Q&A: Award to be presented to alumnus and wife

The Eastern New Mexico University Foundation awards will be presented at the 37th annual ENMU Foundation Breakfast on Saturday during homecoming.

Alumnus Ed Forman and his wife Barbara will be recognized as Philanthropist of the Year.

Foreman, 78, grew up on a sweet potato and peanut farm in Portales. He attended ENMU for two years before transferring to New Mexico State University to earn a degree in civil engineering.

As a petroleum engineer, he developed a technique for drilling wells safer, faster and more efficiently. Foreman became financially independent and was elected to the U.S. Congress, first from Texas, then from New Mexico, becoming the only person to be elected to the U.S. Congress from two different states in more than 150 years.

Barbara has devoted her life to her family and to organizations such as Easter Seals, PTA, The Salvation Army, Chi Omega, and the Girl Scouts of America. The couple continue to be generous to numerous charities.

The PNT asked Foreman three questions:

What role did ENMU play in your life and your success?

ENMU helped me to establish a vision for the future and an improvement in my self image. Several of my professors were powerful influences and good role models for me to know, especially former President Floyd Golden.

Why do you and your wife find it imperative to give back to the school over other charities?

I think helping young people improve their ability to become more productive citizens and achieve their potential is one of the greatest things that can be done, far more important that purchasing a monument. I'd rather invest in our young peoples' education. I'll do what I can to help them learn and grow.

What's one of your favorite memories of ENMU as a student?

When I was a sophomore in 1953, we were having early football practice and as we finished up our workouts that day, the incoming freshman class piled into the auditorium to be welcomed to the university. It was a big crowd. I walked into the back of the auditorium and President Golden was giving them a wonderful welcoming speech. As he was up there telling them they may miss home with this transition in their life, I grabbed a beanie off one of the freshmen's' heads and screamed "I want my mama."

I have so many memories but that was one of my favorites. ENMU was my first step away from my farm. It brings tears to my eyes and happiness to my heart. ENMU has a special place in my heart; there's no place like it.

Other recipient profiles are provided by ENMU officials. (They have been shortened and edited for clarity and style).

Business Environments: Business of the Year

Established in 1973, Albuquerque-based Business Environments is coming up on their 40th anniversary. The company, originally Leasing Services, Inc., was purchased by I. B. Hoover and expanded from leasing to office furniture sales. Today, brothers Bruce Hoover and Scott Hoover are 50/50 owners of Albuquerque Business Environments, where Bruce serves as the CEO and Scott as president. The company continues to be a family business, where I.B. Hoover, their father, who is nearly 80, is still involved on a day-to-day basis, and Sharon Thorpe, their sister, also works at Business Environments.

Glen O'Rear: Volunteer of the Year

Born in Clovis, Glen O'Rear has lived in the area his entire life. He was a farmer, along with his family, before he started with Edward Jones 16 years ago. He graduated from ENMU with his bachelor's in business administration and finance in 1990. All four members of the O'Rear family, which include his wife and two sons, have attended ENMU.

Edward Jones encourages its advisors to volunteer in community-based organizations. O'Rear is involved with the Portales Rotary Club, the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico, as well as the ENMU Foundation. Most recently, he was appointed president of the newly established Roosevelt General Hospital Foundation Board.

He has been helping the ENMU Foundation for more than six years by providing advice on investments and the economy. His other volunteer activities include Meals on Wheels, Dairy Fest and pumpkin giveaways. O'Rear hopes to set an example for both his and generations to come by volunteering in different organizations in hope they will do the same thing.