James Waldrip is the District 2 board member. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Oklahoma University, Master of Arts in Science Education from New Mexico State University. He completed his graduate work in physics at San Diego State University and the University of New Mexico and holds an Education Specialist Degree in School Administration from Eastern New Mexico University.
Mr. Waldrip began his teaching and coaching career as a Science Teacher and Athletic Coach at Comanche, Oklahoma in 1954. In 1955 he moved to Roswell and continued teaching science and coaching at Roswell High School until 1968 when he became Planetarium Director at the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium. In 1972 he became the Athletic Director, High School Principal and geology teacher at New Mexico Military Institute. In 1975 he returned to the Roswell ISD as Planetarium Director and Golf Coach at Goddard High School. He continued at Goddard High School until retiring in 1990 to accept a position as Law Office Administrator for Atwood, Malone, Mann and Turner. Mr. Waldrip has also been an instructor of biology, chemistry, geology, physics and physical education since 1965 at ENMU-Roswell as well as an astronomy instructor at ENMU-Ruidoso from 1997-99.
Mr. Waldrip has also worked in other areas outside of education. During high school and college he worked summers and part time as a roustabout, pumper, and gauger in southern Oklahoma oil fields. He also played professional baseball in New York Giant farm system from 1951-54, and played professional baseball at both Roswell and Hobbs from 1955-57. Mr. Waldrip also was a professional baseball scout for San Francisco Giants organization from 1959-65.
In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he attended OCS and served as 2nd Lt. in active duty during Korean conflict in field of personnel and electronic communication. He later retired with the rank of LTC in USAF Reserve.
Mr. Waldrip is a member of several professional organizations including Roswell Rotary (past President, Secretary and Treasurer); Roswell Geological Society; SW Association of Planetarium Directors; Roswell Astronomical Society; Salvation Army Board; First Tee of Chaves County Board; Mayor’s Keep Roswell Safe Committee; currently serving second term as president of the RISD School Board; REA, NMEA, NEA.
In his spare time Mr. Waldrip enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, and astrophotography. He has four grown children who reside in Texas, California, Albuquerque and Roswell.
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