E-NEWSLETTER
September 2004
New Alumni Director Named
Derryle G. Peace is the new director of Alumni Relations at A&M-Commerce.
A former executive director for the I Have a Dream Foundation of Dallas,
Peace started work at the University at the beginning of the fall semester.
He has extensive experience working for nonprofit organizations such
as Right Alternatives for People, Inc. and Girls Incorporated.
Regarding his joining the staff at A&M-Commerce, Advancement Executive
Director Sylvia Kelley said, “Derryle brings nearly 20 years of
related professional experience to this position. His passion for making
a difference in the lives of our students, bringing alumni closer to
our university and his ability to build long-term relationships will
make our university stronger.”
Peace received two degrees from the university -- a bachelor's in psychology
and sociology in 1974 and a master's in student personnel and guidance
in '75. "This is a great time in the life of the university," he
said. "I am excited to have this opportunity to work with the outstanding
staff, faculty, students, and alumni of this esteemed institution that
I am proud to call my alma mater."
Tailgate Parties!!
Join us before every football game this fall at the Alumni Tent on the
West Lawn. Snacks and soft drinks will be provided. If you are interested
in attending a game also, please contact Linda Bobbitt at 903-886-8765,
as we have several extra game tickets.
For a current Lion’s Football schedule, go to:
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/sports/m_fb/2004%20schedule.htm
October 16 will be the 2nd annual Texas A&M University-Commerce Chili
Cook-off. To register and sign up as a team, or for more information
go to:
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/special/chili/
Star Spangled Homecoming
Mark your calendar for the Star Spangled Homecoming Celebration the
week of October 25-30. Highlights include the Annual Golf Tournament,
Distinguished Alumni breakfast, Gold Blazer breakfast, Homecoming luncheon,
Veteran’s Vigil, football game at 2:30, Training School Dinner,
Athletic Association Dinner and much more!
The Homecoming schedule is located at
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/alumni/homecoming_schedule_2004.htm
115th Celebration In
marking the 115th Anniversary of Texas A&M University-Commerce on
Sept. 2, President Keith McFarland said the institution has undergone
much change through the years and will continue to do so in the future. "Just
as university founder William L. Mayo could not envision the world of
today, we cannot envision the world a 115 years from today -- especially
when it comes to scientific and technological advances, " McFarland
said. He is confident that the university will still be in Commerce shaping
students' lives in the next 100 years. A crowd of more than 500 gathered
for the celebration following a 7 a.m. breakfast buffet on the grounds
of the Heritage House.
At 8 a.m., a bell rang eight times to commemorate Sept. 2, 1889, when
Mayo rang a bell to begin classes at East Texas Normal College then located
in nearby Cooper in Delta County. After a fire destroyed the school building,
Mayo moved his college to Commerce in 1894.
Student Alumni Association
Student Alumni Association, an organization that provides opportunities
for current students to interact with alumni and to develop leadership
skills, will be re-formed this fall. Student members will assist the
Alumni Relations Office and the Alumni Association with projects such
as Homecoming and the Ambassador Forum. Student members will receive
a t-shirt and other University memorabilia, and will have opportunities
to meet with alumni in informal as well as formal situations.
Diploma Frames
New diploma frames for alumni and graduating seniors will be offered
from the Alumni Office in the next few months. Watch the web site for
more information
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/alumni/ServicesAndBenefits.html
Performing Arts Center
The Performing Arts Center has announced their 2004/2005 season starting
with Richard III October 7-10, 14-16. For a list of all upcoming plays
go to:
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/mmct/theatre/default.asp?TID=2
Sam Rayburn Legacy
Just a year before his death in 1961, Northeast Texan and former Speaker
of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn wrote: “If it
hadn’t been for Mayo’s college, his credit system and inspiration,
I don’t know where I’d be today.” “Rayburn never
forgot the support he received from East Texas Normal College, now Texas
A & M University – Commerce,” said Dr. Keith D. McFarland,
president and CEO of Texas A & M University – Commerce. “It
is time that we honor him for the impact he made on our university, state
and nation.”
Under the direction of Dr McFarland, a committee has been established
to raise $75,000 to commission the bronzing of a statue depicting Rayburn
where he is often so fondly remembered -- standing before the rostrum
as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The finished statue
will be set in a place of distinction on this campus that Rayburn so
loved. “Sam Rayburn has left a strong legacy in Northeast Texas,” said
Dr. Jim Conrad, committee chair. “We fully expect that the people
of this area will gladly support this special way of honoring him.”
Other project committee members include: Ted Crim, Dr. Ricky Dobbs,
Jerry Dodd, Rheba Icenhower, Dr. Paul Lenchner, Dr. Randy McBroom, Jerry
McDaniel, Connie Mears, Dave Walvoord and Gordon Thomas, local artist
and sculptor who developed the pose concept and will complete the sculpting
of the statue.
For more information about this project, please contact Shannon Morley,
grants specialist in the Office for Advancement, at 903-468-8197. Please
send gifts payable to Texas A&M University–Commerce Foundation,
P.O. Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429-3425 with a “Sam Rayburn Statue” notation.
FALL CALENDAR
September
18 Alumni Association Board Meeting
October
25-30 Star Spangled Homecoming and Veterans Vigil
30 Homecoming Day
November
12 Pride Deadline
December
7 Senior Disorientation Lunch
13 Commerce Chapter Christmas Party-President’s Home
18 Fall Graduation
You can also access the University-wide calendar of events at:
http://campusactivities.tamu-commerce.edu/events/
The Pride
The next issue of The Pride will have a new look! It will be mailed
to your home in early October. Watch for these upcoming articles:
- We've all heard that Dr. Mike Moses (Ed.D. '80) is leaving his
job as superintendent of one of the largest school districts in the
nation. The "Pride" checks in with the administrator to see
what the future holds.
- From Commerce to Middle Earth: How two A&M-Commerce
professors' interest in the Tolkien trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" earned
national recognition for the university.
- How do you travel from Broken
Bow, Okla. to New Orleans without modern transportation or conveniences?
Prepare to be amazed!
Photo’s Featuring A&M Commerce
Twenty pictures representing our university are now displayed on the
front page of the web site of the Association of College and University
Housing Officers-International. This organization has over 900 member
institutions, including universities in Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland,
Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Fiji, Hong Kong, Jamaica, and
the United Arab Emirates so far. For the next month or so our pictures
will be in the upper left-hand corner of the web site, which can be accessed
at www.acuho-i.org. The University
picture changes every five seconds. You may also click on the picture
which will take you to a page where you can access the pictures from
the other six universities that have been featured to date.
Coaches Lunch
Starting Monday, September 13 from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Memorial
Student Center, alumni are invited to meet the coaches and find out what’s
happening in A&M-Commerce fall sports. Tickets are $10. Call 903-886-5191
for reservations.
Support A&M-Commerce athletics!
We are thinking of you!
Please keep the alumni in hurricane paths in your thoughts this month as they deal with the trauma of this hurricane season.
If you have recently moved or changed your rural address to an EMS or 9-1-1 address please contact the Alumni Office so you will continue to receive the Pride.
Email us at: alumni_office@tamu-commerce.edu
Have you signed up yet? When Alumni Spend . . . Alumni Earn!!!
Quite a few alumni have already registered their favorite
Visa or Master Card. Here’s how it works:
- Register your card online. It’s free, easy
and secure.
- Every
time you shop and have your card swiped at a participating merchant,
a refund is created.
- You get a refund and so does the Alumni Association.
(It costs you nothing, and it is a great way for you to lend financial
support to the Alumni Association and its scholarship program and
other services.)
- You can register up to four credit cards into the
system online through the web site at:
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/alumni/Support_Future_Gen.htm
Clip & Save
Traveling to Commerce in the future? The following local overnight accommodations
are now available:
Holiday Inn Express - 903-886-4777
Holiday Lodge - 903-886-3165
The Chapin House Bed & Breakfast - 903-886-6713
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:
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/alumni/ServicesAndBenefits.html
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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.
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