By Alonzo, Berlanga H.R. No. 588 74R10385 PFG-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes special 1-2 pride in honoring Dr. Robert E. Witt on his selection as interim 1-3 president of The University of Texas at Arlington; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Having served as dean of the Graduate School of 1-5 Business and the College of Business Administration at The 1-6 University of Texas at Austin since 1986, he brings to his new role 1-7 a wealth of valuable experience garnered over the course of his 1-8 multifaceted career as an administrator and an esteemed professor 1-9 of marketing; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A 1962 graduate of Bates College, Dr. Witt earned a 1-11 master's degree in business administration from the prestigious 1-12 Amos Tuck School of Dartmouth College in 1964 and a doctoral degree 1-13 from Pennsylvania State University in 1968; he joined the faculty 1-14 of The University of Texas at Austin later that same year as an 1-15 assistant professor; and 1-16 WHEREAS, A gifted instructor who gained the admiration of his 1-17 colleagues for his mastery of marketing principles, he was chosen 1-18 to chair the department in 1973 and served in that capacity until 1-19 1983, when he was named the university's associate dean for 1-20 academic affairs; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Over the course of his fine tenure, Dr. Witt has 1-22 been a faculty member of the university's executive development 1-23 program and frequently has been called on to share his expertise as 1-24 a member of numerous academic committees charged with guiding the 2-1 direction of the college and its programs; and 2-2 WHEREAS, His extensive professional affiliations include 2-3 membership in the American Marketing Association and the 2-4 Association for Consumer Research, as well as two distinguished 2-5 terms on the editorial review board of the Journal of Marketing; 2-6 and 2-7 WHEREAS, Dr. Witt is a recognized authority in his field who 2-8 has published a number of respected works examining the 2-9 psychological and social aspects of consumer behavior; in 2-10 recognition of the vast contributions he has made to his chosen 2-11 discipline, he holds both the Centennial Chair in Business 2-12 Education Leadership and the Betty and Glenn Mortimer Centennial 2-13 Professorship in Business at the university; and 2-14 WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous well-deserved accolades, 2-15 Dr. Witt was honored with the Top Hand Award by the university's 2-16 ex-students association and he also has been recognized with 2-17 several awards for teaching excellence; and 2-18 WHEREAS, In addition to meeting the myriad demands of his 2-19 profession, he has shared his time and talent as a board member of 2-20 a number of prominent businesses and civic organizations, including 2-21 the Austin Symphony, the Life Partners Group, and La Quinta Realty 2-22 Corporation, and he currently serves in an advisory capacity to 2-23 Post Oak Bank and Frost National Bank; and 2-24 WHEREAS, On the home front, he enjoys an especially rewarding 2-25 marriage with his wife, Anne, and their marriage has been blessed 2-26 with two children, Peter and Karen, in whom they take great pride; 2-27 and 3-1 WHEREAS, For nearly three decades, Dr. Robert Witt has 3-2 presided over many significant developments as a professor and 3-3 administrator for The University of Texas at Austin and he is 3-4 certain to fulfill his new responsibilities at the helm of the UT 3-5 Arlington campus with characteristic skill and dedication; as he 3-6 prepares to begin yet another chapter in his challenging career, it 3-7 is fitting that he be honored for his longstanding commitment to 3-8 excellence in education; now, therefore, be it 3-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-10 Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Robert E. Witt on his selection 3-11 as interim president of The University of Texas at Arlington and 3-12 extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and 3-13 happiness; and, be it further 3-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-15 prepared for Dr. Witt as an expression of highest regard by the 3-16 Texas House of Representatives.