ENMU Announces Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting for New Language and Literacy Studio on June 22

PORTALES, N.M. - Eastern New Mexico University-Portales (ENMU) will celebrate the grand opening and official ribbon-cutting of the ENMU Language and Literacy Studio on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will take place at the Dr. Gay Su Pinnell Education Building on the. Following the presentation, a luncheon featuring kid-friendly food options will be served.

Marking its inaugural year, the ENMU Language and Literacy Studio was established through a generous endowment from renowned educator and alumna Dr. Gay Su Pinnell. The space is designed to serve as a dynamic literacy hub, cultivating a lifelong love of reading for students of all ages while fostering critical community partnerships.

"Literacy transforms lives and worlds. Hope, inspiration, dreams, and opportunities flourish within literacy," Dr. Dawn Wink, Endowed Professor of Language and Literacy, said. "The Language and Literacy Studio embodies Dr. Pinnell's vision that education be a place where students and teachers live literate lives from the earliest possible experiences, through education, research, community partnerships, leadership, and a love of reading."

By collaborating with local and regional schools, libraries, and civic organizations, the Studio aims to advance literacy initiatives and expand access to high-quality learning opportunities across eastern New Mexico. Additionally, the Studio will operate as a center for high-impact literacy research, supporting the development of innovative curricula and evidence-based practices focused on instruction, policy, and advocacy.

"Literacy is more than learning to read words; it is developing a lifelong relationship with books, ideas, and learning that enriches every aspect of life," said Dr. Pinnell, whose educational philosophy centers on the belief that reading nurtures confident learners, thoughtful citizens, and lifelong seekers of understanding.

The grand opening event will honor Dr. Pinnell and her husband, Jeff Forster, for their transformative support of the University's educational mission. The program will feature remarks from university leadership and literacy faculty, following a formal speaking order, including:

• Dr. Dawn Wink, ENMU Dr. Gay Su Pinnell Endowed Professor of Language and Literacy
• Dr. Gay Su Pinnell
• Dr. Jamie Laurenz, ENMU Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dr. James Johnston, ENMU-Portales President and the ENMU System Chancellor

"As a child, learning to read opened a world of adventure, imagination, and exploration. As I grew, I realized that it served as the foundation for my educational journey. Through the generosity of Dr. Pinnell, ENMU will provide the same sense of wonder and the critical foundation for education to students throughout our region," Dr. James Johnston, ENMU chancellor, said. "Of equal importance, it gives ENMU the ability to continue to advance the body of knowledge related to literacy and learning."

Members of the campus community, local educators, and the public are invited to attend the celebration and tour the new space.

To confirm your attendance, please register via the RSVP form at the registration link.

About Dr. Gay Su Pinnell:

Dr. Gay Su Pinnell is a native New Mexican who grew up in Portales. Her father, Dr. Leroy Pinnell, served as Dean of the College of Education and was Professor Emeritus of Education at ENMU. Her mother, Alfrieda Pinnell, taught first grade at L. L. Brown Elementary School in Portales. After earning a B.A. from Eastern in 1966, Pinnell completed a postgraduate degree from Ohio State University, where her research focused on first-grade students.

In spring 2025, she made the largest gift in the history of Eastern New Mexico University. Her $7.5 million gift endowed the Eastern New Mexico Learning Academy and created an endowed chair. Dr. Dawn Wink, the first Dr. Gay Su Pinnell Endowed Professor of Language and Literacy, was appointed to fill the chair in 2026.

About Eastern New Mexico University:

Eastern New Mexico University, a state institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, serves students from New Mexico and around the world. Characterized by excellent teaching, personal attention, and vibrant campus life, ENMU prepares students for careers and advanced study. For more information, visit enmu.edu.

For more information regarding the event, please contact:

Shaun Banther
Chief Communications Officer
Email: [email protected]