By Seidlits H.R. No. 129 74R5043 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Throughout his long and productive life Dr. Harry 1-2 Smith has made significant contributions to the vital cause of 1-3 higher education; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born in Austin, this exceptional scholar was 1-5 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of 1-6 arts degree; he continued his higher education at Yale Divinity 1-7 School, where he received a bachelor of divinity degree, and also 1-8 attained a doctor of philosophy degree from Drew University; and 1-9 WHEREAS, He began his career as a campus chaplain at the 1-10 University of North Carolina, serving two tenures in that post 1-11 between 1956 and 1967; in 1968 he became special assistant to the 1-12 chancellor at that institution and brought to that demanding 1-13 position the dedication and discipline that have been the hallmarks 1-14 of all his many efforts; and 1-15 WHEREAS, After nine years as a member of the faculty and 1-16 administrative staff at Yale Divinity School, he took the helm at 1-17 Austin College in 1978, and his productive 15-year presidency there 1-18 was marked by an increase in the size and diversity of the student 1-19 population, a higher level of endowments, and enhanced facilities; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, Dr. Smith is widely respected for his superb 1-22 leadership abilities, and he has served with distinction on the 1-23 boards of the Jno. E. Owens Memorial Foundation; the Committee on 1-24 Higher Education; Presbyterian Church, USA; and the Council of 2-1 Presidents of the Texas Independent Athletic Association; he also 2-2 was secretary/treasurer of the Southern University Conference; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Also active in a variety of worthy civic concerns, 2-4 he has given freely of his time and talents to such worthy 2-5 organizations as the Sherman Chamber of Commerce, the Texoma Area 2-6 Boy Scouts of America, the Sherman Community Players, the Home 2-7 Hospice of Grayson County, and the United Way; and 2-8 WHEREAS, For his exemplary achievements at Austin College, 2-9 Dr. Smith was awarded The Founder's Medal, and he also was 2-10 designated as co-recipient of the Homer P. Rainey Award at the 2-11 college's 1994 commencement exercises; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Through his many varied contributions Dr. Harry 2-13 Smith always has sought to create an atmosphere highly conducive to 2-14 learning, and his exceptional accomplishments in this regard are 2-15 indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, 2-16 be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby commend Dr. Harry Smith for his invaluable 2-19 contributions in the field of higher education in Texas; and, be it 2-20 further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for Dr. Smith as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-23 House of Representatives.