A&M-Commerce Alums Honored with New Middle School in Forney ISD

The Forney Independent School District recently hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new middle school, named for A&M-Commerce alums Donald P. (‘73) and Vivian N. (‘11) Themer. The district broke ground on Donald P. and Vivian N. Themer Middle School in 2023.

Both Themers and their three sons are Forney ISD alums.

A head-and-shoulders portrait against a dark background of a man in a gray suit with a woman in a green top embracing him from behind with her arms and hands crossed over his shoulders.
A&M-Commerce alums Donald P. (’73) and Vivian N. (’11) Themer. Photo courtesy of Forney ISD.

Donald graduated from Forney in 1969 and earned his bachelor's in social sciences from East Texas State University (now A&M-Commerce) in 1973. Afterward, he spent 37 years as an educator at Forney ISD and earned Teacher of the Year recognition on multiple occasions. He taught English, social studies, humanities, journalism, speech and athletics and physical education. He also coached the girls track team to a national championship.

Vivian, a 1978 Forney graduate, earned a master's in educational administration from A&M-Commerce in 2011. She taught home economics and special education and earned recognition as Teacher of the Year twice. She also served as assistant principal at Blackburn ISD for four years.

Read more about the Themers on the Forney ISD website.