Mesalands trustee steps down

A member of the Mesalands Community College board of trustees has stepped down after 19 years of service.

Peabody

Ted Peabody, who has been a member of the board of trustees since 1993, announced his plans to step down earlier this month.

"We are eternally grateful for all that Mr. Peabody has done to positively impact education and for all that we learn from him each and every day," said Mildred Lavato, president of Mesalands.

"I've had the pleasure and honor of knowing Ted before I started my work with the college," said J. Bronson Moore, trustee chair.

Peabody said he doesn't have anything planned for his retirement. He said he felt it was time for him to step down from the board and let someone else step in to serve the college and community. Peabody said he is not the only qualified person in his district and he encourages someone to step up and support the college in the best way they can.

Moore said Peabody was the Quay County extension agent when the two first met, and it was Peabody who convinced Moore to run for the position on the board left vacant when Tex Hasse died.

Moore said as far as he is concerned Ted is a man of high integrity who always had the college and the community's interests at heart.

"He's one of a kind," Moore said. "We are going to miss him."

Peabody was presented with an honorary degree during last year's commencement ceremony, which more than 500 residents attended.

Lovato presented the award to Peabody and said "Mr. Peabody is a proven leader, a hard worker, and is fair to all people. His wisdom, sense of fairness and goodwill, and the way in which he expresses his thoughts leaves such an indelible and meaningful mark. I, like many of you, are fortunate to have had that rare experience right here in Tucumcari."

"It's going to be tough to replace someone as experienced and dedicated as Ted," said trustee Jimmy Sandoval.

Fast facts

Facts about Ted Peabody provided by his family:

• He served in the U.S. Marines and fought in World War II where he received the Purple Heart while fighting in Okinawa, Japan.
• He studied at Texas Tech University and completed his Master's Degree in Agriculture and Extension Education from New Mexico State University. He was later named full professor for that institution. He served 15 years as a Quay County Extension Agent.
• He served as the county's extension agent from 1971 to 1986.