Welcome to the

Alumni Awards GalaHonoring the Gold Blazer &

Distinguished Alumni recipients

Saturday, April 25, 2015Rayburn Student Center

Texas A&M University-Commerce

cecc

T he Gold Blazer Award was first

awarded in 1984 and is given annually

to alumni for service to The Alumni

Association of Texas A&M University-

Commerce, Inc., and to the University.

Sixty-two Gold Blazer Awards have been

awarded over the last twenty-eight years.

We have been fortunate to have alumni

who work on behalf of the University

without the expectation of pay or other

tangible gain. Their efforts have provided

two major benefits: economic and social.

In both cases their involvement has had

an overwhelming effect on the Alumni

Association’s ability to reconnect with

alumni and provide positive avenues for

their interaction with the University and

student body. The Alumni Association is

pleased to present two individuals with the

Gold Blazer Award, all of whom epitomize

Professor Mayo’s motto: “ceaseless industry,

fearless investigation, unfettered thought

and unselfish service to others.”

Gold BlazersRecognition Dinner Master of Ceremonies Mr. Derryle G. Peace, Director Alumni Relations Texas A&M University-Commerce

Invocation Mr. Jackson Dailey, President Student Government Association Texas A&M University-Commerce

Dinner Miss Alicia Watt Flutist Senior, Music Performance Texas A&M University-Commerce

vUniversity Welcome Dr. Dan R. Jones, President Texas A&M University-Commerce

Alumni Association Welcome Dr. James Cowley, President Alumni Association Texas A&M University-Commerce

Introduction of Recipients Mr. Derryle G. Peace

Gold Blazer Recipients Susan Dorsey Frank Turner

Distinguished Alumnus Welcome Mr. Alton Biggs, President Distinguished Alumni Chapter Texas A&M University-Commerce

Distinguished Alumni Recipients Deborah Brennan, DVM Ted Conover JoAnn Durham Joe Griff ith Jane Harper, Ph. D. Leonard Merrell, Ed. D. Kenneth Threlkeld

Closing Remarks Mr. Derryle G. Peace

S rank Turner, a native of

Tucumcari, New Mexico, completed

his first two years ofw college at New Mexico Military Institute before enrolling at East Texas State University in 1959. He graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and was an active member in the Tejas/Sig Ep fraternity. That year he was also commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps where he spent the next eight years, which included tours in southeast Asia and in the Republic of South Viet Nam. After being honorably discharged with the

rank of captain, Turner begin his 40-year railroad career with the Norfolk and Southern where he held positions such as superintendent and general manager. In 1988 he was appointed vice president of operations of the Midsouth Railroad and later appointed president and CEO. Later he served as vice president of field operations for CSX Railroad and president of the American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association. He also served as chairman and CEO of other shortline railroads. The 107th US Congress and the Association of American Railroads recognized Frank for “his visionary leadership in the railroad industry.” He has served on many boards in the railroad industry, his community and the Alumni Association for this university. He is a founder of the Tejas/Sig Ep scholarship endowment and a sponsor, along with his wife Rosalie, of the annual A&M-Commerce Student Civil Rights Tour in Alabama.

usan Dorsey discovered her passion for teaching at

an early age. She pursued her dream and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the university in 1977. She pledged Alpha Phi Sorority in 1974 and served as assistant treasurer, pledge trainer, and became a Sigma Phi Epsilon Little Sister. She began her teaching career in Lewisville ISD before moving to Mesquite. She was a classroom teacher for 27 years and transitioned to the role of diagnostician. She currently serves in that capacity at Wilkinson Middle School.

Dorsey has worked tirelessly as an alumna to advance the mission of the university. She served as the Chapter Property Committee for Alpha Phi for three years and planned three Alpha Phi reunions. She created The Ivy Vine, a voluntary fund for sisters so that ivy plants could be sent to sisters when a family member was lost. She continues to manage that fund today. She participates in the Heart Walk in Dallas to support the American Heart Association, the chosen philanthropy of Alpha Phi.

In 2010, Dorsey created a Facebook group for East Texas State University Greeks from the 1970’s. The creation of this site made it possible to communicate with a large group of her peers and participate in three consecutive Homecoming festivities. The site now has over 800 members. Last year, the group raised enough money to purchase two bricks for the alumni Brick Garden Project.

Susan, and her husband, Steve, are the proud parents of two adult daughters and enjoy camping, cooking and gardening. She is a regular volunteer at the Dallas Arboretum, logging over 300 hours per year.

Frank TurnerSusan Dorsey

Distinguished AlumniGold Blazers1984 Sherman Burns Diane Carpenter1985 Sandra Crane Rocky Miracle1986 Jim Ainsworth Derald Bulls Kenny Carnes1987 Harry Icenhower Kay Partridge1988 Gene Casselberry1989 Dr. Fred Tarpley Wyman Williams1990 Rheba Icenhower Earl Stubbs1991 Judy Anderson1992 Dr. Kenneth Clinton Col. Billy Phillips1993 Carolyn Burt Rebecca Davies Robert Whitener1994 Samuel McCord1995 Dr. Mary Beth Tuck Dixie Turman1996 W. Jerry Hyde Janet Peek1997 John Newman1998 Ted Crim1999 Peggy Fox2000 Maj. Gen. Christopher Adams Bobbie Purdy2001 Diane McDowell

2002 Dr. Trezzie Pressley Gwendolyn Smith2003 Gary Finney2004 R. Winston Williams2005 Jerry Carrington Dr. Jack Pirkey2006 René Castilla Hoyle Julian Ann Julian2007 Dian Fife Evonne Richardson Dwight York2008 Jandy Thompson Mick Trusty Dr. Patricia Turner2009 Charles McCasland John McCasland Beverly Pirkey2010 Larry Goddard Dr. Jan Huffstutler Harry Power2011 Dr. James Randy McBroom Ron Skrasek2012 Robert V. “Buddie” Barnes, Jr. Sandra Doyle Billy Marshall Faye Branch Williams2013 Dr. James B. Cowley Marion A. Houff Dr. Greg Hulsey W. Ben King

T he first Distinguished Alumni Citation

was awarded in 1967. With the growth

in membership of the group, they

organized and formed the Distinguished

Alumni Chapter on November 5, 1983. Its

membership consists of all recipients of the

Distinguished Alumni Citations awarded

by East Texas State University and Texas

A&M University-Commerce. The purpose

of this chapter is to maintain a medium for

serving Texas A&M University-Commerce,

to further the interest and well-being of the

University, and to foster an appreciation

for the rich heritage left to the great

University by its students, faculty, and its

administration during its more than 120

years of existence. A host of graduates of

East Texas Normal College, East Texas

State Normal College, East Texas State

Teachers College, East Texas State College,

East Texas State University, and Texas

A&M University-Commerce have achieved

illustrious careers in many different

walks of life. It is from the vast pool of

outstanding graduates of the educational

institution in Commerce that Distinguished

Alumni are selected and honored.

DDeborah Brennan, DVM

class of1974

r. Deborah Brennan received a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in biology and chemistry in 1974. She started her career

as a professional chemist for Bell Telephone Laboratories, and left to pursue a veterinarian degree. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine four years later. She went into veterinary practice and owned and managed the Allentown Animal Clinic in Allentown, Pennsylvania for 14 years. She became the Chief Veterinarian for the City of Allentown, and in this capacity she worked with the Police K-9 corps.

In 1991, Dr. Brennan joined the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as a Veterinary Medical Officer. Under her leadership, the Field Team received a “Hammer Award” from Vice President Al Gore for “building a government that works better and costs less.” She received a master’s degree in public administration, summa cum laude, from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania in June 1997. Following this, Dr. Brennan accepted the position of Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) of the State of Mississippi. Under her leadership, brucellosis was eradicated from Mississippi.

In October 2002, Dr. Brennan joined the Agricultural Research Service Mid South Area as the Associate Area Director. She served in that role until January 2010.

In January 2010, Dr. Brennan accepted the position as Area Director for the South Atlantic Area (SAA) of Agricultural Research Service. The SAA had more than 225 research scientists and 60 postdoctoral research associates working in 19 locations and work sites in a four state area, Puerto Rico and St. Croix, VI.

On October 1, 2014, ARS consolidated eight Areas into five. The Mid South Area and South Atlantic Area became the new Southeast Area with the Area Office located in Stoneville, Mississippi. Dr. Brennan was selected as the Area Director for this new large Area.

Dr. Brennan is married to Tim Brennan who works for the USDA Packers and Stockyards Administration, and is the mother of one son, Dallas. In her spare time, Dr. Brennan enjoys gardening, cooking, singing, hiking and family activities.

TTed Conover

ed F. Conover, class of 1972 and 1973, after serving in the

United States Marine Corps, earned his bachelor’s and master’s

degrees from East Texas State University. He graduated from the

Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU in 1999. During a 32-

year career with Heritage Land Bank, he had the opportunity to serve as its

President and Chief Executive Office. He retired in October 2005, to become

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Tyler. He serves on the

Board of Directors of Huntington State Bank.

Conover was appointed in 2008, by Governor Rick Perry, to the Texas

Agricultural Finance Authority. Conover also serves on the State Advisory

Board for the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership program. He has been

a member and held leadership positions for the Executive Committee of the

East Texas State Fair Association, Build East Texas, and the East Texas Farm

and Ranch Club.

In 2008, Conover was recognized by the Texas County Agricultural Agents

Association as their Man of the Year in Agriculture and also the same year

received the Ag Workers Mutual Auto Insurance President’s Outstanding

Leadership award. He is active in the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and

serves on its Governmental Affairs Committee. Conover is currently serving

as a director of Junior Achievement, is a member of the South Tyler Rotary

Club, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Green Acres

Baptist Church.

classes of 1972, 1973

JJoAnn Durham

oAnn Durham, class of 1956, was an art major, history

minor, a member of the Tooanoowe Social Club and later

initiated into Gamma Phi Beta. Recognized by Who’s Who in

American Art, she is an international artist whose studio and

home are in Fort Worth, Texas.

Internationally, her paintings have been exhibited in the Belgium Grand

Prix, Salon D’ Automme, the Society International Des Beaux Arts, Gordes,

France with the Society of Layerists in Multi Media, Paris, France in the US-

France Show and in the United Kingdom in the US-Wales Show at the Cynon

Valley Museum in Aberdate.

Domestically, her paintings have been exhibited and won awards in

Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Cardiff at St. John’s

College and other major cities. Her works have been published in “American

Artist”, “International Artists”, “Manhattan Artist”, “Women Artists

Datebook”, “Women Artists International”, and in books Creative Watercolor,

Art and Healing, The Art of Layering Visual Journeys, Art of the 21st Century,

Journeys to Abstraction, and Splash 8.

Durham is a past president of the International Society of Experimental

Artists and a former board advisor. A file on her work is at the Library

and Research Center of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in

Washington, D.C. She received the National Society Daughters of the

American Revolution “women in the Arts Recognition Award” for her

lifetime achievements and also won the Samuel Leitman Award in the

Annual Members Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.

She is a member of the History Club, Woman’s Club of Fort Worth,

Daughters of the American Revolution, United States Daughters of 1812, and

National Society Daughters of the American Colonists.

class of1956

JJoe Griffith

oe Griffith, class of 1965, was born and raised in Ennis, Texas.

After graduating high school he attended Navarro Junior College

and then transferred to East Texas State University where he

received a degree in finance. He was a member of the Sigma Chi

Fraternity, and he also graduated from the New York Institute of Finance.

His life is an inspiring message that encourages others to overcome their

problems to achieve success. Though he suffered from dyslexia, a reading/

learning disorder, he overcame this difficulty to become a successful

businessman in several fields. In the fall of 1996, he relayed his struggles with

dyslexia to area students through a fictional story. Students and teachers were

overwhelmed by the story and encouraged him to publish it. He transformed

his own true story into a fictional book about the feelings and experiences of a

dyslexic. The book How Dyslexic Benny Became a Star, has a happy ending.

He has been seen in over 200 television commercials for such leading

companies as Fruit of the Loom, Holiday Inn, Dayton Tire and McDonald’s.

He has been a humorist, movie actor, commercial pilot, real estate developer,

stockbroker, co-host on XM radio’s Laugh USA channel 98 and co-host of

America’s first-ever television business program. As a professional speaker

he has delivered over 3,000 speeches worldwide, to 75 different industries:

computer, retail, medical, construction, finance and insurance, among others.

He was the youngest person ever inducted into the National Speaker’s Hall

of Fame. He has authored three books, including the best-selling Speaker’s

Library of Business Stories, Anecdotes & Humor.

class of1965

Jane Harper , Ph. D. ane Harper, class of 1963, 1966, and 1971, received her

bachelor’s degree in French and history, her master’s degree

in secondary and higher education, and her doctorate in

supervision, curriculum, and instruction. Harper has worked for

Tarrant County College, formerly Tarrant County Junior College, for 47 years.

Harper started her career as a French instructor at Greenville High

School, where she worked for one year. She then worked at the university as

a graduate assistant in French. After earning her master’s degree, Harper

taught French at the University of Texas at Arlington for two years.

In 1968, Harper started her career at Tarrant County College as an

Assistant Professor of French. She has worked in various positions, including

roles as Associate Professor of French, Professor of French, Division Dean

of Humanities, and Vice President for Teaching and Learning Services. She

currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

Harper has authored and co-authored a number of French and foreign

language related textbooks as well as several teaching manuals. She has been

published in a number of national and local publications, including The

Anthology of Old ET.

The list of professional organizations Harper is, and has been, a part of is

extensive, including the Modern Language Association, the College Board

Foreign Languages Academic Advisory Committee, Texas Community

College Teachers’ Association, Texas Foreign Language Association,

Community College Humanities Association, American Association for

Higher Education, Phi Delta Kappa, Texas Council of the Arts in Education

and many more.

Harper has one son, Bradley Drake Harper, and a grandson, Culver Drake

Harper. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the

Arlington Master Chorale, Gamma Phi Beta Alumnae Association, and the

Kimbell Museum in Ft. Worth.

classes of1963, 1966, 1971

J

LLeonard Merrell , Ed. D

eonard Merrell, class of 1967, 1968, and 1984, received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration. He also attended the Superintendent’s

Academy at Lamar University and the Superintendent’s Summer Work Conference at Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Merrell started his career at Commerce Junior High School in 1968 as a teacher and coach. He then taught at Austin Junior High School in Garland until he became Assistant Principal at South Garland High School in 1972. Merrell served many roles at the Garland ISD, including South Garland High School Principal, Budget Director for the district and Business Manager.

After receiving his doctorate, Merrell served as a Superintendent for 22 years, working for Sulphur Springs ISD (1985-1988), Texas City ISD (1988-1995), and Katy ISD (1995-2007).

Since 2007, Merrell has worked as an educational consultant at his company, L. Merrell Consultants, LLC.

Merrell has received much professional recognition over the years, including the Texas Association of School Administrators Honorary Life Membership in 2008, Texas A&M University: Administrative Leadership Institute Golden Deeds Award in 2007, served as President of the Texas Association of School Administrators from 2001 to 2002, was recognized as an Alumni Ambassador at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2000, and was named the AASA Texas State Superintendent of the year in 1998.

His recent professional affiliations and memberships consist of the Texas Association of School Administrators, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Texas Association of Suburban Mid-Urban Schools and he is a life member of the Texas State Teacher’s Association as well as others.

Merrell and his wife, Linda, met while attending the university. They have two sons and 10 grandchildren, one of which will be attending Texas A&M University-Commerce in the fall on a football scholarship.

classes of1967, 1968,1984

KKenneth Threlkeld

en Threlkeld, class of 1960, is the owner of one of the

largest full-service insurance agencies in East Texas. After

serving in the army, Threlkeld’s GI bill gave him the

opportunity to go to A&M-Commerce where he earned his

bachelor’s degree in business. Upon graduation, Threlkeld worked for Squyres,

Johnson and Squyres in Tyler as an accountant and auditor. After a brief stint

at State Farm Insurance, Threlkeld went to work for Clyde Prestidge as an

agent and accountant. Within a year he bought half interest in the agency and

owned the agency by 1974. Threlkeld continued to build the business, merging

with other companies, and was strictly on his own by 1982.

Threlkeld’s civic accomplishments include achieving 50 year certification

with the Masonic Lodge, The Scottish Rite and the Shriners. Threlkeld has

served as President, Chairman and board member of several Tyler and East

Texas based organizations, and the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership

at Texas A&M College Station, the American Cancer Society and the Texas

A&M-Commerce Foundation. Threlkeld is the founder and chair of the

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for East Texas, which he started when he found

out that one of his grandchildren had the disease. He is also passionate about

the Annual Cattle Barons’ Gala, where he has gained notoriety for giving the

annual chair persons a pair of custom-made boots which has now become

something of a status symbol for the event.

In 2008, Threlkeld received the Build East Texas Award of Excellence from

the State of Texas House of Representatives. He also received the Bill and

Mary Clements Memorial Award for Outstanding Leadership in Agriculture

and the Cystic Fibrosis Breath of Life Award in 2010.

class of1960

1967 O. Pendleton Thomas1968 Givon Parsons1969 Paul Cates Dr. Byron Lee Williams, Jr.1970 Dr. Tom J. Mabry John Dean Moseley, Sr.1971 Dr. William Eugene Hollon Col. Wilson Edward Speir Lee Poston Sturgeon1972 Dr. James Edward Armstrong, Jr. Robert R. Ashworth Dr. Haldeen Braddy1973 Staley T. McBrayer Dr. Billy Byrd Oliver Dr. William C. Shive1974 Henry C. Cheek Dr. Raymond H. Fletcher Dr. Ruth Riley Swords Dr. Helen Whiteside1975 Mrs. Willa Kay Fall Jewel L. Walker Howard J. Harold Stringer1976 Mrs. Cecille L. Terry Hargrave Robert William Henson, Sr. Sam Howard Moore1977 Alton Odell Bowen Dr. Eli Robert Cox Howard H. Martin Dr. William A. Webb1978 Raymond B. Cameron Robert Kyle Campbell Ford Winston Hall Martha Jo Lee McDowell

1979 George Warren Barrow Dr. Imogene Bentley Mohat Lesby Daniels Ray Dr. Joe Bob Rushing1980 Leonard Boyd Prewitt Darrell D. Tully

1981 Thomas Eugene Draper Dr. Shelby R. Metcalf Jo Ann Rutherford Parkman Virginia Scoggin Stone1982 Thomas E. Blakey Jerry Howard Flemmons Larry Daniel Franklin Robert Arnold Jordan Frank H. “Bub” McDowell1983 Duane David Allen David Glenwood Williams1984 Larry Olin Calvin Ogle Lee Drain1985 Fred Edwin Allen William Garland Button1986 Earl Luna1987 Dr. William A. Owens Dr. Robert Alvin Rix, Jr.1988 Joe Bob Hinton1989 Dr. Don Wayne Shaw1990 Homer Kent Biffle1991 Major Gen. Christopher Adams, Jr. Bob H. O’Neal Sam Rayburn1992 Gary J. Fernandes Adrian Hall Dr. Herbert F. LaGrone George McAlister, Jr.

1993 Dennis Alphonso Dyce Robert Earl Edison Dr. William T. Lowry Mark Seliger1994 Dr. J. Davis Armistead Dr. Jennie Cecile Kitching Dr. Sally R. Lancaster1994 Gary McCollum1995 Stephan Pyles Thomas A. Quarles1996 Dr. Cecil Groves James T. Mann1997 Dr. Lilian Brannon Elmer G. Ellis Dr. Zora Frances Greenway Bill A. Jackson Susan M. Wood1998 Gary Hancock E. Durwood Merrill1999 Dr. Charles Sterling2000 Dr. Barry B. Thompson2001 Dr. Mike Moses2002 Dr. John Horn Lynne Liberato Dr. Ralph Wood2003 Alton Biggs James Ragland2004 Robert V. “Buddie” Barnes Dr. Cleatus H. Rattan2005 Dr. Thomas Huddleston Dr. Daniel P. Moore2006 Mr. Mike Cavender Captain Louis Freeman Dr. Otha Spencer

2007 H. Dan Farell Dr. Michael L. Johnson Mrs. Geraldine “Tincy” Miller Dr. Fred Tarpley2008 Mr. Jim Ainsworth Ms. Mary Helen Spencer Dr. James Turman2009 Dr. Richard De La Garza Ted B. Lyon, Jr. Dr. Johnette McKown2010 R. Wayne Chumley W. W. “Chip” Harper Dr. Jai Nagarkatti Judy Castle Scott2011 Dan W. Bobst Honorable Hilda G. Tagle James Thrower Dr. Larry Walker2012 U.S. Representative K. Michael Conaway Toby McDowell Rives Harty Carl S. Richie, Jr. JD Paul Rountree, M.D. Ben Scholz Robert L. Walker Cliff L. Wood2013 H. Gordon Allen The Honorable Barbara Bass Will Cureton Dr. Robert R. Galvan Patricia A. Krebs Dr. Joe D. May Dr. John F. Moss Steve Sullivan

Distinguished Alumni

TAlumni Association

he Alumni

Association was founded in

1890, just one year after the

founding of the university. The

first class of students to complete a course

program organized what was then known

as the Alumnal Association. Serving

the former graduates of East Texas

Normal College, East Texas State Normal

College, East Texas State Teachers

College, East Texas State College, East

Texas State University, and Texas A&M

University-Commerce, the association is

proud to serve the alumni of a dynamic

educational institution that boasts

quality and access to those with a desire

and passion for learning.

Joining the Alumni Association

is one of the many ways to convey

your pride in your alma mater. Join

today as a new member or renew your

membership and enjoy the benefits

of being a member by completing the

membership form. Annual rates are

$30 for an individual or $50 for joint

membership. For more information

about membership, please contact the

Office of Alumni Relations at 903-886-

5765.

2015 OFFICERSDr. James Cowley, PresidentLea Anne DeVega, Vice PresidentMarion Albert Houff, SecretaryJandy Thompson, Treasurer

Michael CallahanRené CastillaSusan DacusJarred DavisGerald Deats Dian FifeGary FinneyRussell “Rusty” HardenJency HolbertDr. Jan HuffstutlerRheba IcenhowerHarold “Buddy” KinamonW. Ben KingJohn McCaslandChester McCraryDr. Barbara McDanielStan McKeeBeverly Lytle PirkeyHarry PowerPamela SwindlingDixie Turman StachowiakFrank TurnerDr. Patricia TurnerOscar Faye WilliamsWinston Williams

ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFFDerryle G. Peace, DirectorDavid Morgan, Assistant DirectorRachel Curling, Communications & Events Coordinator

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Leave your mark on campus tamuc.edu/BrickProject

Brick Garden ProjectIn honor of our 125 year anniversary as an institution, The Alumni Association of

Texas A&M University-Commerce, Inc., is proud to introduce The Brick Garden Project.

Alumni, students, parents and friends of the university can purchase an engraved brick

to serve as a lifelong tribute to their memories and legacy. Visit the Brick Project website

to learn more about the garden, and how you can leave your mark for only $125!

Group PicturesPhotographers are be available to take group photos immediately after the event in the Traditions Room located adjacent to the ballroom.Event photographs will be made available to the public after the event. Please visit our Alumni Awards Gala page at www.tamuc.edu/alumni.