News Bites

CBS Interviews ETAMU’s Dr. Kathryn Dixon on Urgent Need for Certified Teachers in Texas
Dr. Kathryn Dixon of East Texas A&M discusses the growing teacher shortage in Texas and the importance of certification in a CBS News interview.

Doctoral Students Honored with University Innovation Award
ETAMU students Emily Littlejohn and Gouda Taha were selected for the 2025 Graduate Assistant Teacher of Record (GAToR) Innovations in Writing Pedagogy Award.

Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Scores Big For Special Olympics
On May 1, East Texas A&M University held the Roll 'n' Shoot 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.

East Texas A&M Alum Lands Position Working For U.S. Congress
East Texas A&M University alum Emau Stephen Petaia has been appointed to the position of digital engagement manager for United States Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.

ETAMU’s Fuseini Anchors Ghana to World Champs Qualification
ETAMU sprinter Ibrahim Fuseini anchored the Ghanaian Men's 4x100 relay team and earned qualification for the World Outdoor Athletics Championships.

Esports Club’s Gold Team Reaches NECC ‘Smash Ultimate’ Nationals
The East Texas A&M Esports Club's Gold team achieved its highest-ever finish after reaching the national tournament for the NECC "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" Spring 2025 season.

College of Business Innovators Take Top Honors at Texas Healthcare Challenge Hackathon
Two outstanding students from the College of Business—Rithika R. and Nirupama Vallabhaneni—helped lead their multidisciplinary teams to second and third-place finishes in the highly competitive TXHCC Open Track at the 7th Annual Texas Healthcare Challenge Hackathon, hosted by Health Wildcatters at Pegasus Park.

East Texas A&M Alum Named Plano ISD Principal
Jean Laswell, a 2007 graduate from East Texas A&M University, has been named the first-ever principal of the newly established Plano ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center.

VisCom Students Honored with Awards at National Student Show
On Friday, April 11, students from East Texas A&M University’s Visual Communication program had an impressive showing at the 20th Annual National Student Show & Conference, held in Dallas.

East Texas A&M Team Named Finalist in U.S. Air Force Software Competition
A team of electrical engineering students from East Texas A&M University has earned national recognition as a top finalist in the prestigious 2025 Software Defined Radio (SDR) University Challenge.

Alum Named Southlake Fire Chief
A Lion alum with more than 30 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services was recently appointed to lead the Southlake, Texas Fire Department.

THECB Taps East Texas A&M Professor to Evaluate Workforce Training Initiative
Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, a professor of counseling at East Texas A&M University, has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), to evaluate the Texas Innovative Adult Career Educational (ACE) Grant Program.

University Vocal Students Undertake Area Performance Tour
Two dozen students from the East Texas A&M University School of Music embarked on a performance and recruitment tour through North Texas.

Snakes and Conan the Barbarian: Unique Topics at East Texas A&M Lion’s Lecture
On April 22, attendees at the atrium of the Nursing and Health Sciences Building were treated to two equally fascinating Lion’s Lectures, one discussing snakes and the other covering Texas author Robert E. Howard.

East Texas A&M Graduate Student Receives Awards for History Research
Hannah Shepherd, a graduate student at East Texas A&M and member of Phi Alpha Theta, was recently recognized for her outstanding history research.

Photography Student’s Career Blasts Off with NASA Internship
ETAMU Photography major Morgan Gridley underwent a competitive selection process to receive a photography internship with NASA for Summer 2025.

East Texas A&M Faculty Members Recognized at Awards Luncheon
On April 22, the East Texas A&M University Faculty Senate combined efforts with the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE) to host a luncheon in which multiple faculty members received recognition for their service in teaching and research.

ETAMU Alum Celebrates 101st Birthday
Alum J.B. McNatt is a WWII veteran and businessman who recently celebrated his 101st birthday April 18, 2025.

Several VisCom Students Honored at ADDY Awards
Three East Texas A&M University Visual Communication students received honors at the American Advertising Federation-Dallas Chapter's annual American Advertising Awards ceremony.

East Texas A&M Researchers Link Pollution Exposure to Mental Health Risks
A new peer-reviewed study involving East Texas A&M researchers is drawing urgent attention to the mental health consequences of environmental pollution in rural, underserved communities across the South.