The Besse-Forward Global Resource Center is named in honor of Captain J.R. "Cap" Besse and Lennie Merle Besse Forward.

Lennie Merle came to Silver City in 1935 to teach English and supervise student teaching of English at New Mexico State Teachers High School, receiving a bachelor's degree in education from WNMU in 1942. Upon her marriage to "Cap" Besse, a French professor at NMSTC, she resigned from the college and began teaching at the Silver School District until her retirement in the mid-1950's. After "Cap" Besse passed away, she traveled extensively and later married Charles Forward, a lawyer. They resided in Hawaii until his death in 1981 whereupon she returned to Silver City.

Lennie Merle contributed $100,000 to the WNMU Foundation to establish the Capt. J.R. Besse and Lennie Merle Besse Forward Scholarships. In 1992, she received a Doctor of Humane Letters Honor Causa for contributions to WNMU and, in 1997, was honored as an Outstanding Alumna.

Lennie Merle passed away on March 16, 1999, leaving a sizeable estate to WNMU and local groups. The university was bequeathed $2.6 million for building construction and $325,000 for library acquisitions. It is with great honor that Western New Mexico University dedicates its newest building to this philanthropic lady and her husband of 30 years.