By: Gutierrez H.R. No. 337
73R5772 PFG-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 distinguished educator Dr. Miguel Nevarez on his noteworthy
1-3 achievement of being named Border Texan of the Year for 1993; and
1-4 WHEREAS, President of The University of Texas--Pan American,
1-5 Dr. Nevarez has presided over more than a decade of substantial
1-6 progress at the university and has earned the high regard of his
1-7 colleagues and community for the numerous educational gains the
1-8 institution has made since his tenure began in 1981; the sixth
1-9 president of this esteemed university, he is the first Valley
1-10 native to hold the office; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the university has joined The
1-12 University of Texas System, increased enrollment by a remarkable 75
1-13 percent to 13,600 students, and added more than 30 new degree
1-14 programs, including baccalaureate programs in mechanical,
1-15 electrical, and manufacturing engineering, to an already solid
1-16 curriculum; the university is currently developing its first
1-17 doctoral programs in international business and education; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Dr. Nevarez's recognized commitment to academic
1-19 excellence is reflected in the high achievement of university
1-20 students in a wide variety of academic disciplines; students in
1-21 nursing and physical therapy have enjoyed outstanding success on
1-22 professional exams, as have Pan American's accounting graduates,
1-23 and business students in general have benefited from the
1-24 university's business degree programs that rank among the top 20
2-1 percent nationally; and
2-2 WHEREAS, An innovative and visionary educator, Dr. Nevarez
2-3 wisely anticipated the importance of modernization to the
2-4 university's advancement and led the effort to install computers on
2-5 campus in the 1980s; under his direction, the university is
2-6 continuing to keep pace with the latest developments in fiber
2-7 optics, cable, and wireless cable television that will greatly
2-8 enhance and expand the delivery of educational services to the
2-9 entire South Texas community; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Envisioning Pan American's expanded role,
2-11 Dr. Nevarez also founded the university's highly successful
2-12 fund-raising program, which in its first capital campaign raised
2-13 more than twice its initial goal; and
2-14 WHEREAS, In addition, the university's physical campus has
2-15 undergone a significant transformation during Dr. Nevarez's tenure
2-16 with the addition of eight buildings that eventually will be joined
2-17 by a new engineering facility; and
2-18 WHEREAS, A native of Mission, Dr. Nevarez earned a bachelor's
2-19 degree in agriculture from Texas A&I University and a master's
2-20 degree in education from Michigan State University; a skilled
2-21 classroom instructor, he began his accomplished career as a science
2-22 and math teacher and later served as principal of the Navarro
2-23 Elementary School in McAllen; and
2-24 WHEREAS, After earning a Ph.D. in science education from New
2-25 York University, Dr. Nevarez returned to the Rio Grande Valley,
2-26 where he joined the university, then known as Pan American
2-27 University, as dean of students and assistant professor of
3-1 education; before assuming his duties as university president, he
3-2 served a distinguished term as vice-president for student affairs,
3-3 further enhancing his well-deserved reputation as a hardworking,
3-4 caring, and effective administrator; and
3-5 WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Dr. Nevarez has received the
3-6 loving support of his wife, Bianca, and his children, Miguel,
3-7 Annette, and Mark, in all his many endeavors; and
3-8 WHEREAS, Throughout his long and fulfilling career, this
3-9 remarkable educator has presided over years of educational progress
3-10 in the Valley community and has provided strong leadership that
3-11 undoubtedly will soon place The University of Texas--Pan American
3-12 prominently among our nation's great universities; a man of vast
3-13 energy, intelligence, and dedication, Dr. Miguel Nevarez has made
3-14 many meaningful and lasting contributions to the citizens of South
3-15 Texas and is indeed deserving of legislative recognition on his
3-16 latest achievement; now, therefore, be it
3-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-18 Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Miguel Nevarez on being named
3-19 Border Texan of the Year for 1993 and extend to him best wishes for
3-20 his continued success and happiness; and, be it further
3-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-22 prepared for Dr. Nevarez as an expression of high regard by the
3-23 Texas House of Representatives.