Texas A&M University–Commerce

Infobox University
name = Texas A&M University–Commerce


motto = Ceaseless Industry - Fearless Investigation - Unfettered Thought
established = 1889
type = Public University
president = Keith McFarland, Ph.D.
campus =
city = Commerce
state = Texas
country = United States |students = 9,046
faculty = 502
nickname = Lions
website = http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/

Texas A&M University–Commerce is a member of the Texas A&M University System located in Commerce, Texas. It also has campuses in Dallas and Mesquite, Texas and conducts classes at the McKinney, Texas campus of Collin County Community College District as well as at Northeast Texas Community College near Mount Pleasant, Texas. The university also has a partnership with Navarro College.

History

The university began as East Texas Normal College in 1889 when founder William Leonidas Mayo opened the doors to a one-building campus in Cooper, TX. After the original campus was destroyed by fire in 1894, Mayo moved the college to its present location in Commerce.

The State of Texas purchased the campus from Mayo in 1917 (after receiving word that the State would purchase the campus, Mayo died of a heart attack while walking back to the campus) and changed the name to East Texas State Normal College. In 1923, the school was renamed East Texas State Teachers College. The graduate program was added in 1935.

In 1957 the state Legislature, recognizing that the purpose of the institution had broadened from teacher education, changed the name to East Texas State College. Following the inauguration of the first doctoral program in 1962, the name was changed to East Texas State University (ETSU).

ETSU would open branch locations in Mesquite, Dallas, and Texarkana. In 1996, the institution entered the Texas A&M University System and became Texas A&M University-Commerce; the Texarkana branch separated from the Commerce campus and became Texas A&M University-Texarkana, a separately accredited institution.

Texas A&M University-Commerce is the second largest institution in the Texas A&M System; only the main campus at College Station has a higher enrollment.

chool Name

Despite the former name being East Texas State, Commerce is located in what most would consider North Texas area and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. At the time, the school was the school that was located furthest east in Texas, as at the time, there were North, South and West Texas State schools, since TAMU-C, was located furthest east, it was named East Texas State despite being in the North Texas Geographic Region.

tudent Life

The university is home to over 115 registered student organizations, notably Greek Societies, which play an important role in the social scene at TAMU-C. There are also numerous religious organizations and special interest organizations for students of specific majors. Recently, a new student recreation center was completed which includes among other things: a rock climbing wall, outdoor lap-pool with lazy river, outdoor hot tubs, sand volleyball, basketball and tennis.

Also, a new state-of-the-art planetarium was recently completed as part of the new science building, where students, faculty and visitors enjoy watching movies on the planetarium ceiling as they are seated almost fully reclined.

The campus is currently (Fall 2007) being renovated to improve the student experience. A new Student Center is under construction, parking is being added and sidewalks and walkways are being improved.

Fraternities-Kappa Alpha Psi,Kappa Alpha Order,Sigma Chi,Kappa Sigma,Delta Tau Delta,Alpha Phi Alpha,Omega Delta Phi

Sororities-Delta Sigma Theta,Chi Omega,Kappa Delta,Gamma Phi Beta,Alpha Phi,

Kappa Delta Chi,Zeta Phi Beta,

Religious-Baptist Student Ministries,Wesleyan Student Fellowship,Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship,Lions For Christ,Catholic Student Organization

Newspaper

"The East Texan" is the weekly student newspaper of TAMU-C. Started in 1915, it is part of the department-based Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, headquartered in the Journalism Building. Circulation is 3,000.

Athletics

The university is a part of the Lone Star Conference (Division II), a 15-member league that spans three states (Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico). A flagship member, TAMU-C remains from the original league formed in 1931.

TAMU-C offers 5 men's sports: football, basketball, golf, cross country, and track and field; as well as 6 women's sports: basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf, cross country, and track and field.

ummer Activities

Located approximately one hour north east of Dallas, TAMU-C attacts students and visitors from the metroplex. During the summer, TAMU-C provides and hosts a variety of summer camps for children of all ages and interests.

Notable alumni

*Duane Allen, of the music group, The Oak Ridge Boys
*Terry Bennett, current Texas High School Sports Broadcaster for various radio stations and websites
*Alan Borden, Amateur Athletic Union and Natural Athlete Strength Association World Powerlifting Champion
*John Carlos, Track and Field athlete and founding member of Olympic Project for Human Rights
*Mike Conaway, member of the United States House of Representatives representing the Midland-Odessa area
*Clint Dolezel, current Arena Football League quarterback
*Gene Edwards, Christian writer and pioneer house church planter in the U.S.
*Sally Kern, Oklahoma legislator
*Sheryl Leach, founder and creator of the children's television show Barney
*Harvey Martin, former National Football League defensive end and Super Bowl MVP
*Staley McBrayer, developer of the Vanguard offset press
*Durwood Merrill, former Major League Baseball umpire
*Mike Moses, former longtime superintendent of Dallas ISD
*Larry Nemmers, longtime official in the National Football League
*Bill O'Neal, historian of the American West
*Gary Panter, award-winning illustrator, painter and designer
*James Ragland, metro columnist for The Dallas Morning News
*Sam Rayburn, former Speaker of the House
*Mark Seliger, former chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine
*Alan Veingrad, Former National Football League Offensive Lineman, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers
*Wade Wilson, former National Football League quarterback and Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Coach
*Donovan Lewis, Co-Host of BaD Radio on 1310 The Ticket radio station in Dallas, TX

External links

* [http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/ Texas A&M University-Commerce]
* [http://www.lionathletics.com/ TAMU-C Lion Athletic Department]
* [http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/summercamps]
* [http://tamus.edu/ The Texas A&M University System]