Alva C. Carter Sr., 68, president of Eastern New Mexico University's board of regents, was killed in an automobile accident early this morning in Roosevelt County.

State Police Capt. Jimmy Glascock said his department was called to the accident scene on N.M. 202 (Cacahuate Road), about five miles from N.M. 70 at 7:18 this morning.

Glascock said Carter was traveling east in a 2005 Dodge Magnum on N.M. 202 when, "for unknown reason his vehicle traveled off the south side of the road and struck a tree, which caused the vehicle to overturn." The vehicle landed on its top, Glascock said.

Carter was pronounced dead at the scene, Glascock said.

"The Eastern New Mexico University community is saddened to learn of the sudden death of Mr. Alva Carter," ENMU President Steven Gamble said. "Mr. Carter's commitment to the university and his strong support of this community was well-known and he will be sorely missed. Our sympathy goes out to his wife, Mary Helen, and his entire family."

Carter, who lived in Portales, was a native of San Jon, according to information posted on ENMU's Web site.

Carter was appointed as an ENMU regent in 2003.

He earned a bachelor's degree from West Texas State University in 1962 and a master's in business administration from ENMU in 1970.

He retired as assistant principal of the Portales school system in 1968. Since then he has been active in agriculture at both local and national levels.

A past president of the New Mexico Peanut Growers, he served on the National Peanut Board and the national corporate board of Dairy Farmers of America, as well as several other local and national dairy boards.

He is owner of Big Valley in Portales, Carter's Milk Factory and AC Farms.

Services will be held Monday afternoon (tentatively set for 2 p.m.) in ENMU’s Greyhound Arena on the Portales campus.