Happy 90th anniversary to Eastern New Mexico University

As our area schools fall into the rhythm of a new academic year, I had fun last week looking back 90 years ago as Eastern New Mexico Junior College was gearing up for its first “winter term.”

Opened as a two-year college in June of 1934, a preliminary round of summer classes with 168 students in attendance had been successfully completed.

By early September, 18 faculty members were engaged to welcome an anticipated 250 “farm boys and girls,” according to an article in the Sept. 13, 1934, Portales Valley News.

Besides a full slate of classes for those incoming students, the article noted that “during the week courses such as community chorus, crafts, politics and government, typing and shorthand, agriculture and literature will be offered for the benefit of people in the community.”

Enrollment, according to newspapers that followed, topped out at 235 that fall, with students representing seven states: New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, and—somewhat curiously--Wisconsin.

With limited nearby housing (the first dorm was in the works but not yet built), it was by necessity a predominately local student body. The Sept. 27, 1934, Portales Valley News reported that 44% of the students hailed from Roosevelt County, 20% from Curry County, and 9% from Quay County.

That same paper announced that in a “heated discussion by students in an assembly held in the basement of the Methodist Church” on the morning of Sept. 24, 1934, the greyhound was selected as the school mascot, silver and green were selected for colors, and “The Chase” was chosen as the name for the proposed school newspaper.

The first team to officially use that new mascot – the football team for the fall of 1934 – was coached by D.H. “Tiny” Reed.

Reed told the PVN on Aug. 23 that “football equipment sufficient for 30 men was purchased and will be on hand for the opening of college this fall,” pointing out that it was all “new and of good quality.”

The reporter said Coach Reed was “enthusiastic about the prospect for a fair football team,” but also realistic.

“He does not plan to have a championship team the first year,” the story read, “however he thinks that the football fans of Portales will see some good football this fall.”

Portales Valley News editor J.G. “Spud” Greaves urged the community to rally behind the new school in an editorial on Sept. 27, writing, “The Junior College is the biggest thing that has come this way and everyone should become college minded and back this college to the limit.”

One local business owner – Ed J. Neer, who sold pharmaceuticals and furniture and provided undertaker services on the side – did just that.

He had ads in every edition of the paper for weeks touting “Bargains in School Supplies,” including “large school tablets” for three cents, “paste, large jumbo” for six cents, and pencils for a penny.

I have no insights on how the 2024 Greyhound football team is shaping up, but I can tell you that there are 142 players listed on their roster -- quite a change from Tiny Reed’s days.

Alas, we are not going to find a penny pencil anywhere, not to mention a furniture store with undertaker services.

But one thing hasn’t changed.

Even though ENMJC has been Eastern New Mexico University for much longer than it was a college, I think we should still stick with Spud Greaves on his advice from 90 years ago: Let’s continue to be “college minded” and “back this college to the limit.”

Happy 90th anniversary, Eastern. We are rooting for a great year for you.

Betty Williamson would love to spend an afternoon in 1934 Portales. Reach her at:

[email protected]