Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Gift giving guides suggest diamonds and emeralds are appropriate to commemorate 90th anniversaries.
As Eastern New Mexico University continues the celebration of its 90th year with homecoming festivities this week in Portales, they might be more likely to suggest theater and football tickets, barbecue, and drones.
Tens of thousands of us Greyhounds have passed through campus over the past nine decades, and with luck hundreds (dare I say thousands?) of us will be back on campus this week for a full slate of activities and special events.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Since the 2024 homecoming theme is “Out of the World,” it seems only fitting that the first event on the calendar is a virtual one: An online “coffee” with Chancellor James Johnston that will be available on ENMU social media. Fix yourself a virtual latte and tune in at 10 a.m. Monday.
Monday evening, Hounds past and present are welcome to the 33rd annual songfest in the ballroom at the Campus Union Building to join voices … or perhaps howl together in harmony?
Tuesday’s events include a special guest lecture from Joel Ager, adjunct professor of materials science and engineering at California State University, Berkeley. That’s scheduled for 10 a.m. in the presentation room in the Golden Student Success Center.
If you love marching bands, you can see the best our area has to offer in the annual Green and Silver marching band festival that opens at noon Tuesday and will run throughout the afternoon and evening at Loy Stadium (formerly Greyhound Stadium).
A number of regional high school bands will be in attendance, along with Eastern’s own Greyhound Sound. For the bands, it’s a prep event for upcoming competitions. For spectators, it is pure fun, and it’s free.
Stretch your legs with a walk across campus at 2 p.m. Tuesday for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Roosevelt Science Center, which comes after a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation. It’s a gem and worth a visit.
On a somber note, an on-campus memorial service is scheduled for Patti Dobson at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the University Theatre Center. Dobson, who died unexpectedly on July 19, spent her career in the Communication Department at ENMU. This service allows students and alumni an opportunity to gather for a remembrance of a beloved professor, mentor, and friend.
If you enjoy football with a feminine flair, the eighth annual Powderpuff Tournament kicks off (literally) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Loy Stadium, with the ladies taking the field for an evening of gridiron fun.
Count on a literary treat at 3 p.m. Thursday in the presentation room at the Golden Student Success Center.
Hugo and Nebula award winning author Connie Willis will be on hand to honor her longtime colleague Jack Williamson with a reading of her humorous story, “Non-Stop to Portales,” a tribute to the man I’m proud to call my uncle.
Homecoming week includes four performances of “The Thanksgiving Story,” playwright Larissa Fasthorse’s satirical comedy, which opens at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Studio Theatre at Eastern’s University Theatre Center under the direction of Leonard Madrid.
General admission tickets are $10 and may be snagged in advance by visiting http://www.enmu.edu/theatrelive or calling 575-562-2711. Curtain time is 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.
Friday’s events get underway with a free barbecue that starts at 4:30 p.m. in the area west of the ENMU president’s house at 1600 W. Cherry Street. It’s a great place to grab a burger ahead of the 6:30 p.m. bonfire and pep rally that take place a stone’s throw away in the east parking lot of Loy Arena (formerly Greyhound Arena).
Lots of eyes will be on the sky that evening for what is being billed as “the region’s first-ever drone show,” also staged from the east parking lot by the arena. This high-tech alternative to fireworks is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tuck the kids into bed after the drone show and head to Enchantment Vineyards across town at 2102 E. Third St. for the Homecoming “Mix and Mingle,” an evening of grownup fun set for 8-10 p.m., featuring a comedy show by fellow Greyhound and “Breaking Bad” actor Steven Michael Quezada.
There’s no cover charge, but since Eastern is providing tasty snacks, they’d like a head count in advance. Please RSVP online at https://my.enmu.edu/forms/alumni-rsvp .
The long-term weather forecast looks ideal for the 11 a.m. Saturday homecoming parade. Participants will line up on Abilene Street, and wind through town along U.S. 70 all the way out to ENMU.
Balmy weather should continue into the afternoon for the tailgate parties at Loy Stadium ahead of the 6 p.m. football game against Central Washington.
For the complete list of 90th homecoming festivities, visit http://www.enmu.edu/homecoming .
Better yet, just show up on campus and join in the fun. You’ll be glad you did.
Betty Williamson is brewing up a pot of virtual coffee in anticipation of a busy week. Reach her at:
