College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts News

MFA Student’s Artwork Featured in Region-Wide Exhibition in Dallas
A current graduate student's artwork is featured in an ongoing exhibition showcasing outstanding pieces from MFA students across the region.

A Fitting Tribute to a Life Devoted to Music Education: ETAMU Formally Dedicates the Cheryl Childers Lewis Concert Hall
Hundreds gathered in the East Texas A&M University Music Building to honor the memory of a Lion alumna and take in a stirring performance by several ensembles of the School of Music as the university formally dedicated the Cheryl Childers Lewis Concert Hall.

Former Student and World-Renowned Chef Stephan Pyles Visits with ETAMU Community in Return to Commerce
A former Lion student and award-winning chef recently spoke to East Texas A&M University students about his journey through Commerce and what led him to become one of the most notable chefs in America.

Lion Student Hits the High Notes During Summer Opera Program in Italy
East Texas A&M University senior music major Lynzie Van Fleet recently returned from a month-long stay in Italy, where she performed opera and honed her craft as a musician.

Department of Art to Host Traveling Exhibition Celebrating the Gentling Brothers’ Iconic Bird Art
The Art Department will host "Of Birds and Texas," a free traveling exhibition celebrating the acclaimed bird art and legacy of the Gentling brothers.

ETAMU Photography Student Featured in NASA Article on Impactful Interns
ETAMU photography major Morgan Gridley was recently featured in an article by NASA highlighting her work at the Johnson Space Center.

ETAMU Professor Says 2026 FIFA World Cup Is Transforming Soccer Culture in the U.S.
After attending four FIFA World Cup tournaments spanning more than 30 years, East Texas A&M professor Robert Rodriguez shares why this year's tournament marks a turning point for soccer in America.

Dr. Elizabeth Janzen Makes Debut as ETAMU School of Music Director
A new maestra is taking the podium at the East Texas A&M University School of Music.

Two Lion Alumni Appointed to State Posts by Governor Abbott
A pair of East Texas A&M University graduates were recently appointed to state-level oversight positions by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

ETAMU Percussion Ensemble Wins Prestigious International Competition
The East Texas A&M University Percussion Ensemble stands on top of their discipline as one of three university winners of the Percussive Arts Society's International Percussion Ensemble Competition.

Robert E. Howard Scholars Gather as East Texas A&M Takes Helm of The Dark Man Journal
East Texas A&M launched a new era of The Dark Man journal with an international conference celebrating Robert E. Howard's literary legacy.

Alumna Featured on “Influential Women” Platform for Work with Dallas’ Reunion Tower
East Texas A&M University graduate Jenna Guinn was recently featured in a press release by "Influential Women," a publishing platform where women from all backgrounds can connect, share their perspectives, and create content that empowers themselves and others.

Applied Economics Program to Join College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts at ETAMU
The B.S. in Applied Economics program is set to shift to the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts (CHSSA) in Fall 2026.

ETAMU Becomes New Home of Robert E. Howard Journal, Announces June 20 Conference
East Texas A&M becomes the new home of The Dark Man—a journal dedicated to Robert E. Howard, the father of modern sword-and-sorcery fiction—and launches its next chapter with a free public conference.

A Lasting Legacy in Music: East Texas A&M’s Concert Hall Renamed in Honor of Cheryl Childers Lewis
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved the renaming of East Texas A&M University’s concert hall in honor of Cheryl Childers Lewis, a Lion alumna whose lifelong dedication to music education continues to inspire students today.

Leaving Their Mark: Graduating Artists Unveil New Lion Mural at East Texas A&M
Before graduating, art students Sloan Rogers and Cassidy Allarah Steele completed one final project—a mural designed to remind students they belong.

East Texas A&M Celebrates Class of 2026 with Milestone Commencement Weekend
Amidst cheers and applause, 1,586 graduates turned their tassels to mark the transition from students to proud East Texas A&M University alumni this weekend.

Music Student Named to National Flute Association Choir
East Texas A&M University flutist Lyn Hoang was recently named to the National Flute Association's Professional Flute Choir.

AI 75 Honors ETAMU Professor for Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Christian F. Hempelmann has been selected as one of the 2026 AI 75 Innovators in DFW for his contributions to AI research, education, and industry collaboration.

Annual Research Symposium Showcases Record Student Participation and Honors Top Scholars
More than 177 student presenters made this year’s Annual Research Symposium the largest in the event's seven-year history, underscoring the institution’s growing research impact.

Honoring Excellence: Meet the 2026 Alumni Ambassador Awardees
The annual Alumni Ambassador Forum gives ETAMU alumni an opportunity to connect with and encourage current students.

ETAMU Opera Debuts “Seussical the Musical,” Continues Performances Through April 12
East Texas A&M University’s School of Music opened its production of “Seussical the Musical” on April 9 in the Finney Concert Hall of the Music Building.

Students Showcase Artwork, Take Home Awards at Annual Juried Exhibition
Several East Texas A&M University Art majors are currently showcasing their work at the University Gallery as part of the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.

Lion Students Take Home Several Awards from 2026 Addys
A total of eight East Texas A&M University Visual Communication students received recognition at the AAF Dallas’ annual Addy Awards.

ETAMU Music Faculty Member Gives Piano Concert at National Music Museum
East Texas A&M University’s Dr. Luis Sanchez wowed audiences with a guest performance at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, on March 6.

East Texas A&M Professor Leads Statewide Project Highlighting Women in Texas History
To honor Women’s History Month, East Texas A&M celebrates a decade of the work of Dr. Jessica Brannon-Wranosky, who serves as founding project director for the “Handbook of Texas Women.”

World-Renowned Percussionist Michael Burritt Performs with ETAMU Students
Students in the School of Music at ETAMU performed alongside one of the world’s leading percussionists as Michael Burritt joined the university’s percussion program for a special guest residency and concert.

ET Student Breaks Barriers as First Lion Participant in System-Wide Washington D.C. Internship Program
Da’Mya Walker, a political science major at East Texas A&M, is spending the semester in Washington, D.C. through the Public Policy Scholars Program.

East Texas A&M Online Programs Ranked Among the Best in Texas and the Nation
East Texas A&M is making a name for itself in online education, earning national recognition from U.S. News & World Report.

ET Alum Retiring Following Nearly Six Decades of Teaching
East Texas A&M University alum James “Larry” Story is finally hanging up his hat, retiring from teaching following a 59-year career at Tarrant County College.

ETAMU President’s Gallery Showcasing Professor Emeritus’ Photography
The University Gallery at East Texas A&M University is pleased to announce Chaddy Dean Smith: A Retrospective.

Alum Tabbed to Lead Union Grove ISD as Next Superintendent
Alumnus Greg Bower was named the lone finalist for the position of superintendent of the Union Grove Independent School District.

School of Music Gets Crowds in the Spirit of the Season at Annual Holiday Gala
The East Texas A&M University School of Music wowed patrons with its annual showcase of seasonal tunes at the annual Holiday Gala.

Music Alumna Reaches Regional Round of National Piano Competition
An alumna from the ETAMU School of Music recently qualified for the Division Finals of the Music Teachers National Association Southwest Division Young Artist Piano Competition.

University Gallery Showcasing Faculty Talents at Biennial Exhibition
The Department of Art at ETAMU is pleased to announce the Art Faculty Biennial Exhibition, on view from November 17, 2025, to February 6, 2026, in The University Gallery.

Pride Marching Band Showcases Its Talents for State Marching Contest Audience
The ETAMU Pride Marching Band recently wowed crowds with an exhilarating exhibition performance at the UIL 5A State Marching Contest.

History Faculty Member Elected to Leadership Role with National Organization
Associate Professor Mylynka Cardona, Ph.D., was recently elected vice president and president-elect of the Society for the History of Discoveries.

Graduate Student named Teacher of Promise in Dallas ISD
East Texas A&M graduate student Adrian Anderson, who is pursuing a master's in Spanish, was recently named Teacher of Promise in Dallas ISD.

Award-Winning Author Reavis Z. Wortham Visits East Texas A&M to Inspire Future Writers
East Texas A&M’s Department of Literature and Languages welcomed alumnus and acclaimed novelist Reavis Z. Wortham to campus on Nov. 10 for a special reading from his latest work, Comancheria.

School of Music Shares the Magic of Music in Concert for Area Children
Several ensembles from ETAMU's School of Music performed for more than 1,500 children from Greenville, Caddo Mills, Bland, and Celeste at a free concert at the historic Greenville Municipal Auditorium in Greenville, Texas.

A Meme About Nothing: Professor Featured in Washington Post Article on Viral ‘6–7’ Meme
East Texas A&M University Professor Salvatore Attardo, Ph.D, was recently featured in a Washington Post article discussing the linguistics and origin of the trending “6-7” meme.

Art Faculty Interviewed for CNN Article on Resurgence of Cowboy Fashion
Associate Professor of Art History and University Gallery Director Melynda Seaton, Ph.D., was featured in a CNN article discussing the recent rise of cowboy and western fashion in America.

Alum and Current Graduate Student Crowned Miss Dallas 2026
Current East Texas A&M University graduate student and alumna A'Jah Moore was recently crowned Miss Dallas 2026.

Music Student Receives Scholarship from International Organization
East Texas A&M University music major Bella Zitzelberger was recently named the recipient of the Sara Eikenberry Voice Undergraduate Scholarship.

School of Music Inviting Prospective Students to Live the Life of a ‘Lion For a Day’
The School of Music at East Texas A&M aims to give future students a taste of the Lion experience with its “Lion For a Day” program.

ETAMU Faculty Receives 2025-2027 Texas OER Grant
Dr. Flavia Belpoliti, associate professor and director of Spanish graduate studies at East Texas A&M University, recently received a grant worth more than $16,000 to develop course curricula based on Open Educational Resources.

ETAMU Alumnus Named RISD Elementary Teacher of the Year
Richardson Independent School District named East Texas A&M alumnus Dylan Kirk both a Superior Teaching Achievements in RISD Schools (STARS) Teacher and the 2025 RISD Elementary Teacher of the Year.

ETAMU’s University Gallery Hosting International Artist Exhibition
The University Gallery at East Texas A&M University is pleased to announce our latest exhibition, "Dan Jian: Library of Partial Things."

Piano Faculty Judging Prestigious International Competition
Dr. Luis Sanchez, professor of music at East Texas A&M University, was invited to serve as a panelist for the 2025 Rubato International Piano Competition

Computational Linguistics Professor Featured in Article About A.I.-Created Humor
Dr. Christian Hempelmann, professor of computational linguistics at East Texas A&M University, was recently featured in an article by Undark Magazine discussing the science behind humor and whether artificial intelligence could truly be humorous.