Martin is a resident of the Commerce area and established a scholarship endowment several years ago for A&M-Commerce education students. He and Dr. Michael Sampson, A&M-Commerce elementary education professor, have co-authored seven children’s books. During his many years of writing, Martin has penned more than 300 children’s books. At age 84, Martin is still writing and co-authoring books with Sampson. Their latest book, “Adam, Adam, What Do You See?,” was released in September.

Edward Skarnulis, formerly with Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minn., is the new department head in the department of social work.

Dr. Mathew Kanjirathinkal is the new dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Kanjirathinkal is former head of the department of sociology and criminal justice. He also served as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bill Oellermann, a 20-year employee of A&M-Commerce, has assumed the head position for a new unit on campus. Oellermann is now heading up the Marketing Services unit which includes advertising, university publications, the university’s Web site, collegiate licensing, and KETR, the 100,000 watt public radio station on campus.

Dr. Ron Huffstutler, associate vice president for strategic planning and a 22-year employee of A&M-Commerce, will head the Information Services unit, which in addition to providing statistical information on the University, will also include public information. In addition to the News Service, other areas in Information Services are Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, Sports Information, and Printing Services.

David Walvoord, a 30-year veteran of the University, has been promoted from assistant director of the News Service to director.

The University Office Personnel Association has collected favorite recipes from staff, faculty, and administrators on campus. The recipes are featured in a new cookbook available for $10. For more information, contact Billie Hemphill in health, kinesiology, and sports studies at (903) 886-5549.

Scott Holder of Commerce, a doctoral student in the department of counseling, will be completing part of his doctoral internship requirements at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas.

Holder’s research projects will include examining the effects of exercise on mild and moderate depression and examining the effectiveness of the use of weight reduction medication on obese adolescents.

Virginia Nance, who earned her master’s in music from A&M-Commerce in August, has accepted a position at Rice University as coordinator of the Preparatory Program at the Shepherd School of Music.

The former Atlanta resident will supervise the graduate students teaching the public school students who are taking lessons in piano, violin, and other instruments at Rice. Nance will also teach preparatory theory classes at Rice.

Virginia Nance

Rice is known as the Juilliard of the South, according to faculty members in the A&M-Commerce music dept. As a non-traditional student, Nance was leery about returning to college, but received encouragement from Dr. James Deaton, head of the A&M-Commerce department of music. “It changed my life,” Nance said of her decision to return to school and pursue a master’s degree.

Dr. Nick Sarantakes of the A&M-Commerce history faculty is coordinating a Korean War Lecture Series this fall. The series recognizes the 50th anniversary of this conflict. Various guest speakers are being invited to campus.

Dr. R.N. Singh, head of the sociology and criminal justice department, had the opportunity to visit with a friend from his homeland in India recently. Dr. Victor S. D’Souza, professor at Bombay University, lectured at A&M-Commerce on Sept. 19. The visiting professor’s appearance was sponsored by the Sociology and Criminal Justice Society.

Dr. Otha Spencer, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, and Dr. James Conrad, university archivist, have coordinated a pictorial history panel of the University recognizing its affiliation with the Texas A&M University System in ‘96.

Photos for the panel were taken by David Walvoord, News Service director, and Spencer. This new panel is part of a pictorial history of A&M-Commerce now located on the second floor of the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center.

The six-panel pictorial history spans the University’s more than a century of service to the northeast Texas region and the state. A&M-Commerce alumnus Wyman Williams coordinated the 16th Annual Merchants Fair held in the student center on Sept. 20. Numerous Commerce organizations and businesses had displays for students, faculty and staff to learn more about their services. Students had an opportunity to win cash prizes. Williams, who is associated with Williams Motors in Commerce, has helped with the fair since its inception.