Kayla Price

Director,
Alumni Records and Services;
Executive Director,
Alumni Association

It may seem like merely a ring, but it really represents a life

In July I lost a wonderful aunt and a terrific alumna. Edwina Lawrence Cross or, as she was nicknamed by her nieces, Aunt Pinkie, loved her Alma Mater. She loved to collect the little thank you gifts we provide each year through our dues program. Last year she failed to send in her dues in January. When she realized this, she immediately called me to apologize and to make sure it was not too late.
She also kept each Pride article I wrote. Last summer while I was in Midland visiting her and my uncle, she showed me the file folder stuffed with seven years of Pride articles.
Aunt Pinkie read The Pride from cover to cover. Always the teacher, Aunt Pinkie from time to time would use her red pen to point out a typographical or grammatical error. I knew she wanted our office and University to have a good product, and she cared enough to help. She was also quick to compliment a story or express her approval for alumni events.
While I was in Midland to attend Aunt Pinkie’s funeral, my Uncle Henry honored me with a very precious gift. He gave me my aunt’s class ring, dated 1956, from East Texas State Teachers College. To me there is no more valuable possession she held. This ring symbolizes so much. For her East Texas State was the catalyst for the events which shaped her life. The ring represents the hope of an education offered a young farm girl from Birthright, Texas. It marks the beginning of a career devoted to educating children in communities such as Midland and Wilmer-Hutchins.
Through her teaching position in the Midland area, Aunt Pinkie met and married the love of her life, Henry T. Cross. This same University was the Alma Mater for her three sisters, all teachers as well. Three of the Lawrence girls received masters from East Texas.
My aunt’s ring was much loved and much worn. Many of the symbols on the ring have been smoothed over time. But the value of this ring lies not in the gold, the stone or the beauty of design—the real value is the life and accomplishments symbolized by this tiny piece of jewelry.
Although I already miss my aunt, she will be with me every day that I wear this ring on my finger. I am proud we shared our love of East Texas State.
P.S. If you do not already own a class ring, you may contact 903-886-6022 to purchase one. Your class ring is sure to become a special heirloom for your family as well.

Nominations for next Distinguished Alumnus being accepted

Events Wrap-up

Commerce Area Alumni Chapter
Board Meeting—June 11
Members of the Board of Directors met to discuss committee assignments and other chapter business.

Alumni Association Board
of Directors Retreat—June 22 and 23
The Association Board of Directors convened in Dallas for a two-day retreat to make plans for the coming year. Topics discussed included strategic planning, becoming more effective as a board and regular Association business.

Commerce Area Alumni Chapter
Board Meeting—July 16
Board members met to hear reports of chapter committees.

Commerce Area Alumni Chapter
Phone-a-thon—June 17-19
Numerous volunteers from the Commerce Chapter spent hours each evening calling students who had been admitted to the University. Alumni assisted students and parents with questions and reminded them of upcoming dates of which they needed to be aware.

Dinner Dance 2002
Planning Meeting—July 30
Members of the First Last Dinner Dance Committee met at the Omni Hotel on Luna Road in Dallas to make plans for the April 19-21 event. Those in attendance decided on the musicians for the dance, groups to be honored at the dance and table centerpieces. Members continue to try to locate missing social clubber alumni.

Association Executive
Board Meeting—Aug. 9
Executive board members met in Rockwall to discuss plans for the impending board meeting. Much discussion focused on the bylaws revision.

Graduation receptions—Aug. 11
New graduates were welcomed to the Association by keynote speaker and Alumni Association President Gary Finney, Association Vice President Janet Peek, Alumni Board Member Rheba Icenhower and Executive Director Kayla Price.
Also assisting that day were alumnus Ronnie Almon, alumna Glenna Jo Price, student Anne Dorman and student Hillary Munsch.

Commerce Chapter
Board Meeting—Aug. 23
Members of the Board of Directors met on campus to conduct regular business of the group. Committee reports were heard and authorization was given for a new $1,000 scholarship.

Delta Tau Delta Alumni
Reunion—Aug. 24
Alumni and collegiate members of Delta Tau Delta celebrated the group’s 40th anniversary in Commerce during the weekend.

Your dollar won’t only be music to students’ ears—it could leave you playing first chair

Your opportunity to win the first A&M-Commerce collegiate chair is quickly coming to a close.
The $1 tickets may be purchased at the Alumni Office on the bottom floor of the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center through Homecoming Week. On Oct. 27, those attending Homecoming may purchase tickets at the Homecoming check-in table in the MSC.
The chair, valued at $375, was custom made by Nichols and Stone of Gardner, Mass., with a black and gold trim and cherry-finished arms and crown. The rare piece was crafted to last generations and is engraved with the official A&M-Commerce seal on the backrest, making the chair a work of heirloom quality.
The furniture will be awarded to the winning ticketholder during Homecoming 2001 on Saturday, Oct. 27. The winner must make arrangements to secure the chair from the Alumni Office. Any shipping charges, taxes or related expenses are the sole responsibility of the winner.
The winner does not need to be present to win. Those who do not live in the area and cannot attend Homecoming may mail a note indicating how many tickets are being purchased, along with the buyer’s name, address and phone number.
Any A&M-Commerce alumnus, student, faculty, staff or friend of the University, 18 years or older, may participate in the contest drawing. There is no maximum on the number of tickets that an individual may purchase.
Checks may be made payable to: A&M-Commerce Alumni Association, P.O. Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429. Please add $1 for postage and handling. Ticket stubs will be returned to participants.
The drawing for the chair, donated by alumnus Ted Crim, Class of 1970, is a fundraiser for the Student Alumni Association.