Alumni Engagement News
Jason Johnson Named Assistant Superintendent of HR for Allen ISD
Allen High School principal Jason Johnson accepted a new role as assistant superintendent of human resources for Allen ISD. Johnston earned his doctoral and master's degrees from A&M-Commerce. Read the full article in the Allen American.…
Summer Carlton to Lead Federal Programs and Student Performance at Franklin Special School District
Summer Carlton will become the supervisor of Federal Programs and Student Performance for Franklin Special School District in Franklin, Tennessee. Carlton holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration from A&M-Commerce, and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architectural Studies…
Cami Patzkowski Named Principal of Stillwater Elementary
Cami Patzkowski was named Sangre Ridge Elementary principal in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on May 21. Patzkowski has been an educator for 22 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Oklahoma State University and a master's degree in…
A&M-Commerce Alum Named Principal in Katy ISD
Shannon Smith was recently named principal of Shafer Elementary in Katy Independent School District. Smith received her bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and her master's degree from A&M-Commerce.…

First Graduates of A&M-Commerce Electrical Engineering Program Announced
A&M-Commerce alums Charlie Didear and Craig Anderson made history this month as the university's first two electrical engineering graduates.
Dr. Andrea Graham, head of the Department of Engineering and Technology, and faculty member Patrick Carter recently presented them with commemorative…
ETSU Alum Publishes Article in Shared Governance in Higher Education
Dr. Cliff L. Wood, president emeritus of Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, recently published an essay in the journal Shared Governance in Higher Education, a publication by The State University of New York Press.
The article, “Shared Governance:…

A&M-Commerce Alumnus Leads Texas’ Emergency Response to COVID-19
Distinguished Texas A&M University-Commerce alumnus Chief W. Nim Kidd is a leader in Texas' response to COVID-19. As chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Kidd serves as one of Governor Greg Abbott's closest advisors in the fight…

Former Lion Football Student-Athlete Endows Scholarship
Texas A&M University-Commerce and Lion Athletics are proud to announce the establishment of a new endowed scholarship supporting Lion student-athletes.
The scholarship was endowed with a leadership gift to the A&M-Commerce Foundation. This endowed scholarship will benefit student-athletes in good…

A&M-Commerce Graduate Shows Heart for Teaching During COVID-19 Pandemic
Jamie Allen, a Texas A&M University-Commerce alumna from Rowlett, Texas was recently featured on nbcdfw.com when a parent caught a heartwarming photo of her interacting with a student through the glass of their front door.
Allen graduated from A&M-Commerce in…

A&M-Commerce Public Health Alumni Making an Impact in Fight Against COVID-19
While the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic in many different ways, former Texas A&M University-Commerce public health students are helping their communities on the front lines and gaining first-hand experience in their fields.
Edward Monroy is a 2019 graduate from…

Generous Donation from A&M-Commerce Alums will Fund Lyday Gardens Renovation
Lyday Gardens at A&M-Commerce will undergo a major renovation this year, thanks to generous support from alumni Gary and Sandra Fernandes. The couple visited campus on February 19 to sign a gift agreement that will bring the project to life.…

Mark and Kelly Clayton establish education scholarship for aspiring teachers
Mark
and Kelly Clayton visited Texas A&M University-Commerce on February 5 to
establish the Clayton Legacy Scholarship for Education. The renewable scholarship
benefits full-time undergraduate students who are seeking teacher certification
at A&M-Commerce.
In
part, the Claytons chose A&M-Commerce because…

Home Economics & Family Consumer Science alumni join at 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…
A&M-Commerce alums named campus teachers of the year in Mesquite ISD
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…
A&M-C alum publishes book on recovery methods of the opioid crisis
Dr. Michael J. Murphy Jr., an alumnus of Texas A&M University–Commerce, has released his latest book, “Opioid Odyssey.” Murphy is a licensed psychologist, neuropsychologist, and forensic psychologist who has been providing and overseeing mental health services in correctional, psychiatric, and…

Kelly Clarkson Surprises A&M-Commerce Alum with Life-Changing Gift
Kelly Clarkson recently invited first-grade teacher and A&M-Commerce alum Eric Hale to her show. Hale is the 2019 recipient of the Queen Smith Award, which recognizes a top urban educator in the country. In the interview, Eric revealed that he…
A&M-Commerce alum Eric Hale named one of two Dallas ISD Teachers of the Year
Dallas ISD teacher and A&M-Commerce alum Eric Hale was recently named one of the two Dallas ISD Teachers of the Year for 2019-20. Hale teaches at David G. Burnet Elementary School and received his master’s in education from A&M-Commerce. He…

Free Tuition and More to be Given Away During ‘Fill the Field House Weekend’
A big week is here for Lion Athletics at Texas A&M University-Commerce as the Lion men's and women's basketball teams gear up for “Fill the Field House Weekend.”
On Thursday, January
30 and Saturday, February 1, the teams will play…
A&M-Commerce Alumnus, Professor Given Outstanding Dissertation Award from TCPEA
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…

A&M-Commerce to Host Inaugural Southern Gospel Brunch Event
UPDATE: EVENT CANCELLED
The inaugural “Southern Gospel Brunch: Celebrating African-American Heritage” event is set for February 8 at the Sam Rayburn Student Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.
The event is being
organized by the Office of Intercultural…
Manoranjan Mahadeva Appointed to Executive Council by Governor Greg Abbott
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…
A&M-Commerce Alum Featured in Dallas Business Journal
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…

Lion Alum Attends 60th Homecoming at A&M-Commerce
Mr. 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…

A&M-Commerce Alumna Receives Meritorious Service Award
A&M-Commerce alumna, Dr. Sangeeta Singg, recently received a meritorious service award in honor of ten years of outstanding leadership as president of the Psychological Association of Greater West Texas. Singg is a professor of psychology at Angelo State University. She…

A&M-Commerce Grad Named Top Urban Teacher in the Nation
“If you are coming from a traumatic, impoverished situation, you are my family.”
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Just three years ago, Dallas first-grade teacher Eric Hale earned his master's degree in education from Texas A&M University-Commerce to advance his career.…
Alum Maricia Johns Featured in USA Today Publication
A&M-Commerce alum Maricia Johns was featured in the 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the “USA Today Best Years Magazine.” In the article, “Embracing Midlife: Look Forward to Your 50s and Beyond with Power and Purpose,” Johns, a writer, blogger and college…

Distinguished Alumnus Ben Scholz Attends Ceremony at White House
A&M-Commerce Distinguished Alumnus Ben Scholz visited the White House on October 7, 2019, to attend the signing ceremony for trade agreements with Japan. President Donald Trump led the proceedings. Scholz serves as president for the National Association of Wheat Growers.…

Oncor Electric Delivery Company Presents Check to A&M-Commerce for Agriculture Scholarship Endowment
Oncor Electric Delivery Company representatives visited
A&M-Commerce on September 27 to present a check in support of the Dr. Roger
& Mrs. Jean Arnold Agriculture Scholarship Endowment.
The contribution marks the continuation of a
long-standing partnership between Oncor and the…
A&M-Commerce Alumni Address Congressmen in Washington D.C.
Two noteworthy A&M-Commerce alumni, U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway '70 and Ben
Scholz '70, addressed congressmen
in Washington D.C. in September regarding
U.S. agriculture needs. Conaway is a previous chair of the National Agriculture Committee, and Scholz serves on the National…
Dr. Phil Gilbreath Retires after 52 Years of Service
Dr. Phil Gilbreath,
A&M-Commerce (ETSU) alumnus, retired from Garland ISD after 52 years
of service. Gilbreath served as the career and technical education director
for the district. He received numerous awards and accolades throughout his
career, including Texas' Career and…
Recent Doctoral Graduate Receives ALER Dissertation Award for 2019
Dr. Elaine Vallie,
a recent graduate of the curriculum and instruction program at
A&M-Commerce, received the Dissertation
Award for 2019 from the Association
of Literacy Educators and Researchers. Vallie's dissertation is titled
“Middle School Librarians' Perceptions and Promotion of Lesbian,…
Robert Earl Edison to serve as Distinguished Visiting Professor at Oklahoma Christian University
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…
Kelli Stewart Selected as Superintendent of North Lamar ISD
After a unanimous vote by the board of trustees, Kelli Stewart was named the lone
finalist for the North Lamar ISD
superintendent position. Stewart has 22 years of experience in public
education. She received her Master of
Science in Counseling…
Alum Willis Johnson Inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame
A&M-Commerce alum,
Willis Johnson, was inducted into
the Texas Radio Hall of Fame for
2019. Johnson is a veteran broadcaster at KKDA-AM (730) in Dallas. He is recognized
for his contributions to the entertainment industry as well as for his…
A&M-Commerce Alum Mike Conaway to Retire from Congress
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…
A&M-COMMERCE ALUMNA NAMED INTERIM CFO AT TARLETON STATE
Lori Beaty has been named interim chief financial officer and vice president for the Division of Finance and Administration at Tarleton State University, effective September 1, 2019. Beaty earned her accounting degree from A&M-Commerce in 1997.…
A&M-COMMERCE ALUM NAMED LONE FINALIST IN CEDAR HILL ISD SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
Cedar Hill ISD chose Dr. Gerald Hudson as the lone finalist for superintendent of schools on July 2. The Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees will wait 21 days before voting to hire Hudson, in accordance with the law. Hudson…
A&M-Commerce Alumna Voted Teacher of the Year
Debra Howard was recently voted Teacher of the Year for her
campus, Houston Middle School of Garland Independent School District. In
addition to this honor, she was named Secondary Teacher of the Year and will
represent Garland ISD in the…

Mexia High School Class of 1959 Establishes Endowed Scholarship at A&M-Commerce
Mexia High School Class of 1959 presented $45,000 to A&M-Commerce in June 2019 to establish an endowed scholarship fund for future Lions from Mexia, Texas. The town of Mexia, population 7,500, is located 150 miles southwest of A&M-Commerce.
The Mexia…
Alumna Receives Award for Excellence in Secondary Education
Alumna Debra Jones (Dixon) won the Singer Family Award for Excellence in Secondary Education from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, in May 2019. She was nominated by her former student, Dominique James, from Bryan Adams High School…
President Rudin Throws First Pitch at Texas Rangers TAMUC Day
Nearly 600 Lions flocked to Globe Life Stadium in Arlington on
Sunday, June 2, for TAMUC Day at the
Texas Rangers game. President Mark
Rudin threw the ceremonial first pitch of the game that ended with a
Rangers win over…
Alumni Selected for Principals Fellows Program
A&M-Commerce alumni Amanda Lowe and Robert Cruthird were accepted into the Texas Tech Principal Fellows Program. Through this program, they will receive mentorships from principals as well as Texas Tech faculty coaches, in addition to a fully-funded master's degree in…
Notable Alumnus Receives Two Honors
Lion alumnus Derald Bulls was recently honored with the Lamar County Lifetime Achievement Award, making him only the second person to be presented this award. The award honors Bulls' resolute dedication to his community. In addition to this award, Bulls…

Continuing the Arnold Legacy
Dr. Roger
and Mrs. Jean Arnold have dedicated their lives to education, graduating from
the East Texas State Teacher's College and spending their careers pouring
knowledge into their students. We're honored to continue to share their legacy
and commitment to…
A&M-Commerce Alum Graduates Twice in One Weekend
Incredibly, A&M-Commerce alum Matthew Pinaud graduated twice in one weekend. He graduated from A&M-Commerce on Saturday, May 11 with his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and from Officer Candidate School on Sunday, May 12 as an officer in the United…
Alumnus Publishes Book on Technology
Dr. Mickey Slimp, an alumnus of Texas A&M University-Commerce, published a book titled “How the Internet of Things is Changing Our Colleges, Our Classrooms, and Our Students.” Slimp received his Ed.D. in Educational Technology in 1986 from East Texas State…

Thurman Family Agricultural Endowment to Benefit Agriculture Students
The Thurman Family Agricultural Endowment at Texas A&M University-Commerce has been established by Steve and Kelly Thurman. The endowment will benefit students majoring in agribusiness and those participating on the Livestock and Meat Judging Teams. Steve is an alumnus of…
A&M-Commerce Office of Institutional Advancement Releases Planned Giving Video
The office of Institutional Advancement recently released a video to build public awareness for their Planned Giving program. The video explains some of the different ways to give and invites people to join The Society of 1889, which recognizes any…

Nathan and June Finke Gift Nursing School Students with Endowed Scholarship
Mr.
and Mrs. Nathan and June Finke visited
campus on April 11 to sign an endowment agreement that will benefit nursing school
students at A&M-Commerce. The Dr. Omer F. and Nell Kirkpatrick Endowed
Scholarship is the third endowment that the…
ETSU Alum Named Little Rock Police Chief
East Texas State University alum Keith Humphrey was recently named police chief for Little Rock, Arkansas. Humphrey graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from ETSU, now A&M-Commerce.…