COMMERCE, Texas - Texas A&M University-Commerce faculty members with long service to the school have been honored.

Recognized at a dinner hosted by A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland were Dr. Lamar Bridges, mass media, communication, and theatre department, 25 years; Dr. R. Dan Creider, computer science and information systems department, 30 years; and Dr. Charles Elliott, political science department, 35 years.

Also honored were Dr. Ann Moseley, literature and languages, 35 years; and Dr. Harry Fullwood, psychology and special education, 40 years.

"There is no way I can calculate your impact as faculty and the impact on the lives of the students," McFarland told those being recognized at a dinner in their honor.

In recognizing the faculty members, their department head spoke briefly followed by a response from those honored.

"Lamar Bridges is a First Amendment man," said Dr. John Hanners, noting that Bridges is knowledgeable in freedom of the press and legal case issues. "He's one of the best professors I have ever had in the department," said Hanners, mass media, communication and theatre department head.

"Thanks for the opportunity to be here 25 years," Bridges said, noting his focus has been on the students.

Creider is "steady and loyal. He gets the job done," said Dr. Bob Collins, interim computer science department head. "He's been invaluable to me," Collins said.

Working at A&M-Commerce has been "interesting," Creider said.

"I tried to leave but something kept me here," he added.

"Charles Elliott is a citizen scholar and for the university and community that's a great combination," said Dr. Paul Lenchner, political science department head.

Elliott serves on the Commerce Planning and Zoning Commission, assists with the Commerce Food Pantry, and is active in church activities, the United Way, and his political party.

"One of the nice things about my career is that I've done things I would have done anyway for the fun of it," Elliott said.

An expert on American writer Willa Cather, Moseley is "well known and well respected," said Dr. Salvatore Attardo, head of the literature and languages department.

Moseley and her parents are graduates of A&M-Commerce.

"When I think about this time in my life, ET contributed a lot in my life," Moseley said.

Fullwood has gone "above and beyond" in helping the psychology and special education department, especially in working on grants, said Dr. Tracy Henley, department head.

"I don't know of anyone more involved in every facet of campus life. Harry probably knows everyone and they know Harry," Henley said with a laugh.

Fullwood said that he had had a "great 40 years at the university. I've loved it here and it was a great career," he said.

Not present at the dinner but other longstanding faculty are Dr. Dale Funderburk, accounting, economics, and finance, 40 years; Dr. Don English, business administration and MIS, 35 years; and Dr. Jon Jonz, literature and languages, 30 years.

FIRST AMENDMENT MAN - Dr. John Hanners (standing), head of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Mass Media, Communication and Theatre, says a few words of praise about Dr. Lamar Bridges (seated left). Bridges, a journalism professor with 25 years of service with the university, is knowledgeable in First Amendment freedom of the press and law cases. Seated at right is Dr. James Klein, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  (A&M-Commerce photo/Paul Bryan)

COMPUTER SCIENTIST HONORED - Dr. R. Dan Creider of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Computer Science and Information Systems talks briefly about his years at the university. Creider, who has been on the faculty 30 years, was among several faculty recently honored for years of service. (A&M-Commerce photo/Paul Bryan) 

ELLIOTT HONORED - Dr. Charles Elliott, political science faculty member at Texas A&M University-Commerce, speaks at a dinner honoring faculty with 25 or more years of service. Elliott has worked at A&M-Commerce for 35 years. (A&M-Commerce photo/Paul Bryan)

FULLWOOD HONORED - Dr. Harry Fullwood (third from left) holds a gift given to him in honor of his 40th year of service with Texas A&M University-Commerce. Fullwood teaches in the Department of Psychology and Special Education. From left are Dr. Brent Mangus, dean of the College of Education and Human Services; Dr. Tracy Henley, psychology and special education department head; Fullwood; Fullwood's wife, Virginia; and Dr. Keith McFarland, A&M-Commerce president. (A&M-Commerce photo/Paul Bryan)

MOSELEY HONORED - Dr. Ann Moseley, literature and languages faculty at Texas A&M University-Commerce, talks about her 35 years at the university. Moseley was among several faculty honored at a dinner hosted by President Keith McFarland. (A&M-Commerce photo/Paul Bryan)