Hoyle & Ann Oglesby Julian

Mike Oglesby and Ann (Oglesby) Julian’s father was a carpenter with a fourth-grade education. Their mother had only a year of college. Determined their children would receive the education they did not, Mike and Ann’s parents moved their family from Arkansas to Commerce, Texas. All six children graduated from East Texas State College. Mike and Ann both credit the university for their professional success, personal growth and their respective spouses, Jeanenne and Hoyle, who also are alums of the university.
For Hoyle and Ann (Oglesby) Julian, however, giving back to the university involves less brick and mortar, and more books and tutoring; gifts they feel will pay dividends for generations.
“The tutoring started with one of the football players, Dan DeVega,” Hoyle said. “He needed some help with math, so I started meeting with him a few days a week. Eventually, the coach asked me to take on a few more of his players. I think I’ve had a lot of success working with them because they know I’m there because I want to help, not for money.”
For both Ann and Hoyle, having the ability to meet one-on-one with students for tutoring or advising, and seeing the lights go on is one of the highlights they believe makes A&M-Commerce so unique. It’s that love and respect for the university’s heritage that also brings the Julians back to campus for nearly every university theater production, concert and athletic event.
For Hoyle, however, it’s a love for a university he never thought he’d attend. “I never planned to go to college,” Hoyle said. “I thought I’d be a welder, but when I fractured a bone in my hand, I knew I had to try for something else. Then my dad had a stroke, so I had to stay close to home and tend our dairy farm in Sulphur Springs. A&M-Commerce was close by, so it made the most sense.”
A lot has changed since the Julians attended, but they embrace it nonetheless. “Every building on campus has air-conditioning now,” Ann said. “The only air-conditioned building we had was the student center. Every Monday night we had square dancing at the SUB. Everyone showed up and had a fun time.”

“We have so many fond memories of this university,” she said. “Now it’s just an honor for us to give back.”
(Taken from the Fall 2009 edition of the Pride Alumni Magazine)