Donor News

2006 ENMU Foundation Award Honorees

Every year the ENMU Foundation honors alumni and philanthropists with three major awards: Business of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Business of the Year: Valley Furniture
Philanthropists of the Year: Roy and Leona Isler
Volunteer of the Year: Bill Joy

(L-R) Philanthropists of the Year: Leona and Roy Isler, Volunteer of the Year: Bill Joy, Business of the Year: Don and Gertrude Davis. The awards, titled “Vorticity II,” were designed by local artist and ENMU alumnus Ken Leap.

“Vorticity II”

The ENMU Foundation commissioned Portales artist (and Eastern alumnus) Ken Leap to design three similar sculptures titled “Vorticity II” for the three Foundation Awards: Business of the Year, Philanthropists of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year.

Vorticity is defined as a measure of the rate of rotational spin in a fluid. In meteorology, vorticity can be used as a proxy for storm strength.

The “Vorticity II” sculpture symbolizes how the three award recipients’ contributions of time, talent and treasure have made a dynamic impact on the University and our students. It is contributors and volunteers like our honorees who strengthen the University with their efforts. These visionaries and all our ENMU friends are making a difference not only on today’s students, but are also ensuring the continued success of Eastern in the future.

This is the fifth year Ken Leap has designed the award which is given to show our appreciation for those giving outstanding support to ENMU. To view more Ken Leap sculptures, go to www.kenleap.com.

Science Hall Named After Donor's Parents (September 2005)

Dr. Calton and his wife, Sandra, recently donated over $700,000 of laboratory equipment to the science department at Eastern. The donation was a tremendous help for students currently enrolled in various science programs, and has also served to make Eastern very competitive in the field of sciences when students are choosing what school to attend.

A native of Portales, Dr. Calton has strong roots here. His parents, George and Clytie Calton, founded Calton Furniture, a business that is still family owned and operated today.

During a lecture given on Thursday, Sept. 29, in the Physical Science building titled "The Business of Science—or how to make a million having fun and serving mankind," Dr. Calton had some very kind things to say about Eastern.

“Let me assure you students that you are receiving a top notch education here at Eastern. It is a little known fact that the majority of CEOs come from small towns and colleges just like this one--from the Midwest to the Southwest. Not the big fancy schools on the West coast or the East coast, but from places just like Portales, and from colleges just like this one.”

Dr. Calton also offered insightful information for students of business and science. Topics from how to patent a product to alleviating tax liability were discussed. Dr. Calton says, “Having a good and trustworthy CPA is very important. Mine just happens to be my wife.”

On Friday, Sept. 30, Dr. and Mrs. Calton were part of another event; a dedication of a lecture hall in the Science Building, honoring his mother and father.

Before the unveiling of the plaque, Dr. Calton was asked to say a few words. He told an anecdote about how his mother once got his wife, Sandra, fired from a job. Sandra Calton had decided to go to work while Dr. Calton pursued his education, putting her own education on hold. Clytie Calton would have none of it, explaining to her daughter-in-law’s employer that she had to be fired because it was so important that she find a way to return to school. Before his passing, George Calton often reflected that his daughter-in-law graduated summa cum laude, and his son graduated “Lordy How Come.”

During the dedication, Dr. Steven Gamble, ENMU president, said, “The Calton family has been an important part of this community, and an important part of Eastern. We are grateful for the donations they have made, and proud to make this dedication in your mother's and father’s honor.”

Roswell Couple Establish $300,000 Charitable Gift Annuity (2005)

1957 ENMU graduate Roy Isler and his wife Leona of Roswell, NM presented the ENMU Foundation executive director Noelle Bartl a $300,000 check in September 2005 establishing the largest charitable gift annuity with the ENMU Foundation to date. Charitable gift annuities start at $10,000 and provide better interest rates than certificates of deposit that are also guaranteed for life, offer significant tax benefits, and an opportunity to make a charitable gift to the ENMU Foundation. For more information on donations, call Noelle Bartl at 888.291.5524.

ENMU Foundation Board of Directors attends Feb. 4, 2006 Meeting in Ruidoso

(Sitting) Larry Combs, Dale Davis, George Hill, Niki Harmon, Dora Dominguez, Frances Richardson, Jo Nell Brooks, Melveta Walker, Patrice Caldwell. (Standing) Steven Gamble, Wayne Clawson, Lonnie Alexander, Stephen Doerr, Jerry Wright, Paige Ware, Jay Gurley, Lee Black, Duane Ryan, Thurman Elder, Ray Hammond, Buck Wilson, Renee Neely, David Hunton.