East Texan editor
fulfills childhood dream

By Tracy Chesney
University News Service

Released for publication: September 8, 2003

COMMERCE, Texas - As an 8-year-old boy growing up on a hog farm in rural Liberty, Kan., Tommy Felts found a way to reach a different world - he began writing and publishing his own newspapers.

Now, he is a senior at Texas A&M University-Commerce and living his dream as editor of the university newspaper, The East Texan.

Felts said he was recruited to A&M-Commerce by former Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bud Smith and former Dean of Enrollment Management Suzanne Woodley. He received the Clifford Wood Phi Theta Kappa scholarship in April 2002.

"This scholarship and the opportunities within the journalism program were the basis for my coming to Commerce," Felts said.

So when Felts arrived at Commerce last fall, the only unpredictable thing in his life was the Texas weather. But, he was sure of one thing - his career.

"Journalism is something that I think is in my blood somehow," Felts said. "I've always known that it was what I wanted to do in life.

"Hand-written and photocopied, my first attempt at reporting was a humbling experience. However, I loved every second of it. From writing the stories to illustrating comics, I toiled over each of my editions. Handing out copies, I relished in the sight of anyone reading my articles."

As Felts became older, his love for journalism continued to grow. And with age, came the realization that journalism offered something more.

"It became much more than collecting, writing, editing and presenting news," Felts said. "It was an outlet for all my creativity. Through writing style and layout techniques, there was a world of possibilities waiting for me."

During his teenage years, Felts continued to write and edit his schools' newspapers, wrote for several community newspapers and newsletters, and received awards from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association.

"Eventually, another realization came to me," Felts said. "Not only did I enjoy writing, but my true strength was as an editor.

"As a senior in the journalism program at A&M-Commerce, I've had a chance to study under some talented individuals and have learned a lot during my time here."

Now, as editor of The East Texan, Felts puts his many years of experience to work. Fred Stewart, adviser to The East Texan, said the editor is responsible for the total content of newspaper - the design, supervising the other staff members and working effectively with the university community.

"Tommy was named editor because of his professionalism, his journalistic abilities and his strong work ethic," Stewart said. "He is an outstanding journalism student and a very good journalist."

Felts said editing The East Texan is stressful at times but he is rewarded when the finished product hits the racks.

"Journalism offers me something inherently awesome," Felts said. "It is indescribable how I feel when I finish a story, get everything to fit on a page layout, or combine all the visual elements that go into newspaper design. I cannot explain the rush I get when I see the circulation staff put out a stack of newspapers fresh off the press. Knowing that you helped create something that your peers will soon experience is very powerful. As I look over my published work, it is impossible to keep a smile from creeping onto my face."

Felts plans to graduate in the summer or winter of 2004 and hopes to get a job in Texas copy editing, doing layout or reporting at a small community newspaper.

Although he eventually plans to move back to Kansas and pursue a journalism career or a master's degree, he is enjoying campus life at the moment and what the university has to offer.

"The University is doing an admirable job under the current budget crisis," Felts said. "Our administrators are not only maintaining and increasing the beauty of our campus, but are also strengthening student life and academic programs."

Felts is a student senator in A&M-Commerce's Student Government Association, the vice president of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, and an active member of the Pi of Texas Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa.

"Many people cannot understand why I like journalism so much," Felts said. "They wonder why I would enter a field with low pay, fierce competition, and long hours.

"But I find it very hard to explain why I chose journalism as a profession. In my opinion, journalism chose me."

Felts is a 2000 graduate of Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville, Kan. and received an associate of arts degree from Coffeyville Community College.

He is the son of Larry and Ruth Felts of Liberty, Kan.

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