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HOME COMING A BIG HIT

It was Homecoming morn.
Rainless clouds came together to make a fuzzy flannel-gray blanket overhead, and the smell of crisply cooked bacon escaped the MSC each time an Alumnus stepped inside. Early receptions released their nametagged Alumni to other events, including Professor Mayo’s Memorial Service. There, taps caroled in the air from the far side of a sun-splattered parking lot while Alumni cradled carnations in their hands, awaiting their turn to place one on the Professor’s grave. But the crepe myrtles ringing the plot beat them to it, gently tossing their orange-blushed leaves across his headstone while heads were still bowed.
During the luncheon, chorale members performed a cappella except for the clink of dinnerware sinking into creamy coconut pies and cinnamon-spiced apple cobbler. As the chorale’s first few soft chords spread out over the ballroom, the chatty crowd quieted, slowing down to savor more than the meal alone.
After lunch, honorees shed an artless tear or two while remembering the faculty who had so graciously influenced their lives. They were spontaneously joined by the audience in reciting “Hail, all hail, ET.”
At the football game, “thunder sticks” made their debut, and a sibling or two seemed to take “Hittin’ it Big” to heart, playfully using the sticks on the heads of brothers and sisters. That the Lions lost the game seemed to matter little to the crowd, who moaned sympathetically with every disappointing play throughout the afternoon but then went back to talking and greeting passersby.
Suddenly, it was Homecoming evening. Memorial Stadium was slow to let visitors go, but in the end, even King Lion’s inflated raised paw started to look like a goodbye wave from a gruff uncle embarrassed by one too many sentimental farewells.
It had been a fine Homecoming day indeed.

Pressley, Smith garner Gold Blazers

A former dean and a current professional staff member Hit it Big when they received their well-earned Gold Blazers during Homecoming.
Dr. Trezzie Pressley, Dean Emeritus of the College of Business and Technology, and Gwen Smith, director of Intercultural Services and Greek Life, were recognized for their service to the Alumni Association and A&M-Commerce.
Trezzie was honored for his work with the Commerce Area Alumni Chapter, and Smith was recognized for her efforts with the Multi-Cultural Alumni Chapter.
Kayla Price, director of Alumni Relations, congratulated the two award recipients. “Dr. Trezzie Pressley has worked tirelessly on behalf of the University and the Association. He is so well respected in the community, in the Alumni ranks, and on campus so it is a delight to recognize him,” Kayla said.
When Trezzie learned that “King Pride,” the large lion balloon owned by the Commerce Area Alumni Chapter, needed repair, he contacted a few other volunteers, and they oversaw work on the balloon, Kayla said. “No one had to ask. He just saw the need and did what was needed. That is Dr. Pressley’s true spirit.

Dr. Trezzie Pressley, left, and Gwen Smith are presented as this year’s Gold Blazer winners during halftime Homecoming ceremonies.

Of Gwen’s award, Kayla said, “Gwen Smith has worked diligently to advise and assist the Multi-Cultural Alumni Chapter. Her many years of dedicated service to the institution have given her a great background and wealth of resources from which to draw.”
Trezzie served as president of the Commerce Area Alumni Chapter last year, has also been vice president on several occasions and served on the chapter’s Board of Directors for 12 years.
Gwen has worked with the Multi-Cultural Alumni Chapter since its establishment in the late 1980s.
The Multi-Cultural Chapter has sponsored a number of events in Dallas through the years, and last year attracted 600 people to its Homecoming social. Proceeds from the social went to scholarships the chapter supports, including those named for former University administrators Dr. D. Arlington Talbot and Ivory Moore.

HOMECOMING SOUNDBITES

Our current vice president is Janet “She-Knows-Everything” Peek
Alumni Association President Gary Finney,
introducing officers at the Homecoming Luncheon

I still get a kick out of walking the pathways and trying to imagine what it looked like when I was here. I was standing there the other day trying to remember where the West Dorms had been. A student saw me in my quandry and asked if he could help. I told him I was trying to picture where the West Dorms once were. He said, “I never heard of them.” Then I told him how when I was here the campus faced Monroe Street. He said, “I never heard of that either.”
Bill Adams, Foundation chair,
reminiscing at the Founder’s Circle Dinner

	The crowd was appropriately rowdy during the Hot Dog Spirit Rally the Wednesday before Homecoming on Saturday.
	First Lady Nancy McFarland places a blue carnation on Professor Mayo’s memorial.

So,Gary, will I be getting a gold blazer? A Chevy Blazer?
Addressing Board president Gary Finney is Gwen Smith, 2002 winner of a Gold Blazer … (sigh) ...plaqueH_TT_N’ _T B_G
Homecoming display depicting this year’s theme as a “Wheel of Fortune” puzzle, complete with life-size cutout of Professor Mayo as the game show host

I have been dreading this for some time. I’ve been dreading it because this is my University, and when I think of it, I tend to get emotional. [President Emeritus] Jerry Morris says that he and myself are the only people he knows that can tear up by looking at a ketchup bottle.
Trezzie Pressley, in his Gold Blazer acceptance speech