Date:
9/25/2012
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 575.562.2253
PORTALES–The public is invited to the fifth annual Eastern New Mexico University Educator Hall of Honor Gala at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Yam Theatre in Portales.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. The cost is $15 per person. Advance tickets can be requested by calling the College of Education and Technology at 575.562.2443.
The new ENMU Educator Hall of Honor Awards will be presented along with musical entertainment.
Recipients are:
Joe Aragon
Joe Aragon is a tribal member of the Pueblo of Acoma and a graduate of ENMU. He began his professional career at ENMU as coordinator of Native American Affairs and went on to teach science at the high school and collegiate levels. Aragon has received numerous awards, including New Mexico Distinguished High School Physics Teacher and outstanding teacher by Tandy Technology Scholars.
Ronald Bass
Ronald Bass has spent his entire professional career in education, from his ENMU graduation in 1965 until his retirement in 2011. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial education from ENMU. He was an industrial arts teacher in Hobbs, industrial education professor at Wichita State University, and served in various administrative positions at Austin Community College. Bass and his wife have established the Ron and Nell Bass Endowed Fund for ENMU students.
Scott Childress
Scott Childress has a passion to encourage students, teachers, administrators, and school board members in their pursuit of building a better world through education. He earned his master's and educational specialist degree from ENMU. He began his career teaching biology and coaching in the Albuquerque public schools. Later he served as superintendent in Gallup, Capitan and Animas. Additionally, Childress embraces innovative teaching strategies and creative problem solving.
Allen Cloud
Allen Cloud has dedicated his life to teaching in the classroom. He has spent most of his career as an elementary school teacher and administrator. He earned both his bachelor and master degrees at ENMU. He has worked in Midland, Odessa, Roswell, Las Cruces and Chaves County elementary schools. Cloud feels that elementary school is the most important part of a young person's education.
Howard Conley
Howard Conley has served education as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He earned two degrees from ENMU. He was selected as one of the top 50 superintendents in the U.S. and named superintendent of the year by the Arizona State Department of Education. Under his leadership, Chandler (Arizonia) High School was transformed from a school characterized by low achievement to one of the top 50 high schools in the U.S.
Darlene Klassen
Darlene Klassen has the unique ability to convey mathematical concepts to students with a wide range of abilities. After a distinguished career in K-12 education, Klassen began teaching mathematics at ENMU-Roswell in 2004. She has a bachelor's degree from ENMU. She has received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Teaching Award, an honor bestowed on only a select number of faculty across the nation for their teaching, service and leadership.
Gracelia Sosa
Gracelia Sosa, the daughter of immigrants, earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from ENMU. She has worked more than 40 years teaching mathematics in public schools and at the college level in both New Mexico and Texas. For her commitment to education, Sosa has received a wide range of accolades during her career beginning with outstanding student teacher at ENMU to being nominated for New Mexico Teacher of the Year and Hispanic Teacher of the Year.
For more information, call 575.562.2443.