Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Before there was an Eastern New Mexico University … or an Eastern New Mexico College … or even an Eastern New Mexico Normal School, there was a community that very much wanted an institution of higher learning in its city limits.
We are only barely shy of a century after citizens of Portales banded together in “one of the most determined and united drives ever launched in this city,” according to the Feb. 10, 1927, Portales Valley News.
That drive had one goal -- “Designation of Portales as the location of Eastern New Mexico Normal College” — and noted that “the populace is united and determined to win.”
It took several more years, many detours, and some serious behind-the-scenes wrangling before doors opened in 1934 on what was first called Eastern New Mexico Junior College.
One thing that never wavered was the support of this community.
I spend a lot of time in newspaper archives, and I’ve always loved the anecdotal stories of how locals went out of their way to encourage students to attend, from opening their homes to board students in the early years to turning out by the thousands for events on the new campus.
Plenty of us still take part in rich offerings that come with life in a college town, from music to theater to sports to academic opportunities, but it’s easy sometimes to lapse into an “us and them” mentality.
That's why as Eastern prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary next year, I know I’m not the only one delighted to see a strong push to renew and strengthen ties between the campus and the community.
As Eastern’s Chancellor James Johnston reminded me last week, “You don’t have to be an alumnus to enjoy all that ENMU has to offer. A university like this is a great source of life enrichment, entertainment, socialization, and just simply to have fun.”
Eastern is bringing plenty to the party straight to downtown Portales both Friday and Saturday in next weekend’s “Rally on Main,” which coincides with the school’s annual Family Weekend.
“This is a community event to get together and enjoy some of the fun things about Portales,” Johnston said. “ENMU students have invited their families back to town so that they can join in with our local families to have fun and enjoy that Portales hometown feel.”
Three blocks of Main Street, from the northeast corner of the downtown courthouse square through Fifth Street will be reserved for pedestrians only from mid-day Friday through mid-afternoon Saturday to allow for the celebration.
(Relatively nearby parking will available at Portales Junior High, 700 E. Third St., and the Portales Municipal School District Administrative Offices, 501 S. Abilene.)
Scheduled events for Friday include a beer and wine festival from 5-9 p.m., along with live music on an outdoor stage at 413 Main St.
Saturday’s activities are slated to begin at 9 a.m. and run through mid-afternoon, with food trucks, games, live music, a rib cook-off, and a silent auction of greyhound-themed art at the Courthouse Café on the square.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, the Portales High School cheerleaders will join forces with ENMU’s cheer squad (along with sports teams and bands from both schools) for a community pep rally, designed to raise spirits from one end of town to the other prior to the 6 p.m. football game where our Greyhounds will take on the Rams of Angelo State.
Johnston hopes we will turn out in force for all of those events as well as continue to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities that come from sharing our town with a university.
“I would love to see more community members enjoying all that we do on campus,” Johnston encouraged. “Stop by the dining hall for lunch and see all the wonderful students here in our community pursuing their dreams. Attend events on campus. You’ll likely see your friends and neighbors here with you.”
Johnston said he appreciates “all the positive interactions with the community and willingness to help,” and in turn pledges that ENMU will continue to be “a good community partner and resource.”
“We have great opportunities to grow together and that will require good communication and coordination,” Johnston said. “I will continue my efforts to help others realize what ENMU can do for them in their professional and personal lives.”
But first … let’s celebrate. See you at the Rally on Main.
For a complete schedule of events, visit enmu.edu/rallyonmain .
Betty Williamson loves a good joint effort. Reach her at:
