Many of the past presidents of the President's Associates Board gathered recently to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the organization, which has supported numerous programs at NMSU and provided scholarships for more than 300 top high school students from New Mexico. Pictured (l-r) are Mary Vann Burn, Glenn Cutter, Cheryl Nims '91 '97, Wanda Mattiace, Charles Tharp '62, Eula Fern Thompson '64 '82, R. Scott Smith '64, John Papen '68, Margie Rankin '71 '82, James Ikard, Ben Boykin '53, and Pat Lamb. Past President's Associates Board Presidents not shown are Van Bullock '72 '77, Jan Clute, Mickey Clute '68, John N. Conniff, Jack Curry '68, Harry Grandon II, R. Guy Hankins, Charles Haner '80, Kimerick F. Hayner, G. Terry Moss '65, Frank O. Papen, C.W. "Buddy" Ritter '81, Ruth Scanlon Christopher '78, George Scott, Lou Sisbarro, Stan Smith and Anna Stack '64 '82.

The American Heritage College Dictionary definition certainly applies to New Mexico State University’s philanthropic leaders.

When you ask the leadership of NMSU’s Alumni Association, University Foundation and the President’s Associates why they give their time, they all echo the same answer – it’s about giving back to an institution that has done so much for them.

“You get back so much more than you give,” says Eula Fern Thompson ’65, who just completed her term as president of the President’s Associates, a group of volunteers who raise money and award scholarships to NMSU students. “You are instilled with a pride in helping your university, you make wonderful friendships and it is heartwarming to see the success of the students who benefit. Besides, it’s fun!”

Thomas Mobley ’61, president of the University Foundation, says he was drawn to volunteering for the university because of a sense of obligation.

“If I hadn’t received a scholarship, I may never have gone to college,” he says. “I also believe that when you are asked to serve your community, you do not say no.”

Mobley says most students do not realize that the tuition and fees that are paid to the university, whether through a scholarship or out of pocket, only make up about 20 percent of the cost of a student’s education.

“When I was going to school, I had the perception that the university was adequately funded, but it really struck home to me, once I learned only a small part of my education was paid for by tuition and fees, that someone else paid for my education. I wanted to pay them back by helping the future,” Mobley says.

Mobley, who retired from banking in 2003, has been volunteering for university fund-raising efforts for several years and has served on the University Foundation Board more than once. He became president of the board in January.
“The reality is that we have to have private fund-raising support to allow this university to keep up with the times,” Mobley says.

Thompson, a former educator, agrees, “Private funding is the key to improving scholarships for recruiting quality students to NMSU.”

Thompson says her husband received a scholarship to attend NMSU and, as one of seven children, probably would not have been able to attend college without the help.

“That’s why my primary interest is in scholarships, but once you start volunteering, you are always looking for something else you feel is beneficial.”
She says the time is worth it because “you meet people who have such a strong interest in NMSU, you really get to know what is going on at the campus.”
Shari Jones, ’80 ’82, who just ended her term as president of the Alumni Association, says she is “a bit nostalgic” and has really enjoyed meeting other Aggies and hearing their stories.

“It is exciting to hear people talk about their time on campus,” she says.
Jones, an accountant at ProLogis in El Paso, says because she grew up in Las Cruces, she was raised an Aggie, but serving as president of the Alumni Association has really increased her connection to NMSU.

“The university contributes to the quality of life in this community and I think people in a position to do so, should give back,” she says.

Jones agrees with Thompson that the benefits of volunteering at NMSU are larger than the efforts put forward.

“I have made a lot of really good friends. I feel more comfortable with people on campus. It has really opened a lot of doors for me in the community,” Jones says. “Because of the training and education I received at NMSU, I’m in a place where I can give my time. What would Las Cruces and the state be without this university?”

“It is the people who make a difference in the advancement of NMSU,” says Rebecca Dukes, vice president for university advancement. “The help of volunteers like Tom, Eula Fern and Shari make it possible to move the university forward.”