ENMU to hand out eight awards

PORTALES — As part of its homecoming festivities this weekend, Eastern New Mexico University is planning to give eight awards to individuals and a business during the ENMU Foundation Breakfast on Saturday.

Scheduled to be honored at the breakfast are Wienerschnitzel of Clovis (business), Gay Su Pinnell (philanthropist), Jacob and Janie Moberly (volunteers); Donald Bonner, Lawrence Minks and Karen Salb (outstanding alumni) and Rodney W. Wright (educators hall of honor).

According to a university release:

• The Clovis Wienerschnitzel, run by former ENMU student James Haley Jr. since 1976, has provided numerous donations for area schools and ENMU, including support of the artificial surface at Clovis High’s Leon Williams Stadium, a $10,000 corporate sponsorship of the new Greyhound Stadium and thousands of food donations for post-game food for athletes in Curry and Roosevelt counties.

• Pinnell (bachelor of arts, 1966) is professor emeritus in the School of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State University. Pinnell and her co-author, Irene Fountas, have authored numerous books, videos and websites that are now considered standards in the field of literacy instruction. She also started a $300,000, three-year grant in 2017 to enhance the ENMU Child Development Center and has funded numerous child literacy efforts in New Mexico and Ohio. She plans to donate a home south of the ENMU tennis courts where former owners Dallan and Mickey Sanders would host large alumni events.

• Jacob Moberly (bachelor of science, 1955) and Janie Moberly (associate of arts, 1955) both have long service to the college, including Janie helping establish what is now known as the ENMU Foundation and serving 12 years on the ENMU Board of Regents. Jacob Moberly’s service has mostly happened in Clovis, including serving on Clovis’ Committee of Fifty, New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch Board, New Mexico Dental Association, the Clovis Community College Foundation board, ENMU Alumni Association , and Clovis Rotary Club.

• Donald Bonner (bachelor of business administration, 1962) has operated numerous businesses, including the Clovis Pepsi Cola Bottling Company. He served as a Clovis city commissioner for eight years, and helped found the Clovis Community College Foundation.

• Minks, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 1969 and a master’s in 1970 from ENMU, taught at universities in four states and served five years as president at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

• Salb (bachelor of science, 1976), represented New Mexico in the 1969 Miss America Pageant, taking home the Miss Congeniality Award. She has operated numerous dance studios and has served on numerous boards and committees in Hobbs. She served as president of the Hobbs Rotary Club in 2000, and was its Rotarian of the Year in 1992.

• Wright (bachelor of science, 1993) has taught and coached throughout New Mexico, and currently serves as principal at Belen High School. He has also worked at Mescalero Apache and Artesia. He is a past president of the New Mexico Association of Career and Technical Education.