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Keeping Up With You, Our Alumni, Faculty and Staff

1930s-59

Dr. Tom J. Mabry

Dr. Tom J. Mabry (BS ’53, MS ’53), plant-chemistry professor at UT-Austin and worldwide lecturer, has recently been selected for the Research Achievement Award of the American Society of Pharmacognosy for 2000 in recognition of his sustained and outstanding contributions to the field of medicinal plant chemistry. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus at A&M-Commerce in 1970.

1960-69

Dr. Donald R. Coker (BS ’60) was inducted into the Paris Junior College Administrative Hall of Honor during PJC’s homecoming festivities on November 10 and 11, 2000. He has served in several capacities at A&M-Commerce, beginning as assistant professor in 1966. In 1998 he was appointed provost/vice president for academic affairs, and returned to teaching in 1999.

Dr. Vivian Dennis-Monzingo (BS ’60, MS ’70, EDD ’76), Eastfied College mathematics faculty member, was recently named one of ten recipients of the 2000 Piper Professor Awards. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the teaching profession in Texas colleges and universities. She began her teaching career at Como ISD in 1960, and later taught mathematics in the Lamar CISD in Rosenberg, Dallas ISD, El Centro College and at East Texas State University before joining the faculty at Eastfield College when it opened in 1970.

Winston Williams (BS ’62) married Leta Pemberton on February 14, 2001 at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas. He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and is a flight simulator instructor for Simuflite Training International in Dallas. He currently serves on The Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association Board of Directors. The couple will reside in Commerce.

Mickey Flippen (BS ’64, MED ’69), kinesiology instructor and golf coach at Paris Junior College, was recently nominated for the 2001 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award that recognizes teaching excellence at Texas colleges and universities. A native of Paris, TX, he taught in the public schools and has taught at PJC for 28 years.

Loretta Kibler (BS ’64, MED ’67) plans to retire as superintendent of the Commerce ISD in June, 2001. She began her 31-year career as a teacher in Quinlan. She was named assistant superintendent in 1987 and superintendent in 1993. Her plans include travelling and spending time with family.

James R. Liston (BBA ’64, MBA ’66) is taking early retirement from the city of Tulsa, where he has been the manager of information services for 18 years. He got his introduction to computers at a night class, taught by IBM at East Texas State College, the semester the “punch card” enrollment process was introduced. He and his wife, Judy, are moving from Tulsa to Venice, FL, where they will be enjoying golfing, motor boating and sailboat racing.

Harriet Porter Walton (BS ’64, MS ’74) retired in May 2000 after teaching 33 years with the Mesquite ISD. During this time, she taught second- and third-grades at Range, Florence, and Price elementary schools. She and her husband, Jackie (BS ’65) reside in Rowlett.

Ron George (BS ’65),who received a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force through the AFROTC program at East Texas State University, has written a book entitled Airspeed, Altitude, and Sense of Humor. The book covers his career as an Air Force officer, jet tanker pilot, and Vietnam veteran. He is presently the deputy director of the Wildlife Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife in Austin, and is the author or co-author of more than 60 publications on wildlife conservation.

Glen Onley (BS ’65), a longtime resident of Greenville, is a full-time writer, having retired as a vice president in the aircraft integrated systems division of Raytheon in May of 1999 after 33 years. His first novel, Beyond Contentment, a fictional story based in the Pecos wilderness, was recently released and a second, DISCOVERY TREE, is scheduled for publication in early December.

Preston F. “Skip” Fielden (BS ’66) recently retired as an administrator from the Sachem Central School system, Holbrook, Long Island, NY, the largest suburban public school system in the state of New York. For the past 26 years, he held the position of a central office administrator and, for the past five years, served as the assistant principal at the high school. He is enjoying golfing, fly-fishing, cooking, reading, traveling, and throwing the shot put in the Senior Games. His wife is continuing her professorship duties at a local college.

Louis Margot III (BS ’67, MS ’71) has completed 35 years of service at A&M-Commerce in positions that have included sports information director, news service director, property manager, and coordinator of facilities information. Recognized for meritorious service in 1993, he is a member of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletic Hall of Fame. He has been married to Robbie McCoy Margot (BS ’71) for 30 years. She is retired from the U.S. Postal Service. They reside in Commerce.

Vatra Solomon (BS ’68) is continuing her duties as executive assistant to the newly named Lt. Governor, Bill Ratliff. She has been a part of the Ratliff team since his 1988 campaign.

Claudia Arrant McMichael

Claudia Arrant McMichael(BS ’69, MS ’71, MS ’91) retired on December 19, 2000 after teaching 32 years in Texas. She taught 2 years in Winona, TX and 30 years in Waxahachie, TX at Ferris Elementary and Northside Elementary. She was the first teacher to receive the Teacher of the Year Award at Northside and was nominated for Texas State Teacher of the Year. She and her husband, Rick, have one daughter, Courtney.

1970-79

John A. McDonald (BS ’70) teaches at Treasure Mountain Middle School, Park City, UT. He was selected Teacher of the Year and was included in Who’s Who Among American Teachers. He also serves as president of Eastern Uniserv of Utah Education Association, president of Park City Education Association, was the Utah delegate for the NEA Conference on Environmental Studies, and works each summer at Park Meadows Country Club.

Dr. Rick McMichael

Dr. Rick McMichael(BS ’70, MS ’71, EDD ’80) retired on December 19, 2000 after 30 years with the Waxahachie ISD. He taught for 5 years and was named administrator for Career and Technology Education in 1976, a position he held until his retirement. During his 25 years in administration, the Career and Technology Department received many state and national awards, including the Governor’s Excellence Award from Governor Ann Richards and the National JTPA President’s School to Work Initiative Award from President George Bush. He continues to manage a successful career and technology consulting firm he began in 1992. He and his wife, Claudia, reside in Waxahachie and they have one daughter who teaches in the Waxahachie ISD.

Mike Bowen(BS ’71, MS ’72), director of management information systems for Acme Building Brands, was recently awarded the company’s 1999 President’s Award, which is presented to the individual in the company who has demonstrated outstanding improvement in his/her area of responsibility. He joined Acme in 1975.

Russ Cuffee(BS ’71) recently began duties as vice president of Market Development with Lee Hecht Harrison in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Peggy Hodges Head (BS ’71) was recognized in May, 2000 for 29 years of volunteer service to the Dallas public schools.

Trish Cozart King (BS ’71, MS ’74), principal of Commerce High School, has been named 2000-2001 Administrator of the Year in the middle/secondary school category by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. TCTA presents administrator awards annually in three categories to honor exemplary education leaders. She has been with the Commerce ISD for 15 years, as a high school counselor, English teacher, coach, and school board member. She was honored on February 10, 2001 in Austin, at the association’s 46th annual convention.