Published: May 08, 2009 09:35 pm      

Hunt County grads honored as A&M-C Ambassadors

Several Hunt County graduates of Texas A&M University-Commerce have been honored by their academic departments as Alumni Ambassadors.

They are Blake Wesley Cooper, Commerce Independent School District superintendent; Paula Witt, second grade teacher at Greenville Christian School; Chad Smith of Commerce, A&M-Commerce assistant professor of photography.

Also Russell B. Garmon of Lone Oak, county executive director of Hunt County Farm Service Agency; and John A. Miller of Hunt County.

They were among 23 A&M-Commerce graduates honored April 2 at a reception and luncheon on campus.

A&M-Commerce graduates who have excelled in their career fields can be designated as Alumni Ambassadors by their academic department. It is the highest honor that an academic department can bestow upon its graduates.

"The best part of this job is getting to meet some of these alumni," A&M-Commerce President Dan Jones said. "Thank you for the chance to meet you," Jones said.

Dwight York of the Alumni Association Board of Directors said he was pleased that the Ambassadors were making the university a part of their lives.

Cooper earned bachelor of science, master of science, mid-management certification, and superintendent certification from A&M-Commerce.

While working on a bachelor's degree at A&M-Commerce, he played football, being named the Team Captain, All Conference Center, Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, and won the Sikes Award.

Witt received her bachelor of science and master of education from A&M-Commerce. She began her teaching career in 1969 and has served as an elementary school teacher and an adjunct instructor at A&M-Commerce since 1988. She is currently a second grade teacher at Greenville Christian School.

Witt was named Teacher of the Year for Commerce ISD in 1998.

Garmon graduated from A&M-Commerce in 1977 with a bachelor of science in agriculture education. After graduation, he began working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency.

During his career with USDA, he received Farm Service Agency awards for distinguished service to FSA and agriculture, and other awards.

Smith has been an accomplished photographer with 25 years of experience in applied and fine arts fields and has taught photography for 20 years starting with community colleges in the Dallas metroplex and 13 years at the University of Oklahoma.

Miller came to A&M-Commerce has a non-traditional student having obtained his high school diploma in 2001 at the age of 62. He earned a B.S. in history and political science, Magna Cum Laude, with Highest Honors in 2005 and a M.S. in December 2008.

Miller will start the Ph.D. program at the University of North Texas this fall.

He and his wife, Elaine, raise miniature llamas, goats, ducks, chickens, and cats at their home in Hunt County.