Green, music man, Eastern fan

Joseph W. Green is the project director of GEAR UP, a program to help students prepare for college. He enjoys playing the trumpet, bowling, music and being in the mountains. He has donated time to speak to students at Lincoln-Jackson Arts Academy in Clovis and to help out the Eastern New Mexico University Native American Affairs office.

Name: Joseph V. Green

Age: 50

Occupation: Educator/educational consultant, project director for GEAR UP

Hometown: Clovis

Family: Wife, Lillian; three daughters, Emily E. Green, Alicia R. Gachupin and Josephine L. Gachupin

What do you think of Portales?

“Portales has changed tremendously over the past 40 years. However, I have fond memories of the days in Portales when I attended ‘Sunshine Music Camp’ during the summers of my third-, fourth and fifth-grade school years. I also cherish the excellent memories of working for my bachelors of music education degree at Eastern New Mexico University and having had super mentors who guided and supported me in my educational and spiritual pursuit at that time. Portales has provided me with a keen insight as to assessing the quality, sincerity and honesty of individuals who are consistent and/or inconsistent with their dealings with diverse populations.”

What do you visualize your life being like in 10 years?

“I thank God for each and every day that he allows me to try and make a difference in the lives of students and educators. I will have been successful in pursuing my business as an educational consultant. I also hope to have impacted the mind sets of educators working to improve the education of all students in many communities throughout the Southwest and United States.”

Tell us about your parents:

“My father, Leroy Green, was born in 1914 and died in 1966. My mother, Jessie, was born July 4, 1913, and has been and remains to be a very important part of my life. My mom still resides in Clovis and I make an effort to call her every morning before I begin my day at work. My mom has always encouraged me to do my best at everything I pursue and to thank God for his loving and gentle guidance in my everyday life. My mom received the Families of Eastern Award in 1994 for providing the critical close support, love and leadership that started a kinship line genealogy of Eastern graduates. More than 20 of our family members have attended ENMU for more than 60 years because of mom’s value for education.”

Who is your hero, and why?

“I have many heroes who have given me many insights to continue to strive to be the best I can in spite of the obstacles I face in life. God our father in heaven is my ultimate hero for providing me with many wonderful memories in my life. My mother and my other siblings, as well as their significant others, are also special heroes in my life for the achievements they have accomplished and enduring the obstacles they have had to face in striving for success and doing their best to make a difference in the lives of those who were less fortunate than we were.”

What is your greatest hope?

“That someday soon we will be treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve for being human beings and children of God and that we can all get along with one another and strive to make a positive difference in this world.”

If money were no object, what would you do to make the world a better place?

“I would work to encourage people all over the world to use their talents toward making a positive difference in the lives of everyone they encounter on a daily basis and to be honest and trustworthy.”

When you were a kid, what did you think you’d be doing as an adult?

“I thought I would be a student of theology and work within the ministry to spread the word of God to those who wanted to know real happiness.”

Tell us about a happy time:

“Celebrating the successes of my former students and sharing these success stories with my family and audiences and working to improve the quality of life within their communities and organizations.”

What’s your favorite TV show, past and present?

“Father Knows Best” and “Walker Texas Ranger.”

What would you like printed on your gravestone?

“Do not repay kindness. Pass it on and your life will reign forever.”

What’s your theme song?

“‘Truly Blessed,’ by Teddy Pendergrass.”

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

“Being able to care more than others think is wise. risk more than others think is safe. Endure more than others think is reasonable. Expect more than others think is possible. And, dream more than others think is practical.”