It’s not every day the publisher of a top-10 magazine comes to UNM to speak. It’s a special treat when that individual is a UNM alumnus. Ed Lewis, the chair and founder of Essence Magazine and driving force behind Essence Communications, Inc., graduated from UNM with bachelor’s and master’s in political science and international relations, 1963 and 1965, respectively.
Photo: Ed Lewis, Essence Magazine founder
Lewis returned to his alma mater recently as the featured guest speaker at a UNM President’s Club Celestial Celebration held at UNM’s Lodestar Astronomy Center.
The President’s Club is a group of influential community leaders who provide unrestricted gifts to the President’s Fund for Academic Excellence. The fund currently supports UNM’s Research Learning Service Program, UNM Study Abroad and the Washington D.C. Congressional Internship Program.
A strong advocate for civil rights and community involvement, Lewis spoke about his time at UNM during the civil rights era, the success of Essence Magazine and the importance of giving back to the community.
“Community service and volunteerism is at the heart of who I am,” Lewis said. Quoting Shirley Chisolm, Lewis continued, “Community service is the rent we pay for living on this earth. It’s empowering and noble. When you give to an organization like the University of New Mexico, it ensures the highest quality of life and improving the community. Education is everyone’s job.”
Membership in the President’s Club requires a minimum annual gift of $5,000 to the UNM Foundation, of which $2,500 is designated for the President’s Fund for Academic Excellence.
For more information on the UNM President’s Club visit: or contact Alexanna Padilla Johnson at 277-9077 or via e-mail, apjohn@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at October 25, 2006 08:26 AM