STAFF REPORT
Alumni from around the country will help make Eastern New Mexico University history at the university’s 82nd homecoming celebration.
According to ENMU Alumni Director Robert Graham, 2016 marks the first year tailgating will be allowed at ENMU football games, and ENMU Alumni Affairs is co-sponsoring an alumni-student tailgate at noon on Oct. 15.
“We’ll have free food and beverages and plenty of family-friendly activities,” he said.
The return of alumni to their alma mater is one of Graham’s favorite parts of homecoming celebrations, because it doubles as a way to honor them.
“I love my impromptu visits with alumni. Last homecoming, I had lunch with 1960s alumnus David Smith. I am happy that homecoming allows alumni a space and place to reminisce,” he said. “I think we are wise to honor the passage of time and the collective experiences that our alumni bring to the tailgate, to the reception — to the boardroom.
When we create events where alumni can reminisce, I think we simply say this: ‘Thank you for being you. We are here to listen.’”
According to Graham, several successful alumni will be honored at the 41st Annual Foundation Awards Breakfast Saturday, Oct. 15. The breakfast will be held from 8-10 a.m. in the Campus Union Building Ballroom.
“It’s important to celebrate successful alumni. We’ll recognize three outstanding alumni award winners this year: Dimas Chavez, a former CIA Department of State and National Science Foundation Professional; Marty Rowley, an Amarillo attorney who serves on the state board of education for Texas; and Harold Hahn, the chairman and CEO of Rocky Mount Mortgage Company, based out of El Paso, Texas,” Graham said.
Also occurring Saturday morning is the homecoming parade, which Graham said begins at 11 a.m. and will follow South Avenue C to South Avenue D and onto 18th Street, where it will end near Bernalillo Hall.
Graham also noted that ENMU’s match with Tarleton State University at 3 p.m. Saturday marks a special occasion for ENMU and gives alumni good reason to return to their alma mater.
“2016 marks the first homecoming football game on ENMU’s campus since the mid-20th century. This is a special year for alumni to return and help their alma mater pave a way forward,” Graham said.
Information about the Foundation Awards Breakfast can be found by calling the ENMU Foundation at (575) 562-2412. Invitation and pre-registration is required.
For registration for the homecoming parade, interested parties can contact Melissa Sena at melissa.sena@enmu.edu or by calling (575) 562-2125.
For more information about the alumni-student tailgate, contact Robert Graham at robert.graham@enmu.edu or (575) 562-4251.
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