Family Tradition Inspires Generous Gift to NMSU
Lowell Catlett, dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, believes that the Nakayama family has always been one of New Mexico's agricultural treasures, and two new endowments established by Joe Nakayama will continue their outstanding agricultural legacy in perpetuity.
Kaichiro "John" Nakayama, a former Samurai warrior, emigrated from Japan to the United States in 1907. He lived first in Kansas City and worked in a meat packing plant. The abrasive atmosphere of the packing plant led John to seek employment in Nebraska, where he worked with a farmer of Swedish descent raising sugar beets and cattle. John's wife, Tome, joined him in 1915.
The cold winters took a toll on one of John's feet by causing severe frostbite, forcing him to seek a warmer climate. His family was headed to Mexico but stopped in El Paso to wait for their second child to be born. While there, they learned about an available parcel of land outside Las Cruces. They leased this land, which was a part of the old Shalem Colony settlement. John adapted the farming skills he acquired in Nebraska to the demands of the New Mexico climate.
The family eventually grew to include five sons and three daughters. In the summer, everyone had a job on the farm.
The Goal of Education
According to Joe, the couple's youngest son, John told the children that he would not have a lot to leave them when he died but he would be sure they all had a chance for an education. All eight took their father's promise to heart, and seven attended New Mexico State University for all or part of their education.
Joe completed his studies in agricultural engineering on the GI Bill after World War II. When there were no jobs to be found following his graduation in 1951, he accepted an invitation from his brother Carl to join him on the family farm.
The values that his parents instilled in him inspired Joe, who is now retired, to establish two research professorships at New Mexico State in their names to benefit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and the College of Engineering. In making these generous gifts, Joe is now a member of The 1888 Society at NMSU. He plans to make an additional gift to these funds through his estate.
Dean Ricardo Jacquez states, "We are extremely honored by the recent gift from Mr. Nakayama that will establish research professorships in the College of Engineering. The new professorships will have a tremendous impact on our ability to retain and recognize high-caliber faculty who advance economic growth of the region through relevant and timely research."