A&M-Commerce graduates Loretta Kibler and Wyman Williams have put in many hours involved in civic activities. Their dedication to the community of Commerce has been recognized by the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association.

Kibler (B.S., 1964 and M.Ed., ’67) and Williams (B.S., ’69) received Community Service Awards at the Commerce Rotary Club luncheon on Aug. 30. These awards recognize those who have achieved distinction in service to their community at local, regional, or national levels. Kibler is superintendent of the Commerce Independent School District and Williams is co-owner of Williams Motors Inc., located in Commerce. Both are graduates of Commerce High School.

Regarding the selection of these two alumni as award recipients, Alumni Director Kayla Price said, “The Alumni Association is proud to recognize these two loyal University supporters. Loretta and Wyman have given tirelessly to the Association, University, and community for many years. It was time we expressed our appreciation and support of their endeavors.”

Kibler and Williams expressed their appreciation in being nominated for the honor by an Alumni Association committee with President Keith McFarland approving the nomination for these two Commerce residents to receive the awards.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award. Service to my community is not an option. It is something I think is important. I have enjoyed every minute of it,” Williams commented.Of her award, Kibler said, “I am proud to be honored in this way. Serving the community of Commerce has always been a privilege. The many wonderful people in Commerce create a pleasant environment for service,” she said.

Williams serves as president of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors and the Commerce Economic Development Corporation. He is also on the committee for the Commerce Community Network; this committee’s work has resulted in a $500,000 grant to bring fiber optics technology in Commerce. Williams is a co-chair of the Commerce Children’s Museum Fund Raising Committee. Both he and Kibler are past presidents of the Commerce Rotary Club and serve on the Commerce Chamber of Commerce. Kibler is a past president of the chamber who is now on the board.

Kibler has participated in the Commerce Leadership Institute of which Williams is a board member. The Commerce school superintendent has been board secretary for the Commerce United Way and vice president of the Hunt County Family Services board.

In Commerce ISD, Williams has been involved in vocational education and founded the Pathfinders Mentor Program for at-risk high school students who might drop out of school. He chaired the Tigers 2000 Committee to promote the Commerce ISD bond election in 1997 which passed and resulted in the construction of the new Commerce High School campus. Kibler serves as a director for the Commerce Area Alumni Chapter and Williams is a member of the chapter.

An A&M-Commerce alumnus may nominate a graduate of the University for the Outstanding Community Service Award by completing a nomination form available at the Alumni Office. Graduates may call the Alumni Office at (903) 886-5765 to have a form mailed to them.