Power Players

Lion pride runs deep in the Power family. Each is a power player in their respective industry, from Harry and Georgia Power and their sons Craig and Kyle and daughter-in-law Morgan. Each attributes much of their success to the time they each spent at A&M-Commerce. “I bleed blue and gold,” said Harry Power.” I spent four of the greatest years of my life on this campus. If you take in all that is offered to you and fully participate in the college experience, you will have the time of your life.” As the marketing director of Sleep Therapy Associates of Texas, Harry feels fortunate to have learned the basics of business on a personable campus like A&M-Commerce. “I enjoyed the atmosphere and culture of the campus from my first visit,” Harry said. “Going to ET gave me the confidence along with a degree to go out and build my career. I’ve always been proud of my university and how it helped mold me for life.” Georgia, an education consultant for Wireless Generation,... 

Building Connections

In the Oglesby family Mike and Ann learned early on that college was not an option; it was a requirement. Mike and Ann’s father was a carpenter with a fourth-grade education. Their mother had only a year of college. Determined their children would receive the education they did not, Mike and Ann’s parents moved their family from Arkansas to Commerce, Texas. All six children graduated from East Texas State College. “We actually used to live on the land that the Sam Rayburn Student Center sits on today,” Mike said. “It’s fun to go inside and say, ‘I used to live here.’” Mike and Ann both credit the university for their professional success, personal growth and their respective spouses, Jeanenne and Hoyle, who also are alums of the university. After graduating in 1964, Mike set out to make a name for himself in the insurance industry. After the death of his 21-year-old son, however, he decided he needed to invest more in his family than his business. So began Mike’s journey... 

A Well-Connected Life

Walk into Sandra Doyle’s office at Atmos Energy, and one of the first things you’ll notice are the photos that line every wall, bookshelf and ledge. They are more than photos of friends and family. The photos represent connections with senators, businessmen, councilmen, and community leaders. They represent who Sandra is, and what she loves to do-network with and for others. “I tell people these photos prove how much work I really do outside of the office. I like to connect people.” Sandra’s gift for relationship building is essential to her role as director of public affairs for Atmos Energy in Dallas, and as a decision maker on the A&M-Commerce foundation board. “Sandra Doyle is all about relationships,” said Dr. Dan Jones, university president. “She has opened many doors for her alma mater, introducing us to key leaders in business, education, and public service throughout the Metroplex.” One such introduction between Jones and Dallas Mayor Leppert led to a $3.2... 

Legacy: Delbert Knight, Jr.

As the nephew of football great Harvey Martin, football is more than a pastime for Delbert Knight, Jr., it is a passion. I played high school football for Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, and had offers to play at Prairie View A&M and Oklahoma State,” Knight said. “Then my uncle told me to check out A&M-Commerce. I always looked up to him, so I took him up on it. I’m glad I did.”

David Milligan: Duty Calls

After 20 years in the U.S. Army, David Milligan was prepared for battle. He was not prepared, however, for his impending transition from military to civilian life. “When I was finishing up my time in the Army, I knew it was time to reach back into the civilian world and pick up the business skills necessary for a successful transition,” he said.

100,000 Watt Flamethrower

Jerrod Knight, Wolfe City native and A&M-Commerce alum, has returned as programming director after four years serving radio stations throughout Oklahoma and Texas. “KETR is about to beginits 34th year on the air,and I’m proud to be at the helm of this 100,000 watt flamethrower,” Knight said.“We’re every bit as much a part of Northeast Texas as the cowboy hat on Paris’

Mr. Betts Knows Best!

Ask his students what they like most about him, and responses will range from “Mr. Betts is cool,” and “Mr. Betts takes us to high school basketball games,” to “Mr. Betts helps us learn new things.” Walk into Tim Betts’ third-grade classroom at Fannin Elementary in Corsicana, and you will be surrounded by smiling, rambunctious 8 and 9-year-olds with one thing in common-they have an infectious love and admiration for their teacher.