H.R. No. 1092 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Dorothy M. Leavitt retired from her post as dean of 1-2 admissions and records at Sul Ross State University on November 30, 1-3 1994, drawing to a close a distinguished career in higher education 1-4 that has spanned more than a quarter of a century; and 1-5 WHEREAS, "Dot" as she is known to her friends, was born in 1-6 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to Elmer and Mamie Marlin; as a young 1-7 woman, she married William "Bill" Leavitt with whom she has enjoyed 1-8 a happy partnership at home and at Sul Ross State University where 1-9 he also was employed for many years until his recent retirement; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, 1-12 Ms. Leavitt taught school and worked as a professional secretary in 1-13 Tennessee before relocating to the Lone Star State; shortly after 1-14 her first child was born, she earned her master's degree from Sul 1-15 Ross State University in 1958 and, over the course of the next 1-16 decade, devoted herself to raising her exuberant family of three 1-17 boys, George, William, and John on a full-time basis; and 1-18 WHEREAS, In 1968 she accepted a position with Sul Ross State 1-19 University as a guest instructor in the business administration 1-20 department, a job that would propel her to posts of increasing 1-21 responsibility within the next few years; after winning promotion 1-22 to full instructor, she took on the task of teaching most of the 1-23 typing and shorthand courses at the university, and, being duly 1-24 recognized for her organizational skills and the excellent rapport 2-1 she enjoyed with her students, was considered a natural choice for 2-2 the job of university registrar when it became available in 1975; 2-3 and 2-4 WHEREAS, For the next 16 years, this accomplished 2-5 professional presided over the registrar's office with 2-6 characteristic aplomb, while still finding time in her busy 2-7 schedule to teach one course per semester; during this period, she 2-8 reached another rewarding milestone in her career when she was made 2-9 an assistant professor; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Ms. Leavitt was named dean of admissions and records 2-11 at Sul Ross State University in 1991, in which role she performed 2-12 with admirable dedication and set high standards to which others 2-13 may aspire; and 2-14 WHEREAS, A member of several prominent state and national 2-15 professional organizations, Ms. Leavitt is active in a host of 2-16 university and civic groups as well, having served as secretary of 2-17 the university's ex-student association, as an officeholder in 2-18 Pilot Club International, and as a sponsor of the Texas Chi Chapter 2-19 of Alpha Chi, in addition to her many other worthwhile 2-20 affiliations; and 2-21 WHEREAS, Retirement has afforded this vibrant woman the 2-22 opportunity to enjoy her golden years with her husband, Bill, in 2-23 the company of their children and grandchildren, and to pursue her 2-24 many personal interests such as camping and playing bridge; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Throughout her remarkable tenure, Dot Leavitt 2-26 contributed immeasurably to the success of Sul Ross State 2-27 University and though her departure has left a void, her friends 3-1 and colleagues have taken pleasure in knowing that she is enjoying 3-2 a happy and well-deserved retirement; now, therefore, be it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-4 Legislature hereby commend Dorothy M. Leavitt for her extraordinary 3-5 service to Sul Ross State University and extend to her best wishes 3-6 for continued happiness and success; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-8 prepared for Ms. Leavitt as an expression of highest regard by the 3-9 Texas House of Representatives.