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	Dr. Kayla Price
Director, Alumni Relations; Executive Director, Alumni Association

Going on tour with some of the family

Not since the Student Alumni Association went to a district meeting in Lubbock, Texas, have I had a chance to travel with students. I recently had this opportunity again.

The University Chorale and Chamber Singers went on tour in South Texas. They incorporated two Alumni receptions and recruitment opportunities into the tour.

Their bus driver was Dr. Jim Tully, classes of 1949 and 1971. He must be the most educated bus driver in the U.S. After a successful career in education, Dr. Tully did not want to sit still. He now drives a bus to stay busy and meet people. He thoroughly enjoyed the students, as they did him.

Because of a flat tire that delayed the trip, the students arrived at the hotel only 30 minutes before the performance. They quickly changed into their long dresses and tuxedos for the concert. Alumni and friends from the San Antonio area gathered for a reception and brief performance. I could tell the audience was very impressed with the talent of the students.

That night we went to the Magic Time Machine. I sat at the staff table, which included Dr. Chris White, the conductor, Mr. Gene Lockhart, chair of the Music Department, Deanna Gorham, instructor and accompanist, Dr. Tully, and myself. We, as well as the 50 students, had a blast. Poor Snow White (our costumed server) didn’t know what hit her.

Sunday began with a performance at the Alamo Heights Methodist Church. The church was a beautiful facility that looked very European. More Alumni made themselves known after the church service. It was a great experience for the students and Alumni.

That day we also held a concert and reception in Harlingen at the Wesley United Methodist Church. Pastor Sam Hunnicutt and his wife, Julianne, are Alumni. Mr. Frank Boggus, owner of Boggus Ford and a member of the church, provided the refreshments. Church members were extremely friendly and seemed to enjoy the students immensely.

We all felt welcomed at our stops along the way. The students were pleasant, talented, and worked well together. It was like being in one big, happy family. Which, if you think about, we all are.

The singers continued their tour with performances at a number of high schools in south Texas. I, unfortunately, had to return to campus for the work week, but I enjoyed my time with the group and with Alumni.

If you get a chance to hear our A&M-Commerce Chorale and/or Chamber Singers, you won’t want to miss the opportunity.

Not only are they excellent singers, they are fine young people who are a delight to be around and a credit to the University.

A Greek’s perspective on (and your invitation to) the First Last Dinner Dance
by Diane Laferney McDowell,
Kappa Delta, ‘69

Back in the mid-’60s when I was a collegiate member of Kappa Delta, some of the most exciting times were when we were preparing for “Dinner Dance.”

We had informal parties closer to Commerce; Dinner Dances, however, usually were more formal, often taking us to Dallas. It was the Dinner Dance, then, that was the really big deal.

You know … Who would we ask to be our date? What would we wear? What would we order as favors for our dates? Then we had to work out details about getting there, who to “double” with, the dinner menu, and on and on. Those are some of my most fun memories about being a Greek at ET.

It’s no wonder, then, that I have always thought the First Last Dinner Dance Committee and resulting gettogethers are a really neat idea.

It’s fun to work with the Alumni from not only the Greek groups but the social clubs as well. We have a good time getting together to plan, and it always turns into a nice evening to enjoy friends new and old.

This year promises to be a memorable time, as we return the Dinner Dance to campus. What an opportunity to feel like you’re still a 20-year-old undergraduate, yet while having the chance to see all the changes which have taken place on campus through the years.

What fun it will be to dance again in the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center. (I have special memories of the dance after I being presented as a KD pledge as well as of some Greek Week dances held there!)

It would be especially nice to see a big group of Greeks from the ’60s and early ’70s there. We need your support if the reunion dinner dances are to continue.

Won’t you please make plans to join us April 17?


Members of the Dinner Dance 2004 Planning Committee seated, left to right, are Jerry Hyde (BBA ’54, MBA ’58), Beverly Lytle Pirkey (BS ’63), Harry Icenhower (BS ’52, MS ’55), Peggy Bankhead Fox (BS ’60), Jack Pirkey (BS ’58, PHD ’70), Jane Jenkins Patman (BS ’52) and Sam McCord (BS, MED ’60). Standing are Winston Williams (BS ’62), Lee McCasland (BS ’56), Richard Pruitt (BS ’54), Jean Cranford Appleton (BA ’56), Duaine Appleton (BS ’56), Bobbie Fleming Purdy (BS ’67), Kent Holbert (BBA ’71, MS ’74), Judy Dandridge Hatch (BS ’68), Diane Laferney McDowell (BS ’69, MS ’98), Dian Fife (BS ’63, MED ’64), Ernest “Bo” Newton (BS ’54), Kayla Price (BS ’88, MBA ’90, EDD ’02) and Gary Hatch (BBA ’68). Other members not present are Kenneth Hudson (BS ’54, MED ’63, MSLS ’87, PHD ‘67), Rheba Icenhower (BS ’50, MED ’52), Alex Kibler (BS ’52, MED ’55), Bill Lowry (BS ’65, MS ’67, Distinguished Alumnus ‘75), John McCasland (MED ’62), Joe Ondrusek (BBA ’66), Bobba Salmon Parker (BA ’55), Rip Templeton (BA ’56) and Leonard Trapp (BS ’53, MED ’58).

NOTICE TO COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS

The Alumni Association is seeking proposals from commercial construction contractors for the design and building of a new Alumni Center to be located on the campus of Texas A&M University Commerce. The building will have approximately 5,000 square feet of useable space.

If you are a general contractor who would like to learn more about the project, please contact the Alumni Association at PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429, 903-886-5765.

Dinner Dance Committee—Sept. 8

Members of the Dinner Dance Planning Committee met at the Metroplex Center to continue planning the April event.

Alumni Association Executive Board—Sept. 10

Members of the executive board met at the Metroplex Center to finalize plans for the September board meeting.

Nominating Committee—Sept. 15

The Nominating Committee met at the Metroplex Center to review nominees and make a final recommendation for new members.

Alumni Association Board—Sept. 27

Business included a vote to pursue construction of a new Alumni center. Plans are being made to raise funds for the project.

North Texas Alumni Chapter—Sept. 30

The North Texas Chapter met at Zio’s Italian Kitchen to plan for the upcoming year. If you live in Tarrant or its surrounding counties, please watch the Alumni Web site and your mailbox for more information.

Commerce Alumni Board and Chapter—Oct. 14

The Commerce Chapter Board members met at the new Morris Recreation Center for a brief business meeting. Chapter membersjoined them for refreshments and a meeting. For the program, Dr. Kayla Peak, director of the center, outlined opportunities offered at the facility and took Alumni on a tour.