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Honorees join prestigious Founder’s Circle

“Their testimonies will differ, but they are all bound by their dedication to a common cause,” said Bill Adams, chair of the A&M-Commerce Foundation, at a recent dinner honoring the latest inductees into the Founder’s Circle.
Six 2002 honorees joined 72 others who have joined the Circle through the years.
The recipients are the Cain Foundation of Athens, Dr. Bobby and Linda Carmichael of Commerce, Howard and Dr. Cornelia Garrett of Emory, A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland and his wife, Nancy, of Commerce, and C.H. “Steve” and Glenna Siebenhausen of Commerce. Honored posthumously were Tom H. and Blanche Taylor.
To be selected for the honor, recipients must have cumulative donations in excess of $25,000 to A&M-Commerce.
Gold plaques with etched drawings depicting the honorees have joined the other inductees’ plaques that hang on the east wall of the Founder’s Lounge in the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center.
In its 33rd year, the A&M-Commerce Foundation has supported the University through the years by giving more than $8 million in scholarships, Adams said.
A&M-Commerce is “poised for greatness,” McFarland said.
“This is an exciting time because enrollment is the highest since 1979 and the campus has its first construction in a quarter of a century,” he commented.
However, both the State of Texas and A&M-Commerce face challenges in the future, he added.
Texas is growing, with projections showing the minority population will become the majority, he said.
The state needs a trained workforce, and growth at A&M-Commerce brings with it a need for additional resources, according to McFarland.
The University is responding to the challenges with the $50 million Securing the Promise Campaign. The centerpiece of the campaign is a state-of-the-art Science & Technology Center to be constructed at a cost of approximately $28 million.

The Garretts

Howard and Cornelia Garrett are graduates of A&M-Commerce, and so are 25 of their family members.Out of the 25, five attended East Texas Normal College established in 1889 by University founder William L. Mayo.

Cornelia received her doctor of education degree in special education in 1976 from A&M-Commerce, and Howard earned his bachelor of science degree in ’47 from the University.
Howard participates in Rains County civic activities and serves on several boards. For the last eight years, he has volunteered to work with men and women assigned to community service

The Siebenhausens

Glenna Siebenhausen graduated with a bachelor of science degree from A&M-Commerce in 1955 and a master’s in education, also from A&M-Commerce, in ’64, and her husband, C.H. “Steve,” is a graduate of Rice University.

In her college days, Glenna was a member of Tooanoowe Social Club and was elected a Campus Beauty.
She has served as an officer of the Northeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association and is vice president of the Foundation Board of First United Methodist Church of Commerce.
Steve serves on the advisory team for the new Science & Technology Center to be built on campus and is active in the Commerce community.

The McFarlands

Keith and Nancy McFarland arrived in Commerce in 1969 when Keith took a teaching job in the A&M-Commerce department of history. Nancy received a master’s degree in elementary education from A&M-Commerce in 1976 and is a former teacher.

Always concerned about children, she recently saw a need for playground equipment in family housing and went out and raised the money for it. Nancy serves on the board for the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum, Presbyterian Hospital of Commerce Auxiliary, Louise Drake Garden Club, Psychology Club and the Beautification Commission.
Keith also is active in Commerce civic activities. He serves on the Commerce Economic Development Corporation, Board of Directors of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Rotary Club.

The Carmichaels

Bobby Carmichael is professor of accounting at A&M-Commerce and his wife, Linda, is director of Student Accounts in Financial Services at the University. Linda, who earned a master of business administration degree from A&M-Commerce, helps the campus by “going above and beyond”

to assist students in financial matters, says Catherine Crawford, executive director of the Foundation.
Bobby is a member of the A&M-Commerce Foundation Board of Directors and works in the accounting field serving on various boards, publishing journal articles, and conducting professional education seminars. He has served as faculty adviser for the A&M-Commerce chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, national honor fraternity for students in accounting, finance and management information systems.

The Cain Foundation

The Cain Foundation was established by a Texas family that wanted to make a difference in the world. The foundation has focused on scientific fields, medical fields and education.

The Cain Foundation, represented by John and Felecia Cain at the dinner, awarded a $300,000 grant to A&M-Commerce for construction of a women’s softball field and a men’s baseball field. Because of the generosity of the Cain Foundation, A&M-Commerce will soon be able to expand its sports offerings to students.