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Eastern Graduates Making a Difference in Community Colleges
by Erin Griffith
Communication Services

Four Eastern New Mexico University graduates have gone on to serve higher education in administrative positions at Texas community colleges. These roles are important to the success of many students and Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president, believes that “Their success is a testament to the preparation that they received at Eastern.”  The administrators agree.

Robert Austin and Danita McAnally now work at Amarillo College; Austin as the dean of Enrollment Management and McAnally as the dean of Assessment and Development. 

Austin, who says he never really wanted to graduate but instead wanted to be a professional student, graduated from Eastern in 1989, majoring in biology.  McAnally holds two degrees from Eastern.  She did her undergraduate work in communication, graduating in 1977, and her graduate work in education in instructional media, graduating in 1978.  

Austin and McAnally credit opportunities they had to work in student housing and other organizations as part of why they chose their careers paths.

Robert Austin, dean of Enrollment Management
at Amarillo College

"My work in student housing at ENMU helped to establish the foundation for my career in higher education,” Austin said.  “I worked as a resident assistant in Lincoln Hall and later served as director for Curry Hall.  Dallan Sanders (the late director of housing) had a profound impact on my life. He was the consummate student service professional. Dr. Eldon Walker is the individual who inspired me to become a college registrar; he doesn't know that, but it is a fact.”

McAnally recently served as the president of the Texas Community College Teachers Association and said that experience reminded her of what she learned at Eastern about how to be a leader.

“During my undergraduate and graduate years, I was a DeBaca Hall officer, resident assistant, and assistant head resident and served on a couple of university-wide committees. Each of those extracurricular activities and jobs made a difference in my ability to lead. Without these experiences, I am convinced I would not have pursued the jobs and career path that I did,” McAnally said.  

Two other administrators are the now retired provost of South Plains College (SPC), Richard (Dick) Walsh, who also served in administration at ENMU for many years, and Darrel Grimes, vice president of Academic Affairs.

Grimes, who graduated from Eastern in 1969, with bachelor’s in business administration and information systems, and again in 1973with his MBA in marketing, believes that Eastern gave him the educational foundation to do what he does.

Danita McAnally, dean of Assessment and
Development at Amarillo College

“In my opinion smaller institutions such as community colleges and even universities such as ENMU focus more on classroom teaching.  We have smaller classes and faculty who were hired because of their teaching abilities.  Because of this, we provide a solid foundation that can be built upon,” said Grimes, who joined SPC in 1975.

Dr. Walsh holds three degrees from Eastern; he received the first in 1965 and the last in 1977.  He worked 25 years with Eastern before becoming provost at SPC in 1993.

“As a student at Eastern New Mexico, I was personally served by a litany of people in about every way possible: through the coaches while playing football for the Greyhounds and as a student where there were quality and




Darrel Grimes, vice president of
Academic Affairs at South Plains College

caring faculty and professional staff who provided services which enhanced the learning process,” said Dr. Walsh, who learned the importance of administrative roles to education during his time working at Eastern.

All agree that community colleges are a vital part of the education system because they fill a niche for students who need them.  The goal of community colleges, according to Dr. Walsh, is to enhance learning opportunities that are high quality, accessible and affordable through academic technical-vocation, continuing education, workforce development and academic transfer.

“Eastern’s education program is known across the region for its professionalism in offering the latest and best practices in teaching and administration,” said President Gamble.  “We are happy to see the ripple effect of this training being extended to the community college level.  It makes the community college education system more effective in meeting the needs of students who will eventually graduate from senior universities and become our future teachers and administrators in a wide range of fields.”

Dick Walsh, retired provost at South
Plains College

Personal Experience Drives Grad to Protect Abused Women by Wendel Sloan Communication Services "We were high school sweethearts – although it wasn't so sweet."

After reporting on a story about domestic abuse while working as a TV reporter for KFDA in Amarillo, Texas, a 2005 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University--who was repeatedly abused by her boyfriend while a student--is now working with Women's Protective Services (WPS) in Lubbock, Texas. Those who knew the attractive Felicia Lafuente at ENMU would kid about why she wore long-sleeved shirts and, often, turtlenecks even in summer. Rather than reveal the truth about the bruises the clothing concealed, she responded with jokes about being cold-natured.  Inside, the jokes seared like a branding iron of shame.  "While reporting in Amarillo, I covered various stories but found my calling in covering crime. It wasn't until I covered a story about domestic violence that I realized that I had gone through it for seven years, says Felicia.  “I immediately knew I had to do something to make a difference. That's what brought me to Lubbock. I applied for an advocate position for Women's Protective Services, where a degree in communications was required, so my degree continues to pay off." The 2002 graduate of tiny Friona High School in West Texas, says her memories of ENMU are good and bad. "I am very grateful for ENMU and proudly display my degree in my office. Thanks to all the

hands-on experience I received at ENMU and the great instructors, such as John Kirby, Dr. Janet Roehl, Dr. Chris Stasheff and plenty of others in the communication department, I believe it really helped me land my first on-air job within a month of graduating. I enjoyed my classes, and how each professor cared about my success."

I also really enjoyed coming back to ENMU to watch my daddy graduate in 2007."

However, she says while at ENMU she endured struggles with her then-boyfriend who began physically abusing her. "Although he had been emotionally and verbally abusive for five years, he never laid a hand on me until we moved to Portales, so those memories are also embedded in my brain."

She worked at KFDA-TV for a year-and-a-half. While there, she covered a story about domestic violence "that completely changed me. I took a huge leap and got out of the news business, worked two jobs as a caregiver and insurance agent – way on the other end of the spectrum for me – and then four months ago I received my job in Lubbock as the Community Education and Volunteer Services Advocate for Women’s Protective Services."

It is a non-profit organization that helps to eliminate domestic violence by offering free services such as counseling, legal advice, social referrals and educational information. They offer services for residents in their facility, and also to non-residents. They can house up to 206 women and children. In 2008, they helped more than 5,000 women and children.

Felicia says that she dated her boyfriend, who was a year older, for seven years. "We were high school sweethearts, although it wasn’t very sweet. I can remember the abuse starting almost right away – from him telling me what I could and could not wear to who I could be friends with. I was told I looked fat when I wore my hair naturally curly and lost all my friends of the opposite sex because my boyfriend was so jealous.

" But I didn’t know these were 'red flags' of what would later come; I never knew anything about domestic violence. I was convinced by my boyfriend that no one would ever love me like him and that I would end up alone, so I stayed with him throughout all the verbal abuse, throughout the cheating.

Felicia attended her first year of college at the University of Texas in Arlington. She says that her boyfriend followed her there, then convinced her to move to Portales.

"That’s when everything took a turn for the worse. He had already attended a semester at ENMU, so he already belonged to a fraternity, had a lot of friends, and the word quickly spread who I was and it was like high school all over again.

"The first time he ever beat me was after a fraternity party and, of course, he was very drunk. He came home to the apartment we shared wanting to argue; I tried to make him stop and before I knew it I was lying on the ground while he was kicking me in my ribs. He probably wouldn’t have stopped except the police showed up. Instead of turning him in, I hid in the bathroom and listened to him tell the police we just got in an argument and it was over and we would keep it down.

She says that he apologized the next day, said he loved her, and reminded her that, “After all, I didn’t hit or punch you in your face so it’s not really like I beat you."

Felicia says that the next two-and-a-half years was like "walking on eggshells. He had convinced everyone that I was crazy, that I was the jealous one, and that I liked attention and made things up – so I never told anyone anything because I was scared no one would believe me and, honestly, I didn’t want to leave him because I was so terrified I would end up alone and no one would love me – so I just dealt with the abuse.

"The last time he beat me was when he got cheating on me yet again and I was so fed up I argued back, yelling at him for continually hurting me and, before I knew it, he had his hands around my neck, choking me, and then I couldn’t feel my feet on the ground. He picked me up by my neck and then literally put me through the wall and continued strangling me. I thought I was going to die.”

After surviving the experience, she made plans to leave. After graduating, she went back home, but never told anyone anything until, “I realized that I had been in an abusive relationship after I covered a story about it a year-and-a-half after I left that relationship.”

Felicia eventually received counseling that helped her deal with all she had endured, told her family and friends, and then began sharing her story of survival. Now she tells her story to teens that either are going through what she did, or know someone who is. "Hopefully, by hearing my story, they will get out and get help."

The 25-year-old never pressed charges or reported anything to police, so she does not release the name of her abuser.  “I know he is still enrolled at ENMU, has a child, and I have heard he has not changed his abusive behavior,” she says.  “I hope he changes and gets help because, otherwise, the cycle will continue. He has a son looking up to him now and if that child sees his behavior, he could very likely end up copying it, continuing the cycle of abuse.”

Felicia now sees children everyday affected deeply by domestic violence. "It breaks my heart," she says. "I don’t want anyone to have to endure the painful effects of domestic violence. I hope if someone is in an abusive relationship or knows someone who is they will get help. There are so many resources available and I promise you can survive.

"I did."

***

Lubbock's Women's Protective Services is preparing for their 4th Annual Dollar-A-Door Campaign on Saturday, March 28. Felicia says that they will need lots of volunteers.

"This could be a great opportunity for students who would like to volunteer or need hours of community service. As a survivor of domestic violence, I can tell you it means so much to have people volunteer their time to help eliminate this terrible crime."

To volunteer, contact Felicia at flafuente@wpslbk.org or 806.748.5292 ext. 215. [flyer]

New Mexico Student Loans Donates to ENMU

For General Scholarship Fund – (L-R) Woody Farber of New Mexico Student Loans recently donated a check for $3,257 to ENMU for its general scholarship fund. Accepting the check was Dr. Jamie Laurenz, vice president for Academic Affairs. (photo by Casey Gregerson)

Former ENMU Employee Retiring from ENMU-Roswell by Donna Oracion ENMU-Roswell

Dr. Dwight (Dee) Rogers is retiring after 25 years of service to the ENMU system. Here, he congratulates a recent graduate at ENMU-Roswell. (photo by Donna Oracion)

After 25 years of service to the Eastern New Mexico University system, Dr. Dwight Rogers, Vice President for Academic Affairs at ENMU-Roswell, has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 1. Rogers began his career at ENMU in Portales as a faculty member and department chair in 1988. Ten years later, he accepted the Associate Dean for Career and Technical Education position at the ENMU-Roswell campus. He served in that capacity for three years and in 2001 Rogers was named the Dean of Instruction. The title changed in 2008 to Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 Working at ENMU-Roswell has been a wonderful experience, Rogers said. He is proud of the accomplishments in Academic Affairs during the past seven years. New degrees have been added in Accounting, Limited Radiography, Media Arts and Film, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning-Refrigeration (HVACR), Dental Assisting, and Dental Hygiene.

The campus has welcomed the Community Band and Chorale and revitalized the Theatre Arts program. The Higher Learning Commission accredited ENMU-Roswell’s online courses, which have grown from 170 students enrolled in 12 courses in the fall semester of 2001 to more than 2900 students enrolled in 140 courses in the fall of 2008. Respiratory Therapy, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Assisting, and Nursing were all reaccredited. Automotive Technology was recertified and Welding Technology was accredited for the first time. The HVACR program obtained accreditation in its third year of existence. The Federal Aviation Administration selected ENMU-Roswell as one of eight additional colleges nationwide to participate in the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program.

Dee participated in the inter-campus softball battle a few years ago between ENMU-Roswell and ENMU-Portales at the Zia softball field.

Rogers said he was also fortunate to play a key role in the planning and construction of several new instructional and support services facilities for the campus, including the Instructional Technology Center, expansion of the Aviation Maintenance Technology Center, phase one of the Health Science Center, and the renovation of the Campus Union Building. 

 “I am deeply indebted to faculty, staff, and administration, and consider myself very fortunate to have had such an interesting, challenging, and gratifying career,” Rogers said. “Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is a remarkable school and a great place to work, learn, and grow. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work at such an outstanding university.”

Wanda Attends Mavericks Game

Packed House at American Airlines Center – Over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, graphic designer Wanda Newberry attended a Dallas Mavericks basketball game in Dallas. The Mavericks handily defeated the Utah Jazz. (photos by Wanda Newberry)