[Students] Michael Johnson to Speak November 13th

[Jane Martyn]

Come enjoy an evening with cowboy and award-winning author Michael Johnson
when he speaks at Texas A&M University-Commerce on Tuesday, Nov. 13.  The
Commerce Area Alumni Chapter is sponsoring the event at 7 p.m. in the
Performing Arts Center.  All proceeds will go to scholarships awarded by the
Commerce Area Alumni Chapter.

Johnson, who earned bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in psychology
and counseling from A&M-Commerce, has won the prestigious Spur award from
the Western Writers of America for "Healing Shine," the best audio book of
2007. "This award puts Michael Johnson in the ranks of Elmer Kelton and Tony
Hillerman in Western literature," said Dr. Fred Tarpley, A&M-Commerce
Professor Emeritus of Literature and Languages and vice president of the
Alumni Chapter.

The audio book, which is about Johnson's roping horse Shine, also won first
place at the Hollywood Book Festival. His other award-winning books include
"The Most Special Person, Susie - The Whispering Horse," and "Cowboys and
Angels," named Best Non-Fiction Book of 2002 by the Oklahoma Writers'
Federation. His stories are heard on National Public Radio and his
nationally syndicated column, "Throwing My Loop," is read by thousands each
month. Johnson makes speaking appearances throughout the U.S. and Canada. He
especially enjoys speaking to teachers because as a youth he was diagnosed
with below average I.Q. A teacher helped him to excel.

A former industrial psychologist for the Department of Defense and safety
engineer for a large industrial plant, Johnson taught graduate engineering
for 10 years in a joint program of the Defense Department and Texas A&M
University.

Tickets to Johnson's Nov. 13 program at A&M-Commerce are $5 for adults and
$3 for students. To reserve tickets, call the Alumni Office at 903-886-5765.
Tickets can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Alumni Office
and in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 13
prior to the performance.

All proceeds will go to scholarships awarded by the Commerce Area Alumni
Chapter.
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