News & Events

Scholarship Available

The National Latino Police Officers Association, Greater Dallas Chapter, is offering the "Lawrence R. Cadena Scholarship Award" for Criminology and Criminal Justice majors. The deadline for the submission of the application is September 1, 2010. The application can be accessed at www.dallaslpoa.com or email at nlpoa-gdc@sbcglobal.com.

Dr. Yvonne Villanueva-Russell Receives Award May 2010

Yvonne Villanueva-Russell, Ph.D., was recently named Lay Person of the Year by Sherman College of Chiropractic in appreciation of her outstanding contributions, time and commitment to the chiropractic profession, the public and the college. The award was presented May 28 in Spartanburg, SC, as part of the college's annual homecoming program.

The Lay Person of the Year Award is given to non-chiropractors who have contributed to the advancement of Sherman College and the chiropractic profession in a significant and noteworthy manner. Dr. Villanueva-Russell, an associate professor and department head at Texas A&M University-Commerce, has focused her research on the professionalization of alternative medicine and the politics of science. She is essentially interested in the dilemma within chiropractic that seeks to gain legitimacy in mainstream medicine while striving to maintain its philosophical roots. Her research has analyzed the role of science, the media and professional identity in this process.

Professors Win Awards - February & March 2010

February 2010: Two faculty members from the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice have won the Texas A&M System Teaching Excellence awards for the Fall 2009 semester. Dr. Jiaming Sun and Dr. Bill Thompson were named as winners along with 12 others from the university. The program was initiated by Chancellor Michael D. McKinney in 2008 to honor and financially reward the system's top teachers as selected by students. Awards are based on rankings from evaluations created and administered by students, with weighting for factors such as class size. Congratulations to the excellent efforts in the classroom by these faculty members!

March 2010: Dr. RN Singh was named the recipient of the Neil Humfield Distinguished Faculty Award for Service. This award recognizes individuals who have performed an outstanding service to Texas A&M University-Commerce in his/her particular college or department. Dr. Singh was also recognized for contributing 40 years of service to our institution.

A&M-Commerce wins grant to help Fannin County children of jailed parents

For the full article go to the North Texas E-News website.

Department Welcomes New Professor-August 2009

The department welcomes Dr. Filip Wiecko as our newest member of the Criminal Justice faculty. Dr. Wiecko recently completed his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Washington State University.

Mayo College Director and Professor of Sociology Receives Spirit of Mayo Award-August 2009

Dr. William Thompson, sociology professor and director of the Mayo College program for Texas A&M University-Commerce freshmen, has learned much about university founder William Leonidas Mayo along with his students in his 20 years at the university. On Thursday, Aug. 27, Thompson will be given the Spirit of Mayo award honoring him for following Mayo's credos of ceaseless industry, fearless investigation, unfettered thought, and unselfish service to others. "Dr. Thompson is an extraordinary individual who exemplifies the ideals of Professor Mayo," said Dr. Dan Jones, president of A&M-Commerce. "As the founding director of Mayo College, he gave life to a program that transformed the lives of thousands of students in its first decade of existence, and set high standards for those who will follow. We are fortunate indeed that Bill Thompson, many years ago, chose Texas A&M University-Commerce as his professional home." “I'm very humbled and extremely honored to receive an award named after and based on the principles of our university's founder," Thompson said. "It's gratifying even to be mentioned in the same breath as William L. Mayo. Meeting and working with so many new first-year students over the years, and watching them go on to become leaders in student government, breakout entertainment, Golden Leos, fraternities and sororities, and then in education, business, and industry, has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career and life," he said. Thompson began his administrative duties with Mayo College in Fall 1999 and the first cohort of students began the program in Fall 2000. Mayo College is a residential living experience for freshmen who take many of the same classes, learn about time management, leadership and other topics and adjust to college life. Thompson is a sociologist and professor in the A&M-Commerce sociology department who specializes in deviance, criminology, and juvenile delinquency. He has written several textbooks used in colleges and universities.

Professor Lectures in China

May 2009 Dr. Bill Thompson, professor of sociology and criminal justice and his wife, Marilyn Thompson, adjunct instructor of art, recently returned from two weeks in China. During their visit, Dr. Thompson presented two lectures at Shanghai Normal University and a lecture at the Institute of Juvenile Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Marilyn Thompson delivered a lecture on Art, Technology and Culture at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Serving as a liaison for A&M Commerce, the Thompsons explored the possibility of student and faculty exchange programs with Shanghai Normal University and research collaboration with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. While in China, they also visited Beijing, the Great Wall, visited the Forbidden City, Tian'an Men Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Prince Gong's Mansion, Imperial Palace, National Theatre and the Olympic Park's Bird's Nest and Water Cube.

Marilyn and Bill Thompson stand in front of a billboard announcing one of their lectures at Shanghai Normal University.