© 2024 88.9 KETR
Public Radio for Northeast Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
This page curates KETR's news stories related to Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Distinguished Alumnus Duane Allen Honored At A&M-Commerce

The Oak Ridge Boys at Texas A&M University-Commerce (Left to Right) Joe Bonsall, ETSU Alumni Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban.
Brittany Gryder/Texas A&M University-Commerce Marketing Communications
The Oak Ridge Boys at Texas A&M University-Commerce (Left to Right) Joe Bonsall, ETSU Alumni Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban.

Texas A&M University Commerce hosted the country and gospel quartet The Oak Ridge Boys for the Distinguished Alumni Ceremony recognizing 1966 graduate Duane Allen.  KETR's Notably Texan was on hand for the opportunity to speak with the music icon.

Press outlets, including KETR's Matt Meinke (center), interviewed Duane Allen following his Distinguished Alumni awards ceremony.
Credit Brittany Gryder/Texas A&M University-Commerce Marketing Communications
Press outlets, including KETR's Matt Meinke (center), interviewed Duane Allen following his Distinguished Alumni awards ceremony.

Allen grew up in neighboring Taylor Town,  a small community outside Paris. He later attended Texas A&M University-Commerce (then East Texas State University), and was an active member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

Fans, classmates and fraternity brothers all gathered at the A&M-Commerce Sam Rayburn Student Center on November 10 to honor the Northeast Texas hometown hero, who has very fond memories of his time spent in Commerce.

Allen held a speech at his awards ceremony, and spoke with Notably Texan about a wide range of topics.

More about The Oak Ridge Boys can be found on their website.

Listen to Notably Texan on KETR weekdays from 11 am to 2 pm to hear music by Texans of all styles and genres, and interviews with the people behind the sounds.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Matt moved to the Sulphur Springs area in 1990 and settled in Commerce shortly thereafter. Having dreamed of working in radio since childhood, he began working at KETR while taking Radio-Television courses at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1993. Matt has transitioned from a part-time worker and pupil of KETR, to the station’s Chief Announcer/Producer and supervisor of student broadcasters. A familiar voice of 88-9 KETR, Matt has hosted such shows as The Late Nite Lion, and can currently be heard as host of Notably Texan.