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State Senator Robert Deuell of Greenville and State Representative Dan Flynn of Van have been honored by Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Deuell and Flynn, who both represent Hunt County in the Texas State Legislature, were guests of honor at a Jan. 27 luncheon hosted by A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland.

McFarland and Dr. Benton Cocanougher, interim chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, thanked the lawmakers for their support of higher education in the last legislative session.

Early last year, the outlook for state funding for higher education was not good due to a financial shortfall in state coffers and a slow economy, McFarland said. "Our legislators and their staffs worked hard to make what was a very dire picture for higher education come out much better than any of us had expected," he commented.

"We are hopeful that the next session will be even better for higher education," the president said.

During the legislative session, McFarland said Deuell and Flynn and their staffs were accessible, helpful, and supportive and he appreciated this.

The two lawmakers were especially helpful to A&M-Commerce near the end of the legislative session when a problem developed involving the construction of the new Science & Technology Center on campus. Deuell and Flynn introduced amendments to House Bill 658 dealing with the issuance of bonds to fund infrastructure projects at several universities. The amendments, which were adopted, make possible the construction of a new building at A&M-Commerce rather than an addition to the existing science building which had first been planned, McFarland said.

It was determined that an addition to the existing building was not feasible, he said.

Groundbreaking for the $27 million facility is anticipated this spring.

Cocanougher said the A&M System does not take the support of legislators like Deuell and Flynn "for granted and nor should we."

The A&M System's budget is more than $2 billion and of that 37 percent is appropriated tax dollars, said Cocanougher adding that administrative leaders in the system take "very seriously" the responsibility to invest that money and use it wisely.

"The A&M System is proud of its heritage and we're proud of our institutions. A&M-Commerce has made dramatic progress over the past several years. We take delight in that," he commented.

A family practice physician in Greenville, Deuell said he has several A&M-Commerce employees who are his patients and that his son, Paul, is a December 2000 graduate of the university. "I feel like I know the university well," he said.

"Texas has a great tradition of supporting education and this is something I want to do with the help of Rep. Flynn who represents all of Hunt County, Van Zandt, and Rains," Deuell said.

An upcoming special session on public education will include higher education, he noted. Deuell said he worked his way through college and that he realizes the "importance of a good education and I hope that the rest of the state will realize that as we make tough decisions about financing and taxes," he remarked.

A cattle rancher and small business owner in Van with 35 years experience in banking, Flynn said his district is in a rural area and that A&M-Commerce plays an important role in it.

Flynn said he first came to Commerce in 1970 as a bank examiner and that he has visited the community several times. "It's great to see what the university does for this community," he said.

Flynn said he had been pleased to be a graduation speaker at Fall Commencement last December. His wife, Susan, had been "impressed," he said with a smile.

McFarland presented framed Texas theme photographs from Prairie Rose Studio in Commerce to Deuell and Flynn.

After receiving the gift, Deuell told the luncheon audience of administrative personnel, faculty, students and community leaders, "I want to give credit to someone who helped with the budget of this university - Sen. Teel Bivins, chairman of the Finance Committee."

Deuell said Bivins of Amarillo had many pressures on him as Finance Committee chairman in the last legislative session. Deuell said Bivins talked to him about seeing A&M-Comnmerce got adequate funding.

Bivins, who is now U.S. ambassador to Sweden, will be missed in the legislature, the Greenville lawmaker said.

Also attending the luncheon from the A&M System were Dr. Stanton Calvert, vice chancellor of Governmental Relations, and David Rejino, assistant vice chancellor for Governmental Relations.

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For Immediate Release/01-30-04/Mary Lou Hazal
SEN. DEUELL TALKS WITH A&M SYSTEM INTERIM CHANCELLOR


TALKING HIGHER EDUCATION -- State Senator Robert Deuell (left) of Greenville and Dr. Benton Cocanougher, interim chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, discuss higher education issues following a luncheon Jan. 27 at Texas A&M University-Commerce. A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland hosted a luncheon honoring Deuell and State Representative Dan Flynn of Van. McFarland and Flynn thanked the two legislators for their support of higher education in the last legislative session.

(A&M-Commerce photo)


For Immediate Release/01-30-04/Mary Lou Hazal
REP. FLYNN VISITS WITH STUDENTS -- cutline


MEETS STUDENTS -- State Rep. Dan Flynn of Van visits with Stacy Newman, a Texas A&M University-Commerce junior from Colleyville, following a luncheon honoring Flynn and State Senator Robert Deuell of Greenville. With back to camera is Tommy Felts, a Liberty, Kan., student and editor of The East Texan. A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland hosted the luncheon to thank Flynn and Deuell for their support of the university in the last legislative session.

(A&M-Commerce photo)