Three Western New Mexico University alumni will be honored during the 2017 Homecoming Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, September 22, at 6:00 p.m. followed by an induction at the homecoming football game on Saturday.
Rosie Gomez (’02) and Thaxter “Scrappy” Richard (’97) will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, while Larry Barstow (’62) will be receiving the Outstanding Alum Award.
Tickets to the awards dinner, which will be held in the Student Memorial Building Student Dining Room, are available online at alumni.wnmu.edu for $20 per person.
Gomez is being recognized for dedicating a career to improving the health and wellbeing of children and families.
A social caseworker with the Denver Department of Human Services, Gomez also served in various roles with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She oversaw the distribution of millions of Federal dollars to decreasing child maltreatment, brought state leaders together at the White House to address trafficking, and developed an anti-trafficking initiative.
Gomez is currently drafting a Leadership Action Plan to create public/private partnerships that address human trafficking within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ child welfare population.
Recently accepted into the McCain Institute for International Leadership’s Next Generation Leaders program, Gomez has volunteered with a boys’ group home in Mexico, at a school for children whose parents died from AIDS, and for the Global Good Fund. As one of the first in her family to earn a Master’s degree, Gomez mentors relatives working toward earning their own degrees. She credits WNMU for providing a solid professional foundation and for instilling a desire to give back.
Originally from a small Louisiana town, Richard played cornerback and strong safety for the Mustangs from 1991 to 1994 and, after a hiatus from his education, earned a Bachelor of Science in Administrations of Justice degree in 1997. He worked as a Mustang running back coach under then Athletic Director, Coach Scott Woodard, while finishing his degree.
“I was done with my football career at Western, but I hadn’t completed my degree. Coach Woodard gave me opportunity to pursue my degree,” said Richards.
Richard chose his major with the dream of making a difference. “Truthfully, I come from a background of just kids not making it,” said Richards. “I was able to bring five persons from my community to Western New Mexico University, and four of us got our degrees from here.”
Richard was employed for the Department of Public Safety after graduation and is now in his eighteenth year as a New Mexico State Police Officer. Richard assists with Grant County youth sports. He used to coach the sports his children play but now supports them in other ways.
“I’m proud to serve my community and especially proud to be honored by my alma mater” he says. “Go Mustangs!”
Outstanding Award honoree Barstow arrived at WNMU on a football scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and Bachelor Degree in History and Social Sciences. After serving in the U.S. Army (1962-1965), he briefly lived in Arizona and moved to California for an entry level position in the aerospace industry. Barstow worked his way up, eventually becoming the Vice President of Finance.
An active community member, Barstow has organized one of the nation’s largest Christmas parades and been honored as a Knights of Columbus Knight Of The Year. He previously served on the Buena Park Traffic and Transportation Commission and as Buena Park Memorial Day Ceremonies President. As Chairman of the North Orange County Mental Health Liaison Group, he put together a quick reference pamphlet to help local police departments handle family problems.
Barstow coaches the Huntington Park Junior Athletic Association and remains active in the American Legion and on the Buena Park Planning Commission. He also volunteers at three homeless shelters, gathering supplies and fundraising for them.
For more information on alumni homecoming events, call 575-538-6675.