Texas A&M University–Commerce

[Texas A&M University•Commerce]is a member of the Texas A&M University System located in Commerce, Texas, within the boundaries of the Dallas • Fort Worth Metroplex. Though the primary campus itself is located in Hunt County, this university also has campuses in Dallas and Mesquite, Texas, and it conducts classes in McKinney, Texas, as well as in Mount Pleasant, Texas. TAMU-Commerce has been classified as a DRU (Doctoral/Research University) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching ^[2].

History

This University began as the East Texas Normal College in 1889 when founder William Leonidas Mayo opened the doors to a one-building campus in Cooper, Texas, roughly 16 miles northeast of Commerce. After the original campus was destroyed by a fire in 1894, Mayo moved the college to its present location in Commerce, Texas.

The State of Texas purchased the campus from Mayo in 1917. Mayo passed away suddenly, shortly after the state purchased the college and the State changed its name to the East Texas State Normal College. In 1923, the school was renamed the East Texas State Teachers College. This name was chosen despite Commerce being located in the north Texas geographic region. There were already schools named North, South, and West Texas State College, and this college was the easternmost of these four. As a result, Commerce, Texas received the institution named for eastern Texas, despite its location not actually being in the region generally accepted as east Texas.

In 1957, the state Legislature, recognizing that the purpose of the institution had broadened from teacher education, changed the name of the college 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 opened up branch locations in Mesquite, Texas, Dallas, and Texarkana, Texas. In 1996, this university was transferred to the Texas A&M University System, and it became the Texas A&M University•Commerce. The Texarkana branch separated from the Commerce college, and it became Texas A&M University-Texarkana, a separately administered and funded university.

Today, Texas A&M University•Commerce has the third largest enrollment in the Texas A&M system. Only the main campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas have higher enrollments.

Student life

The University is home to a number of conventional student services and institutions, as well as a number of innovative and atraditional efforts, in an attempt to service the diverse commuter and residential student body. Important on-campus locations include:

• The Sam Rayburn Student Center, which provides all on-campus meals, numerous meeting locations for student organizations, an on-campus bookstore, wireless internet access, a performance venue known as ‘The Club’, and a franchise location for Einstein Bros. Bagels

• Whitley Hall, a twelve story residence hall intended to house the majority of freshmen on-campus students
• Smith Hall, an alternate residence hall for all classifications of on-campus students
• Berry Hall, another residence hall intended for Mayo College freshmen (currently closed)
• The New Pride Apartments, a set of upscale apartments intended for all classifications of on-campus students
• Prairie Crossing, an apartment complex purchased by the University to house Honors College students
• The Gee Library, a five story location containing the entirety of the University’s book services
• The Morris Recreation Center, which contains a variety of weight equipment, treadmills and exercise bikes, separate courts for racquetball, volleyball, and basketball, running tracks, changing rooms, pools and a hot tub

Other noteworthy structures include a new building for the Department of Music, projected for completion during the Summer II or Fall semester of 2010. 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. It has been considered one of the most important and modern planetariums on a university campus in the southeastern United States.

Registered Fraternities- Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Kappa Sigma, Delta Tau Delta, Omega Delta Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

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

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

International Student Organizations- India Student Association - ISATAMUC

Other- ACM

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.

Guy Morriss was named the head coach of the football team in January 2009.^[3]. Morriss took over after the University released Scotty Conley, who was perinially had average seasons for the Lions, despite some solid recruiting classes. The Lions have a rich football history, winning a National Title in 1972 and having to date 20 Lone Star Conference Championships and producing Professionals such as Harvey Martin, Kevin Mathis, Wade Wilson and Clint Dolezel. Morriss went 5-5 in his first season, in the process nearly upsetting Conference Rival Abilene Christian University at the Cotton Bowl in the Harvey Martin Classic, at which time ACU was #2 in the nation in Division II Football. Morriss and the Lions Finished the season a perfect 5-0 in North Division play and claimed the North Title outright.

Summer activities

Located approximately one hour north east of Dallas, TAMU-C attracts 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.

External links

• Texas A&M University-Commerce Homepage
• The East Texan Newspaper
• Texas A&M University- Commerce Department of Music

References

1. ^ "Double-Digit Enrollment Growth for Fall 2009". http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/aboutUs/newsEvents/showNews.aspx?Item=3760.
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ "Morriss announced as football coach at A&M-Commerce". http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/morriss-announced-as-football-coach-at-a.html.

Coordinates: 33°14′32″N 95°54′28″W / 33.2423°N 95.9077°W

Categories: Public universities in Texas | American Association of State Colleges and Universities | Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools