Reflections on Herbert (Herb) C. Lyon, Ph.D., and the Early Years of UNM-Los Alamos 

How did you and your husband first become involved with UNM-Los Alamos? 

“Herb, a Ph.D. in math from the University of Michigan, had a science and math background,” Carol Lyon recalled. “He liked challenges.” When Herb Lyon saw an advertisement in The Chronicle of Higher Education for UNM-Los Alamos’ (UNM-LA) director position, he was drawn to the opportunity to help build a new campus, so he applied. 

“When we flew out there, there really was no campus,” Carol Lyon said. “The campus was just an old green trailer.” While Herb Lyon met with the board, someone showed Carol Lyon around. “There wasn’t too much to see on campus, but the surrounding area was beautiful,” she laughed. “But Herb liked the challenge of the situation. It was going to be a campus built from scratch. Our initial contact with the UNM-LA staff was warm and they supported us throughout the experience.” 

What drew your family to the Los Alamos area? 

During that first visit, the Lyon family decided to live in White Rock. “It seemed like a good family community,” Carol Lyon said. It turned out to be exactly that. The neighborhood felt safe and close‑knit, and the children quickly settled in. “The kids would ride their bikes around and go to their friends’ houses. We had good neighbors, and our kids are still in contact with them today. We also really liked the strong school system.” 

Life required some adjustments. “You had to go to Santa Fe for the big‑box stores,” she noted, “but we enjoyed the area. We could go into the Jemez (Mountains) or Pojoaque. That part of New Mexico was really special.” 

How would you describe your husband’s leadership style during those early years? 

“He was very goal‑oriented,” Carol Lyon said. “Once they got going on the bond issue for the UNM‑LA campus, that was going to happen.” Herb enjoyed working with people and stayed deeply involved throughout the process. “Once he got something going, he was going until the end.” 

That determination proved critical during the effort to pass the bond that would allow the campus to grow. “There was a lot of work with community members and state legislators,” she recalled. “When the bond issue passed, there was celebration and excitement. They could finally move out of that little green portable trailer.” 

What do you remember about the atmosphere on campus at the time? 

“It was an exciting atmosphere,” Carol Lyon said. “There was a lot of doing.” Construction was constant, and progress was visible week by week. “I remember the dust and a lot of sand. We’d go over there sometimes on the weekends just to see how things were coming along.” 

Herb Lyon was hands‑on. “He had a hard hat from the construction company,” Carol Lyon said. “He’d go over there often and check on the progress.” Having worked summers in construction with his father when he was younger, he found satisfaction in watching the campus take shape. Herb worked closely with the UNM-LA Advisory Board, the presidents of several community colleges and Alex Sanchez, Ph.D., who was the UNM associate provost for community education. 

Carol Lyon still remembers the contrast with their previous life. “We came from this really beautiful campus on Lake Superior with ivy‑covered buildings from the 1800s,” she said. “We uprooted the kids, drove across the country when it was 104 degrees and arrived at this little green building.” Their son took it all in and asked, “This is a university?” 

Years later, Carol Lyon smiled at the memory. “Now it is a university,” she said. “So, we can answer that question.”  

After moving out of state for other jobs, Herb and Carol Lyon eventually returned to New Mexico and lived in Las Cruses for 13 years. Herb Lyon enjoyed working with mathematics Ph.D. students and attending seminars at New Mexico State University.  

How did Herb’s work affect family life? 

“This was before cell phones,” Carol Lyon explained. “Especially during the bond issue, Herb would get calls from radio stations and TV stations.” The family had two phones — one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom. This phone situation was often challenging as the kids answered the phone when prominent people or news agencies called, and there was often noise from the family in the background. 

Despite the demands of the job, Herb Lyon tried hard to show up for his children. Carol Lyon recalled one spelling bee where her son asked him not to come dressed up in a suit and tie. He often had to go to Santa Fe for meetings. “I was looking out the school window,” she said, “and here comes Herb running across the parking lot, taking off his sport coat and tie and pulling on a sweatshirt.” 

Looking back, what do you hope people remember about your husband’s time at UNM-LA? 

“It’s been 45 years,” Carol Lyon said. “Time has passed, but I would say, remember him as the first director.” Though she hasn’t visited the campus in years, she’s proud of what it became. “It continues to grow,” she said. “Seeing that reminds me how far it’s come — from that little green trailer to a real campus serving students from all over the region.”