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Features and Photos

Meet Some New Folks (interviews by Wendel Sloan; photos by Robin Haislett Communication Services)
Lukas Cash  Job title? Special Projects Coordinator  Brief description of job responsibilities? I supervise the non-credit classes and teachers of those classes. Kids’ College also falls under my jurisdiction. What were you doing before you got your present job? I was a graduate assistant in the Communication Department, and I stayed home with my two-year-old daughter when I wasn’t in class.  What degrees do you have and where are they from? BA in Communication from ENMU; currently working on a Master’s in Mass Communication.  Where were you born and where did you grow up? Born in Wheatland, WY, parents moved to Clovis when I was six months old. Grew up in Clovis from then until now. What are your hobbies? Spending time with the family, playing drum set, BIG TIME video gamer, chess, studying Eastern religions, philosophy, political discourse,  lover of Arizona professional sports teams (go Suns and Diamondbacks), College Basketball Fanatic (Bracket Maniac). Other Thoughts? I love peanut butter and cheese, but not simultaneously. I know it’s not gold, but it is another thought I had.
	Liana Garcia  Job title?  Registration Clerk Brief description of job responsibilities?  It won’t be brief.  What were you doing before you got your present job?  Substituting What degrees do you have and where are they from?  BS in Psychology from ENMU. Where were you born and where did you grow up?  Roswell What are your hobbies?  Dancing, swimming, working out, climbing and watching movies.
Rachelle Holt Job title?  Financial Aid Specialist  Brief description of job responsibilities? Counseling students on general financial aid but, more specifically, handling tribal scholarships, outside scholarships and athletic aid. What were you doing before you got your present job? I was a Financial Aid Counselor at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. What degrees do you have and where are they from? I have a BS in Graphic Design from ENMU Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in Palm Springs, Calif., raised in Roswell; but I don’t think I ever grew up. What are your hobbies? Running, swimming, camping, kayaking (more appropriate in Arkansas), talking to my cat and weekend barbecues….anything that will get me outside of the house.   Other Thoughts? I worked in the financial aid office as a workstudy student before I graduated and moved away. I am just thankful that I have the chance to be back at my old office in a professional position; it feels like I never really left!
	Felicia Thompson Job title? Financial Aid Specialist Brief description of job responsibilities? Primarily I am responsible for the processing of Stafford loan applications. With that come the duties to make sure that the correct amount of funds are offered and later disbursed to Student Accounts.   What were you doing before you got your present job? I worked as a Section 8 Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator at Clovis Housing before coming to ENMU. I worked as a Graduate Assistant for D’Lyn Ford in Communication Services for several months prior to being offered the position with Financial Aid.  What degrees do you have and where are they from? B.S. in Psychology from ENMU Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born in Roswell and spent most of my life there. What are your hobbies? I am involved with several ministries with my church in Clovis. I also have a nine-year-old son who keeps me interested in all things “Kung Fu.” Other Thoughts? I am excited to be a part of a team of people who care so much about the students we serve!

Winner in Mystery Photo Contest!

Winner Gets Burger King Gift Certificate – All employees who correctly identified this mystery employee were entered in a drawing for a gift certificate to the Portales Burger King.

Bonnie Sink's Smile Gave It Away
	Those correctly identifying the mystery employee as Bonnie Sink were: Ama McDermid, Elwyn Hulett, Norma Stroik, Jerri Kent, Jane Blakeley, Tim McGee, Loretta Bridwell, Phillip Gill, Daniel Alaniz, Dorothy Bulls, Steve Blakeley, Brooke Parker, Lilah Gainey, Candra Reynolds, Pat Dodd, Carla Chacon-Howard, Elizabeth Wooley, Christine Rose, Liane Bergsieker, Stephanie McClary and Teresa Villanueva.
Others identified the mystery employee as being: Mary Ayala, Jana Small, Tammi Gardner (5 guesses), Elaine Ennis, Candra Reynolds (2 guesses) and Deborah Bentley (never guess Deborah because she has a rule prohibiting us from using her photo in the Monday Memo).

Drawing the Winner of the	Burger King Queen
Was this unidentified lady from a local shelter. We thought using a neutral picker would ensure no hamburger hanky-panky. However, after finding out the prize was a Burger King gift certificate, we did have to prevent the hungry stranger – who told us she was once a famous tennis player living high on the hog at plush-resort tournaments around the world until pulling a hamstring while trying to win a local fun "walk" by sprinting the final 100 yards against an old man – from sneaking her own name into the pickle jar. The lady said, since falling on hard times at the Heritage Days Fun "Walk," she now considers places like San Angelo, Texas, an exotic vacation.
	Grand Prize Winner Queen Carla Chacon-Howard says she has big plans for the Burger King gift certificate – including a candlelight dinner with toasts of 64-oz. cups of Pepsi over Whoppers, pies and fries.

ENMU Employees Win Lots of Medals at Heritage Days Fun Run/Walk (photos by Wendel Sloan and strangers)

Chief Engineer Ed MIller Retiring from Broadcast Center interview by Wendel Sloan; photo by Robin Haislett Communication Services

Where were you born, and what did your parents do?  I was born  in Portales in Dr. H.T. Brasell's Clinic. This Clinic was purchased by my father, Dr. E.L. Miller, D.O., who moved to Portales in 1946 from Elida where he operated the Miller Clinic.  My father was an osteopathic physician and surgeon whose practice in Roosevelt County spanned over 54 years.  My mother was an RN and before she married she was a nursing supervisor at Clovis Memorial Hospital . Tell us about your life growing up?  My life growing up started in a house right by the Administration Building on avenue K. When I was a youngster my father would buy old junk motors and washing machines and bring to me to take apart to learn about mechanical construction. These were some of my toys in life. Life was always exciting mechanically and I always found things to be fixed.  Junior high and High school shop were the things I cared most about and I enjoyed friends.   I have one sister, Stephanie, who liveshin Albuquerque and is a retired elementary and middle school teacher.

Tell us about your own family?

I married Nancy Webb in 1967 and we have two children, Edward Lee III and Michael McCrea. My wife, Nancy, is a graduate of  ENMU and is also a retiree from Eastern.  Edward Lee has worked for the National Labs at Pantex, Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore for the past 17 years and has just gone to work for BTIG, a stock brokerage firm in San Francisco.  Eddie is a graduate of ENMU and married Jennifer Wilson.  They have three daughters and one son.  McCrea is a graduate of Texas A & M in College Station.  He worked as a structural engineer in Dallas for about eight years and then decided to become a Farmer's Insurance Agent. McCrea has his own agency in Frisco, Texas

Where did you get your degrees from?

I have a B.S. degree from ENMU majoring in geography and minoring in biology.  I have an A.S. degree in electronics engineering from Amarillo College.

Tell us about your hobbies?

Working on old cars, Ham Radio, and working on home projects.

What sports are you interested in?

 When I was younger I enjoyed hunting, fishing, and water skiing with my father.

 What jobs have you held since graduating from college?

I owned and operated  Miller TV & Appliance for about 15 years here in Portales and I have now worked for KENW-TV for 20 years.

Tell us about your jobs at Eastern, and the years you held them? 

 I have worked in the electronics area as an engineer for our TV and FM Translators and the ITV microwave system which required an extensive amount of travel to the sites around Eastern New Mexico and West Texas for most of my career at KENW.  I have been the Chief Engineer for the past eight years. 

Working at KENW-TV has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life.  KENW-TV has an exciting and very intensive network of systems.  One is only limited by their own initiative, which makes for a really nice place to work with some of the nicest people.  It has been a real pleasure to work with students and support personnel at ENMU.

What have been some of the most challenging issues or situations about working in broadcast engineering?

Climbing Tucumcari Mountain with your tools, test equipment, and parts mounted on a backpack, or walking into our Buck Mountain site in 3-4 ft of snow with parts and equipnment, or riding a snow cat into Buck Mountain at night in white-out conditions so bad you can't see your tracks to get back down .  These are some of the fun challenges for me as a lone engineer.  The biggest challenges today are the building of all the new sites, construction and moving to the new Broadcast Center and all the changes in technology and keeping the old systems working until the new systems can be tested and working.

How has is the technology changing?

The new systems work better and are constructed better (the new building at Tucumcari Mountain is 10 feet by 20 feet with dual air conditioners and we DRIVE up now).  The old translator building at Tucumcari Mountain is 55" X 55" – there is not room for you and the translators , so you have to sit outside the building with your diagrams in the snowy weather and work on the translator.  Sites, equipment, technology and working conditions have all improved immensly.

 What do you think are Eastern’s strengths? 

The pleasant atmosphere of the people who work here and the services provided to the students and general population of this area.

What will you miss most about Eastern? 

The KENW staff and students, staff of the physical plant, and IT and Computer Departments, as well as the administrative staff who are always willing to help.

 What are your plans for retirement? 

Spend more time with my wife and my children and  grandchildren. I have many home projects as well as some projects in town that need attention.  Hopefully, Nancy and I will find new enjoyable things to do with the extra free time.

 What are your thoughts about life in general, what gives your life meaning, etc.?

In life there are going to be problems and then life may get a little better and then there will be some more problems – -this is normal.  Family, friends, spritual knowledge and beliefs, and the giving of yourself for the benefit of others seem to me to be some of the greatest assets in life.

Other thoughts?

It has been a real pleasure to work for Duane Ryan.  He makes everyone feel like family and especially the students, which allows each person to pursue excellence in their respective jobs.  Duane is one of the nicest people I know and has maintained that demeanor at all times, regardless of problems.  Duane works harder and more hours than anyone I know at the station and yet never loses his focus for KENW to provide quality programing on both FM and TV.  Duane strives to serve the public in such a way that there is a little something for everyone to enjoy no matter what their interests. 

I probably won't miss eating those peanut butter crackers for lunch and sometimes dinner while traveling and working at the remote sites. 

ENMU Awarded Reaffirmation of Business Accreditation
by Wendel Sloan
Communication Services

The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has awarded reaffirmation of accreditation of Eastern New Mexico University’s College of Business.

Eastern was presented with a certificate of accreditation during the ACBSP Annual Conference in New Orleans, La., on June 22.

Douglas G. Viehland, executive director of the ACBSP, said, "Eastern New Mexico University has shown their commitment to teaching excellence by participating in the accreditation process, achieving accreditation and continuing the process of quality improvement.  This accreditation is evidence of Eastern’s commitment to quality business programs."

Steven Gamble, ENMU president, said, “We are very pleased with the decision to reaffirm the accreditation of our College of Business.  It confirms what we already knew: that an outside agency has found the business education we offer to be competitive with that of larger, more expensive universities.  It is another example of the personal attention and high-quality experience our professors offer students.  We are grateful to our business faculty for their long hours in preparing for the accreditation, as well as their ongoing dedicated service in preparing our students to meet the challenging demands of today’s business world.”  

According to Viehland, for institutions that achieve accreditation for their business schools and programs, this attainment certifies that the teaching and learning processes within that institution meet the rigorous educational standards established by the ACBSP.  The ratification of accreditation by ACBSP covers a ten-year period during which time ENMU must continually reaffirm its quality through periodic reports. 

ENMU Benefactor: Addie Peed Swearingen Passes Away

Addie Peed Swearingen, 104, passed away Wednesday, June 18, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.  At the time of her passing, she was a resident of the Farwell Convalescence Center in Farwell, Texas. Mrs. Swearingen was born on May 25, 1904, in Leon County, Texas, to Oscar and Mary Peed.  The family traveled from East Texas to the Elida community by train in 1909, and young Addie attended several rural schools before completing her high school education in Elida. While still in her teens, Mrs. Swearingen moved to Roswell to attend beauty school and lived in Denver and Tucumcari for short periods of time.  She lived in Santa Fe for 28 years and was a beautician for 13 years at the beauty shop in the famed La Fonda Hotel.   Mrs. Swearingen returned to Elida in 1960 and lived with her mother until the family ranch was sold in 1979.  Addie then moved to Portales where she would remain for the rest of her life. After moving to Portales, Mrs. Swearingen became an avid traveler, taking trips to such places as Panama, the Caribbean, New Orleans, San Francisco, and her favorite—the Holy Land.

Addie became a Christian at an early age and continued her strong Christian faith throughout her life.  She was a long-time member of Portales’ First Baptist Church and was very generous in her contributions to the church. 

Mrs. Swearingen and her husband “Hub” became wealthy through purchasing land and mineral rights, mostly in Eddy County.  When oil and gas deposits were discovered on the land, income from the these rights provided money for Mrs. Swearingen to become one of the leading philanthropists in eastern New Mexico.  She was generous to both friends and strangers, and many people and organizations benefited from her generosity.

Mrs. Swearingen was a great friend to Eastern New Mexico University.  She endowed many scholarships to support students in nursing, the fine arts, accounting and other academic programs.  Mrs. Swearingen also donated funds for the University’s pipe organ and loaned much of her extensive art collection to ENMU for display.  To honor her generosity, she received the ENMU Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 1983 and was recognized as the ENMU Foundation’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2002. 

In addition to her support of Eastern New Mexico University’s students, Mrs. Swearingen contributed the first scholarship awarded to a female cadet at New Mexico Military Institute and donated considerable funds to support the music program at Lubbock Christian University.

Addie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband, William “Hub” Swearingen, who died in 1975.  She is survived by her cousin, Esther Luna, of New Jersey and by her great friend and caregiver of 30 years, Mrs. Mary Mixon Mendoza of Portales.

A private service for Addie Peed Swearingen was held Friday at the Portales Cemetery with Dr. Buck Wilson officiating.

Scenes from Alumni Shrimp Boil (photos by Wendel Sloan)
Shrimp for All Sizes – The annual Alumni Shrimp Boil was held on June 14 at the Ice House at 203 N. Ave. A, behind the Post Office in Portales. The end result of the successful event was helping Portales High School students attend ENMU.
Enjoying a liberal discussion
	Food taster for local liberals
	A liberal dose of laughter
Never misses a meal
The Iron Chef	Bounty of Boil
Iron Chef Apprentice
	A liberal dose of fun
You don't say!
The family that cooks together...
	Some of them are still swimming!
Just thrilled to be here
Children, teach your parents well.
	Where the heck is dessert?
Creative centerpiece
If we don't bring doggie bags, they will!

Heavy Metal: AEOP Summer 'Basket'

Raffle Tickets $1 Each – For only $1, you have a chance of winning this Summer Fun Basket (looks more like a tub to us). The drawing will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at noon during the annual AEOP Picnic. All proceeds support Association Educational Office Personnel Bosses Luncheon.  Purchase tickets from any AEOP member. For more information, call 562.2134. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Student Academic Services 194 or 214, University Computer Center 113, Lea Hall 105 and 205, Quay Hall 205, and The Alley in the CUB and and Information Center in the Administration Building. Thank you for your continued support. – AEOP (photo by Wendel Sloan)

ENMU Communicates with 'New Media'

For example, Eastern's MySpace page now has more than 400 friends. Find it at www.myspace.com/easternnewmexico. See the Facebook page above at [link].

Scenes from Boys State on ENMU Campus (photos by Rebecca Wise)

(Reception Today from 3-6 p.m.) Melveta Walker's Family Has Art Show on Display in Golden Library by Melveta Walker Golden Library (photos by Rebecca Wise)

A Walker/Whitethorne Family Art Show is on exhibit in the Runnel’s Art Gallery and the Foyer of Golden Library during the summer of 2008.  There will be a reception Monday, June 23, from 3-6 p.m.  Many of the artists plan to be in attendance.  The public is invited. In 1965, a young Navajo boy at Tuba City Boarding School showed great promise as an artist.  His 8th grade teacher recommended that he apply to attend the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, the premier art school for Native Americans.  He applied and was accepted but with one provision – he had to have completed the ninth grade.  IAIA started with the Sophomore Class.  What could he do?  There were no boarding high schools on the reservation and his family lived fifty miles away, too far from a public school to live at home.  His teacher, Jerry Walker, offered to let him stay with the Walker family and attend Tuba City Public School for a year.  Thus, began the love and co-mingling of two diverse families. At the end of the freshman year, the representatives from IAIA came to Tuba City to make arrangements for Bahe Whitethorne to enroll, but the love Bahe had for the Walkers and vice versa, was so great, he asked Melveta Walker, now director of ENMU's Golden Library, “Do I have to go?  I want to stay with you and Dad.”  Of course, he could stay.  Later that year, Bahe’s father died and Jerry Walker made an offer to Bahe’s mother, Alice.  If she could take care of the four little girls, ages 7 to 6 months, the Walkers would take care of the four boys, ages 10 to 17 (one son was already married and away from home).  They could go home on the weekends and make sure she and the girls had food, wood and water.  Alice agreed and eight Whitethorne children and two Walker children had new, additional parents.  That bond is still as strong after four decades as it was then.  Alice was a very talented weaver and artisan, and passed on her love for art to all nine of her children.  She has passed on, but her legacy of artistic talent will live forever.  This exhibit features some of Alice’s rug and basket weaving and beadwork, a little of Melveta’s arts and crafts, and artwork of all nine Whitethornes, plus that of many of Alice’s and Melveta’s grandchildren and a great grandchild.