Dr. Donna Walker-Nixon, 1979 graduate from East Texas State University and recipient of the Minnie Stevens Piper Award, has co-edited a collection of fiction, poetry, art, songs, photos and creative non-fiction entitled “Her Texas.” The anthology is multicultural, multiethnic and…

Gary Panter, the Emmy award-winning artist and East Texas State University alumnus, was awarded a New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Fellowship. The NYFA was established in 1971, to help support artists by providing cash grants and other resources.…

A&M-Commerce is set to host the 32nd Annual Alumni Ambassador Forum and Luncheon, an annual event that recognizes alumni who have excelled in their chosen career paths by inviting them to serve as ambassadors for a day. Departments across campus…

Texas A&M University-Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 10 to dedicate the recently built equine pavilion to Mary Bonham, now named the Mary Bonham Equine Pavilion. “One of the great joys that Jalinna and I have experienced since…

Alumnus Tadd Myers has a new book out entitled, “Portraits of the American Craftsman.” It is a beautiful collection of photographs documenting small business owners, those who put a piece of themselves into their products, highlighting the meticulous, loving details…

J. Walter Kutz, an alumnus of East Texas State University and an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, continues to nurture the passion he developed at our university and translates it into his work…

Alumnus Ronnie Allman recently submitted a short film to Project Greenlight, the incredibly popular directing contest helmed by Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Most people would be intimidated by the odds, but Allman is definitely not one of…

At this year's Royal Roar, Ms. Yvonne Clements was inducted into the Rayburn Society, an honor reserved for donors who have contributed over $100,000 to the university. “My goal is to help whenever and however I can, and I definitely…

All of Professor Josephine Durkin's students receive a list of galleries and museums they must visit. There is a simple lesson in her list: “You have to show up.” What she means is that becoming an artist is about becoming…

Even in an extended recession, the university's literature and languages department can claim a 100 percent placement ratio for doctoral students. Mary Couzelis, who defended her dissertation this spring, was hired as a tenure-track professor of children's literature at Morgan…

Bill O'Neal was reappointed as Texas State Historian by Governor Rick Perry on Sept. 5. The Carthage native received his bachelor's and master's degrees in history from East Texas State University, and he was also awarded an honorary doctorate from…

It's always great to see members of the Lion pride breaking down barriers and making history. Just a little over a year ago, Dr. Sherilyn Emberton did just that. In April of 2013, she was elected the 13th president of…

In April 2014, Editor & Publisher recognized Tommy Felts as one of its “25 Under 35,” a list of young journalists reinventing the newspaper industry. Felts, the 2003-2004 editor of the university's newspaper, The East Texan, is now the managing…

The Alumni Association of Texas A&M University-Commerce honored eight new Distinguished Alumni and four new Gold Blazers at their annual Alumni Awards Gala on Saturday, May 3, 2014. The Alumni Awards Gala, held at the university's Sam Rayburn Student Center,…

“The first class I never slept in was a photography class,” Alumni Ambassador Erin Trieb tells an enraptured standing-room-only audience in the Hall of Languages. Trieb talks about flipping through John Loengard's “Life Photographers: What They Saw” and knowing that…

Situated in historic downtown Marshall, Texas, the offices of Siebman, Burg, Phillips & Smith reside in a building called The Hub. From the outside, it is easy to mistake the structure for an old shoe store. “This was the Hub…

The National Science Foundation has named Andrew Dahir, a Texas A&M University-Commerce alumnus, as a recipient of a 2014 Graduate Research Fellowship. The fellowship program recognizes and supports students in research-based master's and doctoral degree programs in the areas of…

The university flag flew at half staff Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in memory of Dr. Fred A. Tarpley, who passed away March 1, 2014. Dr. Tarpley was employed by the university from 1957 until his retirement in 1992 and was…

Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Barry B. Thompson, died March 1, 2014. Dr. Thompson received a master's degree from this institution and served from 1975-1982 as department head and later as vice president for academic affairs. He left to assume the presidency…

The university hosted the 31st Annual Alumni Ambassador Forum. Honored alumni invited by each department gave talks, visited classrooms and shared their experiences with current faculty members and students. Alumni ambassadors for the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts…

The Frisco Independent School District is building its eighth high school which is projected to open in fall 2015. On Feb. 10, the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name the school after Dr. Rick Reedy, the long…

Texas A&M University-Commerce alumna, NoViolet Bulawayo, has had her name placed on the shortlist of finalists for yet another international literary award. The Etisalat Prize for Literature celebrates first time African writers of published fiction books, and if she wins,…

Dr. Bob Williams, associate professor of agricultural science and technology at A&M-Commerce, has been named an inductee into The Texas A&M University System's Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators. The academy acknowledges individuals who exhibit excellence in teaching and is supported…

The McKinney Avenue Contemporary (The MAC) will show “Believe It Anyway!”—five stories from the Christian Bible presented in a series of silent short films—on Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m. in the Heldt/Hall Theater. The films were created by A&M-Commerce Marketing…

“My grandmother took me out into a field to paint bluebonnets,” alumna and decorated artist Jo Ann Durham tells me as I follow her into her studio. “My grandmother is the one who got me started. All of this is…

The Alumni Association of Texas A&M University-Commerce, Inc. revealed plans to build a brick garden in honor of the university's upcoming 125th Anniversary. “It's about legacy, it's about paying it forward,” says Derryle Peace, director of alumni relations. “The garden…

Beating out back-to-back winner Texas Tech, A&M-Commerce secured the right to fly the university's flag over the Hopkins County Courthouse in Sulphur Springs after alumni placed the winning bid of $4,750 during the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation's “Fly Your…

It's rare to find someone willing and able to give up an organ to save your life. It's even rarer when that person is your husband. A&M-Commerce alumna, Tiffany Mathias Peek was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2010. She…

A&M-Commerce and its Department of Art recognized award-winning artist and alumna Jo Ann Durham with a reception in her honor on Nov. 2. The event, which was a part of the university's 2013 Homecoming festivities, took place in the President's…

It is always an honor when alumni remember the university and choose to invest in the education and professional development of future Lions. Yvonne Polson Clements, who owns and operates Clements Oil in Atlanta, Texas, has given generously to the…

Ronnie Allman, a Rowlett native, received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Direction from A&M-Commerce in May 2011. Now this first-time filmmaker can add a new feather to his cap as one of five winners of Canon's Project…

The Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association will be hosting two receptions for alumni in coming weeks. The first will be for alumni living in Hopkins County on November 9 from 1:30-4:00 p.m. to take place at the Alumni Center on…

Before reading from his most recent novel, “The Stolen Bride,” A&M-Commerce alumnus Tony Hays tells his audience, “I first came to this campus in 1981. Back then I was working housing. A few years later I came back to get…

Literature and languages alumna, Dr. Lori Doddy, was promoted to Tarrant County College-South Campus's Dean of Humanities. Prior to joining TCC South, she was Assistant Dean for the Division of Communications, Math, Developmental Studies, Teacher Preparation and Learning Center Programs…

By Rachel Evans Today Texas A&M University-Commerce announced their Homecoming 2013 theme: “Our Pride Cannot Be Tamed.” This circus-themed week will take place Sunday, October 27 through Saturday, November 2 and will be open to university faculty, staff, and students,…

Ronnie Allman, a Rowlett native, received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Direction from A&M-Commerce in May 2011. Now this first-time filmmaker can add a new feather to his cap as one of five winners of Canon’s Project…

The Royal Roar, hosted by the Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation and A&M-Commerce President Dan Jones, will be held October 4, 2013 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway in Dallas, Texas. The Royal Roar is an evening dedicated…

Tony Hays, author of The Arthurian Mysteries sequence, will launch the Department of Literature and Languages' literary series at A&M-Commerce with a reading of his fiction in room 203 of the Hall of Languages on Monday, Sept. 16 at 7:30…

A&M-Commerce alumna, NoViolet Bulawayo, has been shortlisted for one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards, the Man Booker Prize. This is an outstanding achievement.…

On Friday September 13, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lion football team will be traveling to Arlington to play at the AT&T Stadium for a Lone Star Conference game. The game will be part of the Lone Star Football Festival, and…

Dr. Lance Weldy, doctoral alumnus from the Department of Literature and Languages, recently co-edited a special issue of Children's Literature Quarterly; his book credits also include “Crossing Textual Boundaries in International Children's Literature” (2011) and a casebook study, “C.S. Lewis:…

Jan Walker, a former professor in A&M-Commerce's Business Administration & Management Information Systems department, has been conferred the title of “Professor Emerita,” signifying her long and distinguished service to the university. President Dan R. Jones presented Walker with a certificate…

Texas A&M University-Commerce's 2013 Lion Safari Tour will be stopping to visit Austin on June 18 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Austin Club and the Mount Pleasant ISD Central Support Office on June 27 from 5:30-7:30 pm. Please note: the…

An East Texas Boy Makes a Big City Difference With a colorful professional and personal story, as well as an unparalleled devotion to service, Fred Allen has become an iconic mentor and friend to some of the most powerful men…

A Professor’s Influence, A Parent’s Love Dr. Debra Nelson is a powerhouse. After a superlative career in education with roles as a teacher, principal, and the upper echelon of administration, she is now the Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum Development for…

Professor of Finance, recently had work abstracted by the Chartered Financial Analyst Review which is the top financial practitioner periodical in the profession. In addition, he has been cited by the Washington Post and Huffington Post.…

Judge Demetra Robinson, of the Commerce Municipal Court, began her educational career in the way of many. As an 18-year-old mother with low self-esteem and increasing obligations on her and husband John's time, college didn't seem feasible. Later, after a…

The McKinney Avenue Contemporary art gallery in Dallas recently celebrated Michael Miller's 20-year career as an influential artist, painting professor, and Director of Studio Art Graduate Studies at A&M-Commerce with a show entitled, Out of Commerce. The artists who showed…

Stan McKee, Senior Manager of Customer Relations for Oncor and member of the board of directors for the Community Health Service Agency, Inc. of Hunt County, is not only the incoming president of the Alumni Board, he's also a tried-and-true…

Zachary Shirley, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, is a stranger to no one. His outgoing personality and exuberance for his role at A&M-Commerce are truly infectious, and he has the perfect amount of energy for leading a successful…