ETAMU Welcomes More than 700 New Alumni

A total of 756 East Texas A&M University students were awarded their degrees and became the newest crop of Lion alumni during commencement ceremonies held on August 8 and 9 in Commerce.

Graduates, their families and friends filled the university’s Field House during three ceremonies held over the weekend. In addition to the academic degrees, one honorary doctoral degree was awarded to Distinguished Alumni and former administrator R. Scott Wheeler. Wheeler is a 1980 graduate of what was then known as East Texas State University. He has more than 35 years of business experience, serving as president, CFO and board member at multiple public and private companies. He taught courses at East Texas A&M as an adjunct faculty member for more than a decade, and in 2023 was named interim dean of the university’s College of Business, a position he held until 2025. Wheeler was officially awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.

Commencement speakers across the three ceremonies included Tatiana Chamorro-Rivers, a 2016 and 2020 graduate and co-founder of Toucan Cocktails, Kallie deVeer, who graduated last weekend with a B.S. in Kinesiology, and Kamron Ayers, who graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies degree.

See photos from Summer 2025 graduation at our online photo gallery.

Featured photo: Graduation ceremonies were held August 8 and 9 in the university Field House | Photo by East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications.