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Dr. Kayla Price Director, Alumni Relations; Executive Director, Alumni Association

Shared love is even more important

As I have written before, one of the hardest parts of my job is learning of deceased Alumni, faculty and staff. The death of those whom I know personally through school days, Alumni activities, or the community hurts deeply. The loss of those whom I have not had the opportunity to meet also touches me.
Fortunately, my job also affords me the chance to hear many of these dear people’s stories. Their lives are often engaging, triumphant, and sometimes just plain breathtaking.
Along with their stories sometimes comes particular items of significant interest to all of us. The 1947 diploma of Edna Griffin Fuller, along with a photo of her graduating class, was just sent to us by a family member. These are such personal items, yet to return them here to their original home also seems fitting. Hopefully, we can honor Edna’s memory by sharing her keepsakes with future students and Alumni.
My own father passed away in June. Although he was not an Alumnus, he loved this University. Maybe it was because my sister, my mom and I among us have seven degrees from Old ET. Maybe it was because he grew up at Gafford Chapel, which was just down the road. Maybe it was because he did not get the chance to go to college that he so felt so adamant that all young people should. I will never know why, but he loved ET just as I do.
There are many wonderful people who, while they are not official Alumni, feel as my father did. They are why I am always thrilled at the prospect of working with retired faculty, staff, community members and anyone else who wants to adopt my Alma Mater as their own. For although a shared experience is important, a shared love is even more important.
My dad would attend events, donate and often ask how the enrollment was doing. As a businessman in Sulphur Springs, he knew that good things in Commerce would benefit the entire Northeast Texas area.
This year as you plan your schedule and your budget, I ask that you plan something for your Alma Mater. Make a visit, make a donation, pay your dues, attend Homecoming, update your address, read The Pride, wear blue and gold, tell your children about the good ole days at ET/A&M-Commerce. Express your love for your Alma Mater however you feel most comfortable. But please, express your love while you still may.

EVENTS WRAP-UP

Terrell reception and photograph—June 10
Alumni living in the Terrell, Texas, area gathered at the Terrell Chamber of Commerce for a brief reception and group photograph. The photograph was used as part of an advertisement, “Their Success Was Our Business,” which appreared in the Terrell newspaper. The photo is reprinted below and at left.

First Last Dinner Dance meeting—June 17
Members of the Dinner Dance planning committee met in Commerce to plan the upcoming event. The committee dined at the home of Bobbie and Arlan Purdy before moving to campus for the meeting, which focused on entertainment, weekend activities, etc.

Alumni Association Board retreat—June 27 & 28
Members of the board met in Dallas to make plans for the coming year. After a regular meeting on Friday night, on Saturday the board set long- and short-term goals, which then were coordinated with the goals of University President Keith McFarland.

Commerce Alumni Chapter board meeting—July 8
Chapter leadership met on campus to discuss, among other topics, details of the chapter reception and musical.

Commerce Alumni Chapter reception, musical—July 10
Commerce chapter members met at the home of Bobbie and Arlan Purdy for a reception prior to attending the University Playhouse production of “Godspell.”

Four graduation receptions—Aug. 9
The Alumni Association and Alumni Relations hosted new graduates at an all-day series of receptions following each of the four graduation ceremonies. Board Vice President Rheba Icenhower, Alumni Relations intern Danna Freeman and Alumni Relations staff member Linda Bobbitt greeted each graduate and provided them with the Alumni Experience Packet. Association President Rene Castilla offered inspirational words to the graduates and their families as part of the commencement exercises.

Their success was our business

A number of Terrell Alumni showed up to help with an ad in their hometown newspaper, The Terrell Tribune. The ad, “Their Success Was Our Business,” is an extension of the University’s marketing theme, “Your Success is Our Business” and was published in the paper’s progress edition earlier this year. Participating were, on the front row from left, Reg Tomblin (BS ‘77), Sarah Kegerreis (BS ‘68), Lu Anne Bourland (BS ‘75, MS ‘88), Jennifer Briscoe (BA ‘70), John Ory (BBA ‘94), Dianna Champion (BSIS ‘92, MS ‘94, MED ‘97), Jay Champion (BS ‘90, BBA ‘99) and Jerry Kines (BS ‘69). On the back row are Harold Ray Johnson (BS ‘63), Charles Gann (BS ‘62, MED ‘70), Bruce Wood (BS ‘68, MED ‘71, EDD ‘94), Walt Davis (BS ‘71, MS ‘72), David Stockslager (MED ‘78), Herman Furlough (MED ‘71) and Chris Shaw (BBA ‘00).

Shine up those dining, dancing shoes
by Jean Cranford Appleton (BA ‘56)

Shine your dancing shoes, polish your golf clubs, and recall your happiest memories of college in Commerce. In 2004 we are going back to the source for First Last Dinner Dance VIII.
The old Student Union Building may be gone, but we will recreate memories April 16-18 in facilities new to us. If you have attended Dinner Dances in the past, you know how much fun it is to see old friends, discuss fond memories and create new friendships. If you haven’t joined us before, come see what it’s all about.
We didn’t play golf in the early days because we didn’t have a golf course, but Sand Hills Country Club is available to us now, and there will be a golf scramble April 16. That evening, we will meet at the home of the University president. There wasn’t a Holiday Inn Express in the early days, either, but by April there will be a new one near campus. There is also a Holiday Lodge, giving you a choice of comfortable places to stay.
The morning of the 17th, campus tours will remind us of old locations and inform of new ones. During the Gather-ing of the Clubs that afternoon, we will have a book signing, art show and musical presentations by our peers who are artists, musicians, authors and photographers. That evening in the MSC we’ll enjoy a reception, dinner and dancing to the music of the Blandells. Group photographs will preserve the memory of this special occasion.
On the 18th a Good-bye Brunch will give you one last chance to make new memories in connection with your old college days. Be sure to mark your calendar for April 16-18!

Your assignment, should you decide to accept it: Save those pennants!

The Alumni Office is collecting his- torical University pennants from all six names of the school.
Thanks to a donation from Lee Wiley Burch (BS ’75), two pennants reflecting the oldest name of the institution, East Texas Normal College (1889-1917), have been secured.
University Archivist Jim Conrad has provided an ETSU pennant to add to the growing collection, which includes a pennant with the A&M-Commerce name.
Donations of large pennants with the following names (or letters) are sought to complete the collection:
East Texas State Normal College (ETSNC)
East Texas State Teachers College (ETSTC)
East Texas State College (ETSC)
The ETNC pennants have been framed for preservation, and the same will be done for pennants representing the other College/University names.
They will be displayed together in a tribute to all of the institution’s Alumni through the generations.
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-800-67LIONS in order to contribute a pennant.