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Many students know Bobby Shelton

—Photo by Maxwell Duryea Bobby takes his post at Bookstore

by MAXWELL DURYEA
C&J 271

With stacks of various publications, fliers, and bumper stickers at his side, he nonchalantly speaks to passing people.

"Hey, sir..."

With a wide smile he hands out fliers to students as they pass by the UNM Bookstore on their way to and from campus.

Only a few students talk with him as they move rapidly to and from the south side of campus. However, he has been handing out fliers and selling various independent publications for donation at UNM for more than 10 years.

Bobby Shelton is one of UNM's unspoken legends with his constant talent to bring awareness and culture to campus.

Born and raised in Roswell, Shelton, "too-old," moved to Santa Fe where his parents got a job offer and eventually ended up in Albuquerque in 1978. He has been here since.

He has stayed close to UNM since his move, and although he will not disclose his location of residence, he explains, "I live in a hotel near Central."

Shelton takes pride in his work. He takes his newspaper and flier distribution seriously and he enjoys all the publications he is part of. His favorite, The Health City Sun, is a newspaper devoted to citywide health.

His close second, although he himself does not read much Spanish, are various Spanish publications.

"Students always buy the Spanish ones. I think reading in Spanish helps them in their classes, and I love that," Shelton said.

About five years ago Shelton was asked to leave campus. His only comment on the issue is, "I was causin' some disciplinary problems."

Although he is not allowed on campus, the southeast corner of the Bookstore at Central and Cornell is considered a public sidewalk.

He now does his business there. He can be spotted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. His schedule depends on how much money he makes that day. He pays his rent and buys his food, and his clothing is more or less accounted for. His publications and peoples' generosity help him pay his way.

If Shelton is not in his spot, then it is probably a holiday or the weekend. He takes time off, just like other people, although he wishes he could take more time off to visit with family and friends.

When asked about his lifestyle in general, he went on to say that, "It's all good." To this day Shelton has no idea how he ended up selling papers on a corner of the Bookstore.

"It jus' happened," he said.

He went to school until he was 18, then he said he played basketball for New Mexico Highlands University.   Somewhere between that and now he got into this gig .

Shelton is happy with himself. He likes the people on campus and most of all, he likes the ticket box-office staff.

"Bobby is a wonderful character," a box-office staff member noted.

"I like helping him out," said Bill Patterson, a UNM student. "I know the money goes towards something positive, and best of all, he buys his essentials, not alcohol like so many others."

Bobby is looking up on things. He has been having great luck and enjoying this year more than previous years.

"It's working out pretty good, I am having a good year," Shelton said.

People on campus feel the same way. With donations of whatever they have, students have continually helped to support this campus favorite.

"I live in the area and walk past Bobby a lot," UNM student Darah ReHill said. "I pick up a paper almost every day. It puts a smile on both of our faces, and that makes the world a better place."

--September 25, 2006

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