Date:
10/1/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
The following business, individual and couple will receive awards from The Friends of Eastern Foundation at The Friends of Eastern Homecoming Breakfast in the Campus Union Ballroom on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Business of the Year
Wells Fargo Bank
First founded in Portales on April 3, 1902 , as First National Bank of Portales, it later became United New Mexico Bank and Norwest Bank until they merged with Wells Fargo Bank in 1999. Wells Fargo Bank is the fourth largest financial services company in the United States .
The Bank is one of the lead contributors to the KENW-TV digital conversion with a pledge of $25,000. Portales branch President Dennis Edwards has been a key campaign volunteer on the digital conversion.
Each year, Wells Fargo Bank gives their financial support to numerous ENMU departments and scholarships including Starter Scholarships, University Fund, KENW-TV, the College of Business , and the Department of Athletics, specifically the Bench Club, baseball and rodeo team. In addition, the Bank also contributes annually to two Wells Fargo Bank scholarships to benefit Portales and Ruidoso ENMU students.
Three years ago, Wells Fargo Bank was the lead sponsor with $10,000 for a New Mexico Symphony benefit concert in Espanola whose proceeds established the Karen Castanon Leadership Endowed Scholarship for ENMU students. Total contributions to ENMU to date exceed $57,700.
Philanthropist of the Year
Mr. Jim Slone
Mr. Slone was raised in the Causey community where his dad and mother, Crockett and Velta Slone, farmed and had a dairy. He met his wife, Norma Lozier, while both were attending classes at ENMU.
As a student he served as president of his sophomore class, and was voted Outstanding Man in the junior class. Mr. Slone was also active in ENMU's music department before graduating in 1959 with his industrial management degree. After graduation, he became the lead singer of a group called "The Shy Guys," singing pop standards and went on tour.
He found his niche in the radio business and a few years ago sold his five-station conglomerate in Tucson , Ariz. , for $63 million. Over the years, Mr. Slone has supported ENMU in numerous ways. In the last few years he started two scholarships, the Dr. Herbert E. Bergstrom Endowed Scholarship and the Jim Slone Scholarship, as well as helped ENMU purchase a new Concert Grand Steinway piano. Mr. Slone also offered a matching gift if alumni would come together and help raise money for new band instruments. He has also generously supported the University Fund and Starter Scholarships.
Mr. Slone and his wife, Norma, have three children, daughter Mary Wambach, and sons Jamie and Fred Slone.
Volunteer of the Year
Charles and Evelyn Chambers
In 1972, Charles and Evelyn Chambers moved to Portales when Charles was hired as the assistant professor of agriculture. Soon after, in addition to teaching he was also asked to coach rodeo, which he did until his retirement in 1998.
Evelyn taught Slimnastics for 15 years at ENMU. As a volunteer, Charles served on the board of directors for the Southwest region for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and served as the National Faculty President from 1983-1984. Since 1976, Charles has helped produce the College National Finals Rodeo every year. For 10 years, he has also been a charter member of the NIRA Alumni Association Board. In years past, Charles also sat on the Fair Board and helped with 4H and FFA. He is also a current board member of the Council of Professors Emeriti.
Both Charles and Evelyn were recognized in 1997 with the Spirit of Eastern Award and Evelyn was inducted in the Greyhound Hall of Honors in 1998 and Charles in 2002. For the past three years, the two have coordinated the Bench Club tailgate parties with a goal of at least one tailgate party per season per sport. Both have served on several ENMU search committees and are active members in the First Methodist Church .