Rules for Submitting Announcements
Announcements can be submitted to the Monday Memo by University community members (employees, students, retirees and alumni), and
must be r eceived by Thursday at noon for the following
Monday. To submit an item, use the Submit
Announcements form to the lower right, or e-mail monday.memo@enmu.edu.
Announcements can only be accepted from off-campus groups that are non-profit. The Web address for the Monday Memo is http://www.enmu.edu/mondaymemo.
The Monday Memo is a weekly electronic newsletter published for the faculty and staff of Eastern New Mexico University.
Biology Instructor Not Bothered by Small-Town Life
story and photos by Jennifer Conlee
Communication Services
“I fell for a local boy who has no intention of leaving.” – Rachael Noorlander
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Eastern New Mexico University’s newest biology instructor has found a home at the school and in Portales, and doesn’t dream of living anywhere else. “I fell for a local boy who has no intention of leaving,” said Rachael Noorlander, a biology and applied anatomy lab instructor who coordinates teaching assistants for the biology 113 class. “I like Portales. Small doesn’t bother me and it is close enough to home that I can go back.” Noorlander received two associate degrees in pre-physical therapy and pre-medical science at Eastern Arizona College before arriving at ENMU, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-medical science and her master’s degree in biology and physics with an emphasis in neurobiology and teaching. “I originally wanted to be a physical therapist,” said Noorlander. “But I enjoy teaching, so I might go back to get a doctorate and see if teaching is what I want to pursue. It’s a tossup between the two.” Noorlander said her love for science started as a child. “I’ve always enjoyed science,” she said. “It’s been my favorite subject since I was little. Science makes sense to me.” |
Besides teaching courses at Clovis Community College while pursuing her master’s, this job is Noorlander’s first position, and so far she enjoys it. “The level of education that ENMU gives people is outstanding,” she said. “You really learn a lot and excel here.” Noorlander said her favorite part so far is the students. She teaches non-majors, so she has many general education students, and she likes the variety. “Transitioning from being a student to being a teacher is difficult,” said Noorlander. “There’s a lot more work to do. Teachers have homework, too.” Besides science, Noorlander said she always enjoyed basketball as a kid, and has recently developed a liking for photography. “I wish I was more artistic,” she said. “I try painting, but I’m not very good. And I enjoy cooking.” |
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Noorlander is hoping that marriage is in the future. The daughter of an Air National Guardsman and a stay-at-home mom, she comes from a large family, where, she says, there was always someone to play with and something to do, even in the small town of Edgewood, N.M.
Now, she says she hopes to settle down with her boyfriend, whose family has become like her own, and have her own medium-sized family.
“There was always one too many brothers,” she laughed. “Family is really big to me. I want to eventually get married, start my own family, and give them the best life possible.”
For now, she said, she’s happy where she is, and is excited to see where things go.
ENMU Grad Receives Small Business Development Center Award
(article courtesy of New Mexico Small Business Development Center)
"People vote with their dollars." – Seth Pritchett
The Small Business Development Center at Clovis Community College (SBDC-CCC) has named Seth and Abigail Pritchett outstanding clients of the year. Mr. and Mrs. Pritchett, owners of Signman Signs, are to be honored in a special ceremony in February at the State Capitol.
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| Seth and Abigail Pritchett |
Seth graduated from ENMU in 2005 with an art degree.
He and Abigail own and operate Signman Signs, a sign manufacturing company in Portales. The business had a long and rich history in the City of Portales spanning approximately 35 years. The business built its reputation on hand-painted artistry and craftsmanship in signage.
Seth has taken the business to a new level that utilizes technology such as specialized computer plotters to craft quality indoor and outdoor signs up to billboard size and vehicle graphics. The Pritchett’s goal is to improve the appearance of advertisement in the area by using modernized applications and new technology such as large screen LED signs. Seth is al so pursuing the sculptor aspect of sign manufacturing.
Seth is active in the local chamber and other civic organizations and performs work outside of the traditional sign industry. Quality with the assurance that Signman Signs will be present when the customer has a need is paramount. It is important for Signman Signs to establish new relationships and help the customers decide what they want.
Seth came to the SBDC in 2008. He requested assistance with purchasing his employer’s sign business. During the initial visit SBDC discussed and reviewed the capital contribution, financial statements, pre-venture questionnaire, blue sky, credit history, and future plans to move the facility to a new location as July 2009 was the deadline.
The SBDC assisted Seth in obtaining capital to purchase the business and moving to Signman Signs’ new location. The old location was the railroad icehouse and the new location is the former AMPI milk terminal — two historical buildings.
Seth is a firm believer and knows the importance of understanding the business side of business. “When I came in to see Gordon (Gordon Smith, SBDC Business Specialist), he made me aware of what I need to prepare for in this business. He discussed with me the real part, financial side of the business, and the importance of the detail. The Small Business Development Center has helped me identify the bread and butter of this business.”
Seth is in the process of completing the remodeling of his new facility. He expects to double his current personnel and expand his skills in the tool area that includes three-dimensional sculptures. Signman Signs has five employees.
Seth’s motto, which is an extension of the former owner's, states, “People vote with their dollars.”
Seth strives to take care of his customers by providing quality products.
Seth will be introduced at the New Mexico State Capitol Chamber Floor in February. The Pritchett family is attending the 14th Annual New Mexico Small Business Development Center Day at the Legislature and Success Client Showcase.
| Meet the Flockers (story and photos provided by Jo Laney) |
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The Flamingo Lunch Bunch is a group of staff (support and professional) who worked during Spring Break and decided to just get together and enjoy a moment of time. Almost two years ago, the group decided it would be nice to lunch once a month just to take time to visit with each other. It was at this time the group named themselves the Flamingo Lunch Bunch. Up to 18 lunch bunchers have gotten together each month since that time. Three months ago at their Thanksgiving lunch bunching, the group started talking about doing something for all staff. Something to give a lift, a smile, a hug to a staff member and came up with the idea of ‘flocking’ someone every month. Last week the first ‘flocking’ was accomplished. Jane Blakely was given the Official flamingo flocking flock, which she will keep for a month and then it will be given to the next ‘flocked’ staff member. The flockers sang the official flocking song and gave Jane the official flocking salute. It was Hoot! (and that rhymes) If anyone would like to join the nFlockers, call Jo Laney at 575.693.2317. And Have a Happy Flamingo Day! |
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| Management Information Exchange Meeting Friday in Zia Room |
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| When ENMU Was Just 21 |
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Former ENMU student Robert Patrick (2nd from left) in 1955 as one of four brothers of Christ in an ENMU play called "Family Portrait." Robert posted this photo, found by alumnus Jim Slone, on his Facebook page. Pictured are (L-R): Ronald Mills, Robert Patrick O'Connor, John Lankford and Charlie Robertson. The school theatre was under construction, so this was the first of several plays produced in a closed movie theatre called The Yam (now reopened in Portales). Other plays done there were The Lady's Not for Burning, The Rainmaker, Sabrina Fair, and Right You Are If You Think You Are. |
| The Shy Guys | Audio Alert |
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Listen to two songs, "Shy Guy" and "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" by The Shy Guys,
a trio of ENMU students that had a national hit in 1958-59 with the latter song. Pictured are (L-R): Trinidad Chavez (Santa Fe), Jimmy Slone (Causey, N.M.) and Gil Poch (Atlantic, Iowa). – [songs]
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| Jim Slone and The Shy Guys |
Jim Slone earned his degree in industrial management at ENMU while being president of his sophomore class, and was voted Outstanding Man in his junior class. He was also selected by the ENMU faculty for “Who’s Who In American Colleges and Universities.” Slone met the other members of “The Shy Guys” at ENMU. Gail Poch was in the same year as Slone was and Trinidad Chavez came in the next year. Unlike Slone, Poch and Chavez were music majors. They were all in the University Choir together. The trio recorded in Clovis at the Norman Petty Studio and had a radio hit called, “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” which received national radio play. “We never became famous like The Four Seasons, The Lettermen, or the Four Aces, but we gave it our best shot, made enough money to eat on, and had a great time,” says Slone. |
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