Why You Should Know
Evelyn Ledbetter

If I could describe Evelyn Ledbetter (BBA 89) in just three words, I would say that she is caring, inspiring, and thoughtful. I don't have the words for every inch of goodness that Evelyn Ledbetter has in her heart, but I know I feel them when I am with her. I have been working with Evelyn for two and a half years, and I can't imagine a better mentor.

I first met Evelyn Ledbetter while another student and I were guests on the show she hosts, You Should Know. She interviewed us about the student organization we were part of. I was pulled to the energy she created in the broadcasting studio — it was comfortable and exciting at the same time. I began working with her soon after the interview because I wanted to learn from her.  I discovered a mentor with a life story of passion and role models who helped her find her place. 

Ledbetter's journey to broadcasting is not a straight line, but her life has been full of amazing experiences and support that make her the best mentor that I know.

Ledbetter’s journey to broadcasting is not a straight line, but her life has been full of amazing experiences and support that make her the best mentor that I know.

She grew up in Floyd, New Mexico, where her parents settled after getting married in the early 1950's. Ledbetter was raised around cattle and fields of feed crops. Nearly every family in Floyd was an agricultural family. Evelyn Ledbetter likes to say, "I never chose agriculture. It simply raised me."

When beginning as a student at Eastern, Ledbetter wasn't sure how she would succeed. "I was worried that I wasn't going to have the background in education that I needed to make it," Ledbetter said. Because she came from small classrooms and a rural school, she pushed herself to learn as much as she could and do as much as possible on campus. She didn't do all the work by herself. She had some help from the community.

Herb Marchman, a prominent figure in Portales, was interested in Ledbetter's journey, and did all he could to support her academics and career endeavors. He bought her a word processor, Writing Assistant by IBM, in 1985 when she started college, and was there to offer her support and wisdom that helped Ledbetter make strong decisions for herself as she continued her journey. With this support, she was able to gain the confidence she needed to succeed. Ledbetter was one of three women awarded the Myrtle Moore Women in Business scholarship her sophomore year. "It was huge," she remembers fondly. The scholarship she earned funded her education, shaped her confidence, and laid the foundation for a life defined by growth, learning, and student support.

Ledbetter's education at ENMU gave her the tools that carried her through all of life's ups and downs: Keep working hard, keep learning, create community, and continue making the best of where you are.

Ledbetter’s education at ENMU gave her the tools that carried her through all of life's ups and downs.

For 30 years, Ledbetter was the accountant in many businesses throughout Portales: her family's farming business, a law office and the corporations owned by the attorneys there, the Yucca Telecom services, and even at the Roosevelt General Hospital. She put her accounting degree to work, and after all those years, she felt retirement was close. While in Roswell, New Mexico, she saw an ad in the paper for an assistant position at KENW. An insistent nudge urged her to apply for the position. She truly believes it was God guiding her toward a purpose already prepared. Although she couldn't see the road ahead at the time, she trusted that calling and took a leap of faith. Ledbetter was hired the same afternoon as her interview.

"I wasn't ready for a full-time retirement," she says of finding her next passion and purpose. She realized she wasn't finished — not with working, learning, and especially not with people.

Inside the Duane W. Ryan Broadcast Center on the ENMU campus, amongst the cameras, cables, scripts, and the glow of red cue-lights, Ledbetter realized she felt at home inside the dark studio.

Ledbetter's start as the broadcasting center's administrative assistant helped her learn how the studio worked. Under the leadership of then Director, Mr. Duane Ryan, and the encouragement of Allan Crawford, Ledbetter found possibilities around every wire. When Don Criss retired from hosting You Should Know, Allan offered Ledbetter the opportunity to conduct screen-test interviews after finding guests for the segment. Ledbetter's first interview was with Betty Williamson; Crawford saw the tape and offered Ledbetter the position on the spot, and aired the screen-test. The accountant became the communicator and community builder. 

As the host of You Should Know, Ledbetter continues to build community by holding space for interviewees and connections. After four years, and 150 episodes, Ledbetter has learned the stories of countless students, alumni, staff, and community members of ENMU, and continues to share them with the world.

Ledbetter loves her job, and what she loves most is the students and the community. She never fails to show up with a smile on her face and greet every student when she comes to work.

Ledbetter loves her job, and what she loves most is the students and the community.

She's seen the nervous first timers in front of a camera, the people who freeze up, and those who are convinced that one mistake will define them. She always offers comfort and kindness and tells them what they need to hear. Because of her faith, she knows that she was placed in this role to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students by encouraging, mentoring, and supporting them as they work toward achieving their goals and finding success both personally and professionally. "It's okay, we're the only ones who notice. If you mess up, you restart. You grow." She has seen that growth happen time and time again, and it is always for the best.

I started working with her in the second semester as a first-year student, and she is always happy to guide me through the ins and outs of college classes. Other than my family, I have not encountered anyone who holds the high expectations of me that Evelyn Ledbetter holds. Every single time I am scared to push myself or try new adventures, I hear Evelyn telling me that she knows in her heart I can succeed. Without her encouragement, I would not have found my place at ENMU and KENW. Evelyn Ledbetter's story of growth and finding her way has made her a great mentor to me, and because of her, I know it is okay to take my time, find what is right for me, and continue to learn through everything that comes my way.

“You’re much tougher than you think you are, you can do so much more than you think you can.”

Thank you, Evelyn, for supporting me and always reminding me, "You're much tougher than you think you are, you can do so much more than you think you can."