by Christina Calloway
Portales News-Tribune Senior Writer
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Sam Duwe is excited to teach anthropology courses this fall at Eastern New Mexico University. Duwe, an archaeologist from Michigan, has done much of his graduate research in northern New Mexico, near Taos. He studied at the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree and attended the University of Arizona for graduate school. He’s had prior teaching experience at the University of Arizona, but is getting his first full-time job right here in Portales at ENMU teaching three courses. Here’s what he had to say about the start of his new career: |
Why did you choose ENMU? What was most appealing about the school?
The small class size. When I went and interviewed, I saw that teachers and students really are the number one priority. That was really neat. Everyone I talked to showed me they really cared about the students. I always liked the smaller communities. The people are really nice here, that’s all that matters.
What was one thing a professor has said to you that has always stuck with you?
Those who asked me what I wanted to do with my life have had an impact, the professors that really believe in you. I remember the ones that taught us there are no limits.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done in your research?
Going out to these sights in northern New Mexico and being the first person to see these artifacts in 700 or 800 years since the people who made it were there. I think it’s really neat. I really enjoy hiking the landscape and really get to know the areas I research.
What will be one saying you live by that you’ll tell your students?
I just want any student to learn to really enjoy things. I think anthropology has a lot to offer. We’re studying people and we’re all people, we all know people. The study of anthropology is how people work together and build things and sometimes destroy things. I just want students to understand, that at the end of the term students cram for exams and then forget what they learn, but it’s the big ideas that matter.”
Do you have any crazy teaching methods or lessons planned, or is archaeology interesting enough?
I want to get students to do research with me. I’d like to incorporate students in bigger research projects. I’m also a big fan of field trips. No one can say no to a field trip.
Do you think the lesson is more important than the grade?
I think making sure students know the material but understand why the material is important to them is important. We’re in an academic world. I think that if you engage them with the material and really kind of know your stuff, they’ll do well in my course. I really want the material to soak in.
What should students do to prepare for your class?
They should be ready to discuss and read and think and have fun. The classes are so small that I’ll lecture part of the time and then we can actually sit down and talk about the material. Just get ready to have an open mind and talk about ideas. Students learn more from each other than they do from me.
Where in the world would you love to travel to do some research?
South Africa and east Asia.
I really like teaching. I hope to be known as a really good teacher. I think I’ll be known as the guy who does archaeology up north and who brings students along. I really hope I become the teacher that I want to be. Research has been great for me, I do really care about students. I hope to inspire at least one of them so they can inspire others.
| Senator Bingaman Visits ENMU Students (photos by Jacob Caffrey) |
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| Sen. Jeff Bingaman and President Gamble |
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| Article in Portales News-Tribune – [pntonline.com] |
| That Old Sinking Feeling: Goodbye, Bonnie! (photos by Wendel Sloan) |
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| "They're comin' to take me away, ha, ha!" |
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Betsy Chavez made the cake, and purposely kept one of the "n"s from "Bonnie" Sink's name as a memento. |
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| Although Jo is not an IT co-worker, she still got one of Bonnie's famous hugs. |
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| "I'm so glad that no one is around with a camera." |
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| "Y'all shouldn't have!" |
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| "Betsy, don't get any ideas from Bonnie about leaving!" |
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| Never a free meal on campus that they can't sniff out |
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| Bonnie's farewell flocking fling |
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| Bigger turnout for Bonnie's farewell than Olympics' badminton match |
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| Goodbye, Bonnie, it's been nice, hope you find your paradise... |
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| ENMU pink for big nights out |
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| Who would've thought that the IT folks were sentimental enough to make Bonnie cry? |
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| And here is what did it. |
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| And here is who did it. |
| Bonnie Sink | Video Alert |
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Watch a brief video of Bonnie Sink saying farewell in the SAS coffee shop. – [video] |






































