Cheers! NMSU's 1956 Swastika yearbook published this photo of seven Aggie cheerleaders, who are not identified. Do you know their names? Were you one of these spirited students? Can you remember the words to cheers of the 1950s? If so, contact Aggie Panorama at (505) 646-1534 or rpopp@nmsu.edu. (Photo provided by the Rio Grande Historical Collections at the NMSU Library.)

Among Jack Ward's many gifts to NMSU are two scholarships for Pride Band students each year. Current recipients are Daniel Brown of El Paso, left, and Rebecca Seltzer of Deming, N.M. (Photo by Michael Kiernan)

Ward stays young by staying involved

When the Pride Band loads into the bus for a road trip, Jack W. Ward, class of 1940, climbs on board with the boisterous musicians and settles back to enjoy their company.

"The students are great," he says. "The goals they set and the pressures they face are unbelievable. I enjoy being with people and helping students, who will be our future leaders," he adds with unconcealed enthusiasm. But then, Ward lives his life with passion Ñ and a passionate belief in the value of education.

He credits his family for this philosophy and proudly points out that his mother, Dora, received her M.A. in education from NMSU (then the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts) during a time when master's degrees were uncommon, especially for women. He followed in her footsteps in 1936, when he enrolled at the campus.

Ward took classes from Dr. Breland, for whom an NMSU building was named, and jokes that he had to attend class because most of his professors knew his mother. He also met his wife, Eleanor Holden, on campus when he and a pal offered two young freshmen a lift to Mesilla Park Ñ the closest shopping area to the university. After studying electrical engineering, Ward began his 40-year career with AT&T and continued his studies at Colorado University and Kelly College in New York City with graduate work in communication engineering. His work led him to St. Louis, Atlanta, New York and Denver.

When his mother died, Ward gave a small contribution to NMSU in her memory. "And that got me thinking about the university again," he explains.

Since moving back "to the land of good chile and friendly people" about 12 years ago, many NMSU programs and students have benefited from his generosity.

The list of scholarships and contributions to the music department, College of Engineering, home economics, the library and the Annual Choral Invitational is staggering. He set up a music endowment fund in memory of his wife 10 years ago, and since that time has offered scholarships to two deserving band students each year.

He is also a member and/or a sponsor of the American Southwest Theatre Company, KRWG-TV, Museum Friends, Library Associates, Rio Grande Historical Collections, Aggie Scholarship Association, Mesilla Valley Concert Band and the Dona Ana Lyric Opera.

Ward, who says he's not one to "sit around and watch the boob tube in a rocking chair," is also generous with his time. He is a member of the President's Associates, past secretary for the NMSU Foundation's Board of Directors and serves on the Alumni Executive Council for the Corbett Center Student Union Association. Also active on a community level, the energetic retiree serves on various committees for St. Paul's Methodist Church and the University Terrace Good Samaritan Village. He says he is very gratified to hold a position on the board for the Academy for Learning in Retirement, a program offered by NMSU's Dona Ana Branch Community College.

Professors, department heads and students are equally impressed with the efforts of Jack W. Ward, who was named the first recipient of an honorary professional degree in electrical engineering from the Engineering Honor Society last May. Joe Creed, assistant dean of the Engineering College says, "He is a very valued alumnus Ñ he's been very generous to us and to the music department. He is a wonderful friend to the university."

Also the recipient of awards from the Crimson Society, Regents Associates and the Circle of Excellence, Ward was honored to be a recipient of the Branding Iron Award, and his daughter, Jackie, who lives in Michigan, flew in for the presentation, while the band and choir performed in his honor.

Ward's clear blue eyes flash with conviction when he says, "I believe a person should learn something new everyday Ñ it keeps you young. I find my work with the university very satisfying, and I thank the good Lord for each day."

Pamela Porter, '92