By Gallego H.R. No. 1092
74R13540 PFG-D
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.