Dr. Emily Cutrer
/Dr. Emily Cutrer
Four States Living Tribute To Women
photo by ANITA PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY
In January 2013, Dr. Emily Cutrer was appointed President of Texas A&M University-Texarkana. A historian at heart, Emily and her husband, Tom, also a cultural historian and Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, immediately became immersed in the Texarkana community. Even with a schedule that would be daunting to most, Emily enjoys helping students realize their full potential and serves on the boards of a myriad of community organizations.
Kate, Jessica, Will, Emily, and Tom during Will and Jessica’s wedding in Austin, Texas, on December 29, 2012.
A native Texan, Dr. Emily Cutrer was born in San Antonio and raised there and in Houston. She attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia, and later The University of Texas at Austin where she earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in American Studies and began her academic career as a faculty member in American Studies and Art History. Emily’s book “The Art of the Woman: The Life and Work of Elisabet Ney,” was awarded the Texas Institute of Letters Award for Best Book by a Texas Author in 1988. She has also written numerous articles and contributed chapters to several other books.
A source of great joy to Emily is her family – children Kate and Will (and wife Jessica) - both of whom are also educators, as was Emily’s mother who was a science teacher. Few things bring a brighter smile to her face than her beloved grandchildren, Olivia (21⁄2) and Keegan (6 months).
Although overseeing a university takes up much of her time, Emily still finds enough hours in the day to be involved in the arts in some way. While here in Texarkana, she has become involved with REDI (Regional Economic Development, Inc.), United Way of Greater Texarkana, Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC), LIFT (Leadership Initiative for Texarkana), St. James Church and Day School, and the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.
Emily’s parents always told her that she could do whatever she wanted to do. And her children and husband always inspire her to do her very best in all endeavors. “I’m curious about the world and very tenacious in fighting for what I believe in – whether it’s other people or issues I think are important,” Emily admits.
Firmly believing that listening to young people keeps you young, Emily loves to invest her time and efforts into advising young women today who might need encouragement and reassurance. The advice she would give them would be to “live outside of their comfort zones. Seize opportunity. Take chances.”
Texarkana residents look forward to watching Dr. Cutrer continue to lead TAMU-T and seeing the steady growth of the university.
The Way Julia Mobley sees her
My dear friend, Emily Cutrer, is one of the loveliest brilliant women I know. As President of Texas A&M University-Texarkana, her visionary leadership coupled with her grounded and pragmatic approach have certainly been an immense benefit to the university and to our region. Her quest for lifelong learning and passion for instilling the value of education in A&M-Texarkana students is obvious. And her commitment to her students runs deep – whether teaching an introductory class to incoming freshmen, cheering on student athletes, or having student groups over for barbecue in her back yard – she invests her time in getting to know them personally, and they adore her.
A gracious hostess and accomplished cook, Emily loves to entertain friends with a formal dinner or a Cajun crawfish boil. Word has it she’s also a formidable mahjong player. Emily is an elegant woman who puts everyone at ease from the moment they meet her.
Our community is certainly fortunate to have Emily Cutrer as a leader, and my life has been enriched immeasurably by her friendship.
FUN FACTS
What is something unique about you that most people would not know?
“When I was a television news intern back in the 1970s, I got in the boxing ring to film Muhammad Ali.”
If you could have dinner with one person, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
“My husband.”
If you could travel to space, and it was free, would you go?
“I would hope so, but my family would laugh at that answer because they know I don’t even like flying in a commercial airliner—though I do all the time.”
What music do you listen to in your vehicle?
“Oldies, which for me is anything from the ’40s (my parents’ generation) through the ’70s.”
What did you imagine yourself being when you were growing up? “Either Nancy Drew or Lois Lane, and, actually, as an historian, I identify as both a detective and a writer.”
What is the last gift you gave someone?
“A whole bunch of little girl and baby boy clothes to my grandchildren (and their parents). Shopping for grandchildren is so much fun!”
What is your favorite meal that you order regularly at a local establishment?
“I hate to admit it, but my all-time favorite dish, since I was a small child, is fried shrimp, and there are several places in Texarkana where I like to order it.”
If there was a movie produced about your life, which actress would portray you?
“I’d like to think Sigourney Weaver but more likely Maggie Smith.”