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These low-profile improvements are high priority on behalf of students

Your Alma Mater has come a long way in the last few years. More than a dozen new degree programs offer young people more possibilities. In turn, students are responding, steadily increasing enrollment at A&M-Commerce. Even the campus itself is flourishing. New and renovated facilities present dramatically improved learning environments for faculty and students.		Dr. Keith McFarland
	President, Texas A&M University-Commerce
In many cases buildings both older and newer are set off by new and improved landscaping. Obviously, Alumni have more reasons than ever to be proud of their University. However, there are some not-so obvious reasons to take pride, too. This month, some low-profile improvements are being completed that make the campus a safer place to study, learn and work. Some of the best fire alarm systems available have been installed in campus housing, a 17-month-long project that makes our residence halls among the safest in the state. One of the special features of these alarm systems is that they are interconnected with the University Police Department and monitored 24 hours a day. If an alarm should be triggered, it will tell emergency personnel exactly where the fire is. Earlier systems warned of fires by zones, such as a first or second floor. The new systems, however, can communicate exactly what area on the floor is affected, considerably reducing critical response time. The new fire alarms are a safety feature unmatched by most universities in the state. Still another important improvement also puts A&M-Commerce on the front lines of life safety initiatives. A system designed to predict lightning strikes recently was installed on the grounds of A&M-Commerce. The system is the same one used by professional golf association tours and was used at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. It uses sensors at several campus locations to collect information about atmospheric conditions. If data collected (based on electromagnetic discharges in the air) suggests a lightning strike could be imminent, the sensor sends a signal to air horns located on Henderson Hall, Gee Library, and the Morris Recreation Center. With the warning, faculty, staff and students are given a crucial two to eight minutes of lead time—time enough to clear the running track, swimming pool, practice fields and any other vulnerable locations. These newly installed systems are just two of the many ongoing improvements at A&M-Commerce. Every upgrade may not be visibly dramatic, but each achieves a crucial step in making A&M-Commerce an institution where the welfare of students is still the highest of priorities, and making your Alma Mater an institution you can continue to be proud of.

Two Alumni, one Pride columnist receive Spirit of Mayo Awards

Two Alumni—Gene Casselberry (BS ‘65, MED ‘66) and Dr. Vicki Tigert Davis (BS ‘64, MS ‘67) —make up most of a trio of University supporters who received the prestigious Spirit of Mayo Award from University President Keith D. McFarland recently.
And the third winner, Dr. James Conrad, writes for you, readers of The Pride.
In presenting him the award, Dr. McFarland said Gene is an example of a true business leader who has served the University.
Since 1968, through his work at Drake Furniture, Gene has employed many A&M-Commerce students, and he is a familiar face at University sports events as a loyal Lion fan, the president said.

President Keith McFarland (left) congratulates the Spirit of Mayo Award winners. Recognized for their “unselfish service to others,” which is a credo of the University’s founder, William Mayo, are Dr. James Conrad (second from left), Gene Casselberry and Dr. Vicki Davis.

In his college days at A&M-Commerce, Gene served in student government and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1965 and master’s in educational administration in ’66, Gene has received the Gold Blazer Award for service to the Alumni Association.
He has been a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Foundation Board and is active in the Commerce Area Alumni Chapter where he currently serves on the Board of Directors. Gene has also been active in the community and in 1988 was named Commerce Citizen of the Year.
Dr. McFarland made the presentations at the fall faculty/staff meeting.
Also winning the Spirit of Mayo Award was Dr. Vicki Davis, who was interim provost and vice president for Academic and Student Affairs from 2000-02. She retired in 2002 and now teaches part time in the department of counseling.
She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in home economics from A&M-Commerce and a doctorate in child development and family living, counseling and home economics education from Texas Woman’s University.
After coming here as an assistant instructor of home economics in 1966, Vicki advanced through the ranks to become associate professor of home economics and department head in 1983. She then became associate professor of counseling and guidance.
From 1990-92, she directed the University’s Freshman Success Seminar.
Vicki became assistant vice president for Academic Affairs in 1992 and advanced to associate vice president in ’99 prior to being named interim provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.
McFarland commended Davis for giving close to four decades of “outstanding service to faculty, staff and students.”
The third winner is Dr. James Conrad, University archivist and Pride columnist.
He is a graduate of Ohio State University with master’s and doctoral degrees in history. Dr. Conrad came to A&M-Commerce in 1967 as an instructor of history and became University archivist in ’76.
Dr. Conrad has authored or co-authored 12 books on Texas history, written numerous journal articles, and currently writes a column in the Greenville Herald Banner.
In 1986, he won the Ottis Lock Award for the Best Book on East Texas History for Every Sun That Rises: Wyatt Moore of Caddo Lake.
Two of Conrad’s other books have been honored by the Texas Historical Commission. In 1988, he won the T.R. Fehrenback Award for Best Texas Community History. This book was John Black’s Pictorial History of Honey Grove, Texas, 1880-1925.

University meeting, beating challenges, McFarland says

In the last five years, A&M-Commerce has succeeded in meeting challenges in facilities, enrollment, academic programs, and finances, President Keith McFarland told regents of the A&M System when it met here this summer.
“A&M-Commerce has a very bright future,” Dr. McFarland said in his 30-minute presentation.
In 1998, the University faced challenges in improving its facilities, increasing enrollment, adding new academic programs, and reversing a financial situation of declining reserves and a budget deficit. These challenges are being met, he reported to regents.
A major reorganization in 2001, which eliminated 42 positions through attrition, has helped the University deal with a reduction in state funding due to Texas’ budget crunch, he said.
“We are not rich by any means,” McFarland said, “but we feel we are financially in good shape.” Other developments the president shared were:
·Seventeen new academic programs established in the last 4-1/2 years, including 10 at the bachelor’s level and five at the master’s level. At the doctoral level, doctor of education degrees in counseling and English have been changed to the doctor of philosophy degrees, helping these graduates in the job market.
         · Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 had the highest enrollments in 23 years. Last fall, there were 8,483 students attending classes. In the spring there were 8,131.
         · A major marketing effort, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, complemented student recruitment and retention initiatives.
         · The New Pride residential apartments for students opened in 2001, and the new Jerry D. Morris Recreation Center opened its doors at the end of June.
        · The Cain Sports Complex was dedicated, and a new practice field for the marching band also was completed. · Groundbreaking for the new Science and Technology Center is next spring, with a 2005 target date for completion.
        · An Agricultural Sciences Complex on Highway 50 a few miles south of the main campus was completed.
        · Renovation of the Wathena Temple Building for use by the department of art is expected to be completed this month.
        · Renovation of Berry Hall was completed.
        · The Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center is expected to be renovated by the fall of 2005.
        · Landscaping improvements continued, with the opening of the Heritage Gardens adjacent to the Heritage House.
        · Wrought iron fencing was installed at Memorial Stadium and other locations.
        · New lighting and plantings, as well as installation of irrigation systems, was installed at several locations.
        · The Industrial Arts Building and Zeppa Recreation Center were razed.