Borderlands: From the Director 25 (2006-2007)

Article first published in Vol. 25 (2006-2007)

By Ruth Vise

When the student editors and I looked at photographs to illustrate this issue, they noticed that every story reflected the freedom to choose, so important in our great country. And so they selected the theme "For Love of Country".

As a child, I heard about the Bataan Death March from my father, himself a Navy man. He always attended Memorial Day services at the national cemetery at Fort Bayard , just a couple of miles away from our home. We all admired Tommy Foy, a Bataan survivor and our state representative. In college, I realized that our Alumni Director, Nick Chintis, also had been on the march and had returned. But it was a long, long time before I knew the significance of the march. Borderlands editor Adri Alatorre became so interested in Bataan that she found survivors in the area and interviewed them and their families. She also researched an Anthony (Texas) family who had five sons serve in World War II at one time. All of us came away with a new respect for our men and women in uniform.

We also learned a great deal about groups with chapters in El Paso that help different segments of our society such as LULAC, Golden Gloves, and Alcoholics Anonymous. We discovered a little about the history of Bowie High School and St. Clement's Church, landmarks in our city. We also found out for whom McKelligon Canyon is named, and we visited Tortugas, just up the road near Las Cruces. Students researched the wine industry in this area, and we toured some of them. These places made for great day trips and a greater appreciation for our culture.

Another article related to new Mexico is the one on astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. NMSU professor, who discovered Pluto. Just before we went to press, this tiny planet was downgraded to the status of "dwarf planet'. But even so, the story of Tombaugh's life and work is inspiring, and his influence will be lasting.

These articles begin as research papers in my freshman English 1302 classes. Then two student editors and I further research, interviewing people all over the El Paso and Las Cruces area, and write the feature articles you read here. Our students learn about their culture and home while they master research techniques that will serve them well, both in and out of college.

Thanks to Adri Alatorre, Editor, and Elvi Nieto, assistant editor, for their hard work, perseverance and devotion to Borderlands. Big, big thanks go to the EL PASO TIMES and Mike Price, who support us every year. And I am so grateful to Joe Old, who edited stories online while he taught English in China, and to Martha Lou and Morgan Broaddus, who edited some of the stories this summer, all three just because they believe in our project.

Congratulations, April Lee, on your graduation from NMSU -- you were just seven years old when I began directing Borderlands. Good luck with your job and the new chapter of your life. I am a proud mama! Thanks for taking photos for us and for all your help these many years.

This issue is dedicated to Jim Stowe, a former faculty editor of Borderlands and one of its biggest fans. When Jim died this year, El Paso lost a great teacher and writer. And I lost a good friend.

Don't forget that we're on the Web. Just Google EPCC Borderlands.

Image caption: Ms. Ruth Vise, Director of Borderlands