary for Housing/Campus Union/Student Activites, for coming on Sunday and setting up the Smart Classroom (Sandia Room) for Commander Herrington's presentation." – Multicultural Affairs

"To everyone involved in helping make our health fair such a success. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" – From the staff at ENMU Student Health Services

The Bilingual Education Students Organization (BESO) would like to thank Dr. Jose Villarreal for his generous donation to the Organization. Thank you Dr. Villarreal. At present, the organization is raising funds in order to send students to the National Association of Bilingual Education Convention which will take place late January of 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. The organization expects to collect $3,000 to send six students to the Convention. The winner for the BESO raffle was Mr. Marshall Stinnett. Thank you all for your support. – Dr. Romelia Hurtado de Vivas, Faculty Advisor for BESO

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

In Case You Missed It

Following their win over (Texas A&M University-Commerce), the Greyhounds face highly ranked Texas A&M University-Kingsville this Saturday at 6 p.m. for the lead in the South Division of the Lone Star Conference.

Also, the Zia volleyball team recently defeated West Texas A&M University in Canyon to end a 23-match losing streak against the Lady Buffs. The Zias defeated Tarleton State in three games on Saturday, and will be home on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Abilene Christian University.

Quote of the Week

"Quality people talk about ideas; mediocre people talk about things; stupid people talk about each other." – Unknown

Employee Brief

Dr. Michael F. Shaughnessy has just completed guest editing a special issue of Gifted Education International. The journal included papers by Professor Joan Freeman of England, Dr. Kirsi Tirri of Finland, Dr. Kimmo Lehtonen of Finland, Dr. Sal Mendaglio of Canada, and Dr. Meredith Greene, Dr. Sylvia Rimm, and Dr. Dorothy Sisk of America.

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Candid Camera

Future ENMU Cheerleader (photo by Janice Cowen)

In Training – Avery Pipkin, granddaughter of Alumni Affairs director Janice Cowen, was in training during Homecoming to become a future ENMU cheerleader. Avery's mom is Kayla Pipkin (BSE, 2000), and they live in Clovis.

Campus Bookstore Wins (photo by Marc Schoder)

Homecoming Window Decorating Contest

Homecoming Awards (photo by Noelle Bartl)

From the Friends of Eastern Foundation – (L-R) Lee and Sandi Black (Volunteer of the Year); Gene Shirley (Philanthropist of the Year); and Joyce and Larry Combs (Business of the Year).

Homecoming Awards (photo by Noelle Bartl)

From Alumni Affairs – (L-R) Dr. John Kiker (Oustanding Alumni Award); Al Whitehead (Distinguished Service Award); Dr. Sara Mitchell (Outstanding Alumni Award); Kimberly Sanchez Rael (Honorary Alumni Award); Earlene Price (Distinguished Service Award); and David Hunton (Alumni Association President).

Scenes from 2004 Homecoming (Through the Lens of Richard Salas)

Scenes from AEOP Bosses' Luncheon (photos by Betsy Chavez)

Wanda's Stormy Drive to Work (photo by high risk-taker Wanda Newberry)

From Elida During Recent Storm – This kind of multi-task driving by Wanda Newberry normally would not be recommended, but, in this case, it can be excused since she is contemplating taking defensive driving.

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Please don't forget to read the "Announcements" by clicking on them at the top of this page.

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