College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts News

East Texas A&M Graduate Student Receives Awards for History Research
Hannah Shepherd, a graduate student at East Texas A&M and member of Phi Alpha Theta, was recently recognized for her outstanding history research.

Photography Student’s Career Blasts Off with NASA Internship
ETAMU Photography major Morgan Gridley underwent a competitive selection process to receive a photography internship with NASA for Summer 2025.

Several VisCom Students Honored at ADDY Awards
Three East Texas A&M University Visual Communication students received honors at the American Advertising Federation-Dallas Chapter's annual American Advertising Awards ceremony.

Newest Regents Professor Honored at Annual Convocation
East Texas A&M University Regents Professor of Music Dr. Brian Zator was officially recognized for his outstanding achievement at the university's annual Spring convocation.

Alumna and ‘Days of Our Lives’ Actress’ Podcast Nominated for Webby Award
A Lion alumna who starred in the long-running soap opera "Days of Our Lives" currently hosts a podcast that was recently nominated for a Webby Award by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

History Graduate Student Receives Texas State Historical Association Fellowship
East Texas A&M University graduate student Hannah Shepherd was named the recipient of the Mary M. Hughes Research Fellowship in Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association

East Texas A&M Art Students Showcase Work in Juried Student Art Exhibition
The East Texas A&M University Department of Art is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.

ETAMU Alum Publishes Black Children’s Book on Career Choices
ETAMU alumna Destiny Hibbler writes an inspirational and creative book to teach Black children about various career choices from A-Z.

Lion Alum Appointed by Governor Abbott as 62nd District Court Judge
William "Bill" Harris, a 2020 Lion graduate, was recently appointed to serve as judge of the 62nd District Court.

ETAMU Vocal Division Sweeps Finals at DFW Vocal Competition
The East Texas A&M University School of Music's Vocal Division is thrilled to announce its outstanding achievement at the recent National Association of Teachers of Singing Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter Vocal Competition.

School of Music to Host Guest Artist Masterclass & Lecture Open to the Public
The East Texas A&M University School of Music is thrilled to announce an exclusive vocal masterclass and pedagogy lecture with renowned vocal pedagogue and tenor, Dr. Nicholas Perna.

East Texas A&M Recognized for Top Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report
East Texas A&M earned top ratings from U.S. News & World Report for several online degree programs, reflecting the university's commitment to excellence and innovation in online education.

University Gallery Hosting Wheeler Brothers’ Traveling Exhibition
The University Gallery at East Texas A&M University is pleased to announce "Novel Toys, Tricks, and Games," a traveling exhibition by Texas art scene vets, the Wheeler Brothers.

Music Faculty Named to A&M System Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators
East Texas A&M University coordinator of music education Darla Meek was recently named to the Texas A&M University System's Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators.

East Texas A&M Music Student Named Principal Player in Shreveport Symphony
East Texas A&M University undergraduate student Zack Palm was recently named the principal tuba player in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

ETAMU Music Faculty Named A&M System Regents Professor
Dr. Brian Zator, East Texas A&M University professor of music and percussion director, was recently named a Texas A&M University System Regents Professor for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

ETAMU Music Student Qualifies for National Vocal Competition
Several East Texas A&M University music students competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Texoma Regional Conference, with one student qualifying for the national level of competition.

More Than a Dozen Student Projects Recognized in Creative Quarterly
Several artistic projects by East Texas A&M University Visual Communication students were given special recognition in the two latest issues of the Creative Quarterly Art & Design Journal.

Distinguished Alum Named Head of Philippine Government Commission
A Lion alum was recently named the head of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

School of Music to Host Guest Artist Masterclass Open to the Public
Noted Polish Soprano Brygida Bziukiewicz Kulig will deliver a vocal masterclass open to the public on November 18.

Lion Alum Named One of the Best Butchers in Dallas
A Lion alum has just been named a top butcher in the Dallas area by D Magazine.

Mariachi Ensemble Brings New Sounds to A&M-Commerce
A new cultural experience has emerged at Texas A&M University-Commerce as the Mariachi Ensemble looks to wow audiences with performances of traditional Mexican music.

University Gallery to Host Traveling Exhibit of Photos From Civil Rights Movement
"I AM A MAN" displays a wide range of photographs that provide a vivid visual story of the evolution of the civil rights movement.

A&M-Commerce Visual Communication Students Recognized in Creative Quarterly
Several projects by Texas A&M University-Commerce Visual Communication students received accolades in a recent issue of Creative Quarterly Art & Design Journal.

A&M-Commerce Hosts Inaugural International Piano Symposium
The Texas A&M University-Commerce School of Music hosted the inaugural meeting of the North Texas International Piano Symposium from October 4-5 to discover, amplify and celebrate the research of Latin American piano literature.

University Gallery Hosts Graduate Student’s Exhibition
The University Gallery at Texas A&M University-Commerce will exhibit the work of current M.F.A. student Lisa Tyndell Batchelder from October 18 to November 1.

TAMUC Music Students to Showcase Talent in Benefit Recital Ahead of Texoma Regional NATS Competition
The Texas A&M University-Commerce School of Music Vocal Division is thrilled to announce a benefit recital featuring 17 talented students on Monday, October 28 in the Recital Hall of the Music Building at 7:30 pm.

TAMUC Unveils New School of Music at Kickoff Concert
Texas A&M University-Commerce recently celebrated the redesignation of its School of Music at a special kickoff concert on September 29. 2024.

Pair of TAMUC Alumni Named to Quinlan ISD Hall of Fame
The Quinlan Independent School District in Quinlan, Texas recently announced their 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, which include a pair of Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni.

A&M-Commerce Alums Honored with New Middle School in Forney ISD
The couple are noted Forney ISD alums and educators.

Visual Communication Students Honored by Graphis
A large group of Texas A&M University-Commerce Art majors were recently honored by design publisher Graphis in their yearly release “New Talent Annual.”

TAMUC Alum Appointed by Governor Abbott to State Council
An alum of Texas A&M University-Commerce was recently appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council.

Alum Awarded with Lone Star Emmy
A Texas A&M University-Commerce alum was recently honored for his work as a graphic designer with an Emmy Award from the Lone Star chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

A&M-Commerce Music Instructor Honored as UNK Distinguished Alumnus
Texas A&M University-Commerce Adjunct Instructor Dr. Kory Reeder was recently honored with the Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumnus Award from the University of Nebraska Kearney.

‘Abstraction and Color’ Exhibit now Showing at University Gallery
The latest art exhibition is underway at the Texas A&M University-Commerce University Gallery until October.

A&M-Commerce Faculty Named Prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar
TAMUC Assistant Professor Eralda Lameborshi, Ph.D., received the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award.

TAMUC Literature & Language Faculty Receive Honors for Scholarly Work
Faculty in the Department of Literature and Languages at Texas A&M University-Commerce were recently recognized by a pair of academic journals in the field of rhetoric and composition. Dr. Gavin Johnson and Dr. Charles Woods, both assistant professors at A&M-Commerce,…

TAMUC Alum Named National Forensic Interviewer of the Year
A Texas A&M University-Commerce alum recently received national recognition for their work as a forensic interviewer. Rachel Mitchell was recently named the National Forensic Interviewer of the Year by Guardify, a digital evidence management platform, as part of the platform’s…

TAMUC Alums Lead Percussion Ensembles in International Showcase
Three Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni will direct ensembles performing at the Percussive Arts Society’s (PAS) international convention, scheduled for November 13-16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. Andrew Lynge is a 2011 A&M-Commerce graduate, assistant professor of percussion and director of…

TAMUC Student Wins National Percussion Performance Competition
A Texas A&M University-Commerce music student recently took the first-place prize at the 2024 Black Swamp Percussion Solo & Ensemble Showcase. Noah Avelar, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music degree, won the College Snare Drum division with his…

Showcasing Scholarship: Highlights from TAMUC’s Annual Research Symposium
TAMUC students present innovative research projects to the university community and industry leaders.
Texas A&M University-Commerce hosted its Annual Research Symposium on April 17, 2024, at the university's Rayburn Student Center. The symposium showcased undergraduate and graduate research projects, providing…

A&M-Commerce Alum Elected to Colorguard Hall of Fame
An alum of Texas A&M University-Commerce was recently inducted into the North Texas Colorguard Association (NTCA) Hall of Fame as a reflection of his impact as an educator. Stuart Spoon, a 2002 Lion graduate, received the honor during the NTCA…

TAMUC Music Faculty Releases Video Performance Album
Dr. Daniel Kelly, professor of trumpet at Texas A&M University-Commerce, recently released a video album on YouTube. The album, titled “Streets of Scarlet and Shadow,” features five pieces for trumpet and piano that draw inspiration from the aesthetic of film…

A&M-Commerce Awards First Annual Innovations in Writing Pedagogy GAT Award
Four A&M-Commerce doctoral students received the Innovations in Writing Pedagogy GAT Award from the Department of Literature and Languages. The recipients are Dr. Rachel McShane, Dr. Brian McShane, Gouda Taha and Reza Panahi.
The award was established this year to…

Dr. Joseph Romero Selected as Next Dean of TAMUC College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts
Following a national search, Dr. Joseph Romero has been chosen as the next dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts (CHSSA) at Texas A&M University-Commerce, effective June 1, 2024.
Romero joins the A&M-Commerce family after having served…

A&M-Commerce Alum Recognized for Leadership in Local, State Bar Associations
A lion alum was recently spotlighted for her leadership while serving as the head of multiple bar associations in Texas as well as her abilities in the courtroom. Lynne Liberato, a 1976 graduate of East Texas State University (now Texas…

TAMUC Music Faculty Publishes Collection of Songs for Performance
Dr. Leanne Scaggs, instructor of voice and opera at Texas A&M University-Commerce, recently published a performance edition of a collection of songs by classical composer Nina d’Aubigny von Engelbrunner. The collection, titled “Deutsche, Italienische und Französische Gesänge mit Begleitung des…

A&M-Commerce Professor Receives Prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
Dr. Maia Lamarque, a professor in the Department of Literature and Languages at Texas A&M University-Commerce, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for the 2024-2025 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.…

A&M-Commerce Flute Ensemble Performing at National Convention this Summer
The Flute Choir at Texas A&M University-Commerce recently announced their invitation to perform a showcase concert at the 2024 National Flute Association (NFA) Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The 52nd annual convention is scheduled for August 1-4. The NFA was…

TAMUC Alum Coaches NJCAA Team to Top-4 National Finish
A Texas A&M University-Commerce alum nearly coached her team to a junior college women’s basketball national championship this season. Latasha Keith, head coach at Dallas College Cedar Valley, led the Suns to a fourth-place finish in the National Junior College…