Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU or Eastern) is a public university with a main campus in Portales, New Mexico, and two associate degree-granting branches, one at Ruidoso and one at Roswell. ENMU is New Mexico's largest regional comprehensive university and is the most recently founded state university in New Mexico (legislated in 1927, opened in 1934). It is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution and a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. The ENMU System consists of three campuses.

History

thumb|Main administration building

thumb|A view of the main quad of ENMU.

thumb|Central campus walkway

The New Mexico legislature approved the construction and staffing of a normal school in eastern New Mexico in 1927, and approved appropriation for construction in 1929, but the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression hindered the school's opening, which was delayed until 1934 (construction had begun in 1931).

From 1934 to 1940, the institution, first named Eastern New Mexico Junior College (ENMJC) operated as a community college. In 1940, the third and fourth years of college were first offered, leading to a bachelor's degree, and the institution was renamed Eastern New Mexico College (ENMC). ENMC was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools as a four-year liberal arts college in 1946–47. Graduate work leading to the master's degree in some departments was added in 1949, and on April 5, 1949, the board of regents approved the change of the institution's name to Eastern New Mexico University.

ENMU System

ENMU's main campus (ENMU-Portales), consisting of over , ENMU's online degrees in the fields of business and education are the most affordable in the U.S.

Academic organization

ENMU-Portales consists of four colleges and a graduate school:

  • College of Business
  • College of Education and Technology
  • College of Fine Arts
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Golden Student Success Center

The Golden Student Success Center (GSSC) construction was completed in 2018 replacing the original Golden Library building. The building now houses the Golden Library, the Runnels Gallery and the offices of Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction and Distance Learning.

;Golden Library

The Golden Library features General Collections, Special Collections and Government Information. Special Collections includes the Jack Williamson Science Fiction Library, Southwest Collection (including New Mexico collections), University archives, and local history. The General Collection includes newspapers, serials, juvenile books, and K-12 curriculum materials.

Museums

Dr. Antonio Gennaro Natural History Museum

The Dr. Antonio Gennaro Natural History Museum is affiliated with the ENMU Department of Biology. The purpose of the museum is to educate the public about the diversity of life while emphasizing the natural heritage of eastern New Mexico and the greater Southwest, particularly the Llano Estacado. the museum features a live animal exhibit with both native and non-native species. The bulk of the objects contained within the museum were once part of the private collection of amateur geologists and mineral enthusiasts, Fred and Gladys Miles. They were prolific collectors for 40 years, scouring the Pecos River valley for specimens.

|-

! Race and ethnicity

! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total

|-

| Hispanic

|align=right|

|-

| White

|align=right|

|-

| Black

|align=right|

|-

| International student

|align=right|

|-

| Two or more races

|align=right|

|-

| Unknown

|align=right|

|-

| American Indian/Alaska Native

|align=right|

|-

| Asian

|align=right|

|-

! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Economic diversity

|-

| Low-income

|align=right|

|-

| Affluent

|align=right|

|}

Athletics

thumb|The Zias volleyball team in action against the [[Texas A&M–Commerce Lions women's volleyball|Texas A&M–Commerce Lions in 2014]]

ENMU's athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference. The men's and women's teams are nicknamed the Greyhounds. Prior to 2015, the women's teams were nicknamed the Zias. In early 2015, students, faculty, and staff voted to discontinue the Zia nickname and the women's teams become Greyhounds alongside the men's teams. ENMU vacated five seasons of wins in several sports starting from the 2008–09 season after the university self-reported over 100 eligibility violations.

Greek life

ENMU currently features two active associated social fraternities and two active associated social sororities. Historically, the school featured several additional social fraternities. The school also features several honors fraternities.

Notable alumni

Athletics

  • Dana Altman, basketball coach
  • Mike Boit, runner
  • Don Carthel, football coach
  • Jon Dalzell, American-Israeli basketball player
  • Benjy Dial, football player
  • Gerald Dockery, football player
  • Mark Fox, football coach
  • Conrad Hamilton, football player
  • Derrick Harden, football player
  • Larry Harris
  • Larry Hays
  • Greg Hyder, basketball player
  • Pete Jaquess, football player
  • Steve Kragthorpe, football player and coach
  • Matt Simon, football player and coach
  • Mike Sinclair, football player
  • Bill Snyder, football coach
  • Steve Spray, golfer

Film and television

  • Ronny Cox
  • Steven Michael Quezada
  • Daryush Shokof

Government

  • Juan Babauta
  • Mickey D. Barnett
  • Robert C. Brack
  • Edward L. Chavez
  • Sharon Clahchischilliage
  • Anna Crook
  • Candy Ezzell
  • Ed Foreman
  • Miguel Garcia
  • Carroll Leavell
  • James Madalena
  • Katherine D. Ortega
  • Stevan Pearce
  • Dennis Roch
  • Clemente Sanchez
  • Louis E. Saavedra

Law

  • John E. Douglas
  • Arthur M. Dula

Literature and publishing

  • Michael Blake
  • Diana Ossana
  • Jack Williamson

Science

  • Clyde Snow

Notable faculty

  • Jeffrion L. Aubry
  • Bobby Baldock
  • Harold Elliott
  • Paul Krutak
  • Greg Lyne
  • Jack Scott
  • Christopher Stasheff

Notes

References

  • ENMU Athletics website