APRIL 2022
NEWS & UPDATES
2022 Commencement Activities
Prospective Graduate Photographs
Prospective Graduates:

If you have not had your photograph taken for the 2022 Commencement Exercise, please make arrangements to attend one of the virtual photo sessions, via Zoom, listed below. The sessions are “come and go,” meaning no appointment is necessary; simply show up between the session’s listed hours to be photographed. To access the Zoom session, see the link below; the link is applicable for all sessions. For questions or additional information about the photo session, please email: [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION DETAILS:
Dates/Times (all times are CT):
  • Monday, April 18│2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
  • Tuesday, April 19│10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. & 3:00 P.M - 4:00 P.M.
  • Wednesday, April 20│8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
BE ADVISED THAT THE 1:00 P.M. SESSION ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, IS THE FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATES TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH FOR INCLUSION.
Dress:
Regalia (cap and gown)
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE (MEN- SHIRT, TIE; WOMEN - DRESS/BLOUSE) IS EXPECTED TO BE WORN UNDER YOUR GOWN. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ADDITIONAL CORDS NOR GREEK / ORGANIZATIONAL PARAPHERNALIA WILL BE WORN FOR THE PHOTOGRAPH.
Zoom Information:
Meeting ID: 814 7155 9911
Passcode: 670912

PARTICIPATION NOTICE:
BE ADVISED THAT PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY IS NOT AN APPROVAL TO GRADUATE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH. YOUR PARTICIPATION SERVES AS A NOTICE OF UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COLLEGE AND PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE THAT THE PHOTOGRAPH IS SOLELY A PREPARATORY MEASURE. TO REITERATE, THE TAKING OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPH DOES NOT ENSURE, SIGNIFY, NOR CONFIRM APPROVAL FOR GRADUATION, NOR THAT YOU HAVE SATISFIED ALL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. PHOTOGRAPHS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOT SATISFACTORILY MET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE 2022 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE.
Students, Faculty Recognized by Rotary Club
Dr. Alexei Iakhiaev, Professor of Biology and Physics, and Dr. Jan Duncan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, pose for a photograph with students Darian Williamson and Celia Polsky at the 2022 Annual Young Citizens Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 7.
For 92 years, the Rotary Club of Tyler has celebrated students across Smith County with their Annual Young Citizens Awards Banquet. A tradition that began in 1930, a committee comprised of regional teachers and counselors annually select a young man and young woman from schools throughout Smith County to be recognized at the banquet. Student selections are based upon the principles of citizenship, courtesy, loyalty, honesty, service, dependability, sportsmanship, and leadership. Texas College's 2022 student honorees were Celia Polsky and Darian Williamson.

With their selection, students earned membership to the Rotary Young Citizens Club, as well as receive a certificate in commemoration of the honor. In addition to the aforementioned, students also received the Rotary Club's “Little White Book,” an affectionate longstanding tradition for over the past nine decades. Within this book, every Rotary Young Citizens Club member since the inaugural banquet in 1930 is listed respectively by their school. Throughout the occasion's 92-year history, this meaningful and enduring project has expanded to local Rotary Clubs across the globe.

In addition to the Rotary Club's recognition of students, the organization likewise honors exemplary educators from each institution, awarding the "Teacher of the Year" accolade. Texas College's 2022 Teacher of the Year was Alexei Iakhiaev, PhD.
Celia Polsky is a senior at Texas College and plans to attend dental school upon the completion of her degree at Texas College; ultimately, she aspires to become an oral surgeon. Polsky is also a center back and defensive midfielder for the Steer Women's Soccer Team. Additionally, she serves as Texas College's 2021-2022 Miss UNCF.
Darian Williamson is a sophomore at Texas College with career aspirations to become a football coach at the collegiate level. Additionally, Williamson is also a linebacker for the Steer Football Team.
Dr. Iakhiaev is a longstanding faculty member at Texas College, currently serving as Professor of Biology and Physics. Notably within the past year, Dr. Iakhiaev was awarded two research grants from the National Science Foundation. With a multitude of publications and extensive experience as a biomedical researcher, he undoubtedly brings a wealth of scholarly value to the campus. With the receipt of his recent grants, Dr. Iakhiaev aims to increase the research capacity at Texas College across all disciplines to enhance research experiences for undergraduate students.
Retool Your School
On March 28, the 2022 Home Depot Retool Your School grant competition concluded. Although the results are unofficial, Texas College amassed 702,810 votes, which positioned the College in second place to earn a campus improvement grant of $50,000.
 
The official results will be announced via livestream on Tuesday, April 26, at 5:00 P.M. CST at the Winners' Announcement Ceremony, hosted by actor Laz Alonso.
 
Thank you to every single individual who voted this year! Your valiant and tireless efforts are evident, as 2022's vote total shattered Texas College's previous record of 382,999 votes in 2021. Moreover, Texas College's 2022 vote total ranked second overall, outvoting Cluster 1's first place by nearly 275,000 votes and Cluster 2's first place by nearly 295,000 votes.
 
For your review, provided below is the final vote count for 2022's Cluster 3 (top nine only), as well as information for the Winners' Announcement Ceremony. Thank you, again, for your support of this initiative!
2022 Cluster 3 Final Vote Count
Honors Program
On March 23, Texas College virtually celebrated student academic excellence with the annual Honors Program. The Honors program recognized nearly 250 students across three distinctions of academic excellence:
  1. Presidential Scholars
  2. Dean’s List Scholars
  3. Honor Roll Scholars

To view the 2022 Honors Program, see the video above or click the button below.
Steer Preview Day
Summer Transition Enrichment Program
2022 Summer Academic Calendar
Future Steers
The Texas College Experience
Virtual Tour
Texas College Online Store
To shop Texas College's online store now, please click the button below or visit shoptexascollege.com.
Celebrate 128 Years with a Meaningful Gift
In commemoration of this historic occasion, you are invited to celebrate the 128th Anniversary of Texas College with a meaningful gift of $128 to help support and fulfill the College's mission. Selfless financial contributions as such are undoubtedly paramount in sustaining the College and further helps to ensure 128 more years of providing educational opportunities to all. Contributions may be made online at www.texascollege.edu/give or by clicking the purple button below.

Thank you for your continued support; may God continue to bless Texas College and each of you richly!