A&M-Commerce Alum Elected Mayor of Northeast Texas City
Recent Texas A&M University-Commerce graduate Justin Florence was elected to the office of Mayor of Palestine, Texas in a special runoff election held June 18, 2022. Florence received 56.22 percent of the vote during the runoff and will serve a two-year term. He graduated from A&M-Commerce in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership. A 1995 graduate of Palestine High School, Florence is a lifelong resident of the city, and has served as a paramedic for more than 20 years, in addition to serving as a health science teacher at Palestine High School since 2016. Florence began his campaign for Mayor after being first elected to the City Council in 2021. Palestine is the county seat of Anderson County and is home to more than 18,000 people. The election results will be officially canvassed on June 27.
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Recent ETAMU Music Graduate Wins National Competition
East Texas A&M University alum and percussionist DJ Talbot recently took first place at the Black Swamp Percussion Solo & Ensemble Showcase.
A Lambskin Legacy: What a 19th-Century Diploma Reveals About East Texas A&M’s Early Days
An alumnus recently discovered a rare diploma from 1897 and brought it back to East Texas A&M. The artifact provides a fascinating glimpse into the earliest days of our university.
Outstanding Alumni Honored at East Texas A&M Awards Gala
The Alumni Association hosted the 2025 Alumni Awards Gala on April 26 to honor six exceptional Lions whose lives reflect a deep commitment to service, leadership and the university community.