H.C.R. No. 80
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Bill Dean has profoundly influenced the higher
1-2 education of countless young college students throughout his
1-3 distinguished affiliation with Texas Tech University; and
1-4 WHEREAS, For more than two decades, Dr. Dean has served as an
1-5 indispensable faculty member of the School of Mass Communications,
1-6 in which capacity he has earned the lasting regard of his
1-7 colleagues and students alike for the interesting and passionate
1-8 manner with which he approaches his work each day; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Dr. Dean's "Introduction to Mass Communications"
1-10 course is a perennial favorite among students on campus regardless
1-11 of their chosen major; despite the fact that it is a survey course
1-12 in which he must address a wide audience, this remarkable educator
1-13 manages to make the material come alive for his students, and many
1-14 who have been taught by this gifted speaker have gone on to pursue
1-15 their chosen careers inspired by the words and actions of Dr. Dean;
1-16 and
1-17 WHEREAS, A survey of recent Texas Tech graduates conducted by
1-18 the Office of Institutional Research recognized Dr. Dean as among
1-19 the top 15 percent of all instructors named for quality
1-20 undergraduate teaching, and his popularity with his students is
1-21 based in part on his proven ability to demonstrate to them the
1-22 relevance of mass communications in their everyday lives; and
1-23 WHEREAS, The advent of satellites, fiber optics, and cable
1-24 television access has brought about continuous change in this
2-1 dynamic field and this element naturally draws to it individuals
2-2 such as Dr. Dean, who are attracted to the discipline by the
2-3 challenges presented by its evolutionary nature; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Dr. Dean has shared his considerable insight and
2-5 expertise with his colleagues in the field of education for many
2-6 years as a valued member of numerous professional organizations,
2-7 including the American Association of University Professors, the
2-8 Association for Education in Journalism, the Columbia Scholastic
2-9 Press Advisers Association, the National Council of College
2-10 Publications Advisers, the Texas Association of College Teachers,
2-11 the Journalism Education Association, and Phi Delta Kappa; and
2-12 WHEREAS, His distinguished service and myriad achievements in
2-13 his chosen field have earned Dr. Dean a host of well-deserved
2-14 accolades, such as the 1994 President's Award for Excellence in
2-15 Teaching, the Teacher Innovation Award presented by the Mass
2-16 Communications Advisory Committee, and Mortar Board and Omicron
2-17 Delta Kappa's Outstanding Faculty Member award, to name but a few;
2-18 and
2-19 WHEREAS, This fine gentleman also has long given generously
2-20 of his time and talents to serve as a student adviser for numerous
2-21 high school and college publications, and his ability to
2-22 successfully channel his students' enthusiasm and energy has
2-23 enabled many young people to create publications that will remain
2-24 evocative of this special time in their lives throughout the years
2-25 to come; and
2-26 WHEREAS, During his long and rewarding affiliation with
2-27 Lubbock High School, the school's newspaper earned the
3-1 distinguished All-American award for eight consecutive semesters
3-2 and was one of only five secondary school publications in the
3-3 nation to earn the prestigious Pacemaker Award given by the
3-4 American Newspaper Publishers Association; as a result of Dr.
3-5 Dean's valuable guidance, the school's yearbook also earned
3-6 All-American honors, as has the Texas Tech University yearbook and
3-7 newspaper; and
3-8 WHEREAS, Dr. Bill Dean has set an inspiring example of
3-9 leadership and professional excellence throughout his career, and
3-10 it is fitting that he be honored for his extraordinary achievements
3-11 in the field of higher education; now, therefore, be it
3-12 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-13 hereby commend Dr. Bill Dean on his outstanding career as an
3-14 educator and extend to him sincere best wishes for many more years
3-15 of continued success and fulfillment in the classroom; and, be it
3-16 further
3-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-18 prepared for Dr. Dean as an expression of highest regard by the
3-19 Legislature of the State of Texas.