General News

New Dean of Education Says That Portales Not a Culture Shock
Story and photo by Wendel Sloan
Communication Services

Dr. Jerry Harmon is the new dean of the College of Education and Technology at Eastern New Mexico University. He replaces Dr. Steven Russell, who accepted a position at another school.

Dr. Harmon comes to Eastern from Western New Mexico University, where he had been the dean of Education since 1998. Also a full professor, Dr. Harmon has a 1988 doctor of education from Oregon State University, a 1979 master of science in education from Black Hills State University in South Dakota, and a 1974 bachelor of arts in elementary education from Huron University in South Dakota.

“I am impressed with the resources at Eastern for planning, growth and assessment,” Dr. Harmon said in a recent interview. “Eastern is a regional, comprehensive, holistic university with a very steady, credible reputation. Its faculty and programs are very strong.”

From 1996-98, Dr. Harmon was an associate professor and the director of Field Experience at Western. From 1990-95, he served in various capacities at Northern State University in South Dakota, including being the assistant dean for Clinical Services and the director of Field Experience for student teachers.

The married father of two grown daughters, three high-school and one middle-school-age sons, says that he has three major goals for the College of Education. The first is enhancing the growth of distance education in various cities through different mediums, such as the Internet and Instructional Television. The second is to continue recruiting highly qualified faculty to meet the growth potential of education majors. The third is to concentrate on the next focused visit of NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) in 2006 which will examine Eastern’s assessment of its education program.

The former elementary education teacher says that he is pleased that New Mexico’s Center for Teaching Excellence is located at Eastern. “With the Center for Teaching Excellence being located on our campus, it gives us an exciting opportunity to learn from the newest strategies in teacher education. One of the most innovative is Action Research—a process by which teachers study how well students learn from their teaching practices. It becomes a habit of mind. The more we can prepare educators to do that, the more all students will learn. Having the Center for Teaching Excellence on campus is a huge advantage.”

Dr. Harmon, the author of numerous scholarly publications, is also impressed with the Professional Development School that Eastern operates in conjunction with James Elementary in Portales.

“Our Professional Development School (PDS) at James gives our students a chance to learn from expert practitioners—the professional teachers at James. This resource helps root our students into the habit of using best practices. Having a PDS in a public school, including another one we have in Roswell, is a unique and cutting-edge program resource for training future educators.”

Dr. Harmon, who received the 2001 New Mexico Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Excellence in Education Award, says that, despite living in the mountainous/forested area of Silver City, the High Plains of Portales is not a culture shock.

“You have to remember that I used to live in Aberdeen, South Dakota. I told my wife the other day that you could blindfold me and spin me around a few times in either downtown, and when you took the blindfold off I wouldn’t know if I was in Aberdeen or Portales.”

President's Secretary Will Miss Eastern, But Has Jewelry Irons in the Fire
Story and photo by Shelley Gilmore
Communication Services

It has been the people at Eastern New Mexico University who have made Alma Lyle Bilberry’s experience wonderful.

She has been executive secretary to the president and Board of Regents for four years and will be retiring at the end of January. She says, “Dr. Gamble has been a wonderful boss. He is always kind, considerate and polite. I worked for Dr. Frost for six months before he retired and enjoyed working for him as well. Most people would be surprised to know that he is master of the practical joke. He's a very funny man. With any job it’s always the people you work with that make it or break it. No matter where I’ve worked or what I’ve done, the best part has been the people.” She adds, “Sharon King has been a great mentor and friend to me while working at ENMU. I love this job; I've enjoyed every job I've had, but this one I really love."

The title of executive secretary holds many responsibilities, including preparing contracts, evaluations, correspondence, scheduling meetings, travel arrangements, coping with multiple phone lines and “juggling the calendar.” As secretary to the Board of Regents, Alma Lyle is responsible for all phases of scheduling Board meetings and making sure they run smoothly.

Alma Lyle was the school secretary at Elida Municipal Schools for 14 years, records clerk in the College of Business at ENMU for a year and registrar at Broad Horizons Charter School for five years.

Now that Alma Lyle will have some time on her hands, she plans to spend more of it with family, such as watching her grandkids play ball and rodeo. “Family is a priority,” she said.

Alma Lyle and her daughter-in-love, Cheree, are partners in a business called Prairie Silver Jewelry. “The business has grown tremendously and one of the things I will be doing after retirement from Eastern is selling jewelry." Another goal is to "seriously" play the piano again and perhaps take private lessons at Eastern.

Having lived on a ranch at Kenna, N.M. all of her life, she is ready to return to ranch duties with her husband, Bud. “We also plan to be more involved with our gospel music ministry and do some traveling.” She and Bud have been members of Kenna Community Church for many years where they are music leaders.

Alma Lyle says, "Of all the good things that have happened to me during my time here, receiving the Spirit of Eastern award last spring was probably the highlight." She adds that she will especially miss the people of ENMU. "I've made wonderful friends here; people that will be lifetime friends.”

Pianist Who Tours with Steinways in Back of Truck to Appear at ENMU in Free Concert

New Mexico State University's Pianist in Residence Laura Spitzer will perform a recital on Sunday, Jan. 23, at 3 p.m. in the ENMU Buchanan Hall in the Music Building.

The program will include two Beethoven sonatas, Op. 27, No. 1 and Op. 31, No. 3; two etudes and the F Minor Fantasy by Chopin; American music by Gershwin Joplin, and Valerga; and Islamey – an Oriental Fantasy by Mili Balakirev. Admission is free.

The San Francisco Chronicle hailed her performance as a “tour de force.” The New York Times described her playing as engaging and expert,” and the San Jose Mercury News called her “one of the most vibrant one-woman operations in classical music circles.”

Spitzer has concertized extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, frequently with her Steinways in the back of her truck.

Her unusual style of touring has attracted considerable media attention, including stories in the New York Times, People, Time, Reader’s Digest and Mother Earth News, and nationally televised features on ABC’s World News Tonight, and NBC’s Sunday Today and Nightly News.

Spitzer earned her doctorate in 2000 at the University of Southern California, where she served as Assistant Lecturer of Keyboard Studies and received the department’s teaching award in 1992.

For more information, call the ENMU Music Department at 505.562.2377.

The Office of Student Activities and Organizations Presents Endochine in a Concert Series Showcase

The Office of Student Activities and Organizations will present Endochine in a Concert Series Showcase at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the Campus Union Ballroom. Admission is free.

With comparisons to eclectic musicians like The Foo Fighters, Coldplay and Lennon/McCartney, Endochine is capturing the ears, hearts and minds of today’s music culture without compromising the baseline ideal that “the music has to come first," according to their publicity biography. Endochine’s unique sound has its roots in captivating harmonic and lyrical interplay, driving rhythms and naturally crafted hook-laden tunes. Through their influences, experiences and by relying on each other, Endochine has been able to create a musical environment that is distinct and diverse, yet accessible and addictive.

The band’s sophomore release, “Day Two,” has already charted as high as #6 on national specialty radio and earned the band top marks with music press across the country (Guitar One, May 2004, R&R Magazine, Jan 2004) and is set for national release in August of 2004.

For more information, call Student Activities at 562.2631.

Planning Ahead for Future Fine Arts Events

Kim Hudson, Flute
Faculty Recital
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall

Guest Artist Recital
Sunday, Jan. 23, 3 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall
Laura Spitzer, Piano

ENMU Student Juried Exhibition
Jan. 25–Feb. 6, Library Hours, Golden Library, Runnels Gallery
Awards Ceremony: To Be Announced, Golden Library, Runnels Gallery

*“The Servant to Two Masters”
Feb. 17–19, 8 p.m., University Theatre Center, Mainstage

Roberto Mancusi, Bass-Baritone
Faculty Recital
Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall

High School Drama Festival
Feb. 23–26, University Theatre Center

Spring Choral Concert
Tuesday, March 1, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall

Symphonic Band/Wind Symphony
Sunday, March 6, 3 p.m., Campus Union Building, Ballroom

* “Molly Sweeney”
March 13–16, 8 p.m., University Theatre Center, Studio

*“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”
Dinner Theater with a Roman flair
March 31–April 2, Dinner 6:30 p.m., Show 7:30 p.m., Campus Union Building, Ballroom
Matinee April 3, Lunch 1 p.m., Show 2 p.m., Campus Union Building, Ballroom

Masterclass, Kenneth Grant, Clarinet
Guest Artist, Eastman School of Music
Friday, April 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall

ENMU Concert Band Clinic
April 4–5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Campus Union Building, Ballroom

ENMU Concert Band Clinic Concert
Dr. Richard Mark Heidel, guest conductor
Artesia High School Concert Band and ENMU Wind Symphony
Tuesday, April 5, 7 p.m., Campus Union Building, Ballroom

*“The Seagull”
April 13–16, 8 p.m., University Theatre Center, Studio

Darren Feldberg, Violin
Guest Artist Recital
Monday, April 18, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall

Large Works Choral Concert
Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m., Music Building, Buchanan Hall

*Spring Dance Concert
April 28–30, 8 p.m., University Theatre Center, Mainstage

Symphonic Band/Wind Symphony
Sunday, May 1, 3 pm, Campus Union Building, Ballroom

Spring Graduating Senior Art Exhibition
May 6–14, Library Hours, Golden Library, Runnels Gallery,
Reception: To Be Announced, Golden Library, Runnels Gallery

*Events requiring tickets. Other events are free.

ENMU Grad Serving as Captain in Iraq
by Helena Rodriguez
Communication Services

Captain Henry Alvarez, a 1996 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, recently became the new commander of the First Squadron 7th United States Calvary Regiment serving in Iraq. Alvarez considers himself fortunate, saying only a small percentage of captains receive a second command.

The job means that Alvarez was not home for the holidays with his wife, Stacy, and 19-month-old daughter, Jaelin. He’s scheduled for redeployment in early to mid 2005. Nevertheless, he feels adamant about his supportive role in Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Baghdad.

“I feel the Iraq War was necessary. I am not a person who prefers war over peace, and I think the United States and its allies should only go to war as a last resort. But if you could see the difference we are making in the lives of the Iraqi people, I believe it justifies our presence,” Alvarez said.

As the senior troop commander, his role is to support his squadron with medical, maintenance and all of the classes of supply. Alvarez also leads his troops in running offensive operations within their squadron’s area of operation. Prior to his present command post, Alvarez was a commander of the B Company 3rd BN 8th U.S. Calvary. In his previous position, he ran an entry point, combat patrols, a Quick Reaction Force and raids against suspected insurgent forces.

Alvarez, a 32-year-old Roswell native, began his formal military career the day after he graduated from Eastern in 1996 with a degree in university studies and a minor in business administration. After his commencement, he left for his first military assignment in Washington. Since then, he has trained or been stationed in Texas, Kentucky, California and Louisiana as well as South Korea. He also served in Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia.

While at Eastern, Alvarez was a cadet in the ROTC program. In addition, he was vice president of the Omega Delta Phi fraternity and was a college success mentor and learning facilitator. Alvarez said his fondest memories at Eastern are of the friends he made. He also stated that the most important decisions in life are generally made while at college. “What do you want to do? What type of person do you want to be? Important contacts and relationships… the time and decisions you make in college will affect your life more than anything else,” he said.

As for where he is in life now, Alvarez said, “I feel I am playing a vital role in the development of Iraq. This country has never had the opportunity to practice democracy. We (the Coalition Forces) are giving the Iraqi people the freedom to govern themselves without fear of prosecution or execution because of the decisions they make, where they are from or their religious beliefs,” he said. “As far as peace, the soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors, as well as our families, pray for it everyday.”

Alvarez said the most challenging part about his command position is balancing the support missions of his squadron while also conducting offensive operations in sectors. The thing he said he misses the most about the United States is, “My troopers being able to walk down the street without the fear of being shot or being hit by a vehicle-born improvised explosive device (VBIED).”

U.S. Air Force Parajumpers Train at ENMU-Roswell
by Donna Gutierrez
ENMU-Roswell

A group of 23 United States Air Force ParaRescue students from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque are calling Roswell home for the next several months. They are enrolled in an accelerated paramedic training program taught by ENMU-Roswell Emergency Medical Services (EMS) instructors. Once they complete the program at the end of May, the “PJ” or Parajumper students will travel to Orlando, Florida for six weeks of intense clinical and field practicum. They will return to Roswell in July for a week of review classes before taking their National Registry of EMT Paramedic exam. After earning their certification and coveted maroon beret, the students will be assigned to one of only six pararescue military units in the country. They will then be deployed to support troop missions fighting the war on terrorism in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Those missions will include rescuing and treating pilots and soldiers who fall behind enemy lines and providing medical treatment to civilians in war-torn communities.

Mike Buldra, EMS Program Director, said there is a shortage of pararescue men in the field, with only 350 now trained in the United States. Because this elite operations force is assigned to combat zones, women are not allowed to join. Three similar EMS classes are currently being held at Kirtland AFB, but in order to meet the increased demand for trained individuals, a fourth class was placed at Roswell. The students, most of whom have no previous medical experience, are in class 8 hours a day for at least five days a week. They are learning all aspects of being a paramedic and will learn to care for the wounded with 45-pound work sacks on their backs. By becoming paramedics, Buldra said they would be able to provide a much higher quality of care to troops they are assigned to support. The students range in age from 18 to 25. “These are high achievers. They volunteered to do this and they have a low tolerance for failure,” said Buldra. Loren Deichman, EMS instructor, said so far he has found the men to be highly motivated.

This unique consortium arrangement was completed in 2002 to allow ENMU-Roswell to provide sponsorship to the U.S. Air Force ParaRescue Paramedic Program at Kirtland Air Force Base. It is the first of its kind between a military entity and an educational institution. The program is over 1000 hours long and will provide students with 60 credit hours. ENMU-Roswell is also providing an additional instructor to the current cadre of instructors at Kirtland.

ENMU-Roswell Director to Receive International Leadership Award
by Donna Gutierrez
ENMU-Roswell

John Howard, Director of Distance Learning at ENMU-Roswell, has been selected to receive the 2005 International Exemplary Leadership Award from the Chair Academy, based in Mesa, Arizona. The award recognizes Howard’s ability to advance academic and administrative leadership on campus. Cherryl Kilness, Associate Dean of Instructional Support at ENMU-Roswell, nominated Howard for the honor.

Howard will receive the award at the Chair Academy’s 14th Annual International Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on March 4. He will also be featured in the 2005 International Exemplary Leadership Awards booklet and on the Chair Academy’s web page over the next year. The Chair Academy’s spring juried journal, Leadership, will also include an article on Howard’s role as an exemplary leader.

Howard joined ENMU-Roswell in 1999 as a Communications instructor. He continues to work as an adjunct instructor and also serves as Title V Cooperative Activity Director. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree from New Mexico State University.

General Comments and Compliments

Thank you to Toni Acker for offering to go the extra mile to help a student out of a tight financial situation, and for anonymously giving away a bicycle she recently won in a campus drawing to another employee. – secret source

Noon-Time Basketball Fall Injury Report

John Kirby – Three Broken Ribs
Ty Walker – Eye Surgery, Jammed Finger, Bruised Ribs
Doc Elder – Stitches in Forehead
Wendel Sloan – Turned Ankle, Busted Nose (surgery scheduled)
James Chacon – Knee Problems
John Humphreys – Back Spasms
Mark Romero – Assorted Leg Problems
Jody Bailey – Poked Eye

Quote of the Week

"Why don't y'all wear football helmets?" – Ginger Creighton, safety officer, to commissioner of noon-time basketball

Employee Briefs

Message to ENMU faculty, staff and students from Dr. Jeanne Cobb:

How can I express my thanks and appreciation to my "ENMU extended family" for your love, support, and encouragement? The events of Sept. 25 changed my life forever. I have known the depths of despair and have often felt that moving forward with life would be impossible. Somehow I have taken one day at a time, one step at a time and tried to go on. I have truly felt your love, prayers, and good wishes across the miles. Your love has been so much a part of the way in which I have been able to continue the healing process.

While it would be impossible for me to thank everyone of you individually, I hope that you will know from this message how I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gifts, cards, letters, packages, and all your thoughtful expressions of sympathy and concern.

I have just begun to learn to walk with a walker in the past week and am hopeful that my progress will continue. While recovery is slow, I plan to be back with you in the fall semester 2005. I miss all of you so much and am looking forward to the day when I can return to ENMU. Thank you again for everything you have done for me during the past three months. Best wishes for a successful spring semester!

Sincerely,
Jeanne Cobb

Due to the departure of Dr. Haig David-West, Ms. Mic Muhlbauer has agreed to serve as interim chair of the Department of Art for the spring semester.

Dr. Manuel Varela, associate professor of biology and Dr. Marv Lutnesky, professor of biology (ENMU), in collaboration with Dr. Marcy Osgood, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology (UNM), have had a paper accepted in a peer-reviewed educational journal called Microbiology Education. The scholarly work was the result of a classroom-based assessment project conducted at Eastern. The title of the published research is “Assessment of Student Skills for Critiquing Published Primary Scientific Literature Using a Primary Trait Analysis Scale.”

Dr. Michael F. Shaughnessy has had an article accepted for publication in Gifted Education International. The title of the article is "The Dynamic Synergy between Mentoring, Nurturing and Counseling the Gifted" It will appear in Volume 19 of the Winter 2004 issue.

Dustin Seifert was recently elected to membership in Phi Beta Mu, an International Bandmasters Fraternity. The ritual ceremony took place at the 61st Annual New Mexico Music Educators All-State Conference and In-Service in Albuquerque.

Dr. Mary Kallus and Dr. Michael Shaughnessy of ENMU, Effie Laman, Susan Veronikas and Marilyn Haight of Texas Tech, Stephanie Raitt and Judy Madewell of the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, Dan Greathouse of the Portales Schools and Jennella Crouch of the Carlsbad Schools have had a chapter accepted for publication in a book on Educational Psychology to be published by Nova Sciences Press in New York.

Candid Camera

Goodby Jim (photo by Donna Gutierrez)

Good Luck in Retirement – Dr. Jim Miller, retiring dean of ENMU-Ruidoso, received a present and hug from Dr. Judy Armstrong, ENMU-Roswell provost, at the December regents' meeting in Roswell.

Trevor Has to Teach Good Manners (photo by Betsy Chavez)

To Ladies of Portales Woman's Club – Trevor Ivy, general manager of Sodexho Food Services on campus, recently made a presentation on "Table Etiquette" to the Portales Woman's Club. Among those benefiting from his sage (and other spices) advice were Carol Hardin, program chair, and club president Noelle Bartl.

Happy Graduate (photo by Donna Gutierrez)

From ENMU-Portales Walks at ENMU-Roswell – At ENMU-Roswell's fall graduation, Angela Chavez received her bachelor's in biology from the Portales campus. Graduates from both campuses can choose to walk at either campus.

In His Last Official Act (photo by Shelley Gilmore)

As a Regent – Blaine Hess presented this happy graduate her diploma during fall commencement at ENMU-Portales.

The Leadership ENMU Bunch (photo by Wendel Sloan)

Took a Bus Tour – in December to visit the Portales Independent School District, Portales City Hall, Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, and Cannon Air Force Base. The tour was lucky to come back with Sia after Cannon officials discovered that he was a part of the group and not just the bus driver.

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