By: Johnson, J. H.R. No. 321 73R4942 NBM-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For more than 70 years, Stephen F. Austin State 1-2 University has contributed to the quality of Texas higher 1-3 education, providing an array of challenging course work to prepare 1-4 its students for productive and fulfilling careers; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Founded by the Texas Legislature in 1921, the school 1-6 began as a teacher's college with only 158 students; with the surge 1-7 of college enrollment caused by an influx of returning veterans 1-8 eager to take advantage of the educational opportunities afforded 1-9 by the G.I. Bill after World War II, SFA grew dramatically in size 1-10 and scope; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The university experienced another dramatic period 1-12 of growth and development in the early 1960s, when it began 1-13 attracting students from other areas of the state in increasing 1-14 numbers, becoming a truly statewide institution of higher learning 1-15 for all Texans; and 1-16 WHEREAS, During each era, SFA responded to the wide range of 1-17 interests of its changing student population by increasing its 1-18 spectrum of subject matter and majors to include such programs as 1-19 nursing, social work, criminal justice, agriculture, 1-20 communications, and forestry; and 1-21 WHEREAS, From the school's opening on September 18, 1923, to 1-22 the present, the presidents of this fine institution have, with 1-23 vision and wisdom, contributed to its success; these insightful 1-24 leaders have included Alton William Birdwell, former dean of 2-1 Southwest Texas State Teacher's College; Dr. Paul Lewis Boynton, 2-2 former professor of psychology at George Peabody College; Dr. Ralph 2-3 Wright Steen, former head of the department of history and 2-4 government at Texas A&M University; Dr. William R. Johnson, former 2-5 vice-president for academic affairs at Texas Tech University; Dr. 2-6 Donald E. Bowen, former vice-president for academic affairs at 2-7 Southwest Missouri State University; and Dr. Dan Angel, former 2-8 president of Austin Community College; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Today, this exceptional university educates more 2-10 than 12,500 students each term; with its unique student-oriented 2-11 programs, SFA enjoys substantial popularity within the state's 2-12 university system; and 2-13 WHEREAS, The university's Student Government Association is a 2-14 valuable instrument through which students express concerns and 2-15 suggestions to faculty and staff; comprising an executive, 2-16 legislative, and judicial branch, this group serves as an important 2-17 advocate for student ideas and opinions in the efficient operations 2-18 of this university; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Stephen F. Austin State University has played a 2-20 significant role in the development of this state by imparting 2-21 knowledge to generations of Texans, and the achievements of this 2-22 outstanding institution are indeed worthy of special emphasis and 2-23 recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-25 Legislature hereby recognize Wednesday, February 24, 1993, as 2-26 Stephen F. Austin State University Day at the Capitol and join with 2-27 the students, faculty, and alumni in paying tribute to this great 3-1 institution of learning; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for Stephen F. Austin State University as a commemoration 3-4 of this grand occasion and as an expression of highest regard by 3-5 the Texas House of Representatives.