By Staff Writer Trevon Dowling
The organization ENMU Women held its annual Lovers for Learning Dinner and Dessert Auction on April 8 to fund its lucrative scholarships for women re-entering higher education at Eastern New Mexico University.
ENMU Women is an on-campus organization, formerly known as the Faculty Dames from its inception in 1940 to 1981, and then as University Wives and Women up until 1990. The organization was founded with the goals of fostering friendship and cooperation among women on campus. In 1941, a student loan fund was created, and after a couple of plans and attempts in the past century, the organization would eventually begin to offer scholarships to those who needed them in 1982 and beyond.
Nowadays, ENMU Women’s membership is smaller, and proceedings are less formal than those of the original committee in the 1940s. Meetings are biannual rather than monthly and there are only about 30 members per year. Members still contribute to the ENMU community through scholarships and fundraisers, and to the community at large by driving for Meals On Wheels. For fundraising, the ENMU Women arrange functions such as parties, cookie exchanges and the annual Lovers for Learning event itself.
Lovers for Learning began as an idea in the 1990s. It takes the form of a live auction for cakes, cheesecakes, pies and other larger confections. Meanwhile, a silent auction for smaller sweets takes place as well. Guests may enjoy drinks at the event’s beer and wine cash bar as well as live music, with the ENMU Music Department’s Kayla Liechty playing piano.
The various desserts offered at the Lovers for Learning event are donated by members of ENMU Women, local businesses, and students from the Culinary Arts department. All funds from ticket sales go directly to hosting the event, and all proceeds from the auctions go straight to ENMU Women’s scholarship fund.
ENMU Women’s scholarships were formerly only intended for women re-entering higher education after taking a break from schooling. However, in order to account for the growth of online schooling, it was decided last year that the scholarship criteria would be broadened in order to encompass a wider range of students.
To be accepted for their scholarship application, the applicant must be a female student, sophomore or above, have a declared major and have taken at least one year off before returning to higher education. Undergraduates and graduates are accepted, both part time and full time. A GPA of at least 3.0 for undergraduates or 3.5 for graduates is also necessary.
Financial need is taken into account when dispersing scholarship funds. Applicants must also answer an essay question about how they will utilize the scholarship funds to achieve their goals. Reapplication is necessary every year.
Since 1981, ENMU Women has dispersed almost $56,000 in scholarship funds. The organization’s goal this year is to disperse $4,500 in scholarship funds, $1,500 more than last year’s goal. If you’re a female student who took a break from school to focus on work or family and you have recently returned to higher education, this could be a great opportunity to fund your education and career aspirations.