Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Celebrating a Half Century

C E L E B R AT I N G A

1971 - 2021

century 10 25 50

HALF

YEARS BREAKING YEARS WITH THE NEW GROUND TEXAS A&M SYSTEM

YEARS OF EDUCATING

50 Years of Excellence

Texas A&M University-Texarkana has been a valued member of the System for 25 years.

With a low faculty to student ratio and an emphasis on experiential learning, A&MTexarkana prepares students to not only succeed, but to take on leadership roles in their chosen fields.

I’m always amazed at the level of community support given to A&M-Texarkana.

Each time I visit I see examples of how much this university means to the people of the region and how frequently the community, alumni, and friends of the university give back. With its strong commitment to academic excellence and the support of the community at large, I can’t wait to see what the next 25 years has in store for this university.

-- Chancellor John Sharp Texas A&M University System Good things are said to come in threes and that’s certainly true this year when A&M-Texarkana celebrates three anniversaries at once! How wonderful to look back and celebrate fifty years of higher education for this community, twentyfive years of membership in the nation’s best university system, and ten years of breaking new ground—both literally and metaphorically—on our beautiful new campus. Yet as gratifying as it is to celebrate our history, it’s also inspiring to look to the future. We see the enormous potential in our current students—tomorrow’s leaders in our region and beyond. We are preparing for future classes of students with programs inside and outside the classroom that equip them for their future roles in the workplace and society.

As your support was essential to our first fifty years, your contributions will make all the difference going forward. Our students are this region’s future, but to be successful, most need financial help. The scholarships your contributions provide will not only support deserving students, but also help ensure a bright tomorrow for this wonderful community.

Texas A&M-Texarkana has achieved so much over the last half century. As we pause to look back, the only thing better than realizing how far we’ve come is to think about how much further we can go. My deepest thanks to you for all you’ve done, and I know will continue to do, to make our shared vision of the future a reality.

--Dr. Emily Cutrer President, Texas A&M University-Texarkana

50 Years of..

EDUCATING C E L E B R AT I N G A HALF Your gift supports much

century needed50 student scholarships.

25 10 YEARS OF EDUCATING

YEARS WITH THE YEARS OF BREAKING A&M SYSTEM NEW GROUND

Thick blankets of snowfall and cold wind are a common occurrence in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Those unpleasant conditions are partly responsible for driving me forward in life. Like the conditions sometimes caused by the weather, there have been moments of low visibility during my journey that lead me to believe I was wandering endlessly. The journey was sometimes tough and I lacked proper guidance when I first set out.

I took shelter in different villages along the way when the opportunity arose, but I never stayed long. I continued to move south until I found what I had been looking for. Despite challenges and hurdles I never looked back, and settled into an east Texas jewel called Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

I chose A&M-Texarkana because it had everything I needed to help equip myself to flourish during the next chapter of my life. My TAMUT family took me under their wings and mentored me. I’ve learned the value and importance of scholarships, and have learned to be financially responsible. I have been able to build my leadership and communications skills. I’ve been able to join clubs and organizations that helped me understand that it’s important to have an impact in my community. I’ve met kind and wonderful people that I am proud to call friends.

TAMUT has helped me to progress socially, mentally, spiritually, and physically.

It has helped me want to make a difference in my community, on my campus, and on new students as they begin their journies here. I have tried to give my time, my experience, and my energy to this place I have come to love. My time here is almost over and it will soon be time to start a new adventure. I hope I have left a positive legacy here that will be felt long after I’ve left the nest.

-- Lamonté Scott Senior Electrical Engineering Major Detroit, MI

1

st

IN THE “SAFEST FOUR YEAR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN TEXAS” AWARD ONLINE

BY HOUSTON CHRONICLE

50 BEST

GRADUATE NURSING SCHOOLS IN AMERICA

BY TOPMASTERSINHEALTH.COM

50 BEST ONLINE EDUCATION AND TEACHING DEGREES IN 2018

STUDENTS FROM 28 STATES AND 16 COUNTRIES

BY AFFORDABLECOLLEGES.NET

15%

TOP OF ALL SCHOOLS IN THE NATION IN THE “BEST FOR VETS”

BY COLLEGE FACTUAL

5th BEST ONLINE MBA PROGRAM

BY GRADSOURCE.COM

“MOST INNOVATIVE COLLEGES FOR ADULT LEARNERS IN AMERICA”

BY WASHINGTON MONTHLY

ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A&M-TEXARKANA

$105.5 MILLION

In FY 2018-19, A&M-Texarkana added $105.5 million in income to the Texarkana Service Region* economy, a value approximately equal to 1.1% of the region’s total gross regional product (GRP). Expressed in terms of jobs, A&MTexarkana’s impact supported 2,034 jobs. For perspective, the activities of A&M-Texarkana and its students support one out of every 67 jobs in the Texarkana Service Region.

Operations Spending Impact •

•

A&M-Texarkana employed 508 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. Payroll amounted to $23 million, much of which was spent in the region for groceries, mortgage and rent payments, dining out, and other household expenses.

The net impact of the university’s operations spending added $28.9 million in income to the regional economy in FY 2018-19.

Student Spending Impact • •

Approximately 42% of students attending A&M-Texarkana originated from outside the region. Many of these students relocated to the Texarkana Service Region.

The expenditures of relocated and retained students in FY 201819 added $2.8 million in income to the Texarkana Service Region economy.

Alumni Impact •

The net impact of A&M-Texarkana’s alumni currently employed in the regional workforce amounted to $70 million in added income in FY 2018-19.

*For the purposes of this analysis, the Texarkana Service Region is comprised of Bowie, Camp, Cass, Marion, Morris, and Titus Counties in Texas and Little River, Miller, and Sevier Counties in Arkansas.

I chose Texas A&M University Texarkana to further my education because I knew what my goals were and this institution offered me everything I needed to achieve them. Not only did they provide me an excellent opportunity to get my degree, but they are able to create

Impacts created by A&MTexarkana in FY 2018-19

$28.9 million

Operations Spending Impact

$3.4 million

Construction Spending Impact

$0.4 million

Visitor Spending Impact

$2.8 million

Student Spending Impact

$70.0 million Alumni Impact

$105.5 million Total Impact

2,034

Jobs Supported

a very welcoming and friendly campus life with various events and community service opportunities.

Moving across the country was scary but the “home-like” feel TAMUT offers washed my worries away as soon as I stepped on campus.

My family instilled in me the value of community service and my time at TAMUT only reinforced those beliefs. As a student and as a Student Ambassador I was able to volunteer my time to help with a number of projects throughout the community.

I also believe in the importance of non-profit organizations to a community and hope throughout my career to be an advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves. The education I received at TAMUT has put me in a position to be able to follow my dreams and career goals.

I hope to always represent TAMUT well and to play an active role in many areas throughout our community in the years to come.

-- Rebekah Drennon TAMUT ‘18 & ‘20 Mineola, TX Development Director, Opportunities Inc.

INVESTMENT ANALYSIS

For every $1...

Student Perspective • •

A&M-Texarkana’s FY 2018-19 students paid a present value of $12.8 million to cover the cost of tuition, fees, supplies, and interest on student loans.

In return for their investment, students will receive $118.6 million in increased earnings over their working lives.

Texas Economic Perspective •

In FY 2018-19, Texas invested $74.9 million to support A&M-Texarkana. In turn, the Texas economy will grow by $406.1 million over the course of students’ working lives.

Society will also benefit from $25.2 million of public and private sector savings.

Choosing TAMUT as my college of choice has been the best decision of my life. The experiences and friendships I’ve gained while going to school here have created endless memories that I will cherish forever.

The decision to stay in Texarkana was an easy one. I have the support of a

great group of friends and colleagues here, and was presented with an excellent career opportunity right after graduation. I will be forever grateful for TAMUT helping springboard me into a successful future.

My experience at TAMUT was life

Students gain

$4.10

in lifetime earnings Texas economy gains

$5.80

in added income and social savings

changing, and I have no doubt TAMUT will continue to change the lives of people who decide to join the Eagle Family.

-- Matt Barrett TAMUT ‘20 Reno, NV Electrical Reliability Engineer, Graphics Packaging

Texas A&M University-T 2006 – Construction of new campus 2003 – Texas Legislature authorizes A&M-Texarkana to begin offering begins freshman and sophomore classes; plans begin for downward expansion 2008 – Science and Technology Building opens on new campus 2004 – A&M-Texarkana acquires 300 1996 – ETSU at Texarkana joins the acres of land from City of Texarkana, 2010 – University Center opens and Texas A&M University System; becomes Texas, and 75 acres from the Truman welcomes first freshman and sophomore Texas A&M University-Texarkana and Anita Arnold Foundation to students construct a new campus near Bringle Lake 1971 – Texas Legislature establishes East Texas State University at Texarkana and begins offering upper-division classes on the campus of Texarkana College

“When we started the process of expansion and moving to the new campus, we set out to create an excellent university where people could stay in Texarkana to receive a great education. We’ve accomplished that goal. We wanted this to be a place where families could send their kids to get a great education, stay local, and graduate to become productive members of our community.

I believe we’ve done that.”

Texarkana Timeline

-- Regent Emerita Judy Kelley Morgan

2011 – Bringle Lake Village, first residence hall, opens

degree: Doctor of Education in Education Leadership

2019 – Judy Kelley Morgan Soccer Field is dedicated

2014 – University establishes intercollegiate athletic program; with men’s soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball to follow in the next 5 years

2018 – Lois & Cary Patterson Student Center opens

2019 – Texas legislature approves Better East Texas Initiative leading to development of mechanical engineering, social work, and advanced practice nursing degrees

2016 – University offers first doctoral

2019 – Building for Academic and Student Services opens

50

Years of

Academic Excellence Student Success & Community Leadership

Moving back to Texarkana to attend TAMUT has certainly been a positive experience for me. Having a four year university in my home town has given me opportunities to get more involved with my campus and my community. I am also honored to serve as a TAMUT Student Ambassador where I am able to help represent the university and interact with members of the Texarkana community.

-- Clark Giles Junior, Business Management Major Texarkana, TX

Attending TAMUT is one of the best decisions I have ever made. My professors are very attentive and classes are the perfect size. I am much more engaged and learning has become much easier for me. There are various support services offered on campus and online, such as the 24/7 tutoring, that have helped me frequently.

The faculty and students at TAMUT have provided many opportunities for me to step out of my comfort zone to expand my knowledge and skills. I have never been more involved in extracurricular activities than I am now. The scholarship is a great support to my parents financially. It also helps me to focus and to put more efforts into my studies without having to worry about paying for my education.

-- Thai Phan Sophomore, Computer Science Major Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Through the four years I have spent at this university, I have been fortunate enough to excel due to the generosity of donors, alumni, sponsors, and the athletic department.

Because of this generosity, I am able to attend a university that makes its mission to provide students with academically challenging, engaging, and rewarding educational experiences through quality teaching, scholarship, student support services, cocurricular programming, research, and service.

Thank you for investing in each and every single one of use. I will forever be grateful.

--Tinotenda Charuma Senior, Electrical Engineering Major Garland, TX

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-TEXARKANA

SCHOLARSHIPS AT A GLANCE Academic year 2020-21:

• 2,100 applicants applied for scholarships • 185 students awarded using all available funds The number of students applying at A&M-Texarkana is growing at a phenomenal rate. A&M-Texarkana must increase scholarships to meet the needs.

• 88% of all Texas A&M University-Texarkana undergraduates receive some form of financial aid • 12.1% of Texarkana USA residents currently have a bachelor’s degree - 8.4% less than the national average • The median household income for Texarkana USA is $44,037 - $13,615 below the national average • Fall 2020 percentage of A&M-Texarkana undergraduate students at or below poverty level: 32.81% THE NUMBER 1 REASON STUDENTS DROP OUT OF SCHOOL IS LACK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT*

* Classesandcareers.com

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-TEXARKANA 7101 UNIVERSITY AVENUE TEXARKANA, TX 75503 903.223.3078 | WWW.TAMUT.EDU