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Fraternities welcomed alumni with a number of highflying banners
at Memorial Stadium.
Diane McDowell, proud new owner of a Gold Blazer,
says she is nevertheless ‘humbled’ by the honor
Diana with Homecoming Queen and fellow Kappa Delta Suzanne Woods.
“Because of this University and because I
am indebted to it—and because it has been such an influence
on my life—I am happy to serve it in any way I can,”
graduate Diane LaFerney McDowell said after being given the Gold
Blazer award.
Diane is an energetic volunteer for her Alma Mater, says Alumni
Director Kayla Price, adding that the alumna was well deserving
of the recognition. The Gold Blazer is given by the Alumni Association
for service to the organization and the University.
Diane, who earned a master’s degree in counseling in 1998,
is a public school counselor at Commerce High School. She earned
a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University in
1969.
The Commerce resident has served on the Alumni Association Board
of Directors for five years and as secretary of the board for
two years.
Diane is always eager to volunteer, reliable and willing to assist,
according to Alumni Director Kayla Price.
“We are very pleased to honor Diane for her loyal service
to the Association and University,” she said. “She really
cares about her Alma Mater and has gone out of her way to support
its students and alumni.”
At the Homecoming Luncheon when she received her award, Diane
said, “I feel very humbled to have been chosen.”
She has volunteered at the Homecoming dues table, helped with
the Lions Night, and assisted with special Alumni Association
projects, Kayla said.
Awards Diane has received include being named to Who’s Who
Among American Teachers and Outstanding Young Women of America.
She was also honored with an Order of the Emerald from Kappa Delta
Sorority.
The alumnus has two grown sons, Danny and Mark.
Diane has also worked as a public school counselor at Paris High
and Lancaster High and taught at North Lamar High School.
News Service pair net Personnel Association awards
Two alumni, Dave Walvoord (MS ‘72) and Mary
Lou Hazal (BS ‘75, MPA ‘80) with the University’s
News Service, recently received awards at the Bosses Luncheon
hosted by the University Office Personnel Association.
Dave, who was named “Boss of the Year,” is News Service
director and has worked at the University 32 years. Mary Lou,
staff writer and assignment editor, was honored as the Distinguished
Member for 2001.
“That’s what we students appreciate about
this school. Here they pay attention to us—something Mr.
Mayo would’ve approved of.”
—undergraduate Mary Beth Crawford at the W.L. Mayo Memorial
Service
“It’s extremely difficult to think about what my life
would have been if I hadn’t come down Highway 50.”
—Alumni Association President Gary Finney
“May the memory of William L. Mayo and those who have helped
sustain our school stay with us until we meet again next year.”
—Dr. James Conrad, University archivist, concluding the annual
memorial service at Professor Mayo’s gravesite
“MAYO”
—painted across the back of a coed who was standing at the
railing in Memorial Stadium along with a group of students from
the Mayo College
“Hey. It’s the Christians versus the Lions.”
—Laurie Anderson (BBA ’83), remarking on the names of
the combating teams at the Homecoming football game when A&M-Commerce
played Abilene Christian
“foot ball”
—a display piece of advertising for uniforms when the sport
was young enough it was still described as two words. From the
College Football Hall of Fame Road Show, a mini travelling version
of the parent museum in South Bend. A&M-Commerce was the Road
Show’s first stop on its first-ever swing through Texas.
“This school has conferred 89,901 degrees. We can take pride
in our prestigious past and our promising future.”
—Alumni Director Kayla Price
“Woooo!”
—the Field House crowd as the Oak Ridge Boys begin “Ya’ll
Come Back Saloon” at their Homecoming concert
“Our success is measured by the people I see in this audience.”
—University President Keith McFarland to the Homecoming Luncheon
crowd
“I was always real proud to be from East Texas.
…Coming here got me networked with the right kind of people—people
who care about education, who cared about kids.”
—Dr. Mike Moses, 2001 Distinguished Alumnus, at the Homecoming
Luncheon
“Plus the Lions won, right? This is a good thing, right?”
—Oak Ridge Boy Joe Bonsall during the group’s Homecoming
concert. The audience answered with a roar.
A college keepsake to cozy up to
A&M-Commerce custom blankets are now available
through the Alumni Office. The three-layer blankets are approximately
48 by 67 inches and are made of 100 per cent, machine-washable
cotton. If picked up in the Alumni Relations office, the blankets
are available for a donation of $45. If mailed, the cost is $50,
which includes shipping and handling. Make checks payable to A&M-COMMERCE
ALUM. ASSOC. For more information, please visit, write or call:
Alumni Relations
Texas A&M University-Commerce
P. O. Box 3011
Commerce, TX 75429
