E-NEWSLETTER
August 2006

LION’S ROAR

Greetings fellow alumni and former students! It is my delight to greet you in this publication of the Lion’s Roar.

If you have not visited campus in a while, you owe it to yourself to come and witness the transition that is occurring. The opening of the new Science Building and Planetarium in January is one of the many highlights that have brought new energy and excitement to the campus. Plans are underway for the construction of an Alumni Center and a new Student Center. Work is currently being done for the completion our new football field that will have an artificial surface. New programs have been added and more on are on the way.

This past spring was a busy season for us.  We had another outstanding Alumni Ambassador Forum in April that brought alumni back to campus to share their experiences with students and faculty. 

Two special groups returned to campus this spring to celebrate their time spent on campus. The ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) held their last formal reunion in March.  This group of men stationed at Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas, in 1943, was selected to attend classes here in Commerce.  In 1944 they were sent to Europe for combat duty and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. "The 99th Infantry Division was one of the most decorated combat units in Europe, having one Medal of Honor, 252 Silver Stars, and 5,000 Purple Hearts" (Richards 1993). We will miss their presence, but salute them for their outstanding service to their country and to this university.

The First Last Dinner Dance Reunion was held in April.  The event provided an opportunity for social clubbers to come together to reminisce, golf, and fellowship together.  More details about his phenomenal event can be found later in this issue.

We welcome your participation in the upcoming fall events.

Derryle G. Peace, Director
Alumni Relations  
BS ‘74, MS ‘75

Update Your Address

Please contact the Alumni Relations Office at 800-675-4667 or go to our website to update your address.  If you didn’t receive the President’s Annual Report, which was mailed in early February, then your address is incorrect in our system.  The next issue of the Pride will be mailed in early August and we don’t want you to miss it.  Click on the link below to make your changes.

https://secure.tamu-commerce.edu/Alumni/v2/caf.asp

Fifty-Year Club Reunion Set

The Fifty-Year Club is comprised of students who graduated fifty or more years ago who return to campus each year for its annual reunion.  This year, as the graduates of 1956 celebrate the Golden Anniversary of their graduation from East Texas State Teachers College, they will be inducted into this prestigious club. A special invitation is also extended to the classes of 1955 and 1957 to join the celebration on October 6, 2006.
         
Filled with nostalgia and reminiscences, the reunion is a time of sharing and reconnecting.  For the most part, dress is semi-causal and comfortable.  Comfortable shoes are especially advised for the campus tour. Church attire will be appropriate for the induction ceremony.
         
Have you lost the address of your former roommate or the classmate who lived across the hall? The alumni office, (903) 886-5765, can help you locate them. Why not contact old friends and encourage them to join you for a reunion you will never forget?

Science Building Rooms Dedicated

A number of laboratories, classrooms, reception and meeting areas are to be named for donors who helped to fund the building and equipping of the state-of-the-art $28 million Science Building and Planetarium at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Sylvia Kelley, Institutional Advancement Vice President, says that the fundraising drive took place over a four year period and the result speaks directly to the generosity of A&M-Commerce's supporters. A&M-Commerce President Dr. Keith McFarland echoes these sentiments. "A&M-Commerce is working to kindle the interest of youth in math and science as there is a national shortage of students in these fields.  "Our Science Building and Planetarium are part of this initiative, and it would not have been made a reality without the support and trust of our friends.   "We thank you for helping us to achieve this part of our mission. The generosity you have displayed will touch the lives of many A&M-Commerce students for generations to come."

The Texas A&M System Board of Regents recently approved the naming of facilities for these philanthropists:
Robert V. Barnes and his wife, Deborah Brown Barnes
Raymond and Elizabeth Rochell Cameron
Georgia and Rudy Dorrough
Hoyle and Ann Oglesby Julian
Dr. Kenneth and Sue Q. Sheppard
Dr. and Mrs. Larry Walker
Al and Dianne Watson

Planetarium Show Schedule

The Texas A&M University-Commerce celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art planetarium. The planetarium has a 40-foot dome and a Digistar 3 all digital projection system which fills the dome with sights and sounds beyond imagination.  The planetarium's 87 reclined seats immerse the audience in a space environment filling their vision and appearing to take them beyond the confines of the Earth.  The planetarium is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 and 8 p.m. (call 903-468-8652 for a recording specifying specific dates). Each show lasts about 45 minutes and contains a view of the current night sky where constellations, stars and planets are shown. For a complete schedule, click on the link below:

http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/university/planetarium/

New Insurance Programs

Texas A&M University-Commerce or East Texas State graduates may purchase a variety of high quality, competitively priced insurance products through the Texas A&M University-Commerce Alumni Association. These plans are administered by Marsh/Alumni Services.

Long Term Care through Long Term Preferred Care - Private long term care insurance pays many expenses not covered by Medicare and helps prevent you from having to “spend down” your assets, a prerequisite for Medicaid assistance. More importantly, it helps protect your freedom to choose a nursing home facility or home health care provider. That’s a liberty you may not have with Medicaid.
For Short-Term Medical - Cick here for an online quoting tool
For Auto/Home Insurance - Get a free quote.

For more information on any of the plans listed below, you may contact the Alumni Association at 1-800-67LIONS.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, “The Moving Wall”, will be on display on campus Wednesday, November 8 through Sunday, November 12.  "The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for almost twenty years.  For additional information about the Moving Wall, go to:
http://www.themovingwall.org/#aboutmw

New Student Center

The new Sam Rayburn Student Center will be an open building of glass and light that is expected to attract the community with offerings of an indoor ATM, a food court and retail space similar to that of a shopping mall.  The 92,000 square foot, $22-million project will be located on the main corridor between housing to the academic core of the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus on the corner of Stonewall and West Neal Street.  The student center's architectural style and landscaping will complement the Science and Technology Center.  Texas A&M-Commerce has been in discussion with focus groups to obtain their recommendations for the new building.  The proposed student club will feature multiple flat screens, a big screen TV.  Another area will feature electronic video games and pool.  A stage for bands, comedians and other entertainers will be available for performers.  Apart from large ballroom and meeting rooms, student organizations will have space for offices.  Anticipated groundbreaking is Fall 2006.

Athletic Association E-Newsletter - LION'S UPDATE

If you would be interested in getting regular emails from alumni Dr. Ron Newsome (’66, 78’, ’81), president of the Lion’s Athletic Association,  about what is going on in the athletic department, upcoming athletic events and information about former Lions, please email Ron at newsome@tarleton.edu.  Over 250 people in 17 states and one foreign country regularly receive this service.  You can discontinue at any time. 

Plans are now underway to honor the 1966 Lions Football Team at Homecoming on October 28, 2006 in recognition of the 40th anniversary of winning the Lone Star Conference Championship.  If you were a member of the 1966 team, please contact Jim Johnson, Athletic Director, at 903-886-5568.

Invitation to 2006 Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic

The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball team has been invited to participate in the 2006 Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic held from November 2 until November 5.  The event will be hosted at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort. This tournament sponsored by the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association, is one of the most prestigious events on the NCAA Division II calendar and has excitement planned for athletes, coaches and spectators.

The Office of Alumni Relations at A&M-Commerce is planning to host a reception for alumni residing in the area. The exact location of the reception will be announced at a later date.  A four night package will be available for parents, boosters, alumni, or anyone interested in attending. The rate for a single is $656; double, $471; triple, $408; quad, $377 and children ages 3-9, $278.  For additional information call Anthony Travel at 1-800-736-6377 or visit www.anthonytravel.com contact the Alumni Relations Office at (903)886-5765.

The 9th First LAST DINNER DANCE - A Hoot!

The 9th First Last Dinner Dance was just that “a hoot” -- from Rosemary Rumbley’s humorous comments about an ET graduate that became the Dean of Women at North Texas to comical comments about Alumni Director Derryle Peace and President Keith McFarland to a host of jokes about this and that.  If you were there and did not laugh, then you were dead.  The Pop Tops played the fifties and sixties music that we old social clubbers and older Greeks love to listen to and with which we swing and sway.

But, the real joy of a First Last Dinner Dance are the “do you remember whens” and reliving the joy of college days and catching up on the lives of old friends.   One hundred and fifty people attend the 9th FLDD events starting with the golf tournament.  In commenting on the Grapevine course, one of the golfers stated that he had never played a course that was all up hill. However, of the 20 “pitch and putters” that played, four proved the course was playable with a nine under par.  Those four (Jim Atchley, Artema, Ed Waters, Artema, Winston Williams, Artema/Lambda Chi, Mike Hutchison, A&M-Commerce Director of Major Gifts) are not quite ready for the Senior Tour but they do know how to play the game.

Dr. Lacey (English Professor in the 50s & 60s) would have been proud of the former ET student writers at the book signing on Saturday afternoon.  Those former ET student writers included:  Jim Ainsworth, Campbell; Angeline Craig, Rowlett, TX; Kelley Presswood, Texarkana, TX; Susan Sikes, Caddo Mills, and Gene Wilson, Dallas. The administrators, faculty and former faculty also demonstrated their writing skills at the book signing.  They included: Dr. Keith McFarland, President, Texas A&M-Commerce; Dr. Fred Tarpley, former English Professor, Campbell; and Dr. William Thompson, Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice.

Writing skills were not the only expertise demonstrated at the Saturday afternoon event as those former students who can paint on canvas or create with metal also demonstrated their skills.  These talented artists included: Jo Ann Fanning Durham, Ft. Worth (painting) and Grace Tribble (inspirational jewelry) of Mesquite.

It was “a hoot” was the topic of conversation Saturday night and Sunday morning as the FLDD attendees headed for their homes throughout the great state of Texas and elsewhere.  Another item of conversation was “How about #10”.
Jerry Hyde,Chairman Emeritus

New Staff in the Office of Institutional Advancement
Mike Hutchinson, Director of Major Gifts

Mike works with alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to match the philanthropic wishes of the donor with the university’s priorities through various campaigns and special projects. His focus will be Major and Planned Giving. He has raised funds at all levels including Annual, Major and Planned Giving in his eleven years as a fundraiser in Higher Education in Texas. Mike received his BA from McMurry College and his M.Ed. from the University of Texas at El Paso.  You can contact Mike at 903.468.8182 or email him at: Mike_Hutchinson@tamu-commerce.edu

Stephanie Peebles, Special Events Coordinator

Stephanie is responsible for alumni events such as Homecoming, the Ambassador Forum, and the Alumni Golf Classic. She is an adviser to the Student Alumni Association and acts as a liaison to university services for Alumni.  Stephanie received her B.S. from Texas A&M University-Commerce.  You can contact Stephanie at 903.468.3085 or email her at :
Stephanie_Peebles@tamu-commerce.edu

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Contact Alumni Relations at 903-886-5792 if you are interested in attending these events.  For a complete football schedule, go to:
http://lionathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/tame-m-footbl-body.html

Don’t Forget To Check Out the Alumni Association Web Site At
http://www7.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:
http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/alumni/ServicesAndBenefits.html

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.