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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Dr. Thomas Reagan Mitchell upon the occasion of his |
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retirement from Texas A&M International University as a regents |
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professor and provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, An acclaimed professor of American Literature, |
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Dr. Mitchell began his academic career at Laredo Junior College |
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in 1973; he joined the Department of Humanities at Texas A&M |
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International University as an associate professor of English in |
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1998, specializing in mid-nineteenth century American |
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literature; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell served in many leadership positions |
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at Texas A&M International University, including as the dean of |
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the College of Arts and Sciences, the chair of the Department of |
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Language, Literature, and Fine Arts, and as a two-term president |
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of the Faculty Senate; in 2016, he became the interim provost and |
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vice president for Academic Affairs and soon after took over the |
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position permanently; and |
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WHEREAS, An astute and exemplary leader, Dr. Mitchell has |
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served the university with a vision for excellence during his |
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seven-year tenure as provost; he helped guide the faculty and |
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students through the COVID-19 pandemic, and his focus on cultural |
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diversity has created an academic environment centered on |
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awareness, respect, and receptivity; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has had a rewarding career as a |
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distinguished professor and an esteemed administrator, and his |
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contributions to education have greatly benefited the Laredo |
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community and beyond; a public servant, he is admired and |
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respected by his colleagues, students, and peers, and his |
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presence at Texas A&M International University will be greatly |
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missed; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commend Dr. Thomas |
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Mitchell on his many years of service to Texas A&M International |
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University and to the Lone Star State, and extend to him best |
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wishes for continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |