ENMU pays tribute to educator Pinnell

Since opening in 1934, it is only on rare occasions and for exemplary reasons that the Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents has approved renaming a campus facility.

There are numerous meeting rooms and halls named to honor graduates or employees – Buchanan Hall, Dallan Sanders Pavilion, and Becky Sharp Auditorium, to name a few.

But there have been only two buildings named to honor individuals: The Golden Student Success Center, named for legendary University President Floyd Golden and his wife Elsie in 1983, and the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building (JWLA), in 1995, to recognize former ENMU student, professor emeritus of English, and more notably known worldwide as an American science fiction writer.

As of Thursday, three campus buildings are now with naming honors. On that day, the Education Building – erected in 1969 – was renamed the Dr. Gay Su Pinnell Education Building during a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"To host something like this is an incredible opportunity and honor for ENMU. We have an alumna that has been so generous, and we have the rare opportunity to name a building in her honor and continue to work with her," said James Johnston, ENMU president and chancellor. "This is a rare treat for a university and a serving president."

On Oct. 30, the ENMU Board of Regents voted to honor Pinnell, a Portales native, who graduated from ENMU with an education degree in 1966 and went on to teach in the School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. She is a professor emeritus at OSU, is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the ENMU Educator Hall of Honor in 2014. This education alumna is best known for her work with Irene Fountas on literacy and guided reading, laying the groundwork for the Fountas and Pinnell reading levels.

"She's a dear friend for decades, and it brings me great joy to see that all of her intellectual and philanthropical contributions are valued, honored, and appreciated," said coauthor Fountas, who flew in from Boston to attend the dedication. "This is Gay's alma mater, and her heart has been here a very long time. This is probably one of the most significant honors in her lifetime, so I wouldn't miss it."

Pinnell has joined a unique ENMU circle, as renaming a campus facility is one of the highest honors the university can bestow. Golden was the longest-tenured president in the school's history, having served in that position from 1941 to 1960. During that time, he guided Eastern as it transitioned from a two-year college to a four-year university and oversaw the construction of seven new buildings. Golden's influence extended far beyond the physical campus, as he was determined to establish ENMU as the pre-eminent regional university in eastern New Mexico.

Jack Williamson needs no introduction, at least not for those well-versed in science fiction and its history. Williamson was an acclaimed author, with his first story published in 1928 and his last novel released in 2005 before he died at the age of 98 on Nov. 10, 2006. Already a well-known science fiction author when he joined the ENMU faculty in 1960, he taught for 17 years and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees.

Known as the "Dean of Science Fiction," Williamson won the Hugo and Nebula awards and was named a Grand Master of Science Fiction by the Science Fiction Writers of America. He was also a dedicated professor, still teaching at his alma mater at 87 years of age when the JWLA was dedicated in 1995.

Pinnell is a nationally renowned educational theorist, early childhood literacy expert, successful author, and generous supporter of her alma mater. Earlier this year, she established the university's second endowed chair in education – officially known as the Professor Gay Su Pinnell Endowed Chair for the Literacy and Language Education of Young Children – with a $1 million contribution. She has also contributed as much to ENMU's College of Education and Technology Coteaching Project and more than $310,000 to enhance the Child Development Center facility, funding the addition of the 2-year-old classroom.

In 2017, Pinnell purchased Casa Del Sol, the John Gaw Meem-designed adobe home across from the ENMU tennis and pickleball courts, to renovate and donate it for ENMU to host events and dignitaries. It was dedicated in 2022. She was named the ENMU Foundation's Philanthropist of the Year in 2019 and given the ENMU Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2022. As of the renaming ceremony of the Education Building, this philanthropist and successful alumna has contributed over $3.18 million, making Pinnell the most significant supporter in the institution's history.

When asked what inspired her to give back to ENMU, Pinnell stated, "You have opportunities to take more responsibility at this university. The professors who taught the classes were always accessible and sponsored many events outside the classroom. It gave us a chance to learn informally as well. This size of a university builds confidence. There's more to it than just content knowledge or a degree."

Given her profound impact on literacy education and her generous philanthropic support to her alma mater, it was most befitting to name the facility where ENMU is charged with training future teachers and educators.

With the official naming, ENMU will forever get to declare Pinnell's profound impact on literacy to future generations of educators as an alumna that has certainly made ENMU proud.

Noelle Bartl is executive director of the ENMU Foundation. Todd Fuqua is a marketing and communications specialist for the university.