Date:
2/13/2009
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 575.562.2253
Reporter: Roma Vivas
PORTALES—Governor Bill Richardson has approved Robert Wachter as the new student regent at Eastern New Mexico University.
“I was very nervous when I got a phone call from the Governor’s office; I had to hold off a lot of emotions. After I hung up I did not know who to call first,” Wachter said.
The political science and Spanish double major student had applied to be a student regent back in October and went though several interviews, including one with Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president.
There were three candidates and the committee recommended Wachter, a Republican. He is already very active in university activities as the vice president of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, member of Associated Students Activities Board and has made the dean’s list for two years. He also interned with the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
“I am a very hard worker and very responsible. If anyone needs help with anything, I am pretty available, twenty-four-seven. I want to give back to the community,” Wachter said.
The 21-year-old Clovis High School graduate admitted to almost transferring from Eastern to a bigger university, but the friendly atmosphere made the decision of staying easy.
“I love the people; I love the faculty. The one-on-one I get from my advisors is something you don’t get at another campus. I have friends that go to bigger universities and they envy the personal touch I get here,” Wachter said.
Even though Wachter has been the official student regent for a few days, he already has plans of what he wants to accomplish. The ENMU junior wants to push for the building of a football stadium closer to the university, try to maintain stable tuition for the students and let students know about regent policies that affect them.