where are they now? - summer 2011

Summer 2011 A Member of The Texas A&M University System

www.tamu-commerce.edu

As director of alumni relations, I have the unique opportunity to hear so many wonderful stories from our

alumni. Some share stories about profes-sors who went out of the way to make a difference, while others remember fun times on campus. Our online students and graduates, many who have never set foot on campus, also share an appreciation for the education they received here, sentiments that mirror those who studied on campus.

These stories, however, always leave me wanting more—more updates from our alumni and more opportunities to recon-nect with each of you. That’s why we created the “Where Are They Now?” news-letter. With more than 50,000 alumni to keep track of, this newsletter will help us all stay abreast of what our alumni have been up to since graduation, and hopefully inspire you to reconnect and let us know what’s happening in your life.

While the first issue is in print, it’s our hope that as we acquire more e-mail addresses, we can switch to an online version that will make it easier to learn about your class-mates, and update your information for possible inclusion in a future newsletter.

In the meantime, enjoy this inaugural issue. We are so proud of the way each of you transformed your life through higher education, and the ways you’ve impacted your communities since graduation. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Derryle G. PeaceDirector, Alumni Relations

Where are they Now?

EdWinnie Brown McWhirter, HondoB.S. & M.Ed. Education, Class of 1943 & 1951

EdWinnie Brown McWhirter chose to attend East Texas State Teacher’s College because it was

close to home, only a half block away to be exact.

She participated in Le Cercle Francais, a French club, and said that she has some particularly interesting memories of the university, one of which included eating snails at a formal dinner given by French teacher Eusibia Lutz.

McWhirter started teaching when she was 19 years old at a school in Paducah, Texas for a year and a half before return-ing to teach in Commerce. In the fall of 1944 she began teaching in Waco where she met her husband, Weldon B. McWhirter.

She attained her master’s degree in 1951 and began teaching in Hondo, Texas, where she taught for 34 years. Today McWhirter is retired and is active in the Methodist church, garden club, retired teachers, and

Delta Kappa Gamma.

2 | Where Are They Now? Texas A&M University-Commerce Summer 2011

Weldon E. Elbert, Jr., HoustonB.S. Psychology & M.S. Student Personnel and Guidance, Class of 1970 & 1971

When Weldon E. Elbert, Jr.’s dad enrolled in the doctoral program at East Texas State University, Elbert Jr. followed, attending high school in Commerce. His growing familiarity with the campus led

him to attend ETSU as an undergraduate.

Two of Elbert’s most influential professors were Everett Erb and David Talbot, who helped him develop problem solving skills and inspired him to further his education and attend graduate school.

“These two men did more than serve as my instructors, they spent out-of-class-room time keeping me focused, discussing future plans in my life and advancing what I call the graduation agenda,” Elbert said.

Thanks to his professors who stressed an obligation to give back, Elbert was led years later to his current occupation, instructor and advisor for the Minority Male Initiative Program at Houston Community College.

“This career has been topped off with awards such as the HCC Outstanding Faculty Award, Champion of Diversity Award, Faculty Fellowship, and Student Services Employee of the Year,” Elbert said. “I was also awarded a faculty sabbat-ical in 2010 to research teaching strategies with strengthen classroom engage-ment for black and Hispanic male students.”

Chester M. McKinney chose to attend East Texas State Teach-ers College because it was afford-

able, his older siblings had attended, and many of his classmates were also going.

McKinney said T.H. Brady and Troy Crenshaw were

his favorite professors during his four years at ETSTC, and he enjoyed dormitory life and

participated in the science club and the amateur radio club.

He said that the university “provided a good undergraduate background in classical physics and

mathematics,” which he would later use in his work for the U.S. Army Air

Force and Navy. His education also proved valuable later as he pursued a master’s and doctorate in physics at the University of Texas at Austin, and co-founded Tracor, a defense electronics company.

McKinney received numerous awards and honors during his career, some of which include the U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, American Defense Preparedness Association’s David Bush-nell Award, and Distinguished Technical Achievement Award from the Ocean Engi-neering Society of IEEE.

McKinney is currently retired from Applied Research Laboratories at UT Austin, where a wing was dedicated in his honor in 2000.

Chester M. McKinney, AustinB.S. Physics, Class of 1941

Summer 2011 Texas A&M University-Commerce Where Are They Now? | 3

James Thomas, Omaha, NEB.S. Industrial Technology, Class of 2001

For James Thomas, it was the industrial technology program and the department’s dedi-

cated faculty that drew him to Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Dr. L Dayle Yeager proved especially influential because he was always available to help and knew how to have fun in the classroom while teaching the students.

Thomas said his time at the university helped prepare him for future career opportunities, and introduced him to several lifelong friends.

“The technical courses in my major prepared me to compete for higher positions of responsibility in the indus-try,” he said.

After graduation, Thomas was hired by Kellogg’s Cereal Company as a produc-tion supervisor, and has since been

promoted four times during his ten year career. He now works for Kellogg’s as the senior manager for packing

maintenance.

Brock Callaway chose Texas A&M University-Commerce because of the caring attitudes he saw in the

university’s professors.

His favorite professor was Mr. Tom Brodnax, who along with the other profes-sors at A&M-Commerce took a “hands-on” approach to teaching instead of just reading notes from an overhead for students to copy down.

“On a regular basis I was placed in the middle of small groups and given a real-life problem to fix,” Callaway said. “I was actually learning how to think and find solutions to the types of problems I face in everyday life.”

Today Callaway is an agency producer for Callaway Insurance in Garland. He is the creator of LSCScoop.com, which publishes

Lone Star Conference information, and its weekly radio segment “Around the LSC.”

Callaway has also served as the radio color analyst for A&M-Commerce football since 2010 and will be back on KETR in fall 2011.

Brock Callaway, MesquiteB.S. Business Management, Class of 2001

For W. Garland Button, it was a recommendation from A.W. Eubanks, a member of the Board

of Regents, that led him to attend East Texas State Teachers College.

Once on campus, Button found himself welcomed by the great men and women who made up the college’s faculty and administration. Thanks to their dedication to teaching, Button received the knowledge and values he needed to succeed in life.

One such professor, Joe Grove, head of the industrial education department, particu-larly impacted Button. A “mountain man” from the Tennessee Mountains, Grove rode in the U.S. Army Mounted Horse Cavalry in World War I.

“I considered Mr. Grove the greatest profes-sor that I was ever associated with during my tenure at the university,” Button said. “He was a pioneer in the field of industrial arts.”

Now a retired executive vice president and chief line officer for Texas Power and Light, Button has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of the university, served on the universi-ty’s Board of Regents, and received an honorary doctorate.

W. Garland Button, MesquiteB.S. Business Administration, Class of 1938


A native of Commerce, Texas, Raymond B. Cameron grew up with a fond familiarity of East

Texas State Teachers College. His mother attended the college, and it only felt natural for him to follow in her footsteps.

AT ETSTC, Cameron’s on-campus involve-ment included working for The East Texan as the sports editor, and involvement in the Friar Social Club. In the classroom, his two

favorite professors, George Kibler, his shop teacher, and Mary Bowman, his English teacher, rounded out his ETSTC experience.

As an undergraduate, Cameron best remembers the generosity of his graduating

class, and their willingness to work together to raise money to have a portrait of Sam Rayburn painted and donated to the college.

After graduation, Cameron enjoyed a successful teaching career. His professional achievements also included a stint at Shep-pard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls where he served as an aircraft engine operation instructor, and taught cruise control on the B-29 Superfortress.

Cameron is currently a retired real estate developer and co-owner of the Cameron Company. He has served as chairman of the East Texas State University Board of Regents, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and is a former Alumni Association board member.

Carl S. Richie, Jr. attended East Texas State University because of the “warm and friendly environ-

ment” on campus, and the administrators and faculty who were genuinely inter-ested in the success and well-being of their students.

“I learned a lot about group dynamics, political organi-zation, and how businesses are organized and managed,” Richie said.

On campus, Richie was involved in the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, intramural sports, and Mach III tutoring.

He said that his time at the university helped prepare him for his successes after graduation, especially his favorite profes-

sor Dr. Larry Clinton, who was “very smart, engaging and knew how to make the class fun and entertaining.” He said Clinton

challenged his students to their best.

Richie has since earned a master’s and law degrees, worked for a member of Congress, served as chief of staff to a member of the Houston City Council and deputy chief of staff to Texas governor Ann W. Richards.

He also achieved the status of partner in a major Dallas law firm and later

opened his own firm. Today he works as the vice president of government affairs at TXU Energy.

Raymond B. Cameron, RockwallClass of 1940, B.S. Industrial Technology

Carl S. Richie, Jr., AustinB.S. Psychology & Sociology, Class of 1981

Lucile Hendricks Bledsoe, CooperB.A. & M.Ed. Education, Class of 1937 & 1955

Lucile Hendricks Bledsoe chose to attend East Texas State Teachers College because it

was an easy commute from her home, and the campus was friendly and welcoming.

Bledsoe was a member of the Kalir Club and often attended dances in the Cub Gym. Her favorite professors were Dr. J.G. Smith and Dr. Barrus, who were “great teachers, very friendly and so understanding of students.”

“I remember my student observation in Mrs. Peek’s fourth grade class when I was getting my master’s,” Bledsoe said.

“This was wonderful preparation for me. The college prepared me for teach-ing by showing me how a good teacher can motivate her students to study and participate.”

Bledsoe taught for 31 years and is currently retired. In 1969 she was appointed by the Commissioner of Education to be on the State Textbook Committee representing Congressio-nal District One. She was also general chairman of the Texas Joint English Committee for Schools and Colleges and president of Northeast Texas Council of Teachers of English.


For Glenda McKissic Baylor, it was the friendly atmosphere that led her to East Texas State University.

She was involved in several campus orga-nizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Panhellenic Council, and the African American Student Society of East Texas, and was crowned the first African American homecoming queen.

“The university life helped me to become more independent as an individual, to become more assertive in pursuing my goals,” Baylor said. “I believe it continued to prepare me for future successes in my life.”

Baylor has served as dean of instruction and principal for Dallas ISD and principal asses-sor at Region X Education Center. Today she works as a consultant for her business, Baylor Educational Consulting.

Glenda McKissic Baylor, DeSotoB.A. Business Education & M. Ed. Education, Class of 1971

Homer B. Johnson, GarlandM.S. Education Administration, Class of 1951

Homer B. Johnson attended East Texas State on his way to becoming one of

the greatest high school football coaches in Texas.

At age 29 he was named head foot-ball coach at Garland High School, making him the youngest head football coach in Texas at the state’s highest classification. He directed his team to their first district champion-ship in 1960 and at age 34 became Garland ISD’s first athletic director.

In 1979 Garland’s Memorial Stadium was renamed Homer B. Johnson Stadium in his honor. In 1993 he was chosen to coach the Oil Bowl and selected what many consider the best Oil Bowl team ever produced from the state of Texas. In 2008 he was selected into the Oil Bowl Hall of Honor and named one of the 17 best coaches ever to coach in the bowl.

Over the years Johnson has been selected into the Texas Football Coaches Hall of Honor, The Texas Football Hall of Fame, the Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame, and the Garland Sports Hall of Fame. He has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Garland High School Alumni Association.


Troy L. Coleman, DallasM.S., Class of 1971

Like many of his classmates, Troy L. Coleman chose East Texas State University because it was close to

his hometown.

On campus, he participated in the univer-sity band, intramural football and track, and Alpha Phi Alpha, experiences that helped him grow, change and pursue personal development.

“My favorite professor, by far, was Dr. David Talbot,” Coleman said. “He was my mentor, he became my friend, and I knew he cared about me and he helped me prepare for the world I would experience.”

Today Coleman works as a consultant and industrial psychologist. He has served as human resources director for the city of Dallas, associate superintendent for the Dallas ISD and Sr. Vice President for Human Resources in an ecommerce company. He said that the knowledge and preparation he acquired at the university provided a base for all of his experiences and successes.

“I learned how to compete, how to prepare myself, and how to plan and focus forward,” Coleman said. “I learned the importance of collaboration and teamwork.”

Susan Faires Dacus chose to attend East Texas State University because of the journalism depart-

ment’s strong reputation both in and out of the state of Texas.

Dr. Robert “Mac” McCloud, who was head of the journalism department when Dacus attended the university, had a profound influence not only on her writing, but also on her view of ethics and professionalism.

“Dr. Mac taught us ethics, interviewing, reporting only verified information and being proactive when pursuing a story,” Dacus said. “I learned to value professional-ism, to have pride in my work and to enjoy interacting with the many people I was able to meet in pursuit of stories.”

Today she is the executive director for the Wylie ISD communications department in Collin County. Dacus said that throughout her communications career she has always continued to use lessons she learned from her years at ETSU.

“Whether the project is motivating my team, preparing speeches, video scripts and journal/magazine articles, being interviewed by the media, working with crisis communications, launching a new web site or participating in a press confer-ence, strong but invisible strands lead back to the base that I received from my ETSU experience.”

Susan Faires Dacus, PlanoB.A. English and Journalism, Class of 1971

Lana Robinson chose Texas A&M University-Commerce thanks to its convenient master’s program

housed at the Universities Center Dallas campus in Dallas.

Pursuing my M.B.A. from a different university than where I received my bach-elor’s degree in chemistry forced me to view

the philosophy of business from a new level of understanding,” Robinson said.

Robinson’s professional experience since graduation has included work in five corpo-rate facilities as an environmental profes-sional at either specialist or manager. She is currently working as a senior environmen-tal specialist for Southwest Airlines.

Lana Robinson, MesquiteM.B.A., Class of 2001


Rev. Michael S. Bell chose to attend East Texas State University because of his introduction to the

community as a Sam Rayburn Scholar, invitation to join the Freshman Leader-ship Class, tuition affordability, and prox-imity to his part-time job in Dallas.

Bell served as a leader for several campus activities during his time at the univer-sity. He was Freshman Leadership Class president, Inter-Residence Hall Council president, Sigma Chi fraternity president, Student Government Association president and orientation leader.

“Faculty and staff were very passionate about educating the ‘whole person,’” Bell said,

“challenging us to learn in the classroom as well as encouraging us to fearlessly explore,

discover and mature through involvement on campus and in the community.”

After graduation Bell continued his educa-tion at Harvard University. He is currently a priest and campus missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.

Billy F. Watkins, Sr., Caddo MillsB.B.A., Class of 1971

Billy F. Watkins chose to attend East Texas State University because it was close to home.

He stayed thanks to down-to-earth, quality professors like William Stone.

Thanks to the management skills he acquired on campus, Watkins went on to pursue a successful 38-year career in law enforcement and eventually retired from the Rockwall Police Department and Rockwall County D.A. office.

In 2002, his accomplishments in law enforcement were honored by the Rockwall Police Department with the dedication of a police and court build-ing in his name.

For Sangeeta Singg, it was the Feder-ation of North Texas University Ph.D. program that led her to East Texas

State University.

On campus, Singg worked as a counselor in the campus counseling center and participated in the international students program. She most remembers how person-able and caring the university’s professors

were, especially Dr. Sam Cochran, who was “dedicated in every aspect of life.”

“I was properly prepared to teach what I had learned,” Singg said. “I learned a lot, and carried my newfound knowledge with me. I received excellent research training and statistics coursework.”

Today Singg is a professor of psychology at Angelo State University. She also serves as the director of the graduate program in counseling psychology. Over the years she has been selected as “Woman of the Year” by the San Angelo Business and Professional Women’s Club, Texas A&M University-Commerce Ambassador and American Heart Association Volunteer of the Year.

Rev. Michael S. Bell, Manhattan, KSB.A., Class of 1992

Sangeeta Singg, San AngeloM.S. & Ph.D. Psychology, Class of 1979 & 1981


With a heart for education, Helen Dickson chose East Texas State Teachers College because it was

close to her home and had a great repu-tation for training some of the best teach-ers in the country.

At ETSTC, Dickson found “a school of teachers, for teachers,” where she could learn how to take her education and pass it on to others. Professors like Effie Taylor encouraged Dickson along her path toward graduation sharing her impeccable back-ground and extensive knowledge of the subject matter. Taylor also taught in a creative and enjoyable way and truly made students like Dickson think critically in the classroom.

According to Dickson, her professors were “consummate professionals” who were

committed to preparing her for her future career and to teaching the students not only subject matter but also how to be affective teachers.

After graduation she went on to become an English and business public school teacher and is currently retired.

“My lifelong goal was to be a teacher, and my joy was to see children and young adults learn,” Dickson said. “My highlight was to see that ‘lightbulb,’ that moment of true learning. I am blessed to have so many former students who honor me with their success and their accom-plishments.”

For Lori Carter, the choice to attend East Texas State University was the direct result of recommenda-

tions from friends and relatives who had attended and enjoyed their time at the university.

On campus, Carter was involved in several university honor societies, some of which included Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society and Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

In the classroom, Carter was most impacted by Dr. Charles Embry.

“He really made me use my brain by assign-ing all those books and papers,” Carter said.

“There are books that I read and enjoy today that I never would have read had I not taken Dr. Embry’s class.”

Today Carter works as a case administration leader for the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Bankruptcy Court. She said that attending A&M-Commerce gave her the confidence that she could learn to do anything.

“I had no experience in bankruptcy when I applied to the bankruptcy court,” Carter said. “When I was hired I hit the ground running and now my nickname is ‘the guru.’”

Helen Dickson, CommerceB.A. & M.A., Class of 1941

Lori Carter, GarlandB.A. History & Political Science, Class of 1991


For Alex W. Kibler, attending East Texas State Teachers College was a family affair. His family lived a block

from campus, his sister attended ETSTC and his father, George W. Kibler, was a professor for more than 40 years.

As a student, Kibler was involved in many campus activities, including the Paragon Social Club; he also served as president of the student body during his senior year. Kibler’s campus involvement provided him with lifelong friends. Those friendships comple-mented by excellent professors that instilled values in him solidified his strong affinity for his alma mater.

“At ETSTC, I learned how to deal with, work with, and respond to many people situ-ations,” Kibler said. “People skills have

served me well. I learned responsibility and how to use that privilege.”

After graduation, Kibler served two years in the army and then got a job in agricul-tural finance. He later directed civilian personnel protection for the U.S. Navy Air Station and worked for Beeville I.S.D. and the Beeville Water Supply District. He is currently retired.

Tory Humphries chose to attend East Texas State University because both of his parents were alumni, and had

loyally taken him to the university’s foot-ball and basketball games.

A member of Sigma Chi, Humphries served as the fraternity’s president from 1989-90. His favorite on campus memories include the lifelong friends he made, and meeting his wife Daidre.

Humphries also attributes personable professors like Dr. Jack Ingram, business

law, for providing a quality educational experience, and instilling a level of disci-pline in him that prepared him for life.

“Dr. Ingram had a great ability to connect with you as a student,” Humphries said. “He was wonderful at relating the class material to real life situations.”

“The courses were challenging and the professors expected you to work hard,” Humphries said. “I certainly learned a lot about marketing and understanding the importance of communicating with people. Those skills were essential when I started my career.”

Humphries is now the president and co-owner of NET Data Corporation and GHS, Limited. He also serves on the Economic Development Corporation Board of Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County.

Alex W. Kibler, BeevilleB.S., M.Ed., Class of 1952 & 1955

Tory Humphries, Sulphur SpringsB.S., Class of 1991

VaLinda Hathcox, YantisB.A. with high honors & M.A., Class of 1969 & 1971

VaLinda Hathcox attended East Texas State University because her parents said that it would

help her gain her bearings for college life.

Though she initially wanted to go to the University of Texas at Austin where her older brother attended, she found that ETSU truly was a good place to start out.

“My parents said that I could go to UT if I attended ET for a year,” Hathcox said.

“After graduating from Sulphur Springs High School in 1966, I enrolled at ET in the summer and a year later I had completed over half of my degree and was enjoying my classes and the quality of instruction that I was receiving.”

One of her most influential profes-sors was Ellis Sandoz, who helped instill an ethical standard in her for her political ambitions. Hathcox was a student senator and was involved in the Honors Program and Colloquium and Young Democrats.

Hathcox later attended the University of Texas Law School, and is now an attorney and owner of Hathcox Law Firm. She has been a U.S. House of Representatives Democratic nominee, Special Assistant Attorney General of Texas and State Bar of Texas, among other accomplishments.


George E. Ashford III was looking to stay close, but not too close to his parents in Dallas when he chose

to attend East Texas State University.

Ashford was involved in Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and was strongly impacted by his favorite professor, Dr. David A. Talbot, who was the fraternity campus adviser. Accord-

ing to Ashford, although Talbot did not actually teach him, he was a great mentor.

Ashford said that the university life provided interaction with all types of people from all different places, which helped prepare him for real life.

Ashford currently works as an independent criminal defense lawyer.

“I have handled many of the biggest criminal cases in Dallas including the ‘Texas Seven’ capital murder trail,” Ashford said. “I serve as an associate judge for the Dallas County juvenile courts and presiding judge of the juvenile drug court.”

For Jason Wesch, it was the university’s reputa-tion and location that

led him to East Texas State University.

On campus, Wesch was most thankful for the support of his favorite professor at the university, Willie Edwards, who had also been one of his instructors during his time at Richland College and was always willing stop and talk to him outside of class.

According to Wesch, his internship with the campus police proved most influen-tial thanks to the amount he learned while working with them.

Today Wesch is the creative director for Avidgolfer Magazine, Dallas, Houston, and

Arizona issues, and has worked with golf stars Natalie Gulbis and Morgan Pressel.

George E. Ashford III, DallasB.S. Political Science, Class of 1981

Jason R. Wesch, DallasB.S. Criminal Justice, Class of 1991

Frank Turner, Angel Fire, NMB.S. Agriculture, minors in biology & economics, Class of 1961

Frank Turner came to East Texas State College based on a recom-mendation from his favorite profes-

sor at New Mexico Military Institute. It was the perfect size, as larger universi-ties seemed intimidating.

According to Turner, his favorite profes-sors at ETSC were Dr. Buck Hughes and Dr. Foster B. Hamlin, because both of the professors genuinely cared about what happened to their students after they left the college.

As a student, Turner was involved in Tejas/Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and interfra-ternity council. He said one of the things that impressed him the most about the campus was the friendliness.

“I came to ET not knowing anyone,” Turner said. “By the end of my first semester I had made friends with some who are very close friends to this day.”

After graduating from ETSC, Turner served in Vietnam as an officer in the Marine Corps. Following his military career, he established an extensive career in the rail-road industry. In 2002 he was honored by the U.S. Congress and the Association of American Railroads for “Visionary Leader-ship in the Railroad Industry.”

Today he is a retired railroad industry exec-utive, and is currently serving as chairman of the board for Blacklands Railroad and for the Cubres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.


A scholarship was the deciding factor that led Fred Guerrero to East Texas State University.

On campus, Guerrero participated in Phi Mu Alpha professional music fraternity, Pi Psi chapter. In the classroom, he found inspiration to succeed from his favor-ite professor Dr. Neal Humfeld, who “made everyone feel special as a student and contributor to the music program.”

Guerrero said the university helped him learn how to achieve. When looking back on his years at the university, he most fondly remembers forming bonds with his instruc-tors, fellow students, and fraternal brothers, and meeting his wife Sara Six.

Since graduation he has served as a Major in the Air Force as a C-130 pilot and volun-teer music educator at the school his sons attended. He is currently a pilot for South-west Airlines.

Sara Six Guerrero attended East Texas State University because of its reputation for being a good

school for teachers.

Guerrero was involved in marching band

and symphonic band, and said her favorite professor was Dr. Neal Humfeld.

“Dr. Humfeld made me feel special,” Guer-rero said. “He made me feel like I was an

important person in the band program.”

Making lifelong friends and participating in the music program rounded out her on campus experience, as did meeting her future husband Fred Guerrero.

Guerrero studied elementary education with an emphasis on early child-hood, and went on to teach first grade, kindergarten, and pre-K. She taught for 16 years and was a leader in the scouting program for 8 years. She is currently retired.

Fred Guerrero & Sara Six Guerrero, FloresvilleB.S. Music Education, Class of 1971; B.S. Elementary Education, Class of 1971

The university’s great reputation and proximity to home is what attracted Wallace Finney to East

Texas State University.

Professors like Mr. Shaw, Finney’s business education teacher, inspired him in the classroom through his love of teaching, special atten-tion for each student and knowing every student by name. He said his classes and instructors at the university had a profound impact on his life.

“No one from my family had ever received a college degree,” Finney said. “I just wanted to get a semester in so that I could say I

went to college. The wonderful faculty and administration opened up a whole new world for me. If it had not been for my expe-

riences at the university, I don’t know where I would be today.”

Today, Finney is an execu-tive dean of business, public service and information technology at El Centro College. He has received numerous awards and honors from El Centro,

including Administrator of the Year award for the Dallas County Community College District, Most Distinguished Advisor for the State of Texas, and the International Mosal Award for Advisors.

Wallace Finney, DallasB.S. & M.S., Class of 1971 & 1974

Where are You now?We’d like to consider you for a future edition of “Where are they now?” Send your photos (old and new) and a brief summary of what you have been up to

wherenow.tamuc.com/survey.

Texas A&M University-Commerce

P.O. Box 3011

Commerce, TX 75429

www.tamu-commerce.edu

What Do You Think? We’d Like To Know.

In an effort to gauge how we are doing as a university and as an alumni asso-ciation, we want to hear from you!

To say thanks, each survey respondent will receive a free coffee mug. Surveys can be completed and returned one of three ways:

1. Fill out the survey online at reconnect.tamuc.com/tellus,

2. Email the completed survey to [email protected], or

3. Mail them to:Alumni RelationsTexas A&M University-CommerceP.O. Box 3011Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

Name

Graduation Year Campus

Mailing Address

City, State, ZIP

Email address

Preferred Contact Method (check all that apply):❍ Email❍ Direct Mail❍ Phone❍ Other (Facebook, etc.)

Survey Questions 1. The university has undergone some dramatic

changes over the past 15 years since becom-ing a part of the A&M System. What are your opinions of the changes that have occurred?

2. Were the majority of you classes taken in Commerce and if so, when was the last time you visited campus and what was the event?

3. What do you consider to be the university’s greatest strengths?

4. What do you consider to be the university’s greatest need for improvement?

5. If your experience was only online or at one of our satellite campuses, describe your percep-tions of the university?

6. The alumni association strives to encourage alumni to reconnect with the university in a variety of ways i.e., reunions, alumni receptions, recognition events, homecoming, etc. What types of events can you suggest that would motivate you to return to campus and/or attend an event in your area?

7. If you have given during the past ten years, what was your motivation and where did you ask the money be used?

Where are they Now? Survey Tell us what you think and get a free coffee mug!

A&M-Commerce vs. Midwestern State

SAT., SEPT. 17 @ noon

WWW.LIONATHLETICS.COM

Join us @ Cowboys Stadium for the

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