E-NEWSLETTER
August 2005

LION’S ROAR

Greetings Alumni,

As you read this issue of the Lion’s Roar, you will note that the summer has been a busy time at the university. We continue to develop opportunities to engage with each of you and look forward to your participation in our upcoming events

I have attended several events over the past few months that have allowed me to meet so many interesting and successful alumni from across the country. At our golf tournament in June, I had the opportunity to meet Clarence “Whizzer” White (‘41), Sam McCord (‘60), and Fabian Pittman (’02). Yes, I am playing golf (hitting the ball) as the result of strong urging and loaned equipment from the Purdy family.

At the recent East Texas State University Old School Alumni Reunion , I met “King” Arthur James (‘70), James Thrower (‘70), and connected again with the likes of Faye Williams (‘73), Harry Stewart (‘72), Willie Drumgoole (‘72, ‘73, ‘80) and Jacquelyn Hoyt (‘74).

We hosted an alumni reception in McKinney, Texas, and I met new friends that include David Noe (‘77), Mary Ann Cowley (‘04), John Ferguson (‘53), Monty Moore (‘97) and David Giles (‘71, ‘73).

We have done much, but have so much more to do to re-engage the vast majority of our alumni.

We need your help! We are seeking a record number of persons to join the Alumni Association this year and are just shy of our goal. If you have not joined, please take this opportunity to do so. Your support enables us to develop and implement many of our efforts.

Most importantly, please let us now how we can be of assistance to you in re-connecting with the university and each other. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Regards,

Derryle G. Peace
BS ’74, MS ‘75

Alumni Relations Announces New Alumni Benefit

The Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association Board has recently signed an affinity program agreement with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Liberty Mutual is one of the top ten insurance providers in the national. They are ranked 129th on the Fortune 500 list and have received an Excellent rating from A.M. Best Company. Their group auto and home insurance coverage is covered by over 8,500 organizations including other A&M System universities and other Texas colleges and universities.

Alumni are offered a 5-20% discount depending on the state in which they reside. This program, currently insures over 100,000 alumni nationwide and produces a premium to Liberty Mutual over 100 million dollars per year. Alumni will be able to save money on their home and auto insurance, personal liability insurance, valuable possessions protection, other vehicle insurance and protection for seasonal dwellings.

Watch for your Liberty Mutual package in the mail coming soon.

Texas A&M University–Commerce & The Cullen Family Foundation Award Local Senior

The Cullen Family Foundation in alliance with Texas A&M University–Commerce established The Columbia Crew Memorial Scholarship in honor of the seven astronauts who lost their lives over Northeast Texas in February 2003. The full, four-year scholarship was established to recognize an outstanding student who supports the future of the space program. The first annual memorial scholarship has been awarded to Mr. Aaron Moser of Greenville Christian School in Greenville , Texas . On August 1, 2005 , Mr. Moser, as well as the Cullen Family Foundation, will be recognized at a luncheon in their honor at A&M–Commerce. For more information on ways to give to A&M-Commerce, please visit our website at http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/advancement.

Homecoming 2005—“Proud Legacy– Bright Future”

Mark your calendar now for Homecoming on October 22, 2005 . The Alumni Relations Office will be holding its annual golf tournament on Friday, October 21 at Webb Hill Golf Course in Wolfe City . The Alumni Homecoming Breakfast will be held to honor this year’s Distinguished Alumni and Gold Blazer Recipients. For more information contact the Alumni Relations Office at 903-886-5765 or 1-800-67-LIONS.

Fall Tailgate Planning Underway

Plans are underway by the Alumni Office and University for a tailgate party before each home football game. Come visit the West Lawn two hours before each of the home games for food and refreshments (available for purchase) and support the Lion Football Team. Bring your blanket or lawn chair, listen to music, meet the students and cheer on the Lions Football Team.

Also, mark your calendar for a bus trip to Durant , Oklahoma to support the team on October 15. The trip will include lunch, football ticket and extra goodies. For more information contact the Alumni Relations Office.

Spring Commencement

Nearly 550 Graduates participated in the four commencement ceremonies at Texas A&M University-Commerce on May 14. The Graduate School saw one of their largest numbers of students participating in commencement, with approximately 325 receiving master’s degrees and 11 awarded their doctorates. August 13 is the date set for Summer graduation. Approximately 443 graduates will participate in the ceremonies.

35th Annual Golf Classic A Huge Success

Golfers from surrounding counties participated in the 35th Annual Alumni Golf Classic on Friday, June 3. Winners for the 1st place team were JK Smith, B. Gant, J. Roberts, AW Shelton, R. Nottingham, and K. Keeley. The 2nd place winners were B. Crain, J. Duett, H. Ferrell, G. Breen, R. Conboy, and L. Smith. The 3rd place winners were D. Talley, W. Williams, T. Pierce, J. Price, S. Price, and F. Pittman. Approximately $1,000 was raised for the Alumni Legacy Scholarship.

Join us October 21 for the Homecoming Golf Classic at Webb Hill Country Club in Wolfe City . Contact the Alumni Relations Office at 903-886-5765 for more information.

TAMU-Commerce comes to Rockwall and McKinney!

Dr. Hal Langford , Dean of the College of Business and Technology, is proud to announce the addition of Rockwall and McKinney to our list of campuses available for our MBA program. Beginning in August 2005, TAMU-Commerce will begin offering MBA classes in these areas. Information sessions will be conducted on select evenings during the third week of July in both locations. For more information please contact Shanna Hoskison or Kim Leard at 1-800-MBA-3899.
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/graduateprograms/eventdetails.asp?ID_Num=75

College of Education & Human Services Alumni

In honor of the University’s 115th anniversary, the College of Education and Human Services plans to recognize 115 Outstanding Alumni of the COEHS this October. The college is currently soliciting nominations of alumni who have made significant contributions to the fields of Education and Human Services. Nominees will be recognized at a luncheon on Friday of Homecoming Week, October 21st, at 12:00 p.m. Additional tickets for the luncheon will be available for purchase.

The nomination form and further information is located under “Friends and Alumni” on the College’s website: www.tamu-commerce.edu/coe.

Deadline for nominations is September 10. For further information contact, Sheryl Millar at 903-886-5184.

Legacy Scholarships Awarded

The Alumni Association Board chose 12 scholarship recipients for 2005-2006. Scholarships were awarded for the Distinguished Alumni Scholarship, Fifty Year Club Scholarship, Commerce Chapter Scholarship, Senior Challenge Scholarship and the Legacy Scholarship.

Dinner Dance contribution to Alumni Center

The Dinner Dance Committee for 2006 presented a check for $1,000 to the Alumni Association Board of Directors on April 23, 2005 as a contribution to the Alumni Center Fund. Mark your calendar for the 2006 First/Last Dinner Dance for April 21-23, 2006 .

Annual Fund Program

The Annual Fund Program at Texas A&M University-Commerce recently began its Spring campaign. All alumni and friends are asked to become members of the annual fund program by making a contribution to the area of their choice. “This revenue is vital in sustaining and improving Texas A&M University-Commerce. Your membership helps to develop new programs, attract the best students, provide scholarships and bridge the increasing gap between declining state funding and the changing needs of our students” says Jan Ainsworth, Director of Annual Giving.

Contributions can be made by going to www.promisecampaign.com or by mailing to Texas A&M University-Commerce, Office for Advancement, P. O. Box 4505 , Commerce , Texas 75429 . Membership is renewable annually. If you have any questions please call 903.468.8181.

Upcoming Pride Articles

• 2005 Alumni Ambassadors
• Crabs, Stickbugs, & Snakes
• The Developing Nature of Photography

The Pride is now available online at
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/thepride/v2/

Mark Your Calendar

Don’t Forget To Check Out the Alumni Association Web Site At
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/alumni/

Comments:
Your feedback is appreciated. Lion’s Roar is edited by Jane Martyn, Assistant Director. Please write to us at alumni_office@tamu-commerce.edu with any suggestions or additions.

To update your address and phone number, go to:
https://secure.tamu-commerce.edu/Alumni/v2/caf.asp

To unsubscribe from future E-Newsletters, send an e-mail to alumni_office@tamu-commerce.edu with the words “Unsubscribe from E-Newsletter” in the subject line.

While contributions are welcomed, content is determined solely by Alumni Relations of Texas A&M University-Commerce. Lion’s Roar is published quarterly by the Alumni Relations Office. To submit articles or creative writing, contact the Alumni Relations Office at (903) 886-5792, or send an e-mail to jane_martyn@tamu-commerce.edu.

Opinions expressed may not necessarily express the official position of Texas A&M University-Commerce or its Alumni Association.