Crowned over 40 years ago, the Homecoming Queen returns to ENMU to participate in the 2021 Homecoming Parade to reflect on her career in education and as a senior diplomat for the U.S. Department of State

Greyhound Grade Sherry ‘Gwyn’ (Dean) Buzzell is returning to Eastern New Mexico University this week to celebrate the homecoming over 40 years after her coronation as Homecoming Queen in 1980. She will take part in the Homecoming Parade this weekend and enjoy other celebrations.

Ms. Buzzell, who received an AA in Economics, an AA in Religion and a BA in Education from the East in 1984 after receiving a grant from the Friends of the East, talks about her homecoming experiences and her illustrious career as an educator and diplomat in several countries. including Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Mrs. Buzzell with her husband.

Describe your homecoming experience as a student and what you are looking forward to with regard to this year’s homecoming participation.

It was noteworthy that a sophomore student sponsored by a religious organization managed to become a homecoming queen (1980). I was amazed at the effort and time that Ken Carlson and the rest of the Baptist Student Union (BSU) put into realizing my, our, selection as Homecoming Queen. The camaraderie of the BSU was inspiring.

All of the events related to Homecoming were so much fun, but the most vibrant and memorable was the crowning glory and effort that my mom and sisters went to traverse the state to attend.

I look forward to reconnecting with old friends around Homecoming and reminiscing and watching the student body at their events this year.

I was in contact with Dana (Ross) Ware, who was Homecoming Queen in 1981.

She was also sponsored by the Baptist Student Union. We both rode in the parade together 20 years ago. She will ride with me again this year.

I am very happy to be driving with Dana, because as far as I know we were the only two homecoming queens chosen to be sponsored by the BSU. Even after we haven’t seen each other for 20 years, our friendship continues.

What did it mean to you to be called the Homecoming Queen?

It was on the one hand very humiliating and on the other hand inspiring that our group (BSU) was supported by the student body.

Discuss your Eastern experience.

The Baptist Student Union people have had a great positive impact on my life. I took part in the summer missions program through the BSU, first in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, and the following summer in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Playing volleyball in my freshman year was enjoyable, as was actively participating in the sporting community. My French lessons with Dr. Margaret Willen, along with my Bible lessons about the Old Testament prophets and the life of Christ, was my finest lesson

How did you choose your subject?

I wanted to have work flexibility and at the same time have a family. Since my mother worked full time, we always had babysitters as small children. To be free for my future children on weekends, public holidays and in summer appealed to me.

What activities were you involved in at ENMU?

I attended the ENMU from 1979-1984. I had a working degree at the BSU and in the cafeteria; visited BSU; was on the ENMU volleyball team; Referees of junior high and high school volleyball in the area; took statistics for the ENMU men’s basketball team and was the intermural director for the BSU.

Tell us about your career.

After graduation, I was an elementary school teacher in Bloomfield, New Mexico and Sonora, Texas for four years. During the summer semester, I met my husband, who was doing pilot training with the Navy. We married and raised a family shortly after when we moved to the southwest coast of Spain where he served on missions in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East. So my career took a break until our youngest boy started school when we lived in Oklahoma City.

I returned to the classroom where my husband was a professor at US Naval War College for another eight years in Oklahoma and Rhode Island. In 2005 we moved to Stockholm, Sweden, and I started working as the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) for the US Embassy.

While we lived in Bahrain, I assisted the US Embassy and the Middle East Commanders in coordinating bilateral and multilateral meetings for Secretary of State (Hilary Clinton) and US Central Command Commander David Petraeus during geopolitical engagements in the Middle East around the Manama dialogues. During my tenure at the US Embassy in Paris, I helped on many high-level visits, including two from President Obama, as well as providing advice and interpreting for high-level meetings.

After our last assignment abroad at the US Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, and Brussels, Belgium, I retired from the State Department in 2018. I never would have thought that the skills I learned here at ENMU would be so important for success in foreign service and diplomatic engagements.

I was fortunate enough to use my language skills as a consultant and interpreter at the highest levels of government. It was a privilege to represent our country at innumerable state events with our president, our secretaries, foreign heads of state and aristocrats. Some of the most memorable events included the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, four days of events around the 30th anniversary of Prince Albert’s reign in Monaco, host of Nobel Prize lunches and dinners / events in presidential and noble residences.

Mrs. Buzzell with Prince Charles.

How did ENMU prepare you for your career?

My training at the ENMU gave me skills that were very helpful in integrating into the diplomatic environment abroad. The language training gave me the opportunity to advise and interpret at all levels of US and foreign engagement. Even being elected Homecoming Queen gave me confidence to attend state events.

What advice would you give to a student interested in working in your field?

Hard work and dedication to whatever area you choose is the secret to success. Be a positive influence on others and honor the Lord in everything you do. There are some amazing people out there.

What awards have you received?

I received the State Department’s Meritorious Honor Awards and was elected President of the Diplomatic Associations.

Are you involved in any organization or cause?

I’ve been active in many organizations and have volunteered for many purposes in every place we’ve lived for the past 33 years. Since we retired last year and settled in Texas, we haven’t “come out” until the current environment has improved.

Tell us about your family and background.

I was born and raised in Farmington, New Mexico. My father was an oil rigs problem solver and my mother was an office worker. I studied French and played volleyball in high school. My husband retired from the Navy in 2018 after serving 34 years as a pilot and diplomat.

We have two grown children; both attended boarding school in Sweden for high school, and they attended college and graduate schools in Missouri and Washington, DC. Our daughter works at the Pentagon as a Senior Consultant in the Joint Staff. Our son is married and lives in St. Louis. He works in mortgage finance and is the author of numerous fantasy LitRPG and science fiction books.

What are your hobbies?

Travel, languages ​​and foreign engagement.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

I’ve studied French, Navajo, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish and Dutch.

Is there any additional information you’d like to share?

I have had the privilege of attending several historical events with heads of state, kings and foreign diplomats. I have met many people with whom I was able to discuss some of the most pressing issues of the day. Some events really stand out when everyone is relaxed and just enjoying the moment; from sitting with the King and Royal Family during the Amsterdam Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing the soundtrack to Pirates of the Caribbean as you watch the film on the big screen on a raft in the Amsterdam harbor, to interpreting for Prince Charles and US – American / French dignitaries having lunch on a British warship in the English Channel, or just discussing the challenges of the presidency and weighing important court decisions with RBG.

I have truly been blessed for every opportunity presented to me. While I have enjoyed living in other countries, it is clear that there is no other place on earth that has the freedoms we have, and no country cares better for its people than here in the United States from America. May GOD continue to bless America.