Papen Shows His Aggie Pride in Many Ways
John A. Papen III was not really thinking about going to college. He started working in his uncle's bank while he was still in high school, so he felt he was "all set." However, both his father and uncle believed that a college education was important, and with New Mexico State University located right in John's hometown of Las Cruces, N.M., they felt he should take advantage of the opportunities the university offered.
John took their advice and enrolled in college. The business major continued his bank job in addition to his studies, leaving little extra time for him to participate in other campus activities.
Graduating with his bachelor's degree in 1968, John continued to work at First National Bank of Doña Ana County. He earned additional degrees from the Colorado School of Banking at the University of Colorado in 1973 and the National Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma in 1976.
John's career spanned 50 years. He served in a variety of leadership roles, including head of the consumer and commercial lending divisions.
He was named executive vice president of First National Bank in 1988 and later held that same position with Wells Fargo Bank in Doña Ana County until his retirement.
"From my earliest days at the bank, I remember my uncle saying how important it was to invest in the local economy," John says.
One of those investments was New Mexico State University. John's uncle and mentor, the late Senator Frank Papen, was founder and president of the bank. The senior Papen was also a champion for the university who took on a challenge from former NMSU President Gerald Thomas to raise money for the university from the local community. His efforts evolved into the President's Associates scholarship program.
John joined the NMSU board of directors for the President's Associates program in 1998 and served as its president during his tenure. He and his wife, Margy, also established an endowment to support PA scholarships.
"I was so impressed by the caliber of students who receive this scholarship," John says. "They bring a special excellence to our campus."
John has now given many years of service to NMSU. In addition to the PA program, he served on the board of the Aggie Sports Association. He is currently a member of the NMSU Foundation board, serves as treasurer and chairman of the finance committee, and president of the NMSU Sports Enterprise Corporation. The College of Business named John its distinguished alumnus in 1997 and inducted him into its hall of fame in 2002. The university awarded John an honorary degree in 2011.
In addition to all that he has done for NMSU, John is equally involved in several community organizations, including the La Mesa Lions Club, the NM Bankers Association, NM Amigos and Rotary International. All of these organizations have recognized him for his commitment to service.