I could not delete this message so this is all I can do.

IF that is true it is not cool. Many universities are represented in this area. SFA has a quality music dept. but just b/c he is going to school there doesn't automatically make it "better".

Kids choose their colleges for many different reasons and he should support wherever they choose to go...even if it isn't SFA.

There are many different options in Texas and in Oklahoma and Louisiana...and all the ones who come to mind have quality music depts.

UT
UNT
UofH
TTU
Baylor
WTAMU
SHSU
TCU
Rice
TxState
SFA
Northwestern St.
OU
Oklahoma St

Someone could do a lot worse than the ones listed above.

Since I am the director at TJC and am the only one finishing my masters degree at SFA, I assume you are talking about me, Tom Mensch.

All I have to say is that I am a human being and prone to foot in mouth disease as much as anyone else. If I said anything against any other college and it offended you I heartily apologize.

I have no idea what college you heard me utter disparaging remarks about. When I recruit students I encourage them to pursue all options. I would ask that you email me (anonymously if you wish) so I can apologize publicly for any perceived bashing of any of my colleagues or the institutions that they work for. If you feel that you need to publicize any of these remarks on this board, that is your choice.

As towards the statement that I am "being handed a masters degree from SFA", I would encourage you to talk to my wife who has witnessed first hand the toll that working on this degree has taken. It has required a tremendous amount of sacrifice and four years of my sweat and tears as well as a sacrifice from the other directors at Tyler Junior College who have had to pick up my slack!

I have great relationships with many of the directors throughout the East Texas Area and encourage ALL of them to let me know when I do or say something stupid. Pull me in a room and give me the tongue lashing I deserve so that I can learn from it!

I could completely understand if you were to air such issues if I was unwilling to listen or to apologize for any behavior deemed unprofessional. But please give me the opportunity to make amends to you personally before you bring such an issue to a public forum such as this.

You're right. I should not have called you out in public. But I do not know you personally or have even met you. All I know is that you have done a fantastic job at TJC as I remember what it use to be like and I was deeply offended by some of the things said about my alma mater...which are not true.

Any other concerns I will send through personal message.

Thanks and continue the terrific job you're doing at TJC...and don't drink too much of the purple kool-aid.

I hope to hear from you soon, I think my email address is on my profile, if not here is my school address:
tmen@tjc.edu


And thank you for being so cordial in your response!!

Although, I haven't been able to spend enough time in Nac to find out what the purple cool aid is! I drive from Chandler to Nac to Tyler about twice a week so there isn't much time!

This issue appears to be taking care of itself, but I wanted to clear up a few things before this gets out of hand via some other person.

Tom Mensch is one of the greatest men that I have ever met. He is hard-working and cares deeply for his colleagues, friends, and students. I have witnessed, first-hand, several instances in which Tom has DIRECTLY disciplined his students for degrading other schools, whether they be a High School or a major 4-year university. His integrity and humility in this matter are unwavering, as seen by his reply to this topic. Being a lesser man than he, I have been prone to attempt to cause Tom to speak negatively about certain schools, to which he SWIFTY reprimands me for even suggesting that a university is of lesser quality than TJC or SFA. I am not sure where the information comes from, but (and this goes for any situation) unless we have heard FIRSTHAND that Tom or any other director has been talking negatively about a program, we need to halt the rumor immediately. It is our responsibility as responsible Musicians and Texans to ensure that a man's credibility, his life's work, and his integrity are esteemed highly unless he proves personally to you that he does not deserve such honor. Tom is one of the hardest-working men I know and I will stand on that statement.

As for SFA handing him his degree, I completely disagree. I have watched Tom LABOR for this degree for several years, putting in long hours of time, and many more hours of struggle just to get his work done! I am not sure who is saying these things, or why this rumor has been started, but Tom has done nothing but WORK for this degree.

I am glad that this issue is solving itself, but I felt that this must be added in order to ensure that no mans' good reputation is ripped undeservedly away from him.

I'm very concerned to hear mention that Tom Mensch has been bashing other bands, and not to mention the fact that he has been "basically handed" his degree. I have known Tom for approximately 9 years now, and I've never seen a man so dedicated to his multiple responsibilities. The Tyler Junior College band program has come a long way since he has taken over that position, and it's due to he and his colleagues' time and hard work. I have attended many TJC football games, and every time that there was any kind of trash talk about another school he stepped off of the podium and addressed the situation, he never encouraged anything like that to take place. As far as his degree goes, he is equally dedicated. There is nothing that has been "handed" to him. He takes the same classes as everyone else, works just as hard to obtain and maintain the grades he has, and he doesn't get any slack for being the head director of a college program. He works just as hard as everyone else. The professors at Stephen F. Austin are dedicated to what they do, and I even know Dr. David Campo to be a great influence to his band members. They both agree that putting down other band programs shows poor character and that people are to be treated with respect. Tom Mensch is a great christian mentor, he has an amazing heart, and he loves what he does. The accomplishments of his studies and his programs show just that.

I have known Tom Mensch quite well for seven years. I have never known him to insult other institutions. In fact, if he ever hears a student saying a rude remark, especially a rumor, about another director, he always acts quickly to ensure that the student does not say anything else. He has a great deal of respect from the musicians of East Texas due to his hard work, determination, kindness, and a great Christian attitude.

Another topic I would like to address is the idea that Stephen F. Austin State University would simply "hand out" a master's degree. The staff at SFA takes a great amount of pride in both their work and the name of their school. These educators and administrators would never do anything to jeopardize the reputation of their school or their own careers. I have seen Tom work diligently on his Master's Degree while still performing his duties at TJC in an exemplary manner. Tom Mensch does not try to "sell" SFA to his students just because he goes there himself. Many TJC students transfer to SFA due to its quality and closeness to home. However, it should be noted that Tom's students have transferred to many institutions other than SFA, which include University of Houston, Northwestern State University, University of Texas at Arlington, East Texas Baptist University, Oklahoma State University, University of Texas at Tyler, Texas Tech University, Texas State University, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and Hardin-Simmons University, just to name a few.

The bottom line is that I feel truly blessed to have met and worked under Tom Mensch. He is an amazing band director and an amazing person.

My daughter was in the TJC Band and what I have seen of Tom Mensch is someone that goes all out for his band members. To see someone come against him publicly like this is totally unprofessional. I am proud that my daughter was able to be a member of his band. Mr. & Mrs. Mensch you are doing a great job at TJC.

Sounds like someone heard something that is not true and decided to bash a great band director.

Tom goes out of his way to run a quality program with honor.

If you heard Tom say something that offended you should talk to him.

Don't come on this board bashing a man many youth admire.

It only makes you look foolish

I thank every one of you that have come to my defense, but just so you know this situation has been resolved positively.

There is no animosity between myself and ETxDirector (who has every right to be upset about someone dissing their alma mater) and we have worked together to resolve the issue.

As I shared with ETxDirector, I have had many students transfer to the alma mater involved and have great relations with a number of the faculty at this institution.

I pray that everyone has a restful spring break and that you all have a successful Concert & Sightreading Contest!

Of course that may mean practicing over spring break, I know I will be! Have a recital coming up!