Lion's Roar

April 2008

Greetings fellow alumni and former students!

The energy and pace on campus has reached a higher level since last greeting you. There are new buildings, new programs, new staff and overall optimism about the campus.

We extend gratitude to each of you who participated in the Alumni Directory program last semester and are confident that this endeavor will help to communicate with you more efficiently.

Many of you have received recently correspondence from us relative to joining the Alumni Association. We would love for you to join us in this effort, if you have not already done so. Your support allows us to implement programs that ultimately benefit our students with scholarship support.

We are ecstatic about the construction of the new Alumni Center that is underway. We look forward to moving in to the facility this summer, so be on alert for opportunities to visit and re-connect with friends, faculty and staff. Please do not hesitate to visit our website to view live web casting of construction of the building.

I look forward to communicating with you in the coming and hope to see you soon. Go Lions!

Distinguished Alumni Awards Announced

The Office of Alumni Relations is proud to announce the 2007 Distinguished Alumni recipients. These alumni were honored at a dinner on April 11, 2008. For more information, contact the Alumni Relations Department at 903-886-5765. Click here for a news release.

• H. Dan Farell
• Dr. Michael Johnson
• Geraldine “Tincy’ Miller
• Dr. Fred Tarpley

Gold Blazer Award Announced

The Office of Alumni Relations is proud to announce the 2007 Gold Blazer recipients. These alumni were honored at a dinner on March 7, 2008. Click here for a news release.

• Dian Fife
• Evonne Richardson
• Dwight York

Gene Casselberry, Dr. Fred Tarpley, Evonne Richardson & Derryle Peace at the site of the new Alumni Center

Alumni Center Donation

The Commerce Area Alumni Chapter of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association made a $2000 donation toward the new alumni center. “We think this building is great for the alumni association as a whole,” said Gene Casselberry, treasurer of the Commerce Chapter of the Alumni Association. “We’re excited about making even a small donation. We felt really good about it.”

The new alumni center will be located on the south side of campus and serve as a headquarters for the alumni relations staff. The building will also be a gathering place for alumni from all over.

“It’s great because it gives us a place of our own for meetings and receptions,” said Evonne Richardson, president of the Commerce Alumni chapter.

The donation was raised through the Commerce chapter’s annual membership dues. In addition, their dues sponsor two $500 scholarships each year for a student from the Commerce area. Their members also contribute to the university by volunteering for various events on campus such as homecoming and the tailgate parties held before football games.

“Their contribution has more than monetary value to us, and serves as a vote of confidence for the alumni association and its endeavors,” said Derryle Peace, director for the office of alumni relations. “They could have done other things with their money, but they invested it in us.”

New Dean - College of Education & Human Services

Dr. Brent C. Mangus, formerly with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is the new dean of the Texas A&M University-Commerce College of Education and Human Services. Mangus, who began work in January, was an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and interim dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at UNLV. He worked at UNLV for 22 years. On coming to A&M-Commerce, Mangus wants to continue the college's strong tradition of being a leader in teacher education in the state and recruit more students of higher quality. He also plans to become acquainted with area public school administrators and teachers. "I want to get out and talk to superintendents and principals and find out what we can do to help them," he said.

Memorial Student Center Update

The new Sam Rayburn Student Center is a the 70% completion stage. Kitchen is being installed, ceramic tile and ceiling on first floor is in progress. The inside is taking shape and is looking GREAT. This project is a great blend of new cutting edge technology and practical application of space utilization to meet the needs of our students and guests. I can't wait to see our alums as they interact with the students in using this new facility. Great old-school feeling of a gathering place with a 21st century twist!

http://www.TAMU-Commerce.edu/live/

Music Building Update

A lifetime of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit has placed Jack Finney of Greenville in a position to help others.  The 91-year-old Finney has donated $500,000 to Texas A&M University-Commerce for its new music building. In about two years when the new building is completed, music audiences will be sitting in the world-class acoustic auditorium named the Lou and Jack Finney Concert Hall.

The naming of the concert hall has been approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The new $23.5 million music building will be constructed at the entrance to campus. "We want the building to elicit wow and showcase our student, faculty, and guest artists' talent," said Dr. Chris White, head of the Department of Music. The department is one of the top producers of music educators in the state. The music faculty includes some of the region's most talented performers and student vocal and orchestral groups have performed at professional meetings in the state and in New York.

Finney, who was born in Commerce, spent his growing up years in Paris attending Paris High School, Paris Junior College and then Texas A&M University in College Station. He enjoys "most any kind of music. I go to sleep to music every night."  He says he acquired his love of music from his mother.  On his gift to the A&M-Commerce music building, Finney says, "It helps the future of the school and the students."

Those interested in giving a donation to support the music building or the music programs can send checks to A&M-Commerce Advancement Services, P.O. Box 3425, Commerce, Texas 75429. Checks need to be made payable to the Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation with a notation in the memo to music building.

Presidential Search Update

On April 23, the Texas A&M System Board of Regents, named Dr. Dan Jones as the next President of Texas A&M University-Commerce. Dr. Jones spoke recently at several forums on campus. The forums were held to allow students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders the opportunity to meet Dr. Jones and learn more about him and his plans for the university.

Dr. Jones, provost, vice president of academic affairs, chief student affairs officer, and English professor at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, said that the continuing focal point of his career in higher education has been on student success through utilizing the entire university experience. "The entire university is a learning environment, and that includes the interactions that students have with faculty and staff," said Jones. "Our dedication to their success will affect the way they experience the university."

He plans to set the example for faculty and staff by interacting with students on a daily basis in different ways such as eating meals in the main cafeteria, meeting with student organizations, and making himself available to students. In addition to questions from participants in the forums on everything from athletics to libraries and instructional technology, Dr. Jones was also asked to tackle the issue of competing with community colleges. Universities cannot easily compete with community colleges because of their price and convenience. The focus of A&M-Commerce, however, should be on partnering with community colleges to make sure that the playing field class-wise is level that will make the transition easier for transfer students. Dr. Jones spoke about the challenges he feels he will face as he steps into the presidential seat. The greatest challenge he feels will be that of finding the resources.

In the next three to five years, Dr. Jones said that he plans to continue the physical transformation of the campus Dr. Keith McFarland, the current president of A&M-Commerce, began and to find a few programs that can be A&M-Commerce's "signature efforts." Dr. Jones finished by praising McFarland, saying, "He has done so much to bring this university to a level to pass it on for someone else to capitalize on his successes and bring it into its next level of excellence. I am honored to be that person." Dr. Keith McFarland, professor of history and former dean of the Graduate School, will retire on July 31.

The Mayo Review

Denise Duhamel, a nationally known poet, was on campus April 24 to help celebrate the launch of the Spring 2008 issue of The Mayo Review, the creative arts magazine of Texas A&M University-Commerce. Duhamel has published over 10 books of poetry and has been featured four times in Best American Poetry. Her most recent book Two by Two is the winner of Binghamton University’s Milt Kessler Book Award. For more information about The Mayo Review or the application process for the master class in poetry, contact the Department of Literature and Languages at A&M-Commerce at P.O. Box 3011, Commerce, Texas 75429. (903) 886-5260.

For further details: http://mayoreview.blogspot.com/

Athletics

For all the news about your A&M Commerce Lions, go to:

http://LionAthletics.cstv.com/

Planetarium

On Friday, Feb. 29 the A&M University-Commerce Planetarium had its Celestial Celebration marking the Planetarium's two years of operation and 50,000 visitors. The premiere of the new show, "Seven Wonders," was shown and door prizes were given away. Over 500 university and community members attended the celebration.

During the week, school groups attend the shows. In the last two years, over 500 shows have been presented to school groups from throughout North and Northeast Texas, said planetarium director Dr. Kent Montgomery. On Friday nights, public shows are presented.

When the planetarium opened, A&M-Commerce began offering astronomy classes. Two classes are being offered. "Astronomy 101" focuses on the solar system and the history of astronomy while "Astronomy 102" is about stars, galaxies, and the universe.

Work is expected to begin within the next few weeks on an observatory, located about five miles south of Commerce and one-half mile off Highway 50. Target date for opening of the observatory is early summer. "The facility will house four telescopes with the largest inside a dome," Montgomery said. "We also hope to open the observatory to the public for regular viewing."

For a look at what’s happening the next few months at the Planetarium, go to the link below. Ticket information and show times are given.

http://www.TAMU-Commerce.edu/university/planetarium/

Liberty Mutual Renter’s Insurance

Hey, Texas A&M-Commerce alumni, you may qualify for savings on Renters Insurance. Think you don’t need it? Think again. Got a laptop? An iPod? Flat-screen TV? Digital camera? Imagine those being stolen or damaged—in your home or in your car. That’s a lot of money out the window.

Renters insurance protects the possessions that matter to you from theft, fire, and some types of water damage. And here’s the best part—it’s affordable, averaging just $10-12 a month. So, what are you waiting for? Learn more today about renters insurance from Liberty Mutual. Your stuff is worth it. For more information, click on:

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June Alumni Scholarship Golf Classic Planned

Mark your calendar for the 38th Annual Alumni Scholarship Golf Classic Tournament to be held Friday, June 6 at Sand Hills Country Club. Shot-gun start will be at 1:00 p.m. For more information contact the Alumni Relations office at 903-886-5765.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

For more information on any of these events, contact Alumni Relations at 903-886-5765.

Update your Address

Please contact the Alumni Relations Office at 800-675-4667 or go to our website to update your address. The next issue of the Pride will be mailed in March and we don’t want you to miss it. Click on the link below to make your changes.

https://secure.TAMU-Commerce.edu/Alumni/v2/caf.asp

Class Notes

Send news about yourself to https://secure.TAMU-Commerce.edu/Alumni/v2/cnfp.asp for inclusion in future editions of the Pride. We want to hear about any milestone in your life, such as marriages, births, promotions, new employers, awards, etc.