Hawkins, Estlack named distinguished alumni

The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association bestowed its Distinguished Alumnus Award on two former students during the 69th annual Alumni Reunion last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.

New Mexico State University Professor Dean Hawkins and the late Allen H. Estlack, Jr., of Clarendon were each recognized for professional and personal achievements, civic responsibility, and continuing support of Clarendon College.

Hawkins, a 1982 graduate of Clarendon College, is the son of Glenda and the late Jerry Hawkins and was raised on the CC campus and attended Clarendon schools. He went on to get his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Vocational Agriculture Teaching Certificate from Texas Tech University in 1984. He also received a Master’s of Science in Animal Breeding from Texas Tech in 1986 before getting his doctorate from Texas A&M University.

Hawkins did his NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Colorado State University from 1990 to 1992 before going to work at New Mexico State University where today he is a Professor of Animal and Range Sciences and a member of the Molecular Biology Program and the graduate faculty. He traveled as a speaker and expert in his field to Chihuahua, Mexico; La Paz, Mexico; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In addition to being a member of several professional organizations, Hawkins has received the A.M. “Tony” Sorenson, Jr., Achievement Award as Outstanding Graduate at Texas A&M, the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Meritorious Teaching Award, the American Society of Animal Science Young Scientist Award, the Alpha Gamma Rho Brother of the Century Award, Who’s Who Among America’s, and the Texas Tech University Horizon Award.

Hawkins lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with his wife, Jaye, and their twin nine-year-old daughters, Hannah and Callie.

Allen Estlack was raised in Clarendon and graduated from Clarendon High School in 1956. He spent a year attending Clarendon College before transferring to Texas Technological College where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics in 1961. He worked for West Texas Utilities Co. for 20 years before starting his own business, Estlack Electric, in 1981, and spent many years raising his sons in his trade. He also worked for The Clarendon Enterprise, where he performed several jobs.

Estlack spent his adult life as a champion of Clarendon College. He was a faithful attendee at the annual alumni reunions. He served on the Ex-Students Board and also served as the Ex-Student’s president. He frequently attended Bulldog basketball games and was a supporter of both athletic and academic programs. When budgets ran tight at the college, Estlack and his wife made donations to support the Biology Department, and Estlack also volunteered his time and talent to the poultry portion of the annual CC Invitational Judging Contest.

Estlack encouraged people to go to Clarendon College and to send their kids to Clarendon College. He was named as a “community ambassador” under CC’s Open Door campaign that encouraged people of all ages to continue their education at Clarendon College. He loved CC like his loved his hometown, and he also worked to promote Clarendon and Donley County through a wide variety of community service.

Estlack died June 18, 2006, at his home at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, Roger and Russell and their wives Ashlee and Scarlet; and three grandsons, Nathan, Benjamin, and Daniel. His son and fellow Distinguished Alumnus Roger Estlack accepted the award on his behalf.