Date:
8/22/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Tracy Henderson
"I will strongly encourage my children to attend Eastern." – Steven Fulkrod
Steven Fulkrod had to adjust when he went from small-town Melrose, New Mexico, to Eastern New Mexico University. But Eastern prepared him and made his next move into his career as the director of administration and corporate controller for the Maryland Center for Arts and Technology (MCAT), a non-profit workforce development company in Baltimore, Md., an easy adjustment.
The strong reputation of the business school at Eastern caught Steven's attention and with the help of scholarships he was able to attend Eastern — the school of his choice. He soon learned there was more at ENMU then just a quality education. "Everyone on staff made me feel part of the University. There was always something to do on campus — activities at the Student Union, Coffee Shop, or the game room, movie nights, or just lounging in Eddy Hall," Steven said.
Steven's experience at Eastern prepared him for his career by showing him how people interact with each other and each person can make a difference in their community through action. "I believe that Eastern helped me bring out abilities that were untapped before in leadership and work situations," Steven said.
"Eastern provided me with skills I needed to learn in new situations, understand people better, and position me for success on the career path I have been following since graduation," he added.
While attending Eastern Steven was involved in Student Government, and the Office Education Association (currently Business Professionals of America) where he served as local, state and national officer. He also was a graduate research assistant for former ENMU president Everett Frost and worked part-time in the Golden Library. These activities gave him the opportunity to travel and an understanding of how the structure of organizations depends on the solid base of everyday work.
Steven graduated from ENMU in May 1987 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He helped build the non-profit company he currently works for from the ground up. Through his career, he has written three personnel handbooks and three accounting procedure handbooks, served as Harford County Public Ethics Panel Secretary, Eight Russell Avenue Condominium Association Secretary and Treasurer, member of the Society of Human Resource Management, and has chaired many committees for Cokesbury United Methodist Church.
When asked who inspired him most at Eastern, Steven said, "Mr. J. Henry Young, my first accounting and academic advisor; Dr. Doris Fleming, my Office Education Association (now Business Professionals of America) advisor; Dr. Victoria Sanchez, my Human Resources professor and advisor; Mrs. Mary Lee Morris, my department supervisor in the Cataloging Department at Golden Library; and Dean Herschel Potts, my Student Government Advisor."
Steven says that he still returns to campus to visit. "Every time I am back in New Mexico, I cruise the campus to see what is going on. I had a great time. When the time is right, I will strongly encourage my children to attend Eastern."