Category Archives: Events

TAMUT Eagles Face LSUS in RRAC Baseball Final Four

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The Texas A&M University Texarkana Eagles have punched their ticket to the final site of the 2026 Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) baseball championship, where they will battle host LSU Shreveport on Friday, May 2, at 5 p.m. at Pilot Field in Shreveport, LA.

As the No. 6 seed, the Eagles advanced by winning a hard fought best of three opening round series against number three LSU Alexandria. After splitting the first two games, TAMUT delivered a decisive 9-6 victory in the rubber match.

The Eagles entered the final four with momentum after a solid regular season that included impressive offensive outburst, and timely pitching. Now they face a formidable challenge in the second-seeded LSU Shreveport Pilots, who boast one of the league’s most potent lineups.

The four team format in Shreveport features Texas A&M, Texarkana versus LSU Shreveport on Saturday evening, with winners advancing through Sunday and Monday games to determine the conference championship and automatic NAIA tournament berth.

For local fans in Texarkana, this represents a great opportunity to support the Eagles in their quest for a deep postseason run.

Go Eagles!

Calling All Writers: TAMUT’s Creative Writing Club is Back

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Have you ever had that one idea for a story that just keeps popping in your head? Do you have poetry that you’ve written that sits in the backlog of your brain? Maybe you just like to write, or are searching for a new community. Look no further, because Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT) just launched their new Creative Writing Club.

In years past, the Creative Writing club thrived, but it dissolved due to lack of interest. Now, the club is starting back up and is already backed by a great community of leaders and writers. The club officially launches this spring semester, and they are looking for members who will enjoy sharing their work and providing feedback for others. Furthermore, the Creative Writing Club places emphasis on community. Each member places a large amount of trust in one another so that criticism remains judgment-free and polite.

The Creative Writing Club allows writers from all sorts of writing backgrounds, whether that be poetry, general fiction, drama, and more. It welcomes a variety of topics and aims for students to be confident in what they write. One of the main goals for the Creative Writing Club is to provide a welcoming, safe environment for students looking to share their stories with others.

When asked about the vision for the club, President William Rembowski says, “I want this club to be a place for writers to sharpen their craft and find community. But, more importantly, I want this club to be a place for everyone to build lasting friendships. Making friends can be difficult, especially for introverts on a small campus. I want to provide more opportunities for structured social engagement; all are welcome to our club.”

As a member, one can expect weekly meetings that allow students to share their work with each other and provide feedback. Also, fun introductory and writing activities will get students creative juices flowing. In the future, one can be on the lookout for events hosted by the club such as open mic poetry readings. Meetings are scheduled for Fridays at 5 p.m. in UC241, and all questions should be directed to william.rembowski@ace.tamut.edu.

All in all, the Creative Writing Club at TAMUT is passionate about giving students an opportunity to learn to love writing, as most students struggle with enjoyment due to only writing for academic purposes. Even if a student lacks knowledge in the techniques of creative writing, the club still encourages students to join in order to learn and have community.

Finding a Place to Belong  

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One aspect of humanity is the desire to find themselves and their place in life. This is a desire that’s aged and developed as much as humanity itself. After all, it’s a concept unique to humanity alone, attached to questions such as “Who am I?” and “What’s the meaning of life—what’s the meaning of my life?”

 Some people find themselves in faith, concluding that they are found in Jesus Christ alone. Still, they seek to find a place to belong, a place full of like-minded individuals who are pursuing the meaning of life with Jesus, just as they are. But another question looms before them: how do they find a place of like-minded believers in a world that’s primarily secular? 

Just like Christians, modern day humans are constantly asking questions, experimenting, adapting, and seeking answers to understand where they fit in, and who they fit in with. Students at Texas A&M-Texarkana are no different.  

Many students, of all ages, are interested in trying as many things as they can, all to satisfy a yearning that’s been passed down from generation to generation. However, many students, much like their ancestors, are nomadic in the sense that they never stay in one place for too long. They lack the right factors to truly belong– community, diversity, and purpose.  

How can a student belong, when they don’t have a place to belong to or people to belong with? 

The answer is located on the “TAMUT Clubs & Organizations” bulletin board at the University Center. On this bulletin board are various clubs and organizations, many of which are student-led, student-centered, and student-based.  

From Phi Lambda Chi and Omega Delta Chi to G2:20 and Cru—each organization is unique and gives every student the liberty to explore themselves. These organizations give students the opportunity, not only to explore their identities, but also the chance to find a community and create long-lasting friendships.  

So, for any students who find themselves asking similar questions about identity and the meaning of life, find your way to the University Center and check out that bulletin board. It could be a doorway to memories, experiences, and adventures you never imagined would lead you to discovering who you really are.  

OUR CAMPUS GEESE

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Let’s Talk Geese Y’all…

Being a country girl my whole life, I have been around and taken care of every animal you can have on a farm. So, when I finally had the chance to see the geese that also enjoy our campus, I never thought of how they could be a problem for anyone, because who doesn’t know how to act around geese? I discovered last semester that some do not.

A classmate recounted a story of a run-in they had with one of our school geese. By the end of the hilarious retelling of their encounter, I had counted three things they had done wrong: they hollered at them, then raised their arms to scare the geese, but rushed at them instead of backing away, and then, in their panic, they did a 180 and ran. When I managed to stop laughing, I told my classmate that they would not be making friends anytime soon, like that. They informed me, “I wasn’t trying to make friends then, I was just trying to get away!”

Now I know I can’t possibly be the only country person at our school, and hopefully, they are helping others. However, just in case, I thought it would be nice to give all my classmates and our instructors a fighting chance if confronted by our eagle mascot’s feathered cousins. So, without further ado…

Let’s Learn Something About Our Feathered Friends

I bet y’all did not know that geese are monogamous. They mate for life, unlike some other critters. It means they will defend their mate and family to the death, if need be. That is an ingrained, animal instinct for most. Many homo sapiens will not go that far. Like most wildlife, if cornered or threatened, geese will also stand and fight. That said, breeding and nesting season is probably their worst aggressive time, March through June. If we can survive those few months, the rest of the year is a piece of cake. Another thing you might enjoy knowing is that if one gets sick or injured and has to stay behind, or drop out of formation, two healthy ones will stay to help protect their family member; that is loyalty, my classmates. Now, how do you…

Survive a Goose Attack, You Will Not Win?

According to Biology Insights, geese generally start by hissing. It is a low hiss and hard to hear unless you get fairly close; in this day and age, with everyone using earbuds, it would really make it hard for a person to hear. So, stay aware of your surroundings. Their next course of action against intruders is honking loudly. Y’all should be able to hear this over your earbuds. Biology Insights’ tips are spot on; however, I noticed there is no mention of neck vibrations in the attack warnings. No, head bobbing is not the vibration I am speaking of. Their heads may be up or lowered, but if they are vibrating from their heads to the base of their necks, it is not from the love they feel for you. Also, if you feel the need to speak to them, do so calmly as you back away; no matter how crazy it sounds, it will help calm you both. Those wings are big when they spread open, and they hurt. Which leads us to…

Will It Hurt When I Get Hit by Those Big Ole’ Wings?

Have y’all ever been hit with a baseball? I do not mean a baseball thrown at you. I am talking about being hit by a baseball struck with a bat by a batter looking to make a home run, and he connects; a line drive. That is the kind of pain you could feel; it depends on how far your fight for survival is taken. And if contact is made, there will be bruising with an awesome welt, yes, everywhere you are hit. In Popular Science, we discover that biting from a goose is not the norm. If you are bitten, the skin is usually broken because their bills are serrated like a steak knife, top and bottom, and the geese use them like little saws. The pinching they can do with their bill is a fun experience, too. In fact, either of those things is preferable to being beaten with those big, bad wings. Finally…

To Wrap This Up

I have liked the line in the movie Rampage that Dwayne Johnson’s character says, ever since I heard him say it, “If animals like you, they lick you; if they don’t, they eat you.” That is not necessarily how it happens, but close enough. Unlike humans, animals never have unnecessary drama; all we have to do is pay attention. Additionally, we need to show not just our school geese, but all animals, a little respect. Many wildlife species have embedded migration routes, not just birds. Just because we clear and build does not change their routes.

One more beneficial thing that geese bring to the table, y’all might like to know: many breeds make awesome guard dogs. In Yard Life, Canada geese, like the ones I often see in the yard, happen to be one of those breeds. With our school in a secluded, wooded area, it is a good idea to see what they might be barking at if y’all hear them sounding off. Coyotes do not have to be rabid to come out in the daylight. Now, once more…

How You Will Survive a Goose Attack

  1. Pay attention to your surroundings. If you miss the hissing, hear the honking.
  2. If you get to the part where the goose advances, keep eye contact, back away as quickly as is safely possible, and talk to them calmly.
  3. If you choose to make yourself bigger by opening your jacket or throwing your hands over your head, do not rush at them; continue backwards.
  4. NEVER turn your back and run, unless you are looking for an adventure, and possible rear-end damage.
  5. Carry something that can be used as a block between you and the goose, if the confrontation gets that far. Backpack, notebook, umbrella, and if needed, throw your jacket over their head, then turn and run.

Groundbreaking for New TAMUT Building

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Texarkana is set to witness a significant leap in higher education as Texas A&M University-Texarkana prepares to construct the new Business, Engineering, and Technology Building. This state-of-the-art facility, named in honor of James C. Morriss, founder of JCM Industries, promises to transform the university and the surrounding community. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on May 30, 2024, marked the beginning of a project that will provide a hub for innovation and academic excellence for generations to come.

A Transformative Facility for East Texas

The James C. Morris Business, Engineering, and Technology Building, a $45 million project funded by the Texas Legislature, will be a three-story, 50,000-square-foot facility located on the southwest side of the university campus. Scheduled for completion in the spring of 2026, the building will house the Center for Financial Literacy and Investment, numerous laboratories for mechanical engineering and design, and a 225-seat lecture hall/auditorium. What makes this building unique is how it is going to impact the local area and the students that are going to be attending the facility.

Honoring a Legacy of Innovation

The naming of the building and the Division of Engineering after James C. Morris is a testament to his legacy of innovation and commitment to excellence. Morris, a former president of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, founded JCM Industries in 1976 with his wife, Gladys. The company has been a leading provider of supplies for the water and wastewater industries nationwide for over 40 years.

“We are beyond proud to have this state-of-the-art academic facility named for Mr. Morris and are profoundly grateful to his family for the contributions they have made to honor his legacy,” said Texas A&M University-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. He would continue by saying, “This showcase academic building will help attract, educate, and train talented students and graduates for generations to come”. Jim Morris, son of James C. Morris, expressed his gratitude, stating, “When I look at this picture (the photo of what the new building will look like), it gives me goosebumps, because I don’t think he could’ve ever imagined it, but I just know how proud and excited he would be if he could see it, so I have that same kind of feeling”.

Enhancing Academic Opportunities

The new building will not only provide updated facilities but also expand academic opportunities for students. The university plans to launch approximately 15 new degree programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels in business, engineering, and technology within the next few years. The facility will also allow the recently established College of Business, Engineering, and Technology to explore new academic programs, such as computer science, with a focus on machine learning and cybersecurity.

A Hub for Community Engagement

The James C. Morriss Business, Engineering, and Technology Building is more than just a building; it’s an investment in the future of Texarkana. With a 225-seat auditorium and modern laboratories, the facility will serve as a venue for large lectures, community events, and collaborative research projects. It’s kind of like a community center where everyone comes together to exchange ideas and experiences.

Construction on the new academic building began in July 2024, with substantial completion expected in February 2026. As the building takes shape, it symbolizes the growth and momentum of Texas A&M University-Texarkana, which will soon attract, educate, and train talented students and graduates for generations to come.

Event Details:

  • What: Construction of the James C. Morriss Business, Engineering, and Technology Building
  • When: Construction began July 2024; Completion expected Spring 2026
  • Where: Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Southwest side of the campus
  • Cost: $45 million
Tomorrow we break ground on this amazing new facility! Join us on campus… | Texas A&M University-Texarkana

TAMUT Soccer Spring Combine

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On April 25 and 26, 2025, Texas A&M University-Texarkana will host the Spring Combine. The goal of this event is to find future Eagles to join the university’s women’s and men’s soccer teams for the 2025-26 season.

The event will begin on Friday, April 25 at 4 p.m. when participants will take a campus tour led by Coach Don Koontz. Starting at 5 p.m., there will be one-hour kicking and dribbling sessions, starting with the women’s Eagles.

On Saturday, the event will resume in the morning when the athletes will play for an hour on a reduced-size field, followed by lunch. And in the afternoon, there will be a regular 11-on-11 match between new players and current student-athletes.

All interested in participating in the event are invited. High school seniors, junior college students, and transfer students are also welcome. The event is free and those interested should bring materials to play such as shin guards, socks and soccer shoes. Uniforms will be provided each day. Registration is open and can be accessed through the link located on the Eagles’ Instagram profile: @tamut_msoc or @tamut_wsoc.

TAMUT’s Big Event

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On April 12, 2025, Texas A&M University-Texarkana hosts The Big Event. This annual tradition brings students, staff, alumni, and community members together to give back to Texarkana in a big way.

In 1982, this event began at Texas A&M University in College Station. The Big Event has become a local tradition since its debut at Texas A&M University-Texarkana in 2017. This event has made an impact on our community, with hundreds of volunteers dedicating thousands of service hours.

For the ones who like to do outside work, there are projects like cleaning up yards, detrashing the streets, and restoring parks that are right up your alley. For ones who want to be inside, nursing home visits and reading to the children are for you. It is an event for everyone.

All University students, staff, and alumni are encouraged to participate in this event. On the big day, volunteers will receive a Big Event t-shirt to wear. To participate, individuals and groups must register in advance. To form a group, please share your name with others for correct assignments. For more information and to register, visit the Texas A&M University website or click here for the form.

80th Annual Four States Fair & Rodeo Coming to Texarkana

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Texarkana, AR – The 80th Annual Four States Fair & Rodeo is set to take place April 4 through April 13, 2025, at the Four States Fairgrounds, featuring rides, live music, competitions, and family attractions.

The fair opens April 4 with the Monster Truck Mash, featuring massive trucks racing, jumping, and performing gravity-defying stunts. On April 5, the Demolition Derby will bring thrilling collisions as drivers compete to be the last vehicle running. The Four States Rodeo, scheduled for April 10–12, will feature bull riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, drawing top rodeo competitors from across the region.

In addition to major attractions, the fair will offer carnival rides, interactive games, live music, and exhibits highlighting farm animals, crafts, and local vendors. Fairgoers can also enjoy a wide selection of food, such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, and other treats.

For 80 years, the Four States Fair & Rodeo has been a Texarkana tradition, bringing together communities from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma for entertainment, competition, and cultural celebration. This year’s event is expected to draw thousands of visitors.

General admission is $5 to $10, with separate tickets required for the rodeo, Monster Truck Mash, and Demolition Derby. Tickets can be purchased online at fourstatesfair.com or at the fairgrounds.

100 days until Graduation: Money Management post-graduation

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Graduation 2022 is coming upon us this winter as our seniors get prepared with caps, gowns, and more. I am one of the several students that will graduate this year. Many seniors will have a lot of plans. However, they may not know the importance of keeping finances in check. Otherwise, the future will likely promise slim chances of sustaining aspiring careers besides the increases of life’s calamities. That is why this ongoing event will provide insight and support towards life after graduation.

The 100 days until graduation event involves a social meeting between graduates of two semesters and the host, Dr. Juan R. Castro. Dr. Castro is the executive director of the CBET. The meeting shows us how to correctly manage money after graduation along with supporting details to aid us with this new pursuit.

Here are the 4 main tactics for currency management in the most secure and beneficial ways:

  1. Building a Positive Net Worth
  2. Emergency Fund
  3. Control and save the expenses
  4. Learn to Invest’

Net worth is the total amount for an individual and such, with reporting of assets and liabilities included. Liabilities are what you owe from your properties or assets. In turn, the knowledge of what you have and owe makes out the budget, describing the possible net worth. One aid to prevent any disastrous outcomes is too not buy expensive goods like glamorous cars. Having this kind of luxury will guarantee in owing much more than its base price. We would not go far with other financial goals if buying an expensive car is a part of the plan. It may sound depressing, but it is much better to be stable than regretful with that irresistible mistake.

If any disasters occur even if the finances are efficiently managed, be prepared with emergency funds. With those funds, there is coverage for any damages such as job loss, sudden health expenditures, and replacing household necessities. Plus, it further supports financial security and stability.

A quote to recall from the event: “Remember, the poor is not the one who has little, but the one who needs a lot.” Regarding sustainability of money, poor is the one who spends more of their income. If anyone is not in control of their debt or their spending, this error will run your life. It is best to focus on the expenditures while overseeing how much is spent.

It is important to build an investment. There are four common misconceptions and mistakes that will trample stability if a young graduate is careless.

  1. It is easy for a prime adult to ponder about retirement near the end of their careers. But withholding the idea for that long period is likely to stop the contentment of maintaining the lifestyle when reaching senior age. Instead, they need to think about retirement while they are still working, even if it sounds too early. 2. There should be a plan for investment. Otherwise investing is just a fleeting thought. 3.When a graduate begins the plan, start gradually to attain knowledge so the process is proper. It is advised not to jump into the plan without learning anything. 4. Lastly, pay attention to retirement accounts while working your career. Ignoring them is another determent in the retirement plan.

Those are the most integral points that I wanted to discuss from the lecture. All of this may seem a lot to take in yet learning how to use your money along with managing it is more than helpful when going out into the world after graduation.

Veterans Service Center wins Education Excellence Award in 2022

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Recently, Texas A & M University-Texarkana has received the Education Excellence Award granted by the Texas Veterans Commission. For this university, the award is for outstanding services provided by the Veterans Services Center. State Governor Greg Abbott selected 17 institutions to obtain the achievement. The award is based on the extent of the providing aids and services while also assorted on three rankings. The University managed to receive the silver rank of the award in 2022.

The Texas Veterans Commission has provided service and advocation to the veterans of the state to improve their lives. It also performs as the State Approving Authority under the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ jurisdiction. SSA verifies that educational foundations and its employers agree with federal guidelines and are certified for teaching through a process.

Robert Hernandez oversees the Veterans Center at the University. He is a veteran from the United States Air Force for 30 years. Like his fellow employees, Hernandez strives to make sure a veteran and their peers get the best support for their education.

Young militants struggle to get themselves into a normal stature after serving their time supporting the country. Even veterans’ families had to contribute to the military efforts. Therefore, the transition from the military and into education can be difficult.

            The Center’s jobs range from assisting the veterans to transition from the military and into the campus. Robert Hernandez has said “In the Veteran Services Center, we try our best to give back to those that gave so much for our nation”. Even if these students do not come daily all the time, the service job is always on the watch for them. From admissions to graduation, the Veteran’s center will make sure that militant students are able to get the best experience while acquiring education.

             The Veteran Service Center motto, “Let us serve you” shows appreciation to the students along with perseverance to aid them. Plus, it adds to the willingness of using the most needed resources for the student’s guidance through university livelihood. The Silver Award in Education Excellence is undeniable proof that the Center and its people do their jobs at their very best.