Grad recalls early days at ENMU

In 1935, Frances Burris, known then by her maiden name Hodges, stood with 16 other individuals for one of Eastern New Mexico University's most historic photos.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Frances Burris, 96, sits in her living room in her Portales home sorting through pictures that bring back memories of her time at Eastern New Mexico University. Burris, along with 16 others, made up the first graduating class of ENMU in 1935. ENMU opened as a junior college in 1934.

Burris and her group of classmates made up the first graduating class at ENMU.

While a monumental moment in her life, Burris has few memories of ENMU's first years and the decades that followed, but the memories that have survived prove to be dearest to her.

At ENMU's 50th anniversary, her class reunited. Only eight of the 17 were still alive in 1984 and today Burris believes that at 96, she may be one of the only graduates still alive.

Burris pulled out sepia-colored photos, old articles and documents from her years at ENMU. She had a story to tell.

The Dora native moved to Portales her senior year of high school for educational opportunities, a move that proved her independence.

"I left for the advantages in Portales," said Burris as she sorted through old pictures in her Portales home.

On a quest for education, Burris decided to attend ENMU after graduating from Portales High School. She said in 1933, ENMU received the federal money needed to establish as a junior college.

Compared to ENMU's sizable campus now, Burris remembers all the classes being held in one building. She added that today's modern day lecture hall is nothing like their classroom where students sat on bleachers made of wooden boards.

While at ENMU, Burris said she played for the women's basketball team. She was also a soprano in the glee club and they put on the production of "H.M.S. Pinafore," a comic opera from the 1800s.

Although the memories of graduation have escaped, Burris said she wouldn't trade her experience at ENMU for anything. It served as the platform of her independence, though independence is something her son Tom Burris feels she's exercised her whole life, even into her 90s.

"We were always dependent on her to make ends meet," said Tom about the mother he adores. "I've tried several times now to get her to live with us. She's self-sufficient and she always has been."

Tom remembers his mother's dedication to her work and to their family. After graduation, Burris dedicated 32 years to the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA).

She worked with the state through her job with the FmHA, helping those who took out loans to purchase a farm.

She held demonstrations showing women how to can and preserve food during World War II as well as showing how to make mattresses.

Burris also recalls historical events in U.S. history that affected her and her job. She traveled to California around 1942 to assist Japanese Americans during the Japanese-American internment.

"We took a list of everything (the Japanese Americans) owned and we tried to find someone who could take care of their land and property while they were gone," Burris said. "It was terrible in a way because it wasn't fair. They were citizens, it's just they were the wrong color."

Burris retired in 1978 from the FmHA, taking a quilt signed by some of the women she worked with in Fort Sumner.

"I was thrilled to death with the quilt," Burris said. "I worked hard for those 32 years and I appreciated it."

Retirement didn't put a stop to Burris' drive. She got into ceramics creating tons of porcelain dolls and also served as the clerk for Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales for 23 years.

"Her strength is extraordinary," Tom said.

Today her daily routine consists of 30 minutes of exercise on a stationary bike, cooking and little driving because her eyesight has diminished.

"When they take the wheel from me, it's going to be a sad day," Burris said.

But she says she has more to live for than just driving, adding her son's two daughters are the gems of her life.

She's looking at celebrating 97 years in October and has no intention of slowing down.

"I'm going to go (on) as long as the good Lord wants me to," Burris said.