COMMERCE, Texas - Texas A&M University-Commerce honored a couple and two other individuals with the Spirit of Mayo Citation on August 25, 2005.
At Thursday's Faculty/Staff Meeting kicking off the fall semester, A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland presented awards to Hoyle Julian and Ann Oglesby Julian, Ivory Moore, and Wyman Williams.
"These individuals truly have a passion for Texas A&M University-Commerce and the City of Commerce," McFarland said. "They epitomize university founder William L. Mayo's credo of 'ceaseless industry, fearless investigation, unfettered thought, and unselfish service to others,' particularly service to others."
Hoyle Julian, who grew up on a dairy farm in Hopkins County, earned his bachelor's degree from this university in 1960 and his master's in 1965. He retired in 1992 as director of Large Systems Planning for Arco Oil & Gas Company.
The Oglesby family moved to Commerce so the children could get a college education, and Ann did exactly that as did her siblings. All six children in the family received degrees from East Texas State University.
A graduate of Commerce High School, she earned a bachelor of science degree from the university in 1956 and a master of science in '62. Ann Julian is a retired teacher and librarian.
When the Julians retired and moved to Klondike, they joined the Commerce Area Alumni Chapter and became active in the Commerce community.
This couple has taken a big interest in both A&M-Commerce academics and athletics. "The university changes lives," Ann said of why they lend a hand whenever they can.
With a college education, Hoyle said he went from working on a dairy farm and using his hands to working in business and using his mind.
The Julians help the university in ways that might go unnoticed. When they found out the cafeteria was closed following late volleyball and basketball games, they devised and financed a program, with McDonald's help, and through the A&M-Commerce Foundation to provide a meal for the Lions' players after home games.
The after-game food program serves the women's volleyball, and women's and men's basketball teams.
They have worked closely with former Athletic Director Paul Peak and personally undertook setting up a hospitality room for the Lone Star Conference Basketball Tournament hosted by A&M-Commerce in the Field House.
In women's soccer, they were the driving forces to acquire championship soccer rings for Lions' players when they won the Lone Star Championship in 1999.
On the academic side, Hoyle has volunteered as a math tutor for the last 10 years and since 2003 has been a liaison and field supervisor for the Department of Secondary and Higher Education. Ann has been working with SHED in these same capacities for several years.
The Julians have seven scholarship endowments in the arts, athletics, and math.
They were inducted into the Founder's Circle in 2000 and the Heritage Society in 2005 for their financial giving to A&M-Commerce.
Moore is a trailblazer as the university's first African American administrator.
This Oklahoma native came to ETSU in 1973. He is remembered for his work as dean of Minority Affairs, a post he held from 1978-84.
Also included in Moore's list of "firsts" is serving as the first black principal at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls where he was selected Teacher of the Year.
At A&M-Commerce, Moore did much work with students and is personally proud of this, as well as his work securing grants for the Upward Bound Program. In 1973, he wrote a successful grant for $300,000 for tutorial and counseling work with disadvantaged students and two years later authored a second grant for Upward Bound.
At the university, Moore says he found good people, and in Commerce, he found a community that he and his wife, Lennie, and their family could call home.
Lennie, whom Moore married when both were students at Langston University, is also a retired employee of the university.
Moore's interest in the community led him to become the first black citizen elected to the Commerce City Council, and he ended his 18 years on the council by serving two years as mayor.
He also became involved in grants work for the City, helping Commerce secure grants for work in a wide range of areas, including sewage systems, streets, and affordable housing.
Moore served on various Texas state boards under governors Bill Clements, Mark White, and Ann Richards. He spent 10 years as vice president on the state board of NAACP, and was lieutenant governor of the Texas of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis Clubs.
He founded the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education in 1974 and served as president for six years.
With other African American trailblazers Dr. David Talbot and J. Mason Brewer, he formed a lasting friendship and what Moore refers to as an "historical triumvirate" that made the university, Commerce, and Hunt County a better and more civil place in which to live.
Like Ann Julian, Wyman Williams is a Commerce High School graduate who stayed close to home and got his college education at the university. Williams received a bachelor of science degree in general industries in 1969.
While attending high school and college, he worked at the family's local car dealership. After earning his college diploma, he began selling cars and moved through management positions at Williams Motors until 1979 when he became co-owner.
Williams did not forget his university and has been actively involved in the Alumni Association. He won the Gold Blazer Award for service to the association and A&M-Commerce in 1989.
Williams is active on the Foundation Board and serves on the Executive Committee of the A&M-Commerce Foundation Board of Directors.
And for its financial support of the university, Williams Motors was inducted into the Founder's Circle in 1993.
Williams' service extends to The Texas A&M University System, and he is a member of the Chancellor's Century Council.
Williams says he gives of his time and money to assist A&M-Commerce because the university is "an influence in this region" and its further growth and development are worthy goals.
A Commerce resident since age 3, he volunteers his service to the community in numerous ways. "It's home, and it's good to be able to work within the community and make it better," Williams said.
He is active in the Commerce Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, Friends of the Commerce Public Library, Northeast Texas Children's Museum, Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation, and Commerce Leadership Institute.
Williams was named the Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1986.
He is concerned about health care in the area and serves on the Board of Directors of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.
In the transportation arena, he is treasurer of the Northeast Texas Mobility Council.