Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Caldwell picked for ENMU president

PORTALES - The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents met just 15 minutes in closed session Friday to discuss the path to selecting a new Portales campus president and chancellor for its three-campus system.

The path ended at Patrice Caldwell, who was named to the position after holding the interim title since April. By a 5-0 vote, regents also extended her contract to June 30, 2022.

"We are so thankful you have agreed to continue your position with the university," Board of Regents President Terry Othick said. "We appreciate and respect your leadership."

Other regents and participants in the virtual meeting echoed Othick's praise for Caldwell, who first joined the university in 1980 as an assistant professor and served nearly a decade as dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences.

"Your communication with the board, your responsiveness, has been outstanding," Regent Lance Pyle said. "We appreciate it, we're behind you, and again congratulations."

Caldwell, who was planning a summer retirement before taking the interim position, was adamant at the time she had no plans to apply for the permanent position. She said she isn't sure what inspired the change of heart, but noted "humbling and overwhelming" support from the community and the campus.

"Any time I have a chance to do something more for Eastern, I'm going to want to do it," Caldwell said. "Until I can no longer serve, I want to be a contributing part of the university and this community, to be a part of the solution to whatever is ahead for us."

Othick said replacing a chancellor during a pandemic is not an easy task, but Caldwell has proven herself to be capable, competent and respectful in the post.

"I agree this is not an ideal time to become a president of a university," Caldwell said. "But there are not five better regents to do it with and two better branch presidents to work with than Dr. Powell (Shawn, Roswell branch president) and Dr. Trosper (Ryan, Ruidoso branch president)."

Caldwell said her salary will remain at $200,000 annually. Regent Dan Patterson told The News that Caldwell will receive a vehicle stipend. She will not receive a housing stipend, but will have the option to move into the presidential residence when renovations are complete. Patterson said earlier in the meeting the house has had asbestos removed and walls stripped, and the next step is getting cost estimates for renovations.

Also Friday:

• The board approved a sale of nearly 24 acres of land that contained the former Greyhound Stadium. Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart said the $25,500 sale to Maria Gulang of Clovis doesn't impact nearby operations like a KENW-TV tower, various academic research or a law enforcement shooting range.

Othick said the process was fair and open, and hoped the land would be converted into something beneficial for the community.

It wasn't immediately clear what plans Gulang, who did not attend the meeting, has for the property.

• In her general chancellor update, Caldwell credited the ENMU Alumni Association, along with KENW-TV, faculty and the communication services office for their work creating a virtual homecoming during the week. Even though homecoming events weren't held on campus, Caldwell said its virtues remain in Greyhound alumni.

The homecoming activities included a bingo night called by Caldwell, who downplayed the efforts before Pyle promoted them.

Pyle said he'd received plenty of compliments on the virtual homecoming activities and said he enjoyed the bingo game.

"Dr. Caldwell is a professional bingo caller," Pyle told regents. "I got to join that and you really missed out."

When asked if he won anything, Pyle responded, "Dr. Caldwell needed to call a little better."

• In his branch report, Powell noted the Roswell campus is holding some in-person classes during its first phase of re-entry. The college has distributed $22,000 of $52,000 it received in CARES Act money to help students, and plans another distribution next month.

Powell also received word the college will receive a seven-year, $11 million Gear Up grant from the U.S. Department of Education to provide services to help make postsecondary education more attainable for low-income middle and high school students.

• Trosper gave his first branch report since he was officially elevated to the position in July. He told regents he was thankful to them for the opportunity and the Ruidoso community for its faith and confidence.

He also noted the college has set up a weekly show on a local radio station to let people hear developments from the campus.

Othick praised Trosper and his staff for a smooth transition from predecessor Ryan Carstens, who left after three years to pursue a private opportunity.

• Regents approved a resolution honoring the Roswell nursing program for being named the state's best program by nursingprocess.org.

The website gave the Roswell program a score of 98.65 out of 100 based on areas including academic quality, student exam performance, affordability and school reputation.

Laurie Jensen, the ENMU-Roswell vice president of health education, credited staff for their work over the last two years on curriculum changes and students for their dedication to excellence.

• A resolution was approved honoring former President Steven Gamble, noting his years of service to the university and the state.

In addition to his 17 years as Portales campus president, Gamble served an interim term as the Roswell branch president and chaired the state's general obligation bond committee.

Gamble had prior commitments and did not attend, but passed a message through Caldwell that he greatly appreciated the honor.

• The next regents meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 13.

 
 
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