Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Clovis resident named ENMU regent

Chad Lydick of Clovis has been appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson to the Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents replacing Jay Gurley, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

Gurley said he resigned this week after he and his wife recently moved to San Angelo, Texas to be nearer family.

Gurley said he intends to continue to keep an office in Clovis and will continue consulting work in the state. But after his move, he says the governor’s office asked him to resign his term, which expires Dec. 31.

“For some reason they wanted to expedite that resignation,” Gurley said. “I was hoping I could fulfill the term.”

Lydick, a Clovis business and civic leader, is the president of Lydick Engineers and Surveyors in Clovis, a family business started by his father, where he has worked since 1973. He attended grade school in Portales and graduated from Clovis High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from New Mexico State University.

“I’ve worked with Eastern on quite a few projects over the years but I never attended Eastern,” Lydick said.

Lydick also serves on the state’s Military Planning Commission and the Committee of 50, is a past president of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and was a Clovis city commissioner from 1986 to 1994. He was chairman of the board of Access Bank in Portales until its sale.

Lydick says he has no pre-conceived goals or agenda on entering the position but says he’s anxious to have a chance to sit down with President Steve Gamble to learn more and find out how he can help.

“Higher education is very important to this region as well as the state,” Lydick said. “We’ve got to give our young people a reason to stay in our state. I want to put my thoughts and energy into helping Eastern grow and turn out fine minds for our state.”

Gurley, who was appointed to the board in early 2003 and just completed a term as its president, said Lydick was a good choice for the position.

Gurley said the biggest challenges the university faces are in funding and increased accountability requirements. He also noted that competition for enrollment has to stay a top priority.

“I think the overall climate at Eastern is very good and the leadership is very good,” Gurley said.

Gurley said he has completed a full cycle with the university, starting as a student in 1958, later becoming an associate professor and director of the School of Education and finally a regent.

“I was glad to be there in a time when there was some growth and new buildings on campus,” Gurley said. “It was a great experience.”