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A&M-Commerce graduate student Stephanie Talley has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. According to an article about Talley at 24-7pressrelease.com, “Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.”Talley holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational psychology at A&M-Commerce. Read the full article.
A&M-Commerce graduate Ashlyn Jones was featured in an article on myparistexas.com for her one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony. Since commencement ceremonies at A&M-Commerce have been postponed, Ashlyn’s husband, Derek Jones, decided to hold a graduation ceremony for his wife in their own back yard. According to the article, he turned the deck into a stage and a ladder into a podium; the karaoke machine served as the sound system, and a printed banner proudly announced graduation 2020 at A&M-Commerce. Four family members attended the ceremony, and Ashlyn walked down the “aisle” to “Pomp and Circumstance” in her high school cap and gown. Ashlyn described the event as “a special moment because Derek worked really hard to make it perfect for me.” “I had to hold back the tears because, honestly, if it weren’t for him I don’t know where I would be. I definitely probably wouldn’t be reaching my dreams of becoming a teacher. I got the degree, but he put in the sacrifices of long work hours, watching the kiddos so I could attend classes, helping me study…,” Ashlyn said. According to Derek, it may not have been the graduation ceremony of Ashlyn’s dreams, but it’s a memory they will never forget. “I am so proud of her,” said Derek. Read the entire myparistexas article.
Several Texas A&M University-Commerce students were honored by the Lone Star Conference this month for their work in sports medicine and athletic communications. Each academic year, the LSC recognizes student athletic trainers and athletic communications students who devote several hours to assist with the operation of the athletics department while also finding the time to excel in the classroom. To be eligible for LSC academic honors, these students must carry at least a 3.30 grade point average with a minimum of 24 semester hours at the nominating institution. The qualifications mirror those required of student-athletes to gain LSC All-Academic recognition. The students are: Sports Medicine Katherine Daniels, Sr., Winnsboro, TexasCesar Torres, Sr., Dallas, TexasHyaznarely Ramirez, Sr., Greenville, TexasDejhia Taylor, Jr., McKinney, TexasShelby Gerner, Jr., Whitewright, Texas Athletic Communications Cameron Justice, Sr., Sunnyvale, TexasJun Lee, Grad., Daejeon, South KoreaTyler McDonough, Sr., Horseshoe Bay, TexasAshley Tuppen, Sr., De Kalb, Texas
Students from the Department of Engineering and Technology at Texas A&M University-Commerce participated in a concrete glider competition in recognition of Engineers Week, also known as EWeek. EWeek (February 16-22, 2020) was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers in order to ensure a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. With only four days to build, the teams were challenged to make a glider out of concrete able to support itself in flight. The winning team included A&M-Commerce students Chris Papson, Elmer Benitez, Gerardo Hernandez and Zacchaeus Bell. The students won a Phantom 2 Drone.
Meat Judging team wins at Houston Rodeo The Meat Judging Team from Texas A&M University-Commerce were named Grand Champions of the “A” Division at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s annual intercollegiate meat judging contest on March 7. This marks the second championship victory for the team since the beginning of the calendar year. The team finished first in the overall standings with all four members placing in the top 10 in the individual standings out of 34 competitors. The team is coached by Haley Cole. The results were: Team standings 1st in beef grading 1st in lamb judging 1st in overall beef 1st in pork judging 1st in questions 2nd in beef judging 3rd in total placings Individual results Colleen Hooge: 2nd high individual 2nd in lamb judging 2nd in questions 2nd in overall beef 3rd in beef grading 3rd in pork judging Madison Wynne: 3rd high individual 4th in overall beef 4th in questions 5th in beef judging Kris Barr 4th high individual 5th in beef grading 5th in pork judging 6th in questions 6th in overall beef Katherine Bivens 8th high individual 6th in pork judging 7th in questions 8th in beef judging 9th in overall beef
Brian TaylorTexas A&M University-Commerce Computer Science student Brian Taylor was announced as the first-place winner at the IMCS Group Coding Challenge. The challenge was held on Friday, February 21 at A&M-Commerce. The first-place prize was a $1,000 scholarship. The challenge was to help expose students to real-world problems and cultivate their technical and problem-solving skills. Participants could code in any preferred programming language and the solution could be displayed either as a web or mobile application. Thirty students competed. Taylor is a student in the College of Science and Engineering.
Four students of Texas A&M University-Commerce presented their research at the annual American Society for Horticultural Science – Southern Region meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The meeting was held from January 31 through February 2. The student research–two graduates and two undergraduates–was the culmination up to a year of work on crepe myrtle bark scale, the interaction between crepe myrtles and bees in the landscape, and a technique for monitoring bees and other pollinators. The graduate students included Michael Bledsoe and Canaan Sutton. The two undergraduate students were Taryn Bazhaw and Martin “Tino” Mendietta.
Students worked the booths at the NCAA Division II Football National Championship game in December. 26 undergraduate students and two graduate students in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas A&M University-Commerce assisted the Lone Star Conference, NCAA, and McKinney ISD with the 2019 Division II Football Championship at McKinney ISD Stadium on Saturday, December 21. This participation gave students experiential learning in the B.S. in Sport & Recreation Management and M.S. in International Sport Management programs. Students were responsible for staffing the merchandise stores on both sides of the stadium for the duration of the championship. Their advisors, Dr. Clay Bolton and Dr. Samantha Roberts, served as hosts for the hospitality suite for administration, boosters, and guests of West Florida University, the 2019 National Champions. A&M-Commerce defeated West Florida University in Kansas City in 2017.
Ty Harris, A&M-Commerce Rodeo Team standout, competed at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. He placed ninth in the worldwide standings for the tie-down roping event. See a Pro Rodeo interview with Harris and view his Pro Rodeo standings. Jake Brown, A&M-Commerce Rodeo Team alum, also competed at the National Finals Rodeo. Brown, a bareback rider, is a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. Brown graduated from A&M-Commerce with a degree in agribusiness. Read a recent article about Brown’s successful rodeo career.
Lion Football safety Alex Shillow was named to the Second Team Academic All-America® by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). According to the program’s website, the Academic All-America Team honors “outstanding academic and athletic achievement by student-athletes throughout the landscape of college sports…” Shillow is only the 16th Academic All-America honoree in A&M-Commerce history. He was named to the President’s List four times, Dean’s List two times and LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll six times. Additionally, he was a two-time D2-ADA Academic Achievement Award winner. Shillow earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management in August. Read the full article.
East Texas State Fair Students from the A&M-Commerce College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources received an Outstanding Volunteer Award for their great work at the East Texas State Fair in Tyler, Texas in September. The students volunteered at the fair’s Junior Heifer Show and Texas Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association Show. Student volunteers included: Emma Lawson, Brownsboro; Erica Vanderslice, Kaufman; Tori Copeland, Greenville; Emily Joie, Denison; Kassidy Jefferson-Saul, Kopperl; John Lewis, Mineola; and Haley Cole, graduate assistant and meats judging team coach, Casper, WY. The student volunteers were coordinated by Dr. Megan Owen, assistant professor of animal science and Brad Johnson, animal science instructor and judging team coordinator.
The lota Nu at-Large chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing inducted 18 new members during a ceremony at A&M-Commerce on November 5. Sigma Theta Tau is the world’s only nursing honor society. According to Dr. Carole McKenzie, A&M-Commerce nursing director, induction into Sigma Theta Tau is a great honor that recognizes leadership, scholarship and community service. The 2019 inductees are: Undergraduate Students: Leonel Arreola Leslie Benson Monica Booker Abby Christian Darin Hampton Renae Helmberger Chelsea Holland Shelby Kissane Laci Livingston Kyle Myers Alyssa Sagun Kelcie Stager John Wensel Sarah Willeford Graduate Students: Rebecca Long Geethu Philip Haley Rouse Nurse Leaders: Crystal Brakefield
Several students and faculty members from the A&M-Commerce College of Education and Human Services traveled to Clavellinas, Mexico, in June as part of The Texas A&M University System Colleges of Education Mexico Education Collaborative. According to the group’s annual report, “The Collaborative provides opportunities for TAMU System faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students to participate in service leadership, discipline-specific clinical field experience, and meaningful scholarly research in the rural community of Clavellinas…” Dr. Kathryn Dixon and Dr. Kelly M. Carrero accompanied three students on the excursion.
Tyce Kissling, a senior industrial engineering student in the Department of Engineering and Technology at A&M-Commerce, was a third-place winner in the Operations Research Division at the 2019 Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Conference and Expo. Kissling’s project was “Location Allocation of Autonomous Vehicle Stations in Frisco, Texas.” His advisor is Dr. Sojung Kim, professor of engineering and technology at A&M-Commerce. The IISE Conference was held May 18-21 in Orlando, Florida.
A recent article in the San Antonio Express-News, written by Senator John Cornyn and Raymund Paredes, discusses the positive impact of competency-based education (CBE) on students and promotes CBE as a viable alternative to traditional education. According to the article, the competency-based criminal justice program at A&M-Commerce opened doors for a Fort Worth Police Department detective. “I was all of the sudden facing the prospect of being a captain or chief one day,” the detective said. The article states that competency-based education “provides new opportunities for Texans of all ages and education levels, and allows them to dream bigger.” Read the full ARTICLE.
Dr. Carole McKenzie, interim head of the nursing department at Texas A&M University-Commerce, will assume the role of president of the Iota Nu at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau on July 1, 2020. Dr. Monica Tenhunen currently serves as treasurer for Sigma, and Kimberly Vice serves as faculty counselor to A&M-Commerce. Sigma is the international honor society of nursing, boasting more than 135,000 members in 100 countries. The Iota Nu at-Large Chapter is comprised of nursing programs from A&M-Commerce, The University of Texas at Tyler and East Texas Baptist University.
Texas A&M University-Commerce nursing faculty member Debbie Mahoney, Ph.D., APRN-BC, FNP was recently featured in Charm/View, a publication of the Longview News-Journal in Longview, Texas. Mahoney is coordinator of the master of nursing program at A&M-Commerce. She was highlighted for her humanitarian work at home and abroad. Mahoney first went to Guatemala as part of a medical mission trip in 2000, and has since encouraged many of her nursing students to volunteer there over the years. She also volunteers at the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview. View the article.
The Beta Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses has chosen to conduct the 2020 Beta Chi Research Conference in an online format. The conference was originally scheduled for March 13 in Shreveport, Louisiana, but it was cancelled due to Covid-19. Participants pre-recorded their presentations and uploaded them to WebEx where they will be available to conference participants. A&M-Commerce nursing professors, Dr. Carole McKenzie and Dr. Monica Tenhunen, and nursing lab coordinator, Kim Vice, will uploaded their research to the virtual conference by May 1, 2020.
Dr. Andrea Graham of Texas A&M University-Commerce was awarded the Myrna Gilstrap Creativity in Teaching Award from the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE). The award recognizes a faculty member who implements and assesses the impact of innovative teaching methods on student learning outcomes by adapting teaching and learning methods from other fields and contexts. “Dr. Graham is an exceptional, sought-after professor and leader on campus,” said Dr. Lavelle Hendricks, president of the A&M-Commerce chapter of TABPHE. “Student evaluations reflect the professionalism, care and nurturing environment that she provides to students.” Graham is an associate professor and head of the Department of Engineering and Technology at A&M-Commerce. She received her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2012 before arriving at A&M-Commerce in fall of 2013. Hendricks continued, “We are fortunate to have Dr. Graham at A&M-Commerce. She represents the academy of teaching well.”
An article written by Texas A&M University-Commerce Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Ayal Feinberg was published by the Washington Post newspaper on April 13. Feinberg’s article covers the trends of hate crimes against Asian-Americans and how the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic can cause these instances to rise. Feinberg has been published by the Washington Post previously, most recently in 2019. In addition to his position at A&M-Commerce, Feinberg is also a senior fellow at the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right, specializing in contemporary anti-Semitic hate crimes, the quantitative analysis of bias incidents and diaspora-homeland relations. Read the article.
Several faculty members from the College of Science and Engineering have been selected for recognition by the A&M-Commerce Faculty Senate. Dr. Allan Headley in the Department of Chemistry received the William L. Mayo Professorship Award, which recognizes individuals who epitomize the goals of Professor Mayo’s motto: “Ceaseless Industry, Fearless Investigation, Unfettered Thought, and Unselfish Service to Others.” The award is designated once every three years and recipients retain the title of “Mayo Professor” for the duration of their service at the university. Dr. Larry Lemanski, Department of Biological & Environmental Science, received the H.M. Lafferty Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity. Granted each year, this award recognizes an individual who has performed in an outstanding manner in scholarship and/or creative activity. The Faculty Senate Awards for Professional Excellence are awarded each year to recognize faculty who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievement in particular areas of their professional duties. Physics and astronomy professor, Dr. Cheri Davis, received the award in the Teaching ­– Classroom category. Dr. Robynne Lock, also with the Department of Physics & Astronomy, received the award for the Teaching – Innovation category. Dr. Bao-An Li with the Department of Physics & Astronomy received the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities – Unfettered Thought Award, while Regents Professor Dr. Wen-Long “Ben” Jang in the Department of Chemistry received the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities – Fearless Investigation Award. The Professional Service Award was granted to Dr. Matt Wood in the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
The inaugural Augustine “Chuck” Arize Junior Faculty Award banquet took place on October 8, 2019. Two faculty members from the College of Science and Engineering — Dr. Robynne Lock in Physics & Astronomy, and Dr. Burchan Aydin in Engineering & Technology — were recognized and awarded for their commitment to teaching, service and research. All junior-level faculty members (assistant professor, adjunct, instructor or professional track) from all academic colleges are eligible for the award, which is named after A&M-Commerce’s distinguished professor, Dr. Augustine “Chuck” Arize. A call for nominations for the 2020 banquet went out recently.
Texas A&M University-Commerce Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Stephen Starnes was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award from Sigma Alpha Pi, the A&M-Commerce chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success. The award honors those who exemplify excellence in academic student development. Sigma Alpha Pi was established on the A&M-Commerce campus in 2012, becoming one of the largest organizations on campus. The National Society of Leadership and Success is a lifetime membership honor society whose membership is based on academic standing and leadership potential. NSLS has over one million members nationwide divided into 706 chapters at colleges across the country. “It is an honor to receive this award,” said Starnes. “The recognition inspires me to work hard each day as it affirms that my effort is appreciated and impactful.” Before arriving at A&M-Commerce in 2005, Starnes taught at Texas Tech University and New Mexico State University. He was promoted to Associate Professor of Chemistry in 2013.
Dr. Cheri Davis with the Department of Physics & Astronomy has been nominated for and appointed to the 2019-2020 Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators. Since 2011, the Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators has honored teacher educators from Texas A&M System universities who significantly contribute to the field of teacher education, highlighting the role of the A&M System in producing K-12 teachers for the state of Texas. Inductees are selected by past Academy members after university faculty, staff and students have had the opportunity to nominate full-time faculty members who make a significant impact on the education and preparation of teachers. “I’m honored to receive this award and very much appreciate the amazing students who made it possible,” Davis said. “Teaching is an honor in itself and a calling for many people. I appreciate the privilege of working with students who will become the next generation of teachers.” Honorees are awarded a $1,000 stipend, a commemorative medallion and a certificate honoring their commitment to educating the teachers of tomorrow.
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named Tim McMurray, director of athletics at Texas A&M University-Commerce, as the Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year on March 3. The athletic directors who win the ADOY Award are recognized for their efforts and commitment to positive contributions toward student-athletes, campuses, and the surrounding communities. McMurray oversees a Division II intercollegiate athletic program that is committed to academic, athletic, and student success. He is also an adjunct professor in Sports Management at A&M-Commerce and teaches the capstone course in Sports Governance and Leadership. McMurray earned his master’s in Sports Business Administration from Ohio University in 2013.
Twelve faculty members at Texas A&M University-Commerce received the Eminent Faculty Scholar Award at the annual Eminent Faculty Scholars Award Ceremony on February 25 at the Rayburn Student Center. The Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE) and the Faculty Senate hosted the ceremony and dinner. The purpose of the award is to recognize faculty members who have established themselves in research, scholarship, or service at A&M-Commerce. It is also designed to highlight their significance as a positive role model to students, one who encourages others, while maintaining a standard of integrity. The honorees were Dr. Grady Blount and Dr. Bao-An Li from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dr. David Brown and Dr. Joyce Miller from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Willie Edwards from the Department of Sociology, Dr. Dale Funderburk from the Department of Economics and Finance, Dr. Allan Headley from the Department of Chemistry, Dr. LaVelle Hendricks from Counseling, Dr. Mildred Pryor from Management, Dr. Kelly Reyna from the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith from the Department of Health and Human Performance, and Dr. Susan Stewart from the Department of Literature and Languages.
Dr. Sarah Rodriguez, an associate professor of Higher Education & Learning Technologies at Texas A&M University-Commerce, has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Barbara K. Townsend Emerging Scholar Award by the Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC). This award recognizes a new scholar for outstanding theoretical and/or applied research that contributes to the professional body of knowledge about community colleges; demonstrates excellence in teaching, advising, and/or mentoring; and integrates knowledge of teaching and service. Rodriguez will receive the award during the award luncheon on April 3 in Tempe, Arizona, at the 2020 CSCC Conference. Rodriguez earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership with a concentration on Mexican American Studies in 2015 from the University of Texas at Austin.
On February 18, Texas A&M University-Commerce hosted the Chancellor’s Summit on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards Ceremony at the Rayburn Student Center. “The purpose of the summit was to bring faculty and staff from the Texas A&M University System together to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion happening across all campuses,” said Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, associate professor of counseling at A&M-Commerce. Several faculty members from the system were chosen as honorees by A&M System presidents who best exemplified the work of diversity, equity and inclusion. Hendricks was the only A&M-Commerce faculty chosen for this honor. He joined 11 other system employees on the list of honorees. Dr. Mark Rudin, president and CEO of A&M-Commerce, was the master of ceremony. Dr. James Hallmark, vice-chancellor of academic affairs for the A&M System, was introduced as the guest speaker after dinner.
Dr. Katie Koo, an associate professor in higher education at Texas A&M University-Commerce, was awarded a $3,000 grant for her research topic “What Makes Them Distress?: Campus Climate and Mental Health among International Students.” Her sponsor is the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). Koo’s innovative research delves into mental health issues among underrepresented international students on campus. Earlier this year, Koo won the Emerging Scholars Award from her same sponsor, the ACPA. Koo earned her doctorate in student affairs from the University of Maryland in 2016.
The National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) has named Taylor Phelps the 2020 Rising Star Award winner. Phelps works at A&M-Commerce as the associate director for resource development and executive director of the Lion Champions Fund. He also oversees the Lion Sports Properties (corporate partnerships) and ticket sales. Phelps’ philanthropic success, which has generated over $400,000 in the 2019 fiscal year, reflects his gift for cultivating relationships both on and off campus. He focuses on identifying and engaging friends and alumni who wish to provide a “Best in Class” experience for Lion student-athletes. Phelps graduated from A&M-Commerce in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Health & Human Performance. He was also a Lions basketball player from 2009-2014. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri in 2016.
A&M-Commerce welcomes Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith as the new president of the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE). The mission of NAKHE is “to foster leadership in kinesiology administration and policy related to teaching, scholarship and service in higher education.” Tietjen-Smith previously served as NAKHE vice-president, as co-creator of the Department Head Certification Training (DHCT) program, and on the NAKHE board of directors. She began her two-year term on January 11, 2020. Tietjen-Smith is a professor and department head in the Department of Health and Human Performance at A&M-Commerce.
Alumni reception On February 14, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas A&M University-Commerce hosted the annual Home Economics and Family Consumer Science reception. At the event, the alumni group committed to raise a minimum of $1,000 per year to award to a student earning a teaching certificate in family and consumer science. This commitment is expected to last for at least five years. “The creation of the Family and Consumer Science Scholarship will help students for many years in the future,” said Dr. Randy Harp, dean of the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources.
Several Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni have been named Teachers of the Year at multiple Mesquite ISD campuses. Anita Kay Young from Mesquite Academy earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1984 her and Master of Education in Educational Administration in 1994 at East Texas State University, now A&M-Commerce. Misty Hurse Airborne, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2019 and Master of Education in Educational Administration in 2017, was named Teacher of the Year at Mary L. Moss elementary School. Courtnay Morgan earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2017 and was named the Smith Elementary Teacher of the Year. McKenzie Elementary named Jackie Gutierrez Martinez, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2010, as Teacher of the Year.
Josh Tremont, an alumnus of Texas A&M University-Commerce, will receive the Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award from the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration. He will be honored at a conference that will be held in conjunction with the Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter conference. Tremont earned his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from A&M-Commerce and currently serves as a principal in Laneville ISD. His dissertation chair and doctoral advisor was Dr. Nathan Templeton, Associate Professor and the Director of the Meadows Principal Leadership Institute in the Department of Educational Leadership at A&M-Commerce.
Texas A&M University-Commerce alumnus, Manoranjan “Mano” Mahadeva, was appointed to the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Mahadeva’s term is set to expire February 1, 2021. The council protects the health, welfare and safety of the people of Texas by licensing and regulating qualified practitioners of physical therapy and occupational therapy. Mahadeva earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Master of Business Administration in Management from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2000.
A recent article in the Dallas Business Journal highlighted D.W. Bobst’s fast-growing human resources outsourcing company in Rockwall, Texas. Bobst launched TrendHR in 1997, and after 22 years, the company reports around $175 million in revenue. One of the largest HR companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, TrendHR provides human resources services for companies across the globe. Bobst graduated from A&M-Commerce (ETSU) with a degree in marketing in 1990. He is an A&M-Commerce Distinguished Alumnus. Access the Dallas Business Journal article.
Rene’ Griffin Homecoming LCF Donor of the Game 2Mr. Rene Griffin may hold a record for the most consecutive homecoming games attended by an alumnus. This year, Griffin celebrated his 60th consecutive homecoming celebration. “I feel I have a very unique relationship with the university, having grown up in Commerce, and having so many different ties to the town for so many years,” Griffin said. “It was fantastic watching us win two national championships in football, plus getting close another time or two.” Griffin attended public school in Commerce and then continued his education at East Texas State. He has always been a true Lion, representing and supporting the university in many ways. As a student, he was a police officer with the University Police Department, president of Delta Tau Delta, and elected class favorite. Griffin majored in computer science, biology and math. He graduated from East Texas State in 1975.
A&M-Commerce alum Robert Earl Edison will serve as a distinguished visiting professor of American studies in racial and ethnic diversity at Oklahoma Christian University. “We are truly blessed that an award-winning historian and leader such as Robert Edison will bring his personal and professional experiences with civil rights history to OC’s College of Liberal Arts,” said Dr. Tina Winn of OCU. Edison was one of 18 former OCU students who participated in civil rights history by performing a 1960s sit-in at the school to stand up for students of color. Edison graduated from A&M-Commerce in 1999 with a Master of Science in History.
U.S. Representative Mike Conaway, an A&M-Commerce Distinguished Alum, recently announced his planned retirement from Congress. At the end of his service, Conaway will have served eight terms. According to a recent article, “Conaway reached the pinnacle of his career last year, when he moved the massive farm bill spending package through Congress. He also led the House investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. And as a member and certified public accountant he uncovered a massive fraud scandal at the House campaign arm during the 2008 cycle.” Conaway graduated from ETSU (now A&M-Commerce) with a BBA in Accounting. Read the full ARTICLE.
Michele Jones GalvinThe Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at A&M-Commerce hosted special guest speaker Michele Jones Galvin at Ferguson Auditorium on March 5. Galvin spoke to attendees and signed copies of her book, Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People. Following her speech at Ferguson Auditorium, the author attended a luncheon at Rayburn Student Center as well as a group discussion and book signing with A&M-Commerce faculty and students. Galvin and her mother, Joyce Stokes Jones, co-authored their creative work of nonfiction, which was published in 2013. The work is based on genealogical research and their family ties to Harriet Ross Tubman, a central figure of the Underground Railroad. It chronicles the family saga from the survival of the Middle Passage to slavery on the eastern shore of Maryland to freedom in Canada, and then settling in upstate New York. Told from the perspective of descendants, the book portrays the life, times and accomplishments of the famed abolitionist.
A recent Dallas Business Journal article highlighted A&M-Commerce as one of the top-ranked North Texas universities for its effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Educate to Career, a California-based education nonprofit, ranked four-year schools based on several factors to determine their adaptability “to life and learning during the COVID-19 crisis.” According to the article, the highest-ranked schools delivered their full curricula online and in-classroom and had at least three years of experience delivering online instruction. A&M-Commerce was ranked above Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University, among others. Read the Dallas Business Journal article.
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Mathematics hosted the 8th Annual Adventures in Mathematics (AIM) event on February 14, 2020 at the Rayburn Student Center. AIM—organized each year by the A&M-Commerce Department of Mathematics for high school math teachers and their students—includes a hands-on mathematics competition, breakout sessions and guest speakers. This year, 194 students and 25 teachers from eight area schools participated in the event, providing valuable exposure for the department and the College of Science and Engineering. The purpose of AIM is to increase students’ interest in learning mathematics while offering teachers methods, examples and stories that can be used in their classrooms.
A&M-Commerce President Mark Rudin and Associate Professor LaVelle Hendricks spoke with KETR about the new civility initiative on campus. Rudin explained that the civility initiative aims to create a campus environment where students feel comfortable, safe, healthy and included. Rudin also stated that the university’s focus on civility encourages everyone to think twice about how they interact with others, practicing good customer service in order to support students and help them succeed. Listen to the full KETR interview.
The A&M-Commerce Department of Counseling was recently featured in the Dallas Morning News for its innovative partnership with Mesquite ISD (MISD). The counseling department provides free services to students and parents in MISD. Around 15 interns from A&M-Commerce currently provide the services, but demand is so high that the program plans to add an additional 20 interns in January. After earning a graduate degree, individuals who plan to become licensed professional counselors must complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate counseling work. The MISD partnership allows interns to complete these hours while providing valuable counseling services to students and their parents. In Mesquite, nearly 80 percent of students in the district are low-income, so the need is great for low-cost counseling options. Read the full Dallas Morning News article.
A&M-Commerce College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) faculty played key roles in organizing the 2019 Swine Skillathon at the State Fair of Texas, and several CASNR student volunteers were instrumental to the successful mechanics of the contest. Several students also assisted with the State Fair of Texas Collegiate and Youth Livestock Judging Contests on October 7 and the State Fair of Texas Youth Dairy Judging Contest on October 12. Student volunteers included: Athena Castagna, Nevada Breanna White, Cookville Cherise Davis, Glenn Heights Colleen Hooge, Lindale Damon Donald, Emory De’Kyra Thomas, Oak Cliff Emily Jennings, Maud Emily Joie, Denison Harley Limmer, Merit John Lewis, Mineola Kambrie Hogue, Celeste Kasey Curtin, Quinlan Kathrine Bivens, Lake Worth Kelsie Kennon, Blue Ridge Kris Barr, Bonham Minnie Denson, Gilmer Montana Clark, Campbell Paige Perry, McAlester, OK Presli Cummings, Pickton Rory Curtin, Greenville Tara Newhouse, McKinney Thomas Aquino, San Jose, CA Tori Copeland, Greenville

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