Editor,
I was at the memorial service last Saturday when the late Ferrel Heady, former UNM president, was eulogized. It was fitting and proper that the Daily Lobo covered the event in Monday's issue.
I am privileged to know Heady and his noble qualities, and thus would like to echo all the other voices of admiration and add a few words of my own.
When I was new to Albuquerque and a stranger on campus, one of my good fortunes was to meet Heady. Then a professor emeritus, he was not startled by my strange accent, modest dress or appearance, as some others might have been. Instead, he greeted me cordially and handed me a copy of his widely acclaimed textbook on public administration, a model of thorough scholarship on the subject. Soon thereafter, he worked out a stipend for me to assist him in his graduate class. His knowledge of the field and his teaching ability were awesome, and my association with him sustained my morale.
He had power and prestige but rejected arrogance. As his son Richard put it, he did not get a big head. And I also know that the scholar-president never took himself too seriously. He and I went to many Lobo games together, and, of course, he paid for the tickets. My senior - both chronologically and by numerous career achievements - he drove us to the games nonetheless. It was one of his unique characteristics not to do kindness halfway.
When we lost games, Heady did not second guess the coaches, players or referees but eagerly looked forward to the next game. I recall criticizing a poor performance by an athlete in a game, and Heady's silence was a deafening disapproval of my opinion. We discussed many subjects, including politics and people, where Heady let me speak my mind, but he never uttered a disparaging word about anybody.
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It is said that the good or bad that men do will live on after them, but there is nothing of the latter to mention about Heady. I am grateful that he welcomed me to campus and hosted me in his home when I was a stranger in town. I later learned that he played a crucial role in the creation of the African-American Studies Department, where many individuals of African descent and I have jobs. Hundreds of UNM students benefit from African-American Studies course offerings.
Among other things I remember, Heady was very loyal to family, friends, UNM, Lobo sports and his political party, leaving them all with a legacy of dignity and a good name. He will be missed, but he lived a celebrated life. As Charlotte, who knew him best, told me, "Ferrel lived a full day, every day, and died in a good way."
The football season starts this weekend, and Heady can be heard cheering "Go Lobos, go!"
Admasu Shunkuri
UNM faculty
