The

SpecialSummer 2014

Touch the Book of Knowledge for luckby Aaron Hwang

Knowledge for saleby Todd Kleiboer

Getting involved on campusby Brandon Walker

Dining options on campusby Todd Kleiboer

Changing communitiesby Jordan Wright

Upward Boundby Todd Kleiboer

Brothers in a deeper senseby Brandon Walker

The Special is�  an�  online�  magazine�  produced�  by�  journalism�  students�  at�  Texas�  A&M�  University-­‐Commerce.�  Content�  and�  produc on�  are�  the

�  responsibili es�  of�  the�  students.�  The Special�  is�  produced�  during�  the�  fall,�  spring�  and�  summer�  terms.�  

conTacT:�  The�  Special,�  Texas�  A&M�  University-­‐Commerce,�  Box�  4104,�  Commerce,�  Texas�  75428.

STaff:�  Aaron�  Hwang,�  Brandon�  Walker,�  Jordan�  Wright,�  Crystal�  Robertson,�  Hunter�  Miche�  and�  Todd�  Kleiboer�  (senior,�  Cooper�  High�  School)

faculTy adviSer: Fred�  Stewart�  (Fred.Stewart@tamuc.edu)

Cover photo taken at the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas by Patricia Dillon

Inside this issue (Summer 2014)

Arielle Karpinsky, photographer, won 1st Place in On-Site Feature Photo compe-

on�  at�  the�  2014�  Texas�  Intercollegiate Press Associa on�  conven on�  in San Antonio. Mal-colm Hornsby (back) won�  1st�  Place�  in�  Televi-sion Anchoring. (Photo by Patricia Dillon)

Touch the Book of Knowledge for 4.0

Want to get a perfect 4.0 grade point aver-

age? Some students believe a campus myth

that can make this possible.

by Aaron Hwang

Touch the Book of Knowledge for 4.0

Texas A&M University -

Commerce’s myth involves

students giving a touch, pat,

rub or kiss to the Book of

Knowledge at Mayo’s grave.

The myth applies only to

freshmen.

Jessica Kim, president of

KSA said, “Only freshmen

can be affected. Anyway,

most people and students

just touch the book for their

wish and good luck.”

Books of Knowledge for SaleBy Todd Kleiboer

Located in the Rayburn Student

Center and on Lee Street near the

university police department, the

two university bookstores offer a

range of services and merchandise

to the public and students.

Over�  the�  past�  five�  years,�  book�  

sales have gone down, but it has

been more noticeable in the past

two with only 40 percent of enrolled

students receiving books from the

stores. The reason behind this is the

fact that students can cheaply order

books online through distributors

like Amazon or buy directly from

the manufacturer. Lisa Richardson,

bookstore manager, does not

blame them. “Often times it’s less

expensive,” Richardson said.

While actual sales of books have

been on the downward slide, the

renting of books, which is new to

the bookstores, has been on the rise.

There have been a few glitches,

however. Students tend to forget

to return the book and are charged

when the due date at the end of the

semester arrives. “We can’t let them

keep the books forever,” Richardson

said. There have even been instances

when students have sold the rented

book back to the store without the

store knowing. The bookstore,

though, is still challenged in the

rental aspect, too. “It’s cheaper

to rent online,” Ryan Maycock,

first-­year�  graduate�  student�  with�  a�  

community counseling major, said.

Above: The front of the off-campus bookstore located on Lee StreetBelow: The entrance to the on-campus bookstore in the Rayburn Student Center

Buyback�  is�  a�  well-­known�  policy�  at�  the�  

bookstores, and the prices that the books

sell for change. The change is related to

the need for the book. If the inventory

holds 12 and 10 are needed, the book

will sell for the market wholesale price,

much lower than what the student paid

originally. If the inventory is less than

what is needed, the book will sell for

half of what the student paid originally.

The conditions of buyback are simple:

be in fair condition and not have any

kind of major damage.

A few more services that the

bookstores provide are online order

pickup and automatic book selection. At

the store website www.amcbookstore.

com, students can order and pick up a

book�  at�  the�  off-­campus�  store,�  and�  if�  that�  

student has a myLeo account, the books

for his or her classes can be instantly

found on the website. There is no set

date to pick up the book, but there

are rare cases where a person has

forgotten about the book.

The bookstore can also hold books

for students. A student can give the

store his or her schedule, and the store

will keep the books needed until the

first�  day�  of�  class.

Refunds are available for textbooks

during�  the�  first�  12�  days�  of�  class.�  A�  

full�  refund�  can�  be�  given�  in�  the�  first�  

five�  class�  days�  with�  a�  receipt,�  and�  

a drop slip must accompany the

receipt for the remaining seven days.

Merchandise can be returned within

three days of purchase with a receipt

and must be in the original condition.

Inventory is reviewed twice a year,

and most of it is usually held in the

off-­campus�  store�  because�  the�  Student�  

Center store has little room to spare.

If one bookstore is low on stock of

an item, the other resupplies it. The

selection is broad from candy, hats,

and�  office�  supplies.�  T-­shirts�  are�  the�  

most popular item, with about 10,000

sold each year.

The most expensive book titles in

the store are those related to business

and�  accounting�  out�  of�  the�  500-­800�  

titles. The textbook required for

Finance 504 is priced at $329 while

Amazon prices it at $291.60.

While both stores share similarities

like being operated under the Texas

Book Company located in Greenville,

what is on the shelves is different.

“The�  off-­campus�  store�  has�  better�  

“That’s been true. We’re working on that,” Lisa Richardson

Inside the Student Center bookstore with the books to the side and merchandise in the front.

Above: A small sample of the types of books the bookstores provides.Right: The bookshelves in the bookstore on Lee Street are bare during the summer semesters.

Photos by Todd Kleiboer

merchandise,�  but�  the�  on-­campus�  store�  

has a wider selection,” Maycock said.

Richardson agreed, “That’s been true.

We’re working on that.” A recent

reorganization�  of�  the�  off-­campus�  store�  

has proven that.

Faculty and staff receive discounts

at the stores, and departments are

also eligible for a discount if they

buy in bulk. While there are no

student discounts, the store has sales

and�  scratch-­off�  cards�  at�  the�  buyback�  

counter that offer a chance to win 10

percent off on books to $100 in store

credit.

The stores employ students as

well, having as few as four during

the summer and rising higher in the

busier fall and spring. The employees

usually handle the cash register or aid

customers�  in�  finding�  their�  things.

Regular Store Hours

Monday-Thursday

7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.Friday

7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Saturday

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Summer Store Hours

Monday-Friday

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Above: A small sample of the types of books the bookstores provides.Right: The bookshelves in the bookstore on Lee Street are bare during the summer semesters.

Photos by Todd Kleiboer

Texas A&M University-Commerce is very dynamic in providing countless

resources for its students through the works of their various student organizations. Students benefit

from these resources by being able to network with their peers, as well as gain opportunities to study abroad in some of the most history-filled areas across the

globe. With opportunities like this, A&M-Commerce expresses to students that their futures are very important. With all of the campus student-run organizations, stu-dents may wonder how they can gain information about these organizations that could further their interest. That opportunity is through ManeSync, an online community for student organiza-tions where students can gain access through MyLeo. Through ManeSync, students can access any informa-tion about the specific organization

they wish to be part of or find a list

of all the registered organizations on campus. Along with the list of orga-nizations, contact information of a representative of that organization is also available to answer any questions that incoming freshmen or the students may have. A&M-Commerce currently has 110 active organizations and their numbers are growing. “Every organization is differ-

ent and every person in an organiza-tion is different,” Josh Hardamen, assistant director of student govern-ment association and student organiza-tions, said. “Generally, what you get out of joining an organization is being able to connect with others outside of the classroom by connecting some of the things you’ve learned in the classroom with real world experiences, or you just may be having fun which is important in being social. It’s the kind of things that helps keep you in school too, especially for freshmen because

even if you’re not happy with your major, you could be very happy with your life outside of class which could encourage a student to stay in school.” ManeSync is also available to those incoming students who desire to start their own organization at A&M-Commerce. The only material needed to start that process is to have six stu-dents interested in joining the organi-zation, a constitution and bylaws, and a faculty or staff adviser that would remain present in the organization and also keep in contact with the president

Getting involved on Campus

By Brandon Walker

Photo/A&M-Commerce Flicker The welcome sign at the entrance of the university

of the organization to make sure things are running effectively within the organization. “Unique organizations that we don’t have are the type of organization we want in efforts to trying to make the community bigger and, have more opportunities for our students,” Harda-man said. Another organization operat-ing at A&M-Commerce that is strictly made for freshmen students is called Freshman Leadership Class, which is geared towards helping incoming freshmen gain the confidence as well

as the skills to become influential lead-ers on campus and in their community. The Freshman Leadership Class is a scholarship driven class by the L.E.A.D department. Students apply during their senior year of high school and then the head repre-sentatives of FLC pick their top 26

candidates out of a list of potential candidates. Once accepted, the stu-dents begin the class by staying on the second floor of Whitley Hall and

engaging in a process called a living and learning community. Along with staying on the second floor together as

a class, they will take classes together in efforts to help build pivotal leaders on campus. “Essentially, what we are do-ing is educating these students on lead-ership skills, so coming in the door as a freshman, what do you need to be a successful leader on campus? Not just a freshman leader but in your first

year and beyond. During these classes, students are taught how to interact with students of different genders and nationalities by making sure they are comfortable in doing that. Students are also taught services pieces and ways of not only how they can benefit

from the university, but also how they can give back to the university and also with the connec-tions these students make meeting the various deans on campus and learning about the organization,”

Danielle Davis, director of the Leader-ship Engagement and Development Department, said. Students are required to main-tain a 3.0 GPA from their first semester

to their second semester. Students have one-on-one meetings to check on their academic status as well as study skills, and learn how to connect with teachers in discussing important mat-ters like grades with the common goal that they will be successful. Along with the classes the students take, they also are challenged in various trainings such as etiquette dinners, speech demonstrations, and how to run a professional meeting. Students are also challenged to get an internship after their freshman year so they can gain the knowledge of working in a professional atmosphere. With all of these trainings, representatives hope that these stu-dents take the resources and knowl-edge gained and become our future vice presidents and presidents of student organizations on campus and become the catalyst for change at the university. The next step in this process is to move up to Sophomore Experience where they travel internationally and study abroad learning about different social changes and culture while con-tinuing to gain the skills and knowl-edge to be in higher-level positions within organizations and corporations. “We are hoping that we are priming the pump for these students to be successful in any organization after the freshman leadership class,” Davis said With students having vari-ous organizations to choose from, they may have an interest in joining a Greek organization. A&M-Commerce

Photo/ Zach Shirley Members of NPHC taking a picture after community service

Photo/OrgSync The logo of the online organization database ManeSync

has a tradition of fraternities and sororities that date back 50 years with 18 chapters being present on campus spanning across four councils with 10 fraternities and eight sororities. These include the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which is pre-dominately African-American organi-zations; Interfraternity Council, which is made up of male organizations; Pan-Hellenic Conference, which make up most of the female organizations; and Multicultural Greek Council, which is made up of Latino based organiza-

tions. For incoming students inter-ested in going Greek, it is important they do their research if they are interested in the organizations. Some of the information is explained on the A&M-Commerce Greek and Sorority-life page on the university website. “Attending various programs for our cultural-based fraternities and sororities and meeting the members of those chapters are very beneficial to

determining or not if you would like to affiliate with one of those organi-

zations. Majority of our Greek letter organizations are those that tend to develop members to be leaders in mul-tiple aspects of campus whether that be orientation leaders, RA’s, student government, and campus employment. Students can virtually find a Greek

student in every field on the campus,”

Zach Shirley, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life, said.

Photo/ Google A&M-Commerce Alpha Phi members show their support and spirit at the football game.

Photo/L.E.A.D department website Members of the Freshman Leadership class from this previous year

Dining options varyBy Todd Kleiboer

Food is vital to everyone everywhere, especially college students, and at Sam Rayburn Student Center all week, there are viable meal options provided by Sodexo.

With a maximum capacity of 626 people, the cafeteria, or the Café as college students call it, can serve hundreds at a time, making it perfect for the mealtime rushes of the fall and spring semesters. During the busiest times of the week, usually Wednesday at lunch, as many as 500

people will be seated.There are eight serving stations

and a salad bar. Vegetarians or vegans can be served at one station that prepares special meals. Fresh pizza is always available, and there is even a station where people can order special creations made by the chef. The grill and the Mexican station, Sabor del Sur, are the most popular.

One station is Simple Servings, which serves allergen-free meals. Using color-coded dishes and

containers, the cooks can minimize the exposure to allergens such as milk or gluten. “I personally think it’s the best thing in the Café,” Ta’a Davis, senior with a criminal justice major, said.

While the cafeteria has many options of what people can eat, the quality of the food could be debated. There is very little organic food, and Travis Ueckert, senior with a history-English double major, said, “I would call it ‘hit or miss’. Sometimes it’s just not as desirable.”

The cafeteria can be rather lonely between eating periods.

However the food is rated, the staff has

been, to students, great and engaging. The

staff also pays attention to comments and

people’s input. “They’re good people,”

Ueckert said, “They’re nice, and they’re

good at listening.” Some of the staff is

composed of students whose jobs range

from utility to cooking.

During the summer, camp attendees eat

in the cafeteria as well, and the number

served in a single period can be as high as

1,000 or as small as 65. The staff on hand

fluctuates�  accordingly,�  having�  70�  workers�  

during the peak periods. The number of

camps each week varies, and the types of

camps can include academic, athletic, or

agricultural.

Sodexo, which provides the meals, is a

multinational food services and facilities

corporation with a focus on health and

wellness. It operates separately from the

university and manages all the concepts on

the university campus. They are contracted

with many different distributors such as

Frito-Lay for delivery.

Concepts are small eateries found in

the Student Center and all over campus.

Sodexo employees work in them, and

the kinds of food served include pizza,

espressos,�  and�  Mongolian.�  On�  the�  first�  

floor�  of�  the�  Student�  Center,�  there�  is�  a�  

collection of concepts named the Lion’s

Lair, and one is named Simply to Go and is

meant for students in a hurry.

There are several meal plans designed

to suit the right person. There is the

Unlimited Plan that grants unlimited access

to the cafeteria and $100 to use at any of

the concepts. The Commuter Plan is for

non-­resident�  students�  and�  allows�  five�  free�  

meals at the cafeteria during a semester.

It also gives the student $150 to use at the

concepts.

Catering is an option made available by

the�  Sodexo�  staff.�  The�  service�  is�  flexible�  and�  

can be held all over campus. Departments

usually cater in their buildings, and the

menu is the decision of the customer.

Serving Schedule

Monday-Friday:Breakfast

7:15 a.m.-11 a.m.Lunch

11 a.m.-3 p.m.Late Lunch3 p.m.-4 p.m.

Dinner4: p.m.-7:15 p.m.

Closes at 6 p.m. on FridayLate Night

8:30 p.m.-10 p.m.Closed on Friday

Saturday-SundayBrunch

11 a.m.-2 p.m.Dinner

4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Left: The cafeteria during some of the busiests summer times with around 500 people present.Above: Next to the cafeteria, the concepts offer a faster way to order food.(Photos by Todd Kleiboer)

Changing CommunitiesHow one student and her Tribe give back to Commerce

By Jordan Wright

At the age of 23, Texas A&M University-Commerce student Desiree Jefferson has accomplished founding�  the�  official�  nonprofit�  organization Tribe of Change Inc. and with it, what she hopes will be a legacy that continues to give to communities across the nation.

Jefferson transferred to A&M-Commerce from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the Fall 2012 semester, moving from Troy, Ala. to Oklahoma then to Texas. She describes herself as a spiritual person driven to reinvent herself when she felt there was a void in her life that she could not fill.

“When I was about 20, I felt like there was something missing, like there was something more that I

needed to search for,” Jefferson said. “I did a lot of self-evaluation and looked at everything from the way I dressed to the way I speak and learned a lot about who I was and what I stand for.”

After learning more about herself, Jefferson was driven to found Tribe of Change out of her empathy for other people that may be or have been in her position. She “loves people” and will not stop because everybody is here to “care for each other,” no matter how they may hurt others.

“In my daily dealing with people, I always try to make them smile,” Jefferson said. “I know what it feels like to have days where you just don’t smile. To have days where if somebody just came up to you and

said, hi, it would change your whole day.”

Founded in early 2013, Tribe of Change�  Inc.�  is�  a�  501(c)(3)�  nonprofit�  organization and is described by Jefferson as an organization seeking to “heal people’s relationships with each other.” The organization has instituted a number of events such as clothing drives for communities in Texas and will also be looking into holding youth conferences to provide young adults with leadership and incentives to pursue college and alternatives for those that do not wish to go into higher education, as well as soup

Facebook Tribe of Change was founded in 2013 as a means of helping people and improving the community

kitchens for the hungry. Tribe of Change has also been contacted by Austin based nonprofit�  organization,�  The�  Denby Foundation for potential assistance in setting up motivational seminars for the youth.

One of the projects that Tribe of Change has pursued is the reopening of local event venue The Lodge, seeking the renewal of its dance hall license. Jefferson has wanted students to have a place in which they can relax and mingle since she transferred to the university.

“The longer I began to stay around Commerce, the more I started to realize there isn’t really much for us to do around here as students,” Jefferson said. “We have a few small on-campus and off-campus events but as far as a social spot or night life, there’s just not much for us to do.”

Jefferson says that although the process of searching for an appropriate venue was long and The�  Lodge�  was�  the�  final�  location,�  

she knew that The Lodge was the perfect location for what she was aiming to set up.

“We’ve looked at a couple of other venues but they were

they were either too small or dilapidated.

“Once I saw that building and met with the owner, I stopped looking at all other buildings.

This was it.”Although other groups have

tried to get the dance hall license renewed in the past, Jefferson came at just the right time to

work with The Lodge’s owner, Dennis Waldman in order to help make it a possibility.

“Other groups have tried to do it but as far as I’ve heard, no one has gotten too far with it,” Jefferson said. “By the time I came around, both Dennis and the City of Commerce have realized it’s been about three years. It’s time.”

Jefferson has pitched the license renewal to the Commerce City Council and although the idea has been tabled for future discussion, council members have shown interest in inspecting The Lodge should the motion be approved.

Although seeking to be a positive influence�  on�  the�  youth, Tribe of Change additionally desires to improve the community for people of all ages.

“I put a lot of focus on the youth because when I was young, nobody told me that I

Facebook At 23, Desiree Je!erson founded and owns Tribe of Change in order to help people

could be something,” Jefferson said. “Nobody ever said that it’s okay to follow your dreams so I focus on the middle school and high school because that’s when you’re still�  finding�  yourself�  and�  catch�  them�  while they’re still dreaming. We work with all ages though and are hoping to establish a mentorship program this summer.”

Although the organization is currently Commerce based, Tribe

of Change Inc. is always looking to establish presences in other areas around the country.

According to Jefferson, maintaining full time status as a student, while running the organization�  has�  been�  difficult.�  But�  despite�  the�  sacrifices�  she�  has�  had�  to�  make, she refuses to give up Tribe of Change Inc.

“I work a lot and have had to quit my job in order to do this full time,”

Jefferson said. “This is my heart and my passion and whenever I’m not sleeping or doing homework, I’m working on this. Some of us are meant to do big things in life but we get scared. We start thinking that this is not the popular decision for our age group but I want the youth to know that if you have a dream, go for it.”

Je!erson and Tribe of Change aim to provide for the less fortunate through clothing drives and inspire the young through youth conferences Facebook

Upward Bound InternshipsTHE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED

By: Todd Kleiboer

The D. Whitney Halladay Student Services building, where the Upward Bound offices are located.

Upward Bound, established in 1965 under President Johnson’s New Deal, is a federally funded, pre-collegiate program meant to increase the graduation rate in target schools and increase the number of graduates going into higher education.

A part of this program includes a four-week summer internship for students going into their senior year.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity

for students to see the type of work they want to do,” Eastin Jefferson, guidance counselor and head of the internship program for thirteen years, said.

There are 16 possible placements for interns, ranging from Morris Recreation Center to Gee Library. Where the interns are placed depends on their major or suggestions, but the ultimate decision lies with Jefferson.

The process to be an intern starts with turning in an application given to all seniors participating in Upward Bound along with a résumé.

Jefferson and Sarah Tull, another guidance counselor who has been with�  Upward�  Bound�  for�  five�  years,�  take into regard the application, résumé, major, and suggestions when�  making�  the�  final�  choice.

“I think it’s the best thing we

Senior interns in Finacial Literacy, one of their morning classes.

offer the students,” Tull said.This�  year�  there�  are�  a�  total�  of�  fifteen�  interns�  

from Cooper, Sulphur Springs, Denison, Bonham, Greenville, Sherman, and Commerce schools. At the end of the internship, Upward Bound pays the students $300 if they were present all four weeks. The interns are allowed to miss one week for an outside activity such as church camp, and deductions from the $300 are made.

The campus supervisor of the intern is handed an evaluation sheet and timesheet on the�  first�  day,�  and�  any�  misbehavior�  is�  reported�  directly to Jefferson. Discipline is entirely with Upward Bound, and usually the unruly student is expelled from the program. This has only happened once, however.

The students check in at Berry Hall on Sunday afternoon and check out on Thursday afternoon. The work days are four in total. A�  typical�  day�  as�  an�  intern�  is�  a�  reflection�  of�  a college student’s day. The schedule is as follows:

Wake up•�  Breakfast•�  Classes•�  

Lunch•�  Internship•�  Dinner•�  Study hall•�  To bed•�  

The internship program was enacted to give participants an exposure to the college experience and a positive work environment. It gives the students a chance to learn useful work skills.

Jacy Martin, a senior at Bonham High School, has learned how to perform secretary duties at the Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education Department.

She joined because she wanted the experience and said, “It’s a great program.”

Lee Adams, a graduate of Denison High School and former intern at the Department of Educational Leadership, agrees and said her internship “was fun. I liked it.”To�  be�  in�  Upward�  Bound,�  the�  applicant�  first�  

must be a citizen of the U.S. He or she then either�  needs�  to�  be�  a�  first-­generation�  college�  student, from a low-income household, or both. The applicant also has to demonstrate a need for academic support and be in grades 9th-11th.

“It’s a great program,”

Jacy Martin, Bonham HS senior

Below: The Student Services buildingTop Left: Senior interns in Spanish class

Bottom Left: Senior interns in English classPhotos by Todd Kleiboer

Gregory and Zachary Shirley, identical twins joined separate fraternities and endured the same hurt and pain of life, overcome obstacles and later rewarded

by obtaining various degrees in the field of Higher Educa-tion driven by a simple desire to help others. Born in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 2, 1981, Zach and Greg and their parents moved to Duncanville in 1983. As they grew older, they saw their father and older brother become addicted to drugs. This shaped their deci-sion on how they would live their adult lives. “When we were young, we didn’t know that my father and older brother were addicted to drugs, and in hindsight, I could see the signs and patterns of addiction in both of them early on, however as a kid you don’t know what you don’t know,” Greg said. “I think the older I got, I realized that they were addicted and being as those were the older men in my life, I always say they taught me a valu-able lesson on how I did not want my life to turn out.” With this motivation, the brothers started their

Brothers in a deeper senseBy Brandon Walker

Photo Courtesy/ Greg Shirley Zach (right) and Greg (left)

journey by graduating from Duncanville High School in 1999. After graduation, they attended Paul Quinn College in Dallas, where they both majored in secondary education with plans to teach high school. It was in college where they made the decision to join different organizations. In the fall of 2001, Zach made the decision to join Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. “I chose Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. because I identified with the principles, Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service, along with our motto, ‘Culture for Service and Service for Humanity,’” Zach said. “Sigma resonated with me in that the Fraternity was focused on The Found-ers’ mission, as they deeply wished to create an organiza-tion that viewed itself as ‘a part of’ the general community rather than ‘apart from’ the general community.” “From its inception, the Founders also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families,

they held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. These reasons drew me to affiliating with the Fraternity,” Zach said. After seeing his brother’s accomplishments through Phi Beta Sigma, Greg decided to make his own transition into Greek life. In the fall of 2002 Greg joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, where he saw success through the works and service of contributing to his fraternity. Even though they joined separate fraternities, they developed a desire to serve people in any way possible.

we were going to teach high school but then decided that wasn’t really what we wanted. We came to a consensus of wanting to give back to college students what was given to us in our four years of college,” Zach said. With the decision to continue their education, in 2005 they began graduate school at Texas A&M Universi-ty-Commerce. In December 2006, they received master of science degrees in higher education administration. They then put their degrees to work. Greg returned to Paul Quinn College and later returned to A&M-Commerce where he became an associate director of career development. Zach left A&M-Commerce but returned after working for Texas Woman’s University and the University of Texas at Dallas. He came back to A&M-Commerce as assistant director of fraternity and sorority life. “We really saw the value of higher education, stu-dent activities, and student development,” Zach said. “Our membership in our fraternities really helped our desire to nurture and develop the success of our students.” Zach is responsible for more than 18 Greek chap-ters at A&M-Commerce and is able to provide guidance and advising. “Zach encompasses all the attributes of a great adviser. He sees potential and puts you in the best position to make sure success is inevitable. Honestly, Zach is my ‘Go to Guy,’” Adalyn M. Burger, a graduate of A&M-Com-merce and former National Pan-Hellenic Council President, said. As associate director of career development, Greg has helped students prepare for the corporate world

Photo Courtesy/Google Zach (left) and Greg (right) at Paul Quinn College

“I met an Alpha brother that inspired me to join this wonderful fraternity. He made his presence known, however didn’t immediately make it known that he was in the fraternity,” Greg said. “Soon he had me volunteering on-campus which got me more involved and led me to have a passion for higher education and student affairs). “He introduced me to guys that I would come to re-alize were his chapter brothers, and seeing all of them work together as a unit, and the acclaim that they had as Alphas, inspired me. At that time, I wanted senior-level administra-tors to know my name as they knew the Alphas names; I wanted to be a leader on-campus as they were leaders on-campus. “I can say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, and I live every day making sure that I serve my fraternity in the halls of higher education and as a mentor to the youth,” Greg said. In 2005 the Shirleys received their bachelor’s degrees in secondary education. Although they had earned their degrees, they both felt there was still more work that needed to be done, and that maybe their futures would be to stay in school and go for their master’s. “After my brother and I received our bachelor’s de-grees, we felt we needed something else to do. We thought

Photo Courtesy/ Zach Shirley Greg (left) and Zach (right) in their childhood days

through mock interviews, resume critiques, and career con-sultation. He also presents programs to classes and organi-zations about the resources the Career Development Office offers. “One of the things I really admired about work-ing with him for five years was the relationship he had with students. When we walked around campus students knew him and would come up to him and treat him as if he were one of them, as opposed to being a staff member. On a regular basis, I would see students come into his office and talk to him about various things, and he was always there to help because he was always about the student and still is with him having such a student centered personal-ity,” Tina Boitnott, director of career development at A&M-Commerce said. In 2007, the Shirleys started work on a doctorate. In 2012, Zach and Greg lost their mother to can-cer. “When our mom died, it was the worst experience we’ve gone through in our lives. For me, and definitely for Zach, our mother was one of the greatest champions for us. True, we didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but that was always Mommy (as we called her). I can’t sit here and say it’s been easier, or it’s gotten better, it’s just become more tolerable. The numbness has subsided somewhat but it’s something that will always be there. In losing our mother I’ve definitely become more aware of my health and the health of those that I love, and I’ve held my loved ones closer to my heart, because you just truly never know,” Greg said. In May 2013, Greg received his doctorate in educa-tional leadership with an emphasis in curriculum, supervi-sion, and instruction. Zach received his doctorate in May 2014 in higher education with a minor in counseling from the University of North Texas. Greg went on to the University of Texas at Arling-ton as the assistant director of career services and opera-tions. “Despite all of the struggles, I’ve been blessed so much by the opportunities I’ve had due to my education, and I don’t take that for granted. I’m humbled by it and

that’s why I choose to do what I do, educate young people, so they know that there’s nothing different about them and myself. I rise every morning with the mindset to live your truth and love your experience. As Charles Swindoll said, ‘Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.; Don’t sweat the small stuff, and be prepared for change, because it’s inevitable. How are you going to roll with the punches,” Greg said.

“In the darkest moments is when you really appreciate the light. Things happen how they’re supposed to hap-pen, and when we plan, God laughs because it’s in God’s plan when things are suppose to happen. Appreciate the hurdles because the hurdles will help you appreciate the gold medal at the end, and be humble. Be that indi-vidual that is there to help someone, because we’re all connected in this somehow. In all that you do, find a way in which you may be able to help another individual,” Zach said.

Photo Courtesy/ Zach Shirley Greg (left) andf Zach (right) after reciving their master

Photo Courtesy/ A&M-Commerce L.E.A.D. program websiteGreg during an academic workshop