News Bites
![A large group of people stand posing with award plaques](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/M25094-Presidents-Meritorious-Service-Awards-2292-700x467.jpg)
Several University Staff Honored with Service Awards
Multiple East Texas A&M University employees were recipients of the President's Meritorious Service Award, one of the highest honors available to university staff.
![A professional headshot of James J. Branam wearing a dark suit and purple tie. The headshot is floating over a blue and gold diagonal striped background.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ETAMU-Alum-James-J-Branam-courtesy-BISD-700x394.png)
East Texas A&M Doctoral Student Named Assistant Superintendent for Bonham ISD
A seasoned educator and administrator with more than 25 years of experience, Branam is pursuing a doctorate in educational administration at ETAMU.
![Dr. Winston McCowan poses for a headshot against a vignette background wearing a dark suit, purple-toned tie and a gold cross necklace.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TAMUC-alum-Winston-McCowan-700x394.jpg)
Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Selects ETAMU Alum Texas High School Principal of the Year
McCowan gained eligibility for the award following his selection as Principal of the Year for the Region 11 Education Service Center.
![Leon Theodore, dressed in dark clothing, sits outside of a white building. He is smiling as he looks into the distance with his fingers interlocked in front of him.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ETAMU-Alum-Leon-Theodore-700x394.png)
ETAMU Alum Leverages His Past to Guide Youth Toward Better Futures
East Texas A&M alum Leon Theodore is featured in a recent article by Spectrum News. The feature details Theodore's journey of overcoming a...
![a Headshot photo of a person.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Darla-Meek-2-700x394.jpg)
Music Faculty Named to A&M System Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators
East Texas A&M University coordinator of music education Darla Meek was recently named to the Texas A&M University System's Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators.
![A pair of college graduates take a selfie in their caps and gowns.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/M25082-2024-Fall-Graduation-Ceremonies-Z6T_7942-700x466.jpg)
Lion Graduates Take Center Stage at Inaugural East Texas A&M Commencement Ceremonies
More than 1,200 students made history as the first-ever graduates of East Texas A&M University during five separate commencement ceremonies held on December 13 and 14.
![A student touches a van de graaff generator, resulting in their long, red hair standing on end.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ETAMU-physics-van-de-graaff-generator-700x394.png)
ETAMU Recognized as a National Leader in Physics Education
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at East Texas A&M University (ETAMU) continues to shine nationally, earning impressive ranking...
![A person posing for a photo while holding a Euphonium.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ZrCRajnf-700x466.jpeg)
East Texas A&M Music Student Named Principal Player in Shreveport Symphony
East Texas A&M University undergraduate student Zack Palm was recently named the principal tuba player in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
![Professional photo of Brian Brumley wearing a dark blue polo shirt against a mottled blue background.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Brian-Brumley-wide-generative-fill-700x394.png)
Social Work Instructor Slated to Serve on Regulatory Association’s Board of Directors
Brumley will serve a one-year term on the Association of Social Work Boards board of directors.
![Professional photo of Dr. Sharon Ross wearing a gold blazer against a mottled blue background.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sharon-Ross-wide-generative-fill-700x394.png)
East Texas A&M Professor Joins Educational Administration Group’s Executive Board
Ross brings more than 28 years of experience in education to the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration executive board.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GdwWtZ8WUAAg_p1-700x394.jpg)
Sueltz, Storey Named to CSC Academic All-District Team
East Texas A&M University soccer scholar-athletes Melissa Storey and Kristen Sueltz were named to the Academic All-District team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators.
![Attendees at the Culturally Relevant Literacy Seminar pose for a group photo while holding up the Lucky Lion hand gesture involving the right-hand thumb and first two fingers.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ETAMU-Culturally-Relevant-Literacy-Seminar-group-700x394.jpg)
Honoring Cultures Through Literacy: ETAMU Hosts First Culturally Relevant Literacy Seminar
The event brought together educators to explore effective strategies for integrating cultural perspectives into literacy instruction.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MS-PMI-GALA-EVENT-Scholarship-2-700x394.png)
Triple Trifecta: COB Students Awarded PMI Dallas Scholarships and Invited to 40th Anniversary Gala
Three graduate students from East Texas A&M University’s College of Business—Princess Odio, Fnu Ritika and Kehinde Imasuen—have been awarded the prestigious Project Management Institute (PMI) Student Scholarships by the Dallas chapter.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Mariachi-band-800744-aspect-ratio-16-9-700x394.jpg)
ETAMU Music Student Qualifies for National Vocal Competition
Several East Texas A&M University music students competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Texoma Regional Conference, with one student qualifying for the national level of competition.
![A volleyball player celebrates during a match.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC9179-700x394.jpg)
Tuufuli Named to Second Team All-Southland, First in Division I Era for Lion Volleyball
East Texas A&M University volleyball player Kitana Tuufuli was named Second Team all-Southland Conference, becoming the first player to earn all-conference honors in the program's Division I era.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/112845-03-aspect-ratio-16-9-700x394.jpg)
More Than a Dozen Student Projects Recognized in Creative Quarterly
Several artistic projects by East Texas A&M University Visual Communication students were given special recognition in the two latest issues of the Creative Quarterly Art & Design Journal.
![A research assistant carefully holds a quail, wearing blue gloves for a gentle and secure grip.](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Z6M_6458-700x466.jpg)
Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research Highlighted in Premier Conservation Journal
The Quail Forever Journal article highlights the Lyon Center’s efforts to secure sustainable game bird populations in Texas and beyond.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Marcos-700x394.jpg)
Distinguished Alum Named Head of Philippine Government Commission
A Lion alum was recently named the head of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MS-Hexathon-700x394.jpg)
Venture College Hosts Transformative Hexathon Business Case Competition, Awarding Over $10,000 in Prizes
East Texas A&M University's Venture College hosted the 2024 Hexathon Business Case Competition, an intensive and transformative experience for over 30 students from East Texas A&M and Dallas College.
![](https://www.tamuc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kulig-photo-aspect-ratio-16-9-700x394.jpg)
School of Music to Host Guest Artist Masterclass Open to the Public
Noted Polish Soprano Brygida Bziukiewicz Kulig will deliver a vocal masterclass open to the public on November 18.