Portales, New Mexico – May 27, 2025 –Two anonymous donors have made a commitment to make the largest gift in Eastern New Mexico University’s history to endow a new Eastern New Mexico Learning Academy and create an Endowed Chair for Literacy and Language Education for Young People.
The $7.5 million gift will be used to connect the research activity of the Endowed Chair for Literacy and Language Education of Young Children to a fully endowed literacy and learning center, which will provide a year-round reading clinic for underserved and K-12 students in the Eastern New Mexico region.
ENMU Chancellor Dr. James Johnston expressed profound gratitude, stating, “ENMU is honored to be the recipient of this transformational gift. This act of foresight and philanthropic vision will allow ENMU to positively impact the lives of our youth for generations to come through the power of education. What a tremendous legacy this will cement for ENMU alumni, educators, and researchers in perpetuity.”
The gift, structured over a four year period, will enable the University to conduct a search for a nationally recognized literacy and reading expert who will develop, manage and grow the newly created Eastern New Mexico Learning Academy, designed to act as both a research entity for literacy and learning and a regional reading clinic focused on Eastern New Mexico’s literacy challenges which are directly related to our region’s economic health.
“Low literacy and poverty in New Mexico have long been intertwined, creating a cycle where lack of education perpetuates economic instability and vice versa,” said Warren Lloyd, vice president of advancement and public relations. “Creating ways to ensure that our region’s families gain access to a top-flight education is not only urgent but is also our mission. No one understands this more than the generous donors who are making this gift. It will help us change this region and, in fact, the world, one student at a time. We couldn’t be more thrilled about this philanthropic partnership and this extraordinary project.”
“As we continue to build momentum at ENMU, the region’s economic growth and ENMU’s growth are increasingly interrelated. Education and literacy are essential and fundamental components of economic growth,” said Johnston. “The newly created Eastern New Mexico Learning Academy will stand forever as a fundamental example of one way ENMU is forging partnerships that will impact New Mexico’s economy for decades to come.”
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation, which will have a profound and lasting impact on literacy research and education in Eastern New Mexico. This contribution is not just an investment in education; it’s an investment in the future of our community. By providing the tools and resources necessary to support literacy research and programs, we are helping to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build a brighter future for the entire region,” said President of the ENMU Foundation, Bobby Hamilton.
“The College of Education and Technology extends its deepest gratitude to the donors for their extraordinary generosity and vision,” said Dr. Lee Hurren, dean of the College of Education and Technology. “This gift represents a transformative investment in the future of education at ENMU and in our region.”
“The values we strive to instill in our students—leadership, innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning—will be perpetuated at ENMU forever through this contribution,” Hurren said. “This partnership will empower the next generation of educators and children by supporting faculty development, cutting-edge research initiatives, and increased educational opportunities for young children.”
Dr. Hurren expressed his appreciation, noting, “This generous act of philanthropy is an inspiration to our entire community to pursue excellence and impact with renewed purpose. We are profoundly grateful for their continued support and dedication to shaping a brighter future through education.”
For more information on Eastern New Mexico University’s College of Education and Technology, visit enmu.edu/CET
