Ten-year Anniversary of TAMUT’s Dr. Drew Morton

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When Drew Morton was a freshman he said to his girlfriend, “I want to become a film professor.” A few years later he proved to his girlfriend, now wife, by receiving his Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies from the University of California-Los Angeles. He is an associate professor of Mass Communication at Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) since 2012. Hopefully, he will become a full professor in 2023.

Dr. Morton teaches a Popular Culture and Media class where students delve into the world of comics. However, Dr. Morton finds the right sub-interests and subtly teaches them about other subjects such as First Amendment rights and how different types of media can cross through different platforms. “You can kinda trick them into learning,” said Dr. Morton.

Dr. Morton enjoys the culture here at TAMUT. He also appreciates the diverse set of students. “We have so many people from different walks of life,” said Dr. Morton. “It’s much more down to earth and ego doesn’t get in the way,” in regards to the students. He sees a little of himself in the first-gen college students who do not have a chip on their shoulders.

He published a book titled “Panel To The Screen,” which discusses the relationships between comic books and films. He is currently working on another book about the comic series “Watchmen.” In his free time, he works on personal projects such as his idea for a horror film and photography. 

An Insight into Software Engineering

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Cadarius Williams is a senior at Texas A & M University-Texarkana who aspires to be a Software Engineer. Beforehand, he will study to gain interview experience and build connections for his career in computer science. The experiences for him at the University are content because the campus holds decent infrastructure along with more connection between the faculty and students than some universities. As Cadarius says, “You are not just a number, you are a name.”

Software Engineering involves building functional operating systems for technical devices such as laptops and cellphones. The evolution of this occupation has come a long way. The ideas of this profession started with the invention of massively scaled computers. After a long measure of time,designs expanded into advanced systems now accessible as small handheld devices. Furthermore, the progression of time has allowed ideas that were limited in the past to advance with extensive inspection and development of application frameworks.

In further discussion, technology such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence must be examined in simulation before further progress. Without the human effort or observation of technology such as A.I., the newest systems will not perform correctly. Because of Williams’ determination to be a software engineer, advanced technology is further acclaimed. It is astonishing that more students like him will manage applications in addition to creating them in the future.

Taylor Hall

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Taylor Hall

Imagine going to school, being a single mom, having a full time job, and running an organization, Taylor Hall does that and so much more. She is working on her Master of History with an end goal to hopefully become a college professor. Life really changes the things we think we want, for example, in Taylor’s case, she originally wanted to become a lawyer, or move over seas to teach English for a couple of years. Her life took a turn and she had a kid. Hall talks about how kids are life altering for the better and she wouldn’t change it for the world. Her kid is now two years old and made her so much stronger and given her all the happiness she could ever want. She doesn’t regret any choices her younger self made, because if it weren’t for those, she wouldn’t be doing the things she gets to do now. It’s hard for her to even imagine her life without her son, Patton.

“It’s so hard to find really like cute little boy clothes, you’re stuck with either doing dinosaurs, animals, or like Nike apparel,” said Hall. After a lot of research was done  she was able to get a business license to start this online venture. She named it PG Styles, with the hope to get those stylish boys clothes out to the people around her. The name stemmed from her son, and is actually his initials. One day, if she ever has the time, she hopes to expand and make that business into an in person store or wherever else it takes her. This started as a side business for her when she was a stay at home mom and she was taking a break from her schooling. She would like to see it grow but it isn’t on her top priority list. 

Taylor Hall is a woman of many skills. Besides her clothing business and school, she works for the Miller County Sheriffs office. There, she spends her day preparing paperwork for the judge and prosecutors office. About once a week she will actually sit in on criminal court. Following the court session, she will assist with making sure the inmate gets back to the jail. “It’s always interesting and definitely um.. crazy, uh.. but fun and I love what I do,” said Hall. She says that this is not a forever job but it will work for now. Her father is actually a state trooper and he got word about this opportunity and through word of mouth, she was able to score the job. 

Having family in the first responder field and being around that field herself, Hall took part in creating an non profit organization. This organization is called Beyond the Badge. Beyond the Badge focuses on helping and raising money for police and other first responder fields in and around Texarkana. Anyone can join and take part in the things they do. To raise money the will put on fundraisers. Some of their fundraiser include: golf tournaments, selling t-shirts, raffles, and many more. Any money that they raise goes directly to the cause and none to themselves. However, there is a $25 a year fee for members and that money will go toward buying t-shirts and snacks for meetings. The meeting happen usually once and month and there they will make game plans for the events to come. There is a lot of behind the scene jobs that the board members will take part in during their spare time. Hall, specifically is in charge of the social media, marketing and membership management. She has taken a lot of the marketing skills she learned from this organization and applied that to her boys clothing business as well. 

“If any little thing had gone differently, like, we wouldn’t be where we are today” said Hall.

Future Nurse: Zulually Guerrero

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When Zulually Guerrero was younger she moved from Mexico to Dequeen, Arkansas. She was born with a birth defect and went to the Children’s Hospital in Little Rock to get treated. Watching all the nurses working endlessly around her inspired her to become one. “I kind of took an interest there,” said Zulually. 

When Zulually isn’t studying for her next exam, she likes to have fun. She enjoys watching romance movies and listening to upbeat indie music. Like most people who live in a small town, she likes to walk around Target or TJ Maxx and do some retail therapy. 

Zulually is now in her second year of nursing school at Texas A&M-Texarkana (TAMUT) planning to get her Bachelors of Science and Nursing degree (BSN). Afterward, she hopes to move to Little Rock and work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the children’s hospital where it all began.

Minding Mental Health in May

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It has been about two years since the Covid-19 breakout began and since then mental health and mindset awareness has gained more public attention than ever before. The CDC said, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.” And while the term mental health has been in common use, its importance nowadays seems to be highlighted by Covid-19. 

Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Unfortunately, back then there were no guidelines for how to live in a pandemic-driven world other than trying to hold on to faith and finding someone to talk to. Because almost everything we are experiencing is unscripted and uncertain, leading to more anxiety, fear, and depression. Since COVID-19, millions have fallen victim by being taken away from their loved ones causing mental and emotional damage.

Mental Health and Awareness month is hosted every year in May. And with it fast approaching it can give people a sigh of relief and help them acknowledge their weakness and fears. The National Alliance on Mental Illness said, “Now more than ever before, it is important for the mental health community to come together and show the world that no one should ever feel alone.”

From Grounds to Leaves

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There is nothing better than a fresh, hot cup of joe… Or is there?

Have you ever found yourself wanting more from your average cup of coffee? Do you love coffee but get tired of the same thing every day? Sure, you can try different creamers, syrups, and add-ins, but it’s still just coffee… Again.

I urge you to step out of your daily coffee routine and give hot tea a try. Coffee is surely a staple, but the versatility of hot tea is astounding. Hot tea can be found in an impressive variety of flavors to suit any mood or situation. Need a boost in the morning to start your day? Try a bright and citrus-y lemon ginger tea. Need help winding down at the end of a stressful day? Try a soothing vanilla chamomile tea. Feeling festive around the holidays? Try pumpkin spice in October or spiced apple cider in November. No matter the reason for drinking hot tea, there is surely a flavor to suit your taste.

For new tea drinkers, I recommend purchasing a sampler pack. This provides the opportunity to try various flavors without committing to a whole box of tea that might not suit your taste buds. Once you find a tea you like, try amping it up even more by customizing it to your preference. Try adding things like lemon, honey, or cream.

Hot tea also comes in a variety of caffeine levels ranging from maximum caffeine, for those difficult Monday mornings, to having no caffeine at all. This allows anyone to enjoy tea at any time of day (or night… I won’t judge).

In short, hot tea is easy to enjoy in any situation. Of course, it might never fill that special place in your heart that’s reserved just for coffee. However, it can be a delightful supplement for those days when you just want something different.

Big Day of Thanks

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Have you ever considered giving back to your community? Since 1982, the Texas A&M community in College Station, Texas has hosted what they call “The Big Event,” a volunteering effort that aims to lend a hand to a community that supports the university each and every day. Some efforts include raking yards, cleaning streets, visiting nursing homes, walking dogs, and so much more.

            In April of 2017, Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT) hosted its very own first annual Big Event with the tagline – Eagle Pride City Wide. The introductory event provided over 200 volunteers that clocked almost 1,000 hours of community service. This year’s Big Event is scheduled for April 9, 2022.

            Registration is now open to current, former, and future students, faculty, alumni, student family members, and community members not affiliated with TAMUT. If you would like more information on The Big Event, or want to sign up to volunteer, or have a project in mind for the TAMUT community, please visit The Big Event.

Pandemic Performances

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Basses thumping, speakers booming, bodies swaying to the rhythm: concerts are an adored pastime for a worldwide audience. There are events for any fan of any background. This sense of community and experience is so important to so many people, even amidst a pandemic.

As the world ends its second full year of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is easy to say that every soul has become restless in one way or another. So naturally, concerts are one way to release the pressure of this isolation. 

Joseph Hudack of Rolling Stone reports that some artists such as Elton John and Kacey Musgraves have hit the stage in recent months under the provision that all attendees wear masks, are vaccinated, or show a negative Covid test result within 48 hours before the show. While some events and acts require nothing of the sort, with Kid Rock declining to play at any venue with a mask mandate, Omicron continues to surge. 

Mixed feelings arise on the idea and execution of concerts during this time, while some concert-goers view it as a social issue others see it as a health issue. There will always be people that attend no matter the circumstance. Old Dominion manager Tommy Garris had this to say, “I believe we’re all doing what we have to do, otherwise the industry dies.” Whether people choose safer routes for assembly or not, the show must go on.

Your Brain on Mindfulness

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When stress hits, how do you relieve it? If you’re a college student, you might say you play video games, binge your favorite TV show, or sleep. These are all excellent ideas when you’re bored, but they don’t necessarily resolve the issue, which is stress.

Stress is defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” The word itself evokes feelings of anxiety and causes you to sweat. So why do we stress? According to the Mental Health Foundation of the United Kingdom, stress is often caused by new experiences, unexpected events, and even when we feel like we don’t have control over a situation.

While a healthy diet and exercise have been the fundamental ways to fight stress for years, mindfulness meditation is another way to achieve peace of mind. Psychologists J. Creswell and Bassam Khoury think of meditation as a way of training your attention to attain a mental state of calm concentration and positive emotions.

Mindfulness meditation can be broken up into two phases: attention and acceptance. The attention phase is about tuning into your surroundings and focusing on what is happening in the present moment. The acceptance phase involves monitoring your feelings and sensations without judgment. Instead of reacting to your thoughts or feelings, you accept them and let them go.

You can begin mindfulness meditation anywhere and anytime, whether through meditations or mindful moment practices like taking time to pause and breathe before replying to that text from your boss. Take your time, find a safe space, and breathe. Notice the breathes as you inhale and exhale. As thoughts come and go, recognize them and bring your attention back to your breath. You are now mindfully meditating and one step closer to a stress-free lifestyle.

Ice, Ice, Maybe

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Thursday, February 3rd, the city of Texarkana was expecting freezing rain and heavy snow. In preparation, the city covered roads and bridges with brine. Residents’ stocked food pantries with water and essentials. Most schools or businesses closed until further notice. “Out of an abundance of caution the Texas A&M University campus will be closed,” John Bunch, Tamut Communications Manager, said. Everyone hunkered down isolated, in their homes or dorms, and prepared for the worst. 

Texarkana was prepared and was due to what happened around this time last year. February 2021 was a chilling experience for Texans. Heavy snow obstructed many businesses and slippery ice made roads hazardous. Most people were trapped in their homes. In some severe cases, the power would go out or pipes inside the home would burst due to lack of insulation. 8 million people were under a boil water notice. Countless families would be without central heating or running water. Since most wouldn’t be able to go out they wouldn’t be able to buy groceries or drinkable water. The winter storm that occurred last year resulted in the deaths of 58 people. In Texas alone, there were at least 30 reported deaths.

However, all that happened was very cold rain. Was Texarkana prepared this year? Absolutely. It demonstrated the common phrase “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Texarkana showed that it cares for its residents and is equipped for anything the weather has to offer.