Texas A&M University-Texarkana Convocation - Spring/Summer 2016

T E X A S

A & M

U N I V E R S I T Y- T E X A R K A N A

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FOR THE LOVE OF

Eagles

A&M-TEXARKANA

CONVOCATION CONVOCATION Ceremonial assembly of members of a college or university A collective group of Eagles

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President Dr. Emily Fourmy Cutrer

With a shared vision, we – like the eagle – will soar to great heights.

Chief of Staff to the President Vicki Melde Huckabee Associate Vice President for University Advancement LeAnne Wright Creative Services Lindsey Gordon Director of Alumni Relations Mark Missildine Director of Communications Carol Langston Director of Marketing Stacy Glover Administrative Assistant Shannon Gustafson Contributors Carol Langston Lindsey Gordon Stacy Glover Marina Garza Dr. Thomas Cutrer

Photo by Melanie Gloster

From the President

The Convocation is published by the Office of University Advancement for Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

Address changes, inquiries and contributions may be directed to Carol Langston at 7101 University Avenue, Texarkana, Texas 75503, OfficeOfCommunications@ tamut.edu, (903) 334-6628. Copyright ©2016 by Texas A&M University-Texarkana. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without the written permission of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

For the Love of Eagles For many centuries, the eagle has captivated and inspired humans as a symbol of strength, pride, bravery, courage, and freedom. What makes this bird so significant and symbolic are its marvelous characteristics: a keen vision, a nurturing heart, courageous leadership, and a tenacious spirit.

As I begin my fourth year as president of Texas A&M University-Texarkana, I find myself believing that we – like the eagle – will continue to embody all of these traits as we work to fulfill our goals of academic excellence, student success, and community leadership. With a shared vision, we – like the eagle – will soar to great heights.

As a member of a world-class university system, A&M-Texarkana provides our students with the prestige of a Texas A&M University degree earned on a campus well-recognized by students, faculty, and staff as the “Eagle family” and by others in the higher education realm as a true “community of learners” – a community that includes you as a friend

of the university.

It is indeed a pleasure to bring you the spring/summer 2016 issue of The Convocation, our magazine for friends, faculty, staff, and students of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

Throughout this issue, we will highlight examples of engaged students, faculty, and alumni who represent our Eagle spirit and Eagle pride. You will read stories about wonderful opportunities to engage with the university through our faculty-led Program for Learning and Community Engagement (PLACE), Student Life events, and other activities designed to create a community of learners.

You’ll read about the addition of six new academic programs – bachelor’s degrees in biotechnology, kinesiology and chemistry, a master’s degree in communication, a doctorate in education leadership, and a supply chain management emphasis for our bachelor’s degree in business administration, all to begin in the fall 2016 semester.

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While we have reached many milestones this spring, there are many more new and exciting things ahead. In the coming months, we will break ground on a new student recreation and wellness center, as well as an academic and student services complex. These buildings will play a significant role in A&M-Texarkana and will enable us to expand our enrollment and enhance our services for students and keep us at the forefront of higher education in this region.

Thank you for being a part of our Eagle family and the A&M-Texarkana community of learners, and thank you for your commitment to joining us as we take the university to the next level and beyond.

Sincerely,

Emily Cutrer, President Texas A&M University-Texarkana

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TAMUT

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Features 12 Acting Out 22 All In The Family 28 Scholar Of The Year

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Student Success

22 Dr. Kim Murray and Ace the Eagle hold the A&M-Texarkana Eagles

lowercase letter “e� with

Connect 360: The Eagle Experience Master of Arts in Communication Popular Science Acting Out First Year Experience

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A&M-Texarkana Eagles Up

shape of wings.

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Paving the way...

One brick at a time!

Making Things Official Student Life Scholarship Dollars At Work From Classroom to Pressroom All in the Family For the Love of Eagles Alumni News Scholar of the Year

Community Leadership

the thumb and index

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Academic Excellence

Alumni Spotlights

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is created by forming a

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Faculty Spotlight

Up sign. The Eagle sign

remaining fingers in the

Landing

Departments

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finger and curling the

THE EAGLE

Dr. Roy Glauber

Happening At A&M

9 Athletics 17 Wingspan 30 Events

The Eagles have landed! The Texas A&M University-Texarkana Alumni Association is working to increase funding for scholarships!

A&M-Texarkana Alumni Association is offering alumni, students, family members, faculty, staff, and friends of the university an opportunity to sponsor an engraved brick that will be placed at The Eagle Landing walkway in front of the University Center on the Texarkana campus. Cost is $100 per brick.

For more information, contact Mark Missildine 903.223.3153 | Mark.Missildine@tamut.edu Or Visit: tamut.edu/Alumni/Office-of-Alumni-Relations/the-eagle-landing

Academic Excellence PLACE

The Program for Learning and Community Engagement (PLACE) is a faculty-led program designed to create a community of learners comprising A&MTexarkana students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Author on Campus

David K. Shipler, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former correspondent with the New York Times, was the fall 2015 keynote speaker for the Program for Learning and Community Engagement (PLACE) at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Shipler’s appearance was co-sponsored by the A&MTexarkana Office of First Year Experience’s annual academic theme program. This year’s PLACE/FYE theme is “economic opportunity.”

‘From Generation Debt to DIY U’

Educational futurist, lead education reporter for National Public Radio and acclaimed author Anya Kamenetz was on campus in March for the spring 2016 keynote lecture titled “From Generation Debt to DIY U” sponsored by PLACE at A&M-Texarkana.

In her presentation, Kamenetz discussed how to solve the debt problems plaguing young adults and what reforms and actions are necessary for young people to escape debt and successfully manage their money. She also shared a glimpse into the classrooms of the future from her experiences running a peerled self-directed online learning community, playing with robots and 3-D printers, and brainstorming with the designers of free and openly accessible resources for teaching, learning, assessment, and finding a job.

A winner of multiple national prizes from the Education Writers Association, Kamenetz is part of a new team at NPR coordinating national coverage of education both online and on-air. Her debut book, “Generation Debt,” received critical acclaim for stoking debate on the unprecedented economic challenges young people face.

A&M-Texarkana recently developed an initiative called Connect 360: The Eagle Experience, which seeks to engage students at a deeper level in the learning process by improving the quality and increasing the number of experiential learning opportunities across the curriculum.

Connect 360 was developed with the involvement of faculty, staff, students, and the greater A&M-Texarkana community. The goal is that all present and future faculty and students will come to naturally adopt experiential learning as an integral element of university education.

Experiential learning at A&M-Texarkana takes a variety of forms, including internships with local companies, clinical activities at area healthcare institutions, co-curricular collaboration with K-12 institutions and community colleges, service learning with area nonprofit organizations, course-related travel, and active, creative activities within or outside of the classroom. Students enrolled in experiential learning designated courses demonstrate the ability to apply experience-based knowledge of their disciplines to real-world issues.

‘We Are All Homeless’

PLACE at A&M-Texarkana hosted Dallas artist and Southern Methodist University professor, Willie Baronet, in March for a presentation and an exhibit of his work titled “We Are All Homeless.”’

In July 2014, Baronet and three companions drove across the country, interviewing more than 100 homeless people on the streets and purchasing over 275 of their signs. A documentary about the experience, “Signs of Humanity,” premiered in April at the Dallas International Film Festival.

Baronet has purchased more than 1,000 homeless signs over the past 22 years, and he uses this collection to create installations to raise awareness about homelessness.

‘Create Your Masterpiece’

Prominent Dallas artist Curtis “Derall” Ferguson, a graduate of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, presented two sessions at A&M-Texarkana in February as part of the university’s Black History Month series.

Ferguson presented “Flowers in the Dirt,” which included a candid conversation about racial issues. A reception in honor of the artist followed in the John F. Moss Library, which featured Ferguson’s work during the month of February.

Ferguson also shared “Create Your Masterpiece,” which featured analogies of brush strokes, colors, shapes, and styles of painting and how they inspire “even the most unmotivated persons” to begin their journeys of creating their masterpieces.

Both events were sponsored by the John F. Moss Library and Office of Student Life.

University Honors Showcase

The University Honors program at A&M-Texarkana showcased its students’ original work in April during the 2016 Spring Showcase in the third floor atrium of the University Center. The showcase offers students an opportunity to show what they have done in their Honors courses and to discuss these projects with their peers and the community.

Honors students are expected to complete a series of projects within their major courses that go above and beyond the normal course requirements. This gives them the opportunity to delve more deeply into their chosen fields, and to develop a stronger understanding of the materials. Various students have done different projects, including giving lectures in a course, conducting research alongside a faculty member, conducting independent research, writing research papers, giving presentations, developing course materials, etc.

“I’m thrilled that we are able to highlight some of the wonderful projects that our students have been working on,” said Dr. Craig Nakashian, Honors Program Director. “The ability for students to apply their knowledge and education directly and work hand-in-hand with our faculty is a hallmark of our style of education here at A&M-Texarkana.”

BECOME A MASTER COMMUNICATOR A&M-TEXARKANA TO OFFER NEW MASTER’S DEGREE IN

COMMUNICATION Beginning in fall 2016, Texas A&M University-Texarkana will offer a Master of Arts in Communication that will focus on communication studies, including interpersonal, intercultural, and organizational communication, and on emerging media, including computer-mediated communication and new media production.

Each emphasis will provide a comprehensive conceptual framework and skill set for proficiency in a wide range of rapidly-changing communication professions. The degree will require eight courses plus a thesis, or 10 courses and a comprehensive set of exams.

“While many graduate programs

focus narrowly on a single approach to communication or media studies, graduate and professional students today need integrated programs of study offering multiple frameworks of analysis and a comprehensive range of critical, research, experiential, and practical skills,” said Dr. Kevin Ells, Associate Professor of Mass Communication and program coordinator.

“The M.A. in Communication at A&M-Texarkana will focus on the social science research tradition in communication studies and on the theory and practice of emerging media.

Each emphasis will offer a student a comprehensive conceptual framework and skill set for professional competence

in a wide range of rapidly-changing media professions,” he added.

Course delivery methods will vary among traditional seminars, seminars with Web-based course supplements, Web-enhanced courses combining seminar and electronic delivery methods, and experiential learning incorporating professional internships or service learning, Dr. Ells explained.

Depending on the nature of the course content, and its potential suitability for online instruction, some fully online courses should become available, especially if needed to meet demand for summer electives.

For more information, contact Dr. Ells at Kevin.Ells@tamut.edu.

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Eagles Finish Inaugural Season in the Top 28 at NAIA National Championship Opening Round

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to Launch 3 New Programs in Fall 2016 With careers in the healthcare and technology sectors in high demand, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is working to address those needs with the addition of three new degree programs in fall 2016.

The university will offer Bachelor of Science degrees in biotechnology, chemistry, and kinesiology this fall, said Dr. Donald Peterson, Dean of the College of STEM. “Biotechnology is the application of the biological sciences for the development of new and enhanced products for other industries,” Dr. Peterson explained. “The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at A&M-Texarkana is focused on the medical and healthcare aspects of biotechnology and will prepare students for careers in research and development, quality assurance and quality control, production, sales and marketing, administration and technical support.”

Chemistry is the science that studies the composition and properties of substances and elementary forms of matter.

“The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at A&M-Texarkana prepares students for careers as chemists, physical scientists, and technicians in quality control, quality assurance, research and development, and production departments of the industries,” Dr. Peterson said.

“Chemistry students can also become highly qualified applicants for medical and pharmacy schools, graduate programs in chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and/or environmental science,” he said. “And, through the Teacher Certification Option in the Chemistry degree program, students will be prepared to become highly trained chemistry teachers.”

“The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at A&M-Texarkana allows students to study human movement and physical activity,” Dr. Peterson explained.

The program focuses on the study of addressing human health problems associated with human performance, physical rehabilitation, and sport and exercise psychology and features two options: pre-therapy – occupational or physical – and teacher certification in early childhood through 12th-grade physical education and/or athletic coaching.

“The program prepares students for careers in clinical and fitness settings and in research and industrial environments with population groups including athletes, children, the elderly, and with persons with disability, injury, or disease,” he added.

For more information on these programs, contact A&M-Texarkana Enrollment Services at (903) 223-3000.

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AMU

Popular Science

In its inaugural season of play, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Eagles baseball team remained standing among the final 28 teams in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Baseball National Championship opening round.

A top-three finish in the Association of Independent Institutions Baseball Championship tournament pushed the Eagles to the Faulkner Bracket of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Montgomery, Alabama, where they advanced to the fourth game and finished the inaugural season with a 33-20 overall record. The Eagles were three wins shy of advancing to the 2016 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series.

Teddy Henderson, a junior from West Monroe, Louisiana, and Alec Rios, a junior from Chula Vista, California, were named to the AllTournament team for their outstanding pitching performances in theAssociation of Independent Insitutions (A.I.I.) Tournament. Both Henderson and Rios tossed complete games in the A.I.I. Tournament in back-to-back elimination games that helped TAMUT advance to the NAIA National Championship opening round. Henderson went on to receive the Champions of Character award for A&M-Texarkana in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship.

Five Eagles received All-Conference Awards, and two were named to the A.I.I. Gold Glove team.

Those honored include: 1st Team All-Conference Bobby Kramer, Junior from Grand Prairie, Texas; Kenneth Fudge, Junior from Redding, California; 2nd Team All-Conference Cade Thomason, Sophomore from Oak Grove, Louisiana; Jason Jones, Junior from Katy, Texas; Cole Beckham, Freshman from Texarkana, Texas; Gold Glove Team Croix Sedillo, Senior from Corrales, New Mexico; and Kolton Perfect, Sophomore from Warren, Texas.

Eagles baseball players recognized at the 2016 Athletics Banquet at Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana included the following: Croix Sedillo of Corrales, New Mexico, Eagle Award; Kenneth Fudge of Redding, California, Most Valuable Player; Kolton Perfect of Warren, Texas, Defensive Player of the Year; and Robert Kramer of Grand Prairie, Texas, Offensive Player of the Year.

BASEBALL A&M-TEXARKANA 2016

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TENNIS A&M-TEXARKANA 2016

Eagles Tennis Advances to NAIA Regional Tournament The Eagles women’s and men’s tennis teams at Texas A&M University-Texarkana rounded out their second season of play in April with a trip to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Unaffiliated Group Regional Tournament in Arlington, Texas.

The women’s team advanced to the semifinal round of the tournament after a 5-1 victory over Southwestern Christian University. The men’s team fell 5-0 to the University of the Southwest in the opening round.

Eagles tennis players recognized at the 2016 Athletics Banquet included the following: Women’s Tennis Sarah Wilbanks of Atlanta, Texas, Eagle Award; Daejia Lynch of Duncanville, Texas, Player of the Year; and Ashleigh Finley of Fort Worth, Texas, Most Improved.

Men’s Tennis Sammy Hogan of Amarillo, Texas, Eagle Award; Gino Raneri of Plano, Texas, Player of the Year; and Monte Scott of Midlothian, Texas, Most Improved.

A&M-Texarkana Joins Red River Athletic Conference Texas A&M University-Texarkana will become the Red River Athletic Conference’s 13th member institution, effective immediately and beginning conference play in the fall of 2016.

“We’re excited to welcome Texas A&M University-Texarkana to the RRAC,” said RRAC Commissioner Tony Stigliano.

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“Athletic Director Michael Galvan showed great leadership previously in our conference and he has exhibited the same trait while developing TAMUT’s athletic program. The Eagles’ teams will be competitive on day one and they will continue to grow. We look forward to working with TAMUT President Dr. Emily Cutrer, Michael, and their coaches.”

TAMUT teams in women’s soccer and men’s and women’s tennis first took the field in the fall of 2014. Baseball was added

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a year later and men’s soccer will be a new program this year. Prior to this year, the Eagles competed in the NAIA’s Association of Independent Institutions.

“Texas A&M University-Texarkana is excited to be accepted into the RRAC with institutions who value the balance of a quality education and competitive intercollegiate athletics,” Galvan stated.

“We hope to enter the league and be competitive among the sports we offer.”

The Eagles have already experienced

A&M-Texarkana to Field Men’s Soccer Team Texas A&M University-Texarkana will launch men’s soccer in fall 2016 under the leadership of Head Soccer Coach Don Koontz.

“I am excited to bring men’s soccer to our school and our community,” Coach Koontz said.

“I feel that it is a good opportunity to bring more exposure and diversity to our campus.”

The men’s soccer program will complement the university’s other collegiate athletic programs, including men’s tennis, women’s tennis, baseball, and women’s soccer.

TAMUT Athletics debuted in fall 2014 with the inaugural women’s soccer team and men’s and women’s tennis under the leadership of Head Tennis Coach Billy Power.

In fall 2015, the university added baseball to its lineup, which drew more than 60 interested players to campus. A&M-Texarkana fielded its first baseball team this spring under the leadership of Head Coach and Assistant Athletics Director Steve Jones.

The A&M-Texarkana programs compete as intercollegiate programs at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana already has signed close to a dozen players to its inaugural men’s soccer team. Tryouts began in April and will continue throughout the summer.

In its first year of eligibility last fall, the women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinal round in the Association of Independent Institutions conference tournament.

Eagles soccer players recognized at the 2016 Athletics Banquet included: Natalie Sevilla of Helmet, California, Eagle Award; Leslie Arietta of Fresno, California, Most Valuable Player; Jena Arreola of San Jacinto, California, Most Dynamic Player; and Vanessa Sanchez of Desert Hot Springs, California, Goal Keeper of the Year.

some breakthroughs nationally. The women’s soccer team qualified for the A.I.I. Tournament in its second year, and they have compiled a 20-8-4 record in their first two seasons. Two men’s tennis players reached the small college championships in 2015. And last month, TAMUT’s tennis teams reached the NAIA regional tournament, while the baseball team reached the A.I.I. Tournament and qualified for the NAIA Baseball National Championship opening round in their first

SOCCER

A&M-TEXARKANA 2016

season. They reached the semifinals and finished with a 33-20 record.

The Eagles’ coaching staff includes former USW head coach Don Koontz, who now leads TAMUT’s soccer teams.

Steve Jones, who has more than 500 career victories, is the head coach for baseball, and Billy Power is head coach for men’s and women’s tennis. Power is also the director of tennis at Texarkana Country Club and Northridge Country Club.

Facility development has been key to

establishing the program. TAMUT created an on-campus artificial turf soccer field with lights in October 2014. The baseball team plays at nearby George Dobson Field at Spring Lake Park, a city-owned facility, and the tennis teams play at Northridge Country Club. On June 7, TAMUT broke ground on a new recreation center and training facility that will open in August 2017.

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A&M-Texarkana Junior has Sights Set on Career in Comedy

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Student Spotlight The expression “break a leg” has taken on a whole new meaning for Texas A&M University-Texarkana junior Ramsey Anderson.

Earlier in the spring, Ramsey fell while out for a run, and he fractured two bones in his left foot.

But the Texarkana psychology and political science double major is not about to let something like a toe-to-knee cast prevent him from pursuing his passion of acting and comedy in film and television.

Anderson was highly involved as part of the Tiger Theatre Company at Texas High. This plus his involvement with the drama program at A&M-Texarkana and in the Texarkana Repertory Company has helped to give him the experience that has led to auditions for roles throughout the United States. He has also performed for the Fine Line Players of First United Methodist Church and for The Downtown Youth Theater, both in Texarkana, Arkansas.

“I’ve been acting for several years and became Screen Actors Guildeligible at 20,” Anderson explained. “I’ve been to several workshops with casting directors.

I’m traveling a lot.”

Last year, Anderson signed with Landrum Arts LA, a talent agency with offices in Shreveport, California, Georgia, and Texas that has booked actors for film and television, including “American Horror Story,” “The Walking Dead,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “The Hunger Games” series.

“Dawn and George Landrum are amazing,” Anderson said of his mentors. “They are very involved in my career and very hardworking. They made sure I have the right head shots and audition reels. They are helping me to sharpen my acting skills, too.”

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Dawn and George Landrum, along with Amber Dawn and Tia Landrum and Betty Ann Jones, make up the highly professional team at LandrumArts LA (LALA). Anderson travels weekly to take Landrum’s acting labs in Shreveport.

Anderson has studied improvisation, acting and sketch writing, plus other areas, in the immersion programs at Chicago’s famed Second City Training Center.

“Many of the Saturday Night Live alumni started out at Second City,” Anderson said. “I learned so much by spending three months in Chicago last summer … solo improv, dialect skills, dramatic improv. I especially liked the IO Theater and The Green Room, also.”

IO Theater is yet another SNL level improv acting school, while The Green Room Studio is an on-camera film and commercial acting studio. Anderson enjoyed Collaboraction, a performing arts theater, while in Chicago, too. He even did a stand up solo comedy act at The Laugh Factory while in Chicago.

Anderson said his favorite form of comedy is improvisation.

“Improv is about helping each other. It’s encouraging. It’s about making everyone look good, building friendships, and developing an appreciation of other people. You feel like everyone wants you to succeed rather than upstage you. Second City Training Center promotes connection and inventiveness. It helps you realize what is unique within you and your costars and how to heighten and express talents creatively in performances.”

Anderson likes to quote his agent when discussing acting: “‘Acting is a process, and it takes time.’ In terms of growing and expanding your talent and in being cast in a production.”

For now, he plans to keep his head in the books while he’s reaching for the stars.

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‘Acting is a process, and it takes time.’ In terms of growing and expanding your talent and in being cast in a production.

-- Ramsey Anderson T HE C O NVO C AT IO N

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FYE

Student Spotlight

First-Year Students Experience the Royal Treatment

The first year of college is a crucial period in a student’s academic life, from developing effective study habits to fostering important relationships. What happens in that first year can impact future academic and professional success. To support this transition, Texas A&M University-Texarkana developed a comprehensive, coordinated First-Year Experience program (FYE).

Drawing on campus-wide resources, FYE at A&M-Texarkana provides academic and select non-academic services dedicated to supporting a student’s transition into college and putting them on a path toward graduation.

“Through research and our own experiences, we know that the foundations built during the first year are essential to our students’ success,” said Liz Patterson, Assistant Vice President for Student Success at A&M-Texarkana. “Our FYE program is designed to help students get comfortable on campus, connect with the university, and start to think of A&M-Texarkana as home.”

The FYE experience at A&M-Texarkana includes the University Foundations course, which serves as an introduction to higher education and is designed to assist first-year students in becoming engaged members of the A&M-Texarkana learning community. Required of all first-year students, the course examines factors that underlie learning, success, and personal development in higher education.

First-year students also receive academic coaching from upper-level students, who offer advice about academic expectations and student life, introduce them to A&M-Texarkana events and activities, arrange social events throughout the year, and connect students with the appropriate resources for their needs.

Academic advisors provide personalized attention through bi-weekly contacts with first-year students to help them identify and address any potential issues and barriers to academic success.

Kelly O’Keefe, who joined the university in March as the FYE Coordinator, said the university’s Eagle FYE Passport program provides first-year students with incentives to become involved with academic and social programs at the university. If students bring their FYE passport to educational and social events, they can receive tickets that can be redeemed for gifts and goodie bags at the end of the semester.

O’Keefe said the FYE initiative is designed for all first-year students no matter their age.

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FIRST-YEARRolling EXPERIENCE out the Red Carpet “We’re excited to expand our programs in the fall with the addition of Transfer Tuesdays and an FYE coach for transfer students,” O’Keefe said. “We’re also planning to add a family newsletter, a transfer-student newsletter, and an ‘Appy Hour’ where students will learn more about mobile devices, apps, and their benefits for learning.”

Since 2010, when the university began offering freshman and sophomore courses, Patterson and the Student Success team have worked to create a comprehensive student success program for the university. They are constantly seeking new opportunities to add to it.

Last year, for example, A&M-Texarkana completed the internationally recognized John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education Foundations of Excellence process. The Gardner Institute is a national leader in helping colleges and universities to increase student success.

Foundations of Excellence is a comprehensive self-study and improvement initiative focused on the freshman and transferstudent experience. Bringing together faculty, staff members, administrators and students, the process produces a strategic action plan to improve institutional performance and provides support for the implementation of the action plan. A&MTexarkana was one of only eight colleges and universities to complete the Foundations of Excellence process in 2014-15.

“Texas A&M University-Texarkana recognizes that the firstyear experience is crucial for students’ success. This is true for recent high school graduates, community college transfers, or older students attempting to complete a degree,” said Dr. Tom Wagy, Professor of History. “With the assistance of the John N. Gardner Institute, A&M-Texarkana has committed to a program that will enhance the first-year learning experience for all of our students.”

In January, the university added a TRiO Student Support Services program, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and is designed to provide academic support and coaching, financial and economic literacy education, advising, professional development, cultural and education events, and supplemental grant aid to first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities who meet program criteria.

“One of the things I emphasize is getting to know the students,” Patterson said. “We offer very personalized services.

We meet the students where they are and provide them with the resources, tools, and support needed to help them reach their goals.”

WINGSPAN EVENTS

Student Spotlight

Making Things Official

Freshman Convocation Location: Eagle Hall, University Center Date: August 21 Time: 2 p.m.

A&M-Texarkana Junior Enjoys Officiating Rec Sports

Women for A&M-Texarkana Gourmet Dinner Location: Texarkana Country Club Date: August 27 Time: 6 p.m.

For sponsorship Information, contact Mark Missildine at 903.223.3153.

While many college students fantasize about becoming professional athletes—a dream that comes true for very few, one Texas A&M University-Texarkana student is fulfilling his dream of officiating college sports.

Junior mathematics major Jared Miller of Maud, Texas, was one of 30 individuals selected to officiate at the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Region IV Tournament in March at the University of Houston. Region IV consists of more than 810 schools of all sizes in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Kansas. NIRSA is the premier association of leaders in collegiate recreation worldwide.

Miller became interested in officiating intramural and recreational sports after

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Homecoming Week Location: Campus Date: September 26 - October 1 Homecoming Game Location: University Center/ Soccer Field Date: October 1, 2016

It’s all about communication with the players.

We have to know how to react … how to make the right calls and do things the right way

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meeting Tony Kreitzer of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a director of officials for NIRSA, at the Region IV conference during the fall semester in Galveston.

“Jared asked a lot of flag football-related questions. Tony was impressed with his knowledge and suggested that he apply to officiate the Region IV Flag Football Tournament at Texas A&M University at College Station last semester,” said Mallory Gaeth, coordinator for student engagement and recreation at A&M-Texarkana. “At the flag football tournament, he was chosen to officiate one playoff game, which is quite an honor.”

To be accepted for the basketball tournament, Miller had to take a basketball rules aptitude test and be recommended by Gaeth.

“Our students are well rounded officials because they officiate all the sports we have on campus,” Gaeth said. “While at larger institutions, some officials just officiate one sport all year. Our students officiate sports year round, including kickball, flag football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, sand volleyball, softball, and mud volleyball. Each season lasts around 4 weeks so our students are constantly busy and learning new rules and executing them on the court or field.”

Miller is also a member of Intramural Council and holds the position of Rules Specialist, which he earned during his first year of being employed with Campus Recreation.

Miller said he became interested in athletics at an early age.

“My grandfather was the director of athletics at Maud High School for 20 years, so I grew up around sports. I played sports in high school. Officiating is a way for me to stay involved in athletics as a college student.”

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2016 Eagle Roundup: A Celebration of Distinguished Alumni and Faculty Location: Eagle Hall, University Center Date: September 29, 2016 Time: 6:30pm For sponsorship Information, contact Mark Missildine at 903.223.3153.

Miller said his skills in mathematics have prepared him well for officiating.

“There are a lot of rules in mathematics that have to be adapted to situations, and there are many rules in officiating,” Miller said. “Math and officiating are both about problem-solving.”

Like all officials, Miller said he has had to make some controversial calls.

“It’s all about communication with the players. We have to know how to react … how to make the right calls and do things the right way,” he said.

Miller said he is excited about the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center that will be built on the A&M-Texarkana

campus.

“We’re the smallest school represented in the region, but we want to be a leader and a trendsetter,” Miller said.

“Intramurals and recreational sports get students involved in different ways.

They help them adapt to college. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center will allow us to add new club sports and recreational sports. I’m really excited about it.”

Miller said his involvement with recreational sports at A&M-Texarkana has given him another career option.

“I plan to attend graduate school in

the future. I would like to be a director of intramural sports at a university and to keep officiating at the high school and college levels,” he said. “It’s a challenge that I enjoy.”

“Jared’s continued participation and selection for these opportunities is indicative of the quality of programs and of our student staff on our campus,” Gaeth said.

“I would like to congratulate him for going above and beyond in his job, as well as the opportunity to improve his personal strengths and bring leadership to our campus and the Campus Recreation department.”

Women for A&M-Texarkana Holiday Social Date: December 1 Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ring Ceremony Location: Eagle Hall, University Center Date: December 1 Time: 6 p.m.

Commencement Location: The Perot Theatre Date: December 9 Time: 6:30 p.m.

GREEK WEEK Texas A&M University-Texarkana celebrated Greek Week 2016 in April with a variety of events and community service activities.

Sponsored by the Office of Student Life, Greek Week is a weeklong celebration for fraternities and sororities at A&M-Texarkana. The Greek community uses this time to show its passion for scholarship, service, leadership, and brotherhood/sisterhood.

Fishing at A&MTexarkana

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp recently donated several hundred pounds of fish from his personal lake to stock the pond on the A&M-Texarkana campus.

Students, faculty, and staff at A&MTexarkana can participate in catch-andrelease fishing with a stamp from the Office of Student Life.

STUDENT LIFEThe Eagle Experience

Spring Fling

The A&M -Texarkana Office of Student Life and Campus Activities Board hosted Spring Fling 2016 in April with a throwback to the ‘90s theme.

Spring Fling is a weeklong series of fun and engaging programs that gives students and the campus community the opportunity to let loose and de-stress just before buckling down for finals week.

This year’s Spring Fling schedule included Comedian Adam Grabowski, a movie, a lip sync battle, a slam poetry contest, a Throwback Time Machine Dance Party, and more.

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EASTER EGG HUNTS A&M-Texarkana Eagles Athletics and the Eagles baseball team hosted Easter egg hunts in March prior to the series with the Louisiana State University-Alexandria Generals.

Faculty and staff members brought their children and grandchildren for an afternoon of egg-filled fun.

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Alumni Spotlight For English majors, having their work published is an incredible honor, and it instills within them a confidence in their writing—to know that someone has decided to archive their treasure for future readers and minds to enjoy and contemplate. When I had a paper accepted for the 2016 Sigma Tau Delta Review journal publication, these were my exact thoughts. My paper, which I had written the semester prior for my English Capstone course, was a pinnacle of my success and abilities at the time—I had never been prouder of something I had written.

That particular semester was a busy one for me. I was preparing to graduate, so I was tackling five classes—the Capstone course being one of them—in order to walk across the stage that May. I was meeting periodically with my mentor, Dr. Doris Davis, who was helping guide me in developing my paper. The choice of what to write on for your Capstone paper is an important one—you have free range to choose what appeals to you distinctively in the realm of literature. My decision was something I had been contemplating as much as a year prior to my actually composing the paper, so I had quite a few options in mind. Ultimately, I decided to go with something unique, interesting, and, in all likelihood, something that not many people have touched on before.

Raise the Red Lantern is a 1990 Chinese novella by Su Tong that tells the story of a young woman in 1920s China who becomes the concubine of a wealthy merchant. Originally titled Wives and Concubines, the work was retitled due to the success of the 1991 film adaptation by Zhang Yimou, starring Gong Li. The film is actually how I became familiar with the novella, as I had been watching this Chinese cinema favorite of mine since high school. One day, while watching it, I noticed in the opening credits that it was based on a book, so I took the opportunity to confirm my speculation that it had been translated into English due to the success of the film, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Academy Awards. Bingo. I ordered the novella within five minutes of my discovery.

I finished the novella in a day and was

impressed with how easily I found myself drawn to the depth only surfaced on in the film adaptation. It was crunch time for deciding what I was going to write on for my Capstone paper, so I felt as if things had fallen into place when I informed Dr. Davis of my decision. She had only heard of the work, so I was more than happy to purchase another copy of the novella for her, as well as let her borrow the film to gain the “full experience,” as I like to call it. Over the next couple of months, she guided me in my analysis as I observed the work through the lens of feminist criticism, which had become a favorite approach of mine during my undergraduate career.

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From Classroom to Pressroom: My First Publication Experience

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had read some of the works published in previous journals. It’s a worth a shot, right? Well, Sigma Tau Delta receives around 1,000 submissions each year, and they publish a select 12-15. My hopes weren’t too high. Lo and behold, that summer, I received an e-mail notifying me that my paper was accepted into the journal and would be published in the following edition. Okay! Not going to lie… I was pretty excited, and the things that followed were just icing on the cake.

I was interviewed for a news publication at my university, and it was subsequently distributed as a newsletter.

The article circulated in local academic circles before a popular newspaper

The paper was a success, I scored an A in the course (as well as my four others), and I graduated with honors soon afterward. Thanks, Universe!

Dr. Davis was the greatest mentor I could have asked for. She remained calm when I panicked, encouraging when I was overly critical, and attentive when I was struggling to find sources. Of course I would choose to write on something obscure and foreign. Nonetheless, Dr. Davis provided me with applicable theory-oriented material, such as Kate Millet’s Sexual Politics, and reminded me of other theorists we had read and discussed: Audre Lorde and Hélène Cixous. Yes! I was on to something. By the time I was ready to present my paper to the English faculty of professors, I was confident in my piece: “Sexual Politics and the Femme Fatale in Su Tong’s Raise the Red Lantern.” Everything went well. The paper was a success, I scored an A in the course (as well as my four others), and I graduated with honors soon afterward.

Thanks, Universe!

Well, things weren’t quite over yet.

Once I had finished my paper, Dr. Davis suggested that I submit it to Sigma Tau Delta’s annual journal, as I had been inducted into the international honor society for English majors the year prior.

Sure. I was proud of my paper, and I

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contacted me because they wanted to do a feature story on my acceptance. I am now a graduate student pursuing an MA in English, anticipating the Review’s approaching release and honing my skills and interests for future endeavors. As any English major who has had their work published in an academic journal knows, it’s a great feeling to know that someone else appreciates your work enough to solidify its presence in the literary world of thought and intellect—where writers and curious minds alike can share and contemplate the facets of literature that intrigue us enough to invest our academic careers into understanding it.

Blake Moon is a graduate student in English at Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in the spring of 2015. He was named the 2014-2015 Undergraduate Student of the Year in English by the university and had his paper accepted for publication by Sigma Tau Delta in the summer of 2015, with the journal released in the spring of 2016. Moon works as a professional English and writing tutor at Texarkana College.

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Alumni Spotlight

All in the Family Mom, Daughters Conquer College Together For most college students, seeing their mom walking across the university campus would come as a surprise. But for Essie-Elizabeth and Christian Pippins, seeing their mother, Esther, is simply an average day at Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana.

Esther is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education, which will be her second degree from A&M Texarkana. She graduated magna cum laude in December with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences.

Higher education was not on Esther’s mind when she moved to the area a few years ago to help take care of another daughter, Charisma, who had injured her back, “My daughters were the ones who talked me into going back to school,” Esther said.

At age 16, Essie-Elizabeth graduated as valedictorian of Mt. Pleasant Christian School in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. In 2014, she and her mother started college together at A&M-Texarkana, where Christian had earned her bachelor’s degree the previous year and had started taking graduate courses.

“When we first registered, Christian was taking a graduate course, so the three of us were all taking classes at the same time,” Esther said. “Essie-Elizabeth wasn’t old enough to move into the dorm, so I asked if she could live with me if I moved in there. We ended up living together in Bringle Lake Village that first semester.”

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in sociology. She will graduate with her first bachelor’s degree in August and plans to pursue a second bachelor’s degree this fall as a student in A&MTexarkana’s new biotechnology program.

Christian is pursuing a graduate degree in English at the university. She currently works at the Longview Public Library and is putting together a book of original poetry. She aspires to teach American literature.

Esther currently works as an AmeriCorps tutor at the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties, Inc. She recently co-presented at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning conference (CAEL), where she was nominated for the Learner of the Year award.

Kelly Coke, Instructor of Adult Education and Program Director at Texas A&M University-Texarkana at Northeast Texas Community College, described Esther and Essie as role models for non-traditional students on campus.

“Esther and Essie are an inspiration to me and many others and serve as a reminder that with grace, patience, dedication, courage, and tenacity you can truly achieve your goals no matter your age or the curve balls that life may throw at you,” Coke said.

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“Mama, you are so smart. You’re smarter than anyone we know, and we know you can do this.

You need to do this.”

Esther Pippins and her daughters, Essie-Elizabeth and Christian

program at A&M-Texarkana, agrees.

“I have advised hundreds of students,” Myers said, “but no advising session has been as inspirational as the one with Esther Pippins.”

Myers recalled Christian and EssieElizabeth bringing their mother into her office 18 months ago and pleading with Esther to enroll at the university.

Eventually, Esther turned to Myers and, in a kind, soft voice, said, “Well, Mrs. Myers, I guess it’s time for me to come back to

school.”

“It was the easiest advising session I’ve ever conducted,” Myers said. “I really didn’t have to say a word because Essie and Christian handled the whole session.”

Dr. Glenda Ballard, Dean of the College of Education and Liberal Arts, described Esther as the quintessential adult student.

“Her strong work ethic and her unwavering belief in the power of education are what motivate her to

be successful,” Ballard said. “She is an excellent role model to her children, and she should encourage all of us to reach higher to achieve our goals.”

Esther’s future plans include continuing to work in adult and higher education. She is particularly motivated by a desire to improve the rate of adult literacy. “I really enjoy working with the students and making a difference in their lives,” she said.

Esther and her daughters feel that

their shared experiences as students at A&M-Texarkana have helped them to better understand each other.

Despite their busy university schedules, Esther Pippins and her daughters still make time for hugs between classes.

“As a family, we have a natural support system,” Esther said. “I’m very proud of all of my daughters, and I am excited about my future, as well. I’m so glad we decided to attend college together.”

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For the Love of Eagles -- Eagle Photos by Melanie Gloster

Full name Melanie Lynn Gloster Family My parents and an older brother also live in Texarkana. I have two children: Erin, age 20, is an English/ political science major at A&M-Texarkana. Will, age 19, is a mathematics major at the University of Central Arkansas Honors College.

If you could work in another field, which one and why?

If I weren’t in this field, I would probably be doing something political or baking--maybe making America great again with my cinnamon rolls!

If I could travel anywhere …

I would go back to the Irish countryside. I traveled to Ireland in 2008, and I’m pretty sure that I left a small piece of myself. I’d love to go back with my camera and get lost for a little bit.

What music is playing in your car?

I listen to a wide variety of music, and my playlist is always on shuffle. U2 is my favorite band, but I listen to a lot of Jack Johnson, classic rock, and embarrassing music that I download just for working out.

For Texas A&M University-Texarkana alum Melanie Gloster, a picture is worth more than a thousand words.

Melanie has a passion for photography and writing as well a love of serving people and the community. Her role as Executive Director of Opportunities, Inc. of Texarkana, a nonprofit organization, allows her to combine these interests on a daily basis.

Melanie was born in West Monroe, Louisiana, but was raised “long enough in Texas to have a strong addiction to chips and salsa.”

After graduating from Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas, she attended Texarkana College and later received a bachelor’s degree in English from A&M–Texarkana.

“Obtaining my degree in English at A&M-Texarkana allowed me to finish my coursework while still raising my family and serving on local volunteer projects that were important to me,” Melanie said. “I quickly realized that I got the highest quality education possible in my own backyard. Professors like Dr. Doris Davis, Dr. Michael Perri, Dr. Tom Wagy, and Dr. Brian Billings are the best of the best. How fortunate Texarkana is to have them and the other members of the faculty, and I don’t think I could have gone anywhere else and received a better education.”

In 1999, she started working at Opportunities in the Development Office, where she says she learned “just how generous the community is.” The Board of Directors selected her to be Executive Director in 2013.

“Each day, I get to see and to share the wonderful stories of children and adults who receive services, as well as the hardestworking, most caring staff who make those services possible,” she said.

Everyday life on the main campus of Opportunities, and in the residential complex, improves the lives of a wide range of individuals in a variety of ways, Melanie explained.

“For a child, our mission means that he has the chance to walk into a kindergarten classroom or to run on the playground with friends,” she said. “For an adult with developmental disabilities, our mission means that she gets to learn job skills and to earn a paycheck. For the elderly person with Alzheimer’s, our mission means a safe place for day care. For me, the mission means all of those things---a thousand meanings for almost a thousand people served each year.”

Outside of her work life, her passions are bird photography and baking treats for the people she loves.

When asked about her idea of a perfect day, Melanie offered a very grounded answer.

“A perfect day is a myth,” she said. “I try to find perfect moments in each day and to appreciate them. But getting to spend an entire day wearing Muck Boots and birding wouldn’t be bad at all.”

Melanie said operating a non-profit, social services organization is extremely challenging, especially in these economic times.

“We have to do more with less, even though Opportunities’ programs often mitigate the need for costlier, more intensive services,” she said. “Texarkana understands this, and our community has been extremely supportive. The challenge is educating others that investing in people pays off.”

Opportunities observed 50 years of service to the community on June 17 with a community celebration.

I’d like to have coffee with…

My kids are busy college students, and I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like. They would be my ideal coffee dates, and I wouldn’t share that special time with anyone else.

I wish I could... complete the “Murph.” It’s a great motivator, and I have set that goal for myself.

What I like about Texarkana is...

Texarkana is now large enough that you can go to the store and not see anyone you know, but it’s also that same small town in which people call you by name and do whatever they can to help you. I love the heart of this city.

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The best advice I ever received was...

My wise and wonderful mother always reminds me not to waste “my mad.”

Control what you can, and let go of what you cannot.

Community Leadership

Nobel Laureate

Photo by Jane Reed Harvard Staff Photographer

Mallinckrodt Professor Emeritus of Physics at Harvard University

Dr. Roy Glauber Visits Texarkana

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Nobel laureate Dr. Roy Glauber, the last surviving scientist who worked on the Manhattan Project, shared “Some Recollections of Los Alamos and the Nuclear Era” with a capacity crowd in Eagle Hall in April at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

The Texas A&M University System selected A&M-Texarkana as the first stop in its Chancellor John Sharp Distinguished Lecture Series, which the Chancellor began to ensure that students of all of the A&M System campuses have an opportunity to meet and learn from world-class lecturers and professors.

During his presentation, Dr. Glauber, Mallinckrodt Professor Emeritus of Physics at Harvard University, shared photos of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, formerly the Los Alamos Ranch School for Boys, noting that the buildings housed some of the greatest scientists in the world, including John von Neumann, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and Edward Teller.

Dr. Glauber was an 18-year-old student at Harvard University when he was tapped to be a part of the history-making project.

“I thought they might just be working on nuclear energy and developing reactors of some sort,” he said. “… it was in fact a bomb,” Glauber said. “And that was very unsettling.

It took me quite some weeks and months to accommodate the fact that I was somehow or other working on an enormously destructive weapon.”

Keeping America ahead of Germany in the atomic race was of utmost importance, he said.

“There was no thought that they would be inhibited at all in using it.

That’s what we were dealing with and coming to that realization made one certainly much better reconciled to the fact that we were undertaking any such project ourselves.”

While in Texarkana, Dr. Glauber toured the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School in the Texarkana Texas Independent School District with Principal Brandy Debenport, TISD Director of STEM Education Ronda Jameson, A&M System Regent Judy Morgan and Josh Morriss, Jr. Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School offers students an instructional-focused elementary campus with learning opportunities in the areas of math, engineering, and technology with direct ties to the Texas A&M University-Texarkana College of Education and Liberal Arts and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Drew Morton, Scholar of the Year

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I wasn’t a big superhero fan. I liked Batman because he’s realistic. And I like teaching my students that comics aren’t just about superheroes.

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For Dr. Drew Morton, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and 2015 Scholar of the Year, the worlds of academia and popular culture are as interconnected as Batman and Bruce Wayne.

His video compilations and essays on pop icons such as David Bowie, antagonist Jack Torrance of “The Shining” and graphic comic “Scott Pilgrim” draw tens of thousands of viewers on online video-sharing sites.

And he has become a leading authority on an emerging form of scholarship called videographic criticism, which allows film and media scholars to write using the materials that comprise their objects of study – sounds and moving images.

Dr. Morton, who teaches courses in American film history, comic book history, film production, film theory, and mass communication, grew up in Port Washington, Wisconsin, near the banks of Lake Michigan.

“I always enjoyed reading comics, but they weren’t readily accessible to me growing up,” he said. “I wasn’t a big superhero fan. I liked Batman because he’s realistic. And I like teaching my students that comics aren’t just about superheroes. Sometimes, that can be a challenge.”

While pursuing an English degree at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, Dr. Morton became involved in the film studies program, where he was mentored by Dr. Patrice Petro, who served as the president of the Society for Cinema and Media Studies.

“Dr. Petro encouraged me to apply for graduate school, and I was accepted at UCLA,” he said. “That was a huge turning point for me.”

At UCLA, Dr. Morton wrote his master’s thesis on American film producer, director and screenwriter Steven Soderbergh, who wrote the 1989 drama “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and directed numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including “Ocean’s 11,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Traffic” and “Contagion.”

“I originally planned to write screenplays and make films,” he said.

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how teaching draws from research. I became interested in both.”

Dr. Morton joined the A&M-Texarkana faculty in 2011 and earned his PhD in Cinema and Media Studies from UCLA in 2012. He has lectured throughout the world – from Colombia to Canada – and has been an artist in residence at several universities.

“Dean Glenda Ballard and Professor Doug Julien have been very encouraging about my research interests,” Dr. Morton said.

“Videographic criticism is a groundbreaking format. It allows us to take things out of the academic presses to wider audiences.”

Dr. Morton is a co-founder and coeditor of [in]Transition, the first openly peer reviewed academic journal devoted to the format. The journal, which is a co-production of NYU Press’s MediaCommons and the Society of Cinema and Media Studies’ (SCMS) Cinema Journal, recently won an Award of Distinction in the 2015 SCMS Anne Friedberg

Innovative Scholarship Competition.

His book about the stylistic overlaps between the Hollywood blockbuster and the American comic book is scheduled to be released in December by the University Press of Mississippi.

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WOMEN FOR A&M Membership Reception Pictured (Left to right): 1. Elodia Witterstaetter, Patti O’Bannon, Dr. Emily Cutrer, Lili Luna, Blanca De La Fuenta, Martha Prieskorn, Sonya Freeze, and Nora Crittenden 2. Kristen Giles and Pam Beck 3. Michelle Shores and Patsy Morriss (Former and New President) 4. Mindy Day and Michelle Purtle

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LUNCHEON Women for A&M Pictured (Left to right): 1.Regent Judy Morgan and Dr. Emily Cutrer 2. Jeraldine Scott and Laura Spencer

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

“Women, Art and Texas History” was the focus of an April 7 University Honors Colloquium featuring Dr. Emily Cutrer, President of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

The presentation highlighted information featured in Dr. Cutrer’s book, “The Art of the Woman: The Life and Work of Elisabet Ney,” which explores the life of German-born Elisabet Ney, a sculptor who transfixed philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and left the court of Ludwig of Bavaria to put down new roots in Texas.

Born in 1833, Ney gained notoriety in Europe by sculpting the busts of such figures as Ludwig II, Schopenhauer, Garibaldi and Bismarck. In 1871, she abruptly emigrated to America and became something of a recluse until resuming her sculpting career two decades later. Her works included sculptures of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin and can be found in the Texas State Capitol, the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Dr. Cutrer’s biography of Ney makes extensive use of primary sources and was the first to appraise both Ney’s legend and individual works of art. In the book, Dr. Cutrer argues that Ney was an accomplished sculptor coming out of a neglected German neoclassical tradition and that, whatever her failures and eccentricities, she was an important catalyst to cultural activity in Texas.

Texas A&M University Press re-released the 1988 book in March of this year as part of its Ellen C. Temple Classics in Texas Women’s History series.

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HATS & HORSES

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Young Professionals A Day at the Derby Pictured (Left to right): 1. Julia Mobley, Mary Beth Bigger, Margaret Mobley, and Philip Mobley 2. Monica and Collins Bruner 3. Jennifer Musgraves and Lekia Jones 4. Chris and Lacey McCulloch 5. Whitney and Conner Ribble 6. Jordan Miller and Megan Menafee

HAPPENING AT A&M TEXARKANA

Eagles Making a Difference

Earn It! Wear It!

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2002 Justin White Justin White serves on the A&M-Texarkana Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a lifelong resident of Texarkana, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from the university after starting his education at Texarkana College. With a career history in the financial industry, Justin now works as the Senior Vice President at Guaranty Bank and Trust in Texarkana.

“Having served with many nonprofit and community initiatives,” Justin said, “I am a firm believer in reinvesting in our community and giving back to a town which has provided me with an education and a great place to work.”

Beyond the A&M-Texarkana Alumni Association, other organizations that have benefited from Justin’s volunteer work include Boy Scouts of America, the Texarkana Texas Historical Commission, First Choice Pregnancy Center, the United Way of Greater Texarkana, and the Texarkana Noon Lions Club.

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The mission of the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Alumni Association is to serve as a liason between the university and the community by building relationships, financial support, and recognition for graduates, faculty, and staff now and in the future.

Lindley Southard

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who invest in Texas A&M University-Texarkana, many students are realizing their dreams of a college degree and career.

Lindley Southard of Bedford, Texas, who graduated with honors in May with a Bachelor of Business Administration, received the Arnold Honors Scholarship and the Student Ambassador Scholarship as an undergraduate student in accounting at A&M-Texarkana.

While at A&M-Texarkana, Lindley served as Vice President of Recruitment for Omega Delta Chi sorority, an orientation leader for two years, and a student ambassador for three years. She also participated in the Collegiate Ambassadors Board for the College of Business.

“Lindley is one of our many shining stars here at A&M-Texarkana,” said Mark Missildine, Director of Alumni Relations and coordinator of the Student Ambassadors program. “We are so fortunate to have the support of many alumni and friends who make scholarships possible for outstanding students like Lindley.”

Lindley currently works at Grier, Reeves, and Lawley as a professional staff member.

She plans to attend A&M-Texarkana in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration and to sit for the certified public accountant exam upon reaching the requisite number of semester credit hours.

“I love Texas A&M-Texarkana because it is like having a second family,” Lindley said. “Anyone can walk in and see a smiling, familiar face. Everyone is so willing to help you if you ever need it.”

Lisa Myers, Program Coordinator of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) at Texas A&M-Texarkana, earned a Bachelor of Science in English and Master of Science in Adult Education from A&M-Texarkana. Currently, she is seeking a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in transformative leadership at the University of New England.

Lisa first came to A&M-Texarkana in 2001 as Coordinator of the AmeriCorps Teacher Academy, a program focused on recruiting and preparing candidates for the teaching field. At the conclusion of the AmeriCorps grant, Lisa returned to teaching and serving in various K-12 leadership roles until being elected to serve on the Redwater Independent School District’s Board of Trustees in 2013, which opened the door to Lisa returning to A&M-Texarkana.

Since accepting the role of BAAS coordinator, Lisa has aligned the program with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL); led the university in being selected to participate in a statewide initiative directed by the Texas A&M University System and CAEL; won the distinguished LearningCounts Ambassador Award, and received a $25,000 Marketing Award from the Lumina Foundation. She speaks of her work as something she gets to do and hopes to be able to continue her service to the university for many years to come.

Show Your Eagle Pride Mission Statement

Scholarship Dollars At Work

Alumni News

2000 Lisa Myers

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2004 Nicole Raley Nicole Raley was born and raised in Texarkana and Redwater, Texas. She graduated from Redwater High School in May 1999 and married Cody Raley later that year. She began to work a full-time job and take nine credit hours in business management at Texarkana College.

While in college, Nicole worked as a recruitment specialist at Kelly Services, helping with various tasks such as interviewing, training, and payroll. This early experience provided her with significant experience in a corporate setting, as well as exposure to professionals that became early mentors as well as supporters of her success and advancement.

After one year at Kelly Services, a family friend informed Nicole of an opening in the mortgage department at the new Century Bank beside CHRISTUS St. Michael. She was hired as a mortgage receptionist and eventually promoted to mortgage closer, where she closed all real estate transactions for the department.

Her BAAS degree, according to Nicole, was the biggest turning point in her career and in helping her decide to remain in the banking industry. After graduation from the BAAS program in 2004, she made a career move to Guaranty Bond Bank to help start the secondary market department for the bank, where she was then promoted to Vice President. The next eight years at Guaranty proved to be successful as she and her management team grew the department to the $1 million plus income netting department that it is today.

Through her positions at both banks, Nicole gained significant experience in all aspects of secondary mortgages, which lead to her being approached by Farmer’s Bank and Trust in March of 2012 to start their secondary market department.

Today, Nicole resides in Red Lick with her husband and two children Gabe, who is 9 and Grace who is 5. She and her family attend Sacred Heart Church in Texarkana.

2006 Michael Rhodes For Michael Rhodes, Assistant Principal at Liberty-Eylau Middle School, teaching became his passion before it became his career. Michael graduated from A&M-Texarkana with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and taught mathematics at Liberty Eylau Middle School for four years and Texas history and seventh-grade mathematics at Texas Middle School in the Texarkana Independent School District for three years.

During school and upon graduation, he began teaching in the field of music, as owner and operator of Step by Step Music Lessons and as a church music director. He also became a teacher in the community, as an Abstinence Educator with First Choice Pregnancy Center, a local charitable organization.

Realizing his talent for connecting with youth, several community members encouraged Michael to pursue teacher certification. In 2008, Michael met all requirements for an Alternative Teacher Certification as a 4-8 Generalist, meaning he could teach any subject in the core curriculum, as well as electives. Michael chose to pursue teaching opportunities in the field of mathematics, realizing this was a common problem area, especially for minority and other at-risk student populations.

Michael is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Administration at Lamar University, as well as his Texas principal certificate. In addition to teaching, he has served as Math Department Head, sponsor and founder of the Man Club, an organization for young men, and as a member of the Professional Learning Committee.

He also holds memberships in several professional organizations, including Leadership Texarkana, the Blue Ribbon Committee, and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He has been named Teacher of the Month, as well as the 2013-2014 Liberty-Eylau Teacher of the Year.

His fundamental values statement is “students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

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STAY CONNECTED Why join the Alumni Association? Your membership allows you to remain a part of the A&MTexarkana tradition and legacy. Showing your support helps strengthen the university and enhance the value of your degree by promoting programs, events, awards, and scholarships. Membership not only benefits your alma mater, it benefits you! Join today and begin receiving discounts and services available only to Alumni Association members.

A&M-Texarkana Office of Alumni Relations Mark.Missildine@TAMUT.edu | 903.223.3153

2016 | Tricia Osteen

Teaching has been a calling for Tricia Osteen, who received her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree on May 14 with a major in early childhood to sixth-grade education.

Tricia initially set out on very different path when she first began college. Now, she says, she cannot imagine doing anything else.

“My experience at Texas A & M Texarkana has been above and beyond everything I expected when I enrolled. The majority of my courses were at the Northeast Texas Community College site, and the faculty and staff have been essential to my achievements,” Tricia said. “I am always greeted by name and with a smile when I am on campus. My senior year I was vice president of the Education Club, and I wish I had chosen to get involved earlier. I have gained life-long friends during my time here, with both students and mentors.”

After earning her initial certification, Tricia said she will also be certified in fourth through eighth grade and English as a second language. She intends to return to A&M-Texarkana to earn her master’s degree in the near future.

This fall, Tricia will begin teaching sixth- through eighth-grade social studies in the Winfield Independent School District. “I am thrilled to fulfill my dream and A&M-Texarkana made it possible. My husband, Travis, and I have two amazing children, Tyler and Levi. We are not originally from East Texas, but now we never want to leave. I am proud to be an Eagle.”

April Nichole Driggers from Daingerfield, Texas, is a 36-year-old mother of three girls: Hope, Madison, and Kami Driggers and wife to Michael Driggers. She is a third-grade teacher at South Elementary School in Daingerfield.

A nontraditional student at A&M-Texarkana, April persevered over multiple obstacles to achieve her bachelor’s degree. She returned to college in 2012 in pursuit of her degree to become a teacher after taking 13 years off from education. Her time away from education was spent in the music industry where she was a recording artist with Time Matters Entertainment in Dallas, Texas. She traveled with this entertainment company performing at multiple venues.

The music business took her away from her children far too much and she gave up her music career in 2011.

Determined to show her girls that one is never too old to accomplish one’s dreams, April set out to achieve her bachelor’s degree while working full time and caring for her family. Although this was quite the struggle, it was important for her to prove to herself that she could accomplish this dream to be an example to her girls.

“I couldn’t have asked for better professors that led me in the right direction,” April says. “I feel as if I am substantially prepared to enter a classroom and guide students with the knowledge that they have imparted to me over the past few years.”

While under the direction of Laura Currey, Driggers feels as if she has found her stride in teaching.

“Mrs. Currey is more than a teacher. She is my mentor, my go-to person in times of crisis because she is a wealth of knowledge and very approachable. I value her friendship more than she will ever know.”

April graduated May 14 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and will be certified to teach early childhood through sixth grade. Although this chapter in her life is coming to a close, she is grateful for the amazing experience and lifelong friendships she made while here at Texas A&M University -Texarkana.

T HE C O NVO C AT IO N

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Commencement 05.14.16

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