Date:
2/11/2009
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 575.562.2253
PORTALES—Representatives from Eastern New Mexico University recently presented New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with a personalized ENMU letter jacket in his office in Santa Fe.
“We wanted to thank the governor for all he has done for Eastern,” said Chad Lydick, member of the ENMU Board of Regents. “He was instrumental in getting $12 million for Eastern put on the last bond election, and is helping Eastern get through the current tough economic times. We just wanted him to know we appreciate his efforts.”
Lydick said that when he got the call that the governor could meet them soon, the jacket could not be found. As it turned out, the jacket had been in the vehicle of late ENMU regent Alva Carter when he suffered a fatal traffic accident. His family had retrieved the jacket, but had no idea of its intended purpose. Lydick eventually called Carter’s widow, Mary Helen, and she did have the jacket. According to Lydick, she was quite surprised to learn that it was for Governor Richardson.