By Bill Oliver
Commerce, TX – Texas A&M University-Commerce President Dr. Keith McFarland said an interim Provost will be announced before Commencement. Speaking of graduation, Vice President for Business and Administration Bob Brown said there will be air conditioning in the Fieldhouse in time for commencement on May 12th.
All buildings on the A&M-Commerce campus will soon have their own street address. Brown has asked University Police for assistance in the project, noting when you Google the location for the university regardless of the building it's the same address. Brown also reported construction of the new Sam Rayburn Student Center is ahead of schedule and the university is collecting requests from potential architects on the new Music building. State funding for the new Music building is working its way through the Texas House and Senate.
Another new building coming in the near future is the Alumni Center. Alumni Relations Director Derryle Peace said major contributors to the center will be announced in the near future.
The first class of the A&M-Commerce Honors College continues to form. Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Mary Hendrix said Honors College students and staff will be living and working at the Prairie Crossing Apartments, pending approval of a lease by the A&M System Board of Regents with the owners of the apartment complex.
A&M-Commerce employees contributing to the Bridge Builders campaign were recognized Wednesday for their efforts. Vice President for Institutional Advancement Sylvia Kelley reported participation over the last three years has increased from 13 percent of university employees to 42 percent.
Departing interim Provost Dr. Frank Ashley said a faculty lounge is returning to campus. It will be located on the first floor of Binnion Hall, facing Education Drive. The large room was last used for training firefighters.
And Dr. McFarland announced there will be a campus-wide celebration of the women's basketball team Elite Eight season on April 26th.