October 22 – Portales – Eastern New Mexico University has won a prestigious award for its “ENMU Reads” summer reading support program.
According to a press release from ENMU’s assistant vice president of marketing and communications, John Houser, the top regional honor, the “CASE Best of District IV award,” is presented by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Houser wrote “ENMU Reads” is a summer reading support program where ENMU teams up with libraries in New Mexico and West Texas to encourage young people to read more books.
The program provides certificates, bookmarks, coloring sheets, activity books and grand prizes to young readers in an effort to help support education in New Mexico and West Texas.
The student grand prizes were awarded in partnership with the Albuquerque Isotopes, El Paso Chihuahuas, Amarillo Sod Poodles, Domino’s Team Bailey in New Mexico, and Whataburger of West Texas and New Mexico.
ENMU President Patrice Caldwell said: “Anyone who hasn’t seen the ENMU Reads campaign is missing out on a treat. Great messaging, wonderful library partners and our fabulous Ralph the Greyhound who reads with the kids. “
Caldwell was not surprised that the program won the “Best of District IV” award.
The “Best of District IV” awards are the premier recognition program for universities in a region of five states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, according to Houser.
Houser wrote that winners are selected based on factors such as overall quality, innovation, use of resources, and impact on the institution or its external and internal communities, such as alumni, parents , students, faculty and staff.
