Page 5

A&M-C keeping increases minimal

Of percentage increases in tuition and fees effective at Texas universities this fall, Texas A&M University-Commerce ranks fifth lowest in the state, according to a survey conducted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

A&M-Commerce undergraduate students will pay $1,917 in tuition and mandatory fees for a full load of 15 semester hours, an increase of 5.79 percent compared to Spring Semester 2004 costs.

The University did not increase tuition costs last spring while many institutions did.

With designated tuition deregulation, which the Texas Legislature passed in 2003, colleges and universities now can set this rate and some institutions are increasing their costs by as much as 15 to 20 percent for this fall, the Coordinating Board survey found.

Regarding the results of the survey, A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland said, “This shows our commitment to continually offer quality education at a very reasonable cost.”

The statewide average increase for fall tuition and fees is 11.03 percent with students paying an average of $2,163.28, according to the Coordinating Board survey.

Costs for institutions in North and East Texas include the following: University of North Texas, $2,780.65, up 14.71 percent; The University of Texas at Arlington, $2,650.20, up 12.22 percent; The University of Texas at Dallas, $3,181.40, up 12.76 percent; and The University of Texas at Tyler, $2,031, up 18.70 percent.

Tarpley honored as one of A&M-Commerce’s best

Retired literature and languages professor Fred Tarpley (BA ‘51, MA ‘54) has been named a Professor Emeritus. Dr. Tarpley taught at A&M-Commerce from 1957 until his retirement in ’91, when he began teaching part time. Though most widely recognized by the 5,000 or so students he taught as an educator, Dr. Tarpley is also a linguist, folklorist, genealogist, historian, civic leader, and author. He has written five books, including Place Names of Northeast Texas and Jefferson: East Texas Metropolis.

Entrepreneurship program ranked among top in nation

The University’s Entrepreneurial Emphasis Program has been ranked in the Top 10 in the nation by Entrepreneur magazine. In its second year to be ranked, A&M-Commerce joined universities Purdue and Washington State in the Top 10. “It’s a real honor to be recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as the top in the nation,” said Dr. Bob Collins, distinguished lecturer in entrepreneurship. Last year, the University was ranked in the Top 25 by the magazine. Professor of global entrepreneurship and management Dr. Shawn Carraher added that students from A&M Commerce reported more new business start-ups than graduates from any other school in the nation. “Many large schools had one or two during that time period while we have over 20,” he said.

Chemistry professor receives $80,000 grant

Dr. Anil Banerjee, associate professor of chemistry, has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to offer a Professional Development Program for high school science teachers. The grant will pay tuition, fees, and child care for 30 teachers to take two graduate courses, one during the summer and one in the fall. Banerjee’s grant is one of several awarded to A&M-Commerce faculty members that benefit teachers. Last year, programs were offered to math and elementary and middle school science teachers.

Ashley receives System’s top honor

Dr. Ashley serves as director of Grants and Research at A&M-Commerce.

He completed his doctorate in chemistry when he was only 24 years old. “I just worked hard,” he said of the accomplishment. “I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week for 12 months.” With his doctorate in hand, Ashley spent two years at the University of Southern California where he had an Atomic Energy Commission Post-Doctoral Fellowship. He arrived at A&M-Commerce (then East Texas State University) in 1968 at age 26 and joined the chemistry department.

Known for his high standards in the classroom, Dr. Ashley says he tries to make his lectures relevant by relating the subject to students’ daily lives.

In 1987, he became a research consultant at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. At Los Alamos, the A&M-Commerce faculty member does nuclear research. He and Dr. Norman Schroeder, a staff scientist at the national laboratory, are working on a Department of Energy research project involving the safe disposal of nuclear waste. The project focuses on the cleanup of the DOE nuclear waste site at Hanford, Wash.

In 2001, he was on a year long leave of absence from A&M-Commerce working in Washington, D.C. as one of three professors in the nation selected to be a Foster Fellow in the U.S. State Department. As a Foster Fellow, he researched nuclear energy issues.

Alumni join Foundation Board

Five new members have been named to the Texas A&M University- Commerce Foundation Board.

They are Alton Biggs of Allen, Philip McLeod of Coppell, Jo Ann Rutherford Thompson Parkman of Paris, James Ragland of Dallas and Kenneth Threlkeld of Tyler.

Alton (BS ‘74, MS ‘79) received degrees in biology and natural science degrees from the University.

As president of Biggs Educational Consulting, he is a nationally renowned speaker and author covering issues concerning evolution, genetics, ecology and microorganisms.

His work has been published in The American Biology Teacher, The Texas Science Teacher, The Nucleus and several other journals, newsletters and textbooks.

In 2003, he received the A&MCommerce Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Alton and his wife recently established the Alton L. Biggs and Louise M. Biggs Endowed Scholarships in Biology and Art at A&M-Commerce.

Philip (BBA ‘84) received his degree in accounting and now serves as finance vice president for AdvancePCS in Irving and has held controller positions with Aloha Petroleum and Davis Power Hydraulics.

He is an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and has held both local and national offices.

Jo Ann (BS ‘64) graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics and is retired from TU Electric.

She served for 30-plus years as Paris and Grapevine district manager, Commerce manager, and Sherman assistant district manager. She also directed TU’s home service program.

After her retirement in 1997, Jo Ann remained active in the Paris community, serving the Paris Regional Medical Center System, Lamar County United Way, Salvation Army, Rotary Club of Paris, and First United Methodist Church of Paris.

She was honored as an A&MCommerce Distinguished Alumna in 1981.

James (BS ‘84) was named Outstanding Journalism Graduate when he received his degree in political science and journalism.

He is a columnist for The Dallas Morning News and a 17-year newspaper veteran, whose experience includes working at The Washington Post.

His reporting has appeared in numerous publications, including The Washington Post Magazine and Emerge magazine.

In 1999, James was appointed an A&M-Commerce visiting professor of journalism, teaching courses in writing, reporting and media ethics. He returned full-time to the Morning News in 2000.

James received the A&M-Commerce Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003.

Kenneth (BBA ‘60) began his career in insurance and established TCI, which has become one of the premier insurance agencies in the East Texas region.

TCI employs 44 people and is a direct descendant of Clyde & Prestridge Insurance Agency, which was established in 1929.

Founded in 1970, the A&MCommerce Foundation supports the University, its students, employees and alumni. It provides academic merit scholarships to deserving students and provides funding for quality programs.