Техасский университет A&M–Commerce: История и современность

Public university in Commerce, Texas

Texas A&M University–Commerce is a public university in Commerce, Texas. With an enrollment of over 12,000 students as of fall 2017, the university is the third largest institution in the Texas A&M University System.

The history of Texas A&M University–Commerce commenced in 1889 with its establishment as East Texas Normal College (ETNC) in Cooper by Kentucky native William L. Mayo as a private teachers' college based on Normal principles. ETNC relocated to Commerce after its original campus was destroyed in a fire in July 1894. One of Commerce's chief advantages was that it was well connected by rail, boasting regular service on the St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas ("Cotton Belt") to Dallas, Sherman, and Texarkana and on the Texas Midland Railroad to Paris, Ennis, and Houston. In 1923, it was renamed East Texas State Teachers College to define its purpose "more clearly", and in 1935, it began its graduate education program. ETSU obtained a separate board of regents in 1969, and the approval to open a branch campus in Texarkana in 1971. While the student body shrank in size in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it became increasingly diverse as older nontraditional students, ethnic and racial minorities, and international students all grew in numbers. The economic downturn in Texas in the mid 1980s seriously threatened the university, leading to proposals to close it entirely before a bus trip with 450 supporters trekked to the State Capitol in a show of support that ultimately secured its continued existence. In 1996, ETSU was admitted into the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and renamed Texas A&M University–Commerce (A&M–Commerce). ETSU's former branch campus in Texarkana was renamed Texas A&M University–Texarkana and admitted into TAMUS as a separate university.

The campus is located 15 minutes from Interstate 30 and an hour drive from Dallas, Texas State Highway 24 intersects the campus into two separate sections. The majority of the campus is located on the east side of Highway 24, and a smaller portion is located on the west side. A picturesque lake is located near the main campus entrance. The campus has a range of newer and older buildings, with the oldest building being Ferguson Social Sciences Building, which opened in 1926 with classrooms and a large auditorium. One of the newer buildings on campus is the Nursing and Health Sciences Building which was opened in 2020. The university also owns and operates an 1,800 acre farm and ranch with an equine center located near the main campus. A new Music Building was recently constructed that includes a state of the art concert hall for various musical performances.

Velma K Waters Library is named in honor of the first undergraduate African American student to enroll at A&M Commerce. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the university in 1968 and taught in Carthage, Texas. The library was previously named in honor of James Gilliam Gee, a former president of the university who served from 1947 to 1966, but was renamed in August 2020. A laptop kiosk in the library allows students to check out laptops for their studies. Many services for students and faculty are available in the library, including book renewal, a 24 hour computer study area known as the nexus, research assistance, and study carrels providing quiet study areas for students.

The Morris Recreation Center (MRC) opened in 2003. The center is named in honor of Jerry D. Morris, who served as the president of the university from 1987 to 1997. The university's intramural sports programs are organized by the staff of the center. The inside of the center features a 45 foot climbing rock, a three lane jogging track, four racquetball courts, two basketball courts, a large fitness room with cardiovascular and weight equipment, an aerobics room, classrooms, a snack area, and locker rooms. Outside the center are a pool, two basketball courts, and two sand volleyball courts. An outdoor futsal court is on the grounds of the MRC. The center also operates the Cain Sports Complex for intramural sports. The complex includes four multipurpose sports fields, multipurpose green space, horseshoe pits, barbecue grills, and picnic tables. Outdoor Adventure operates the rock wall inside the center and the outdoor adventure facilities on the west side of campus. Many trails for hiking are available near the campus for outdoor adventure, as well an 18 hole disc golf course. A challenge course is available on the grounds of Outdoor Adventure.

The Rayburn Student Center (RSC) serves as a focal site for activities and events on campus. Many university organizations are located in the RSC. The RSC also includes the primary student dining facility that was recently improved and expanded. Also, a bookstore located on the first floor of the building offers supplies, school themed spirit merchandise, and other items related to the university. The Club, an entertainment/gathering area, is where various student oriented events take place. The Club features a drink and snack bar, a game room, and a stage with a panoramic television screen. The RSC is named in honor of the Honorable Sam Rayburn, the longest tenured Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in U. S. history and a distinguished university alumnus (class of 1903). Moreover, the university stands as the least expensive research institution in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, as well as one of the least expensive universities in the State of Texas. For the 2014–2015 academic year, in state tuition rates for freshmen students taking 15 credits each semester typically were about $7000 per year or $236 per credit hour. As of 2019, the university has an endowment of $22 million.

Due to the growth in student enrollment experienced over the last decade, the university has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of student organizations. Currently, over 150 student groups and organizations are registered on campus. Each year, the various organizations host an array of events to include art displays, cultural shows, dance offs, concerts, comedy shows, taste fests, poetry readings, and step shows, to name a few. Numerous honor societies and scholastic fraternities have members based on major or course of study. Furthermore, social fraternities and sororities are active at Texas A&M Commerce, with 11 registered fraternities and 10 sororities. Many religious organizations also call the campus home, such as the Baptist Student Ministry, Wesleyan Ministry, Catholic Student Association, Episcopal Student Association, Lions for Christ, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, and Muslim Student Association, among others. In the state of the art planetarium within the science building, students, faculty and visitors may view movies and astronomical programs on the planetarium ceiling while seated almost fully reclined. The planetarium is considered one of the most significant and modern planetariums on a university campus in the Southwestern United States.

A 100,000 watt FM public radio station, KETR, is licensed through the university. Founded in 1974, KETR serves the communities of Northeast Texas and A&M Commerce. The station offers a variety format, and broadcasts locally hosted presentations of National Public Radio news programs, Morning Edition and All Things Considered. During middays, KETR broadcasts Notably Texan, a multigenre music program featuring new releases from Texas musicians or music with a Texas connection. KETR also broadcasts A&M Commerce football and basketball games, as well as football games for Commerce High School. The East Texan is the weekly student newspaper for Texas A&M Commerce and was ranked one of the top 10 college newspapers in Texas at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) meeting in April 2015. Established in 1915, "The East Texan" one of the oldest student collegiate publications in the nation. It is part of the department based TIPA, headquartered in the Journalism Building. Its circulation is approximately 1,000. The weekly publication was ranked as the number one album reviewer in Texas at the TIPA Press Convention in April 2014, 2015, and 2016. Newscenter 3 is a weekly news broadcast produced by the students of radio and television.

The most visible landmark of the university is Samuel H. Whitley Hall, a 12 story (146 foot tall) building named after former University President Samuel Whitley (1924–1946). Whitley Hall serves as a dormitory for students residing on campus.

Texas A&M–Commerce (TAMUC) athletic teams are the Lions. The university is a member of the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Southland Conference. Previously, the Lions participated in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) from 1931–32 academic year until the 2021–22 season. Texas A&M–Commerce competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.

The alumni association for Texas A&M University–Commerce, having been organized only one year after the founding of the university in 1890 and called the Alumnal Association at that time, now serves as a liaison between the university and over 100,000 alumni and friends. Each year, the nonprofit organization hosts various workshops, seminars, and other events designed to advance the mission and membership of the Association in addition to programs with the purpose of enhancing job prospects of TAMUC students and graduates. The Texas A&M University–Commerce Alumni Association is housed in the new Alumni Center completed in 2009.