News Releases from Eastern New Mexico University http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/ PORTALES----Eastern New Mexico University in Portales will host its 114th Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. in Greyhound Arena. There are 355 candidates for the 2008 spring graduation. The commencement speaker will be Judy Armstrong, president of ENMU--Roswell. Armstrong has announced her impending retirement. "Dr. Armstrong has done a remarkable job," said Steven Gamble, ENMU president. "She took over a campus that was already good and made it even better. She has kept ENMU--Roswell on the cutting edge of vocational and academic programs that serve the community, state and nation. Dr. Armstrong has set an incredibly high standard for her successor." At 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, in Buchanan Hall in the Music Building, 19 nursing graduates will be honored in a pinning ceremony. The Spring 2008 Academic Honors Convocation, for students receiving graduation honors, will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9, in the University Theatre Center. Also on Friday, the New Graduate Reception will be from 2:30----3:30 p.m. in the Campus Union Ballroom. The ENMU Alumni Association sponsors the reception for new graduates and invites family, friends, faculty and staff. All events are free and open to the public. For more information about graduation activities, call 575.562.2175. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=977 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Fri, 2 May 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=977 PORTALES----The Board of Regents at Eastern New Mexico University has approved a title change in branch campus administration leadership. Effective May 1, Dr. Judy Armstrong, ENMU--Roswell, and Dr. Michael Elrod, ENMU--Ruidoso, will have their titles changed from "Provost" to "President." "Our provosts are providing exceptional leadership, and the title change better reflects the true nature of their positions," said Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president. "They truly function as presidents of their campuses. Gamble, who is located on the Portales campus, will also retain the title of President. He says the "Provost" title is not well understood by those outside of the academic community. Both presidents will still report to Gamble, the president of the ENMU system in Portales, Roswell and Ruidoso. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=976 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=976 PORTALES----Admission is now free to everyone attending the High Plains Film Festival at Eastern New Mexico University on Sunday, May 4, at the University Theatre Center on the Portales campus. The event will run from 1----5 p.m. Since refreshments will be served, attendees are requested to call in for free tickets at 575.562.2373. However, until capacity is reached, those showing up at the door without tickets will be admitted. Following comments by Oscar Robinson on the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Film Festival director Robert Vartabedian will introduce distinguished critic Jack Sholder. A special screening of the 1970 Academy Award--nominated documentary "King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis" will be held at 1:30 p.m. The documentary was directed by Sidney Lumet and Joseph Mankiewicz, and edited by Sholder. Also a judge for the High Plains Film Festival, Sholder will discuss the documentary. He is an Emmy and Grand Prix award--winning editor and director who leads the Motion Picture and Television Program at Western Carolina University. Among many other films, he directed "Nightmare on Elm Street 2." Following the documentary, the Film Festival will conclude with the viewing and discussion of the winning short films in the pre--college, animation, documentary, and dramatic categories. Other judges included: actress Joan Leslie, who appeared with Humphrey Bogart in "High Sierra," with James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and with Gary Cooper in "Sergeant York"; former ENMU student and screenwriter Diana Ossana, who collaborated with Larry McMurtry on "Brokeback Mountain," which won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay in 2005; and the office of Gov. Bill Richardson. The High Plains Film Festival celebrates ENMU's Digital Cinema Arts program, established in 2006, and New Mexico's growing film industry, said Michael Sitton, dean of ENMU's College of Fine Arts. For more information, check the festival Web site at www.enmu.edu/filmfest, or call 575.562.2373. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=975 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=975 PORTALES----Non--profit and educational groups will get in free to the High Plains Film Festival at Eastern New Mexico University from 1----5 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the University Theatre Center on the Portales campus. Tickets for individuals are $5 at the door. Screenings will begin at 3:30 p.m. for approximately eight short winning films, up to 10 minutes long, in the categories of animation, documentary/experimental and dramatic. Winners were chosen from pre--college and college and beyond divisions. A special screening of the 1969 Academy Award--nominated documentary "King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis" will be held at 1:30 p.m. The documentary was directed by Sidney Lumet and Joseph Mankiewicz, and edited by Jack Sholder. Sholder, a judge for the High Plains Film Fest, will be present to discuss the documentary. He is an Emmy and Grand Prix award--winning editor and director who leads the Motion Picture and Television Program at Western Carolina University. Other judges include actress Joan Leslie, who appeared with Humphrey Bogart in "High Sierra," with James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and with Gary Cooper in "Sergeant York." Another panelist is former ENMU student and screenwriter Diana Ossana, who collaborated with Larry McMurtry on "Brokeback Mountain," which won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay in 2005. Gov. Bill Richardson's office is also judging. The film festival celebrates ENMU's Digital Cinema Arts program, established in 2006, and New Mexico's growing film industry, said Michael Sitton, dean of ENMU's College of Fine Arts. For more information, check the festival Web site at www.enmu.edu/filmfest or call 575.562.2373. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=974 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=974 PORTALES----Linda Weems, graduate coordinator, program director and professor in the communicative disorders program at Eastern New Mexico University, has been named the new dean of the Graduate School. Weems earned her B.S. in communicative disorders at ENMU in 1974 and her M.S. and Ph.D. in speech--language pathology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1976 and 1985, respectively. She was born and raised in Portales. Weems worked as a speech therapist in the clinical setting for eight years before becoming a professor at Northern Arizona University. She worked at NAU for nine years before coming to ENMU in 1995. She has spent the last 22 years as a professor of higher education, the last 13 at ENMU, and 11 years as program director. Her appointment will begin July 1. She replaces Phillip Shelley. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=973 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=973 PORTALES----Eastern New Mexico University junior Erin Griffith will intern in the Washington press department of New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman this summer. The Albuquerque native is one of eight New Mexican interns working for the senator during her session from June 28 through Aug. 2. "Since this internship is related to what I want to do as a career, I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to see if this type of work and environment is really compatible with my goals," said Griffith. She added that by being a double major in communication and political science, she hopes she knows the needs of a press office and has a firm understanding of the political questions. Griffith said that she looks forward to seeing how Congress truly works and how the representative and constituent relationship unfolds. "I will also be happy to see real public transportation and the free museums that the area has to offer," she said. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=972 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=972 PORTALES----The Department of Art at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales is presenting the bachelor of fine arts exhibit during library hours through May 9. Library hours are: Sunday, noon--midnight; Monday----Thursday, 7 a.m.----midnight; Friday, 7 a.m.----8 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.----7 p.m. The show includes the following graduating students ' work: Heather Cardenas from Clayton, N .M., is graduating with an emphasis in graphic design. She will show work that ranges from print pieces and jewelry to logos she has designed for companies such as Clovis Chiropractic, Grip Golf Shoe Company, Red Dog Construction and the art exhibition "Food Poisoning" that was on campus. Heather says, " Overall, my education here at Eastern in the art department has been great ;, the teachers really help you show your style through your work, whether it be a print design or a wood sculpture. Everyone has a great attitude because we all get to do what we love everyday." Heather ' s show will be available for viewing April 28----May 2. Melanie Lucero, who is graduating with an emphasis in graphic design, will show work that ranges from postcards and brochures to logos and posters. Melanie explains her passion for graphic design : "I think graphic design is something you see everyday, yet people take it for granted. I'm glad I have the opportunity to show my work in Eastern's gallery. I think it shows people that graphic design is an art form and should be viewed as such." Melanie's show will be available for viewing May 5----9. Victoria Montoya from Cimarron, N .M., speaks of her art work : " Art allows me to step into my mind, pull out an idea, and watch it come to life." Victoria's pieces are mostly paintings featuring themes of "macabre and bizarre with a touch of personal emotion." Victoria hopes to "continue making art that will peel the layers back and find the vulnerable truth for myself and others." Victoria's show will be available for viewing May 5----9. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Susan Pippin at 575.562.2778. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=971 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=971 New Mexico Student Loans Donates to ENMU----On Friday morning (left) Woody Farber of New Mexico Student Loans donated a check for $3,278 to ENMU president Steven Gamble for ENMU's scholarship fund in the president's office in the Administration Building. New Mexico Student Loans makes a donation every year. (photo by Wanda Newberry) http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=970 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=970 ENMU Honors Retirees----Seven retiring employees from Eastern New Mexico University attended a Thursday ceremony in the Student Academic Services Building honoring their years of service. They were (L--R): Dr. Melissa Blevins, professor of criminal justice; Valiente Mills, custodian; Victor Babilonia, athletics equipment manager; Rosemary Mathews, mathematical sciences secretary; Jean Sparkman, lead instructional TV facilitator at Roswell; Pat Dodd, accounting clerk; and Dr. Phillip Shelley, Graduate School dean. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=969 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=969 PORTALES----The Intel Corporation recently presented a check for $20,000 to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to purchase computer--related technology in support of the Science Building remodeling and expansion project currently underway on the ENMU campus. Equipment purchased will include classroom presentation systems and laboratory computers. The Science Building will open for classes this fall. The grant is part of Intel's mission to support education. "We wish to thank Elizabeth Shipley at the Intel branch office in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and Dr. Robert D. Long, associate professor of chemistry at ENMU, who have been instrumental in securing this donation," said Noelle Bartl, director of the ENMU Foundation. http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=968 Wendel.Sloan@enmu.edu (Wendel Sloan) Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:00:00 MDT http://www.enmu.edu/about/news/story.php?r=968