R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. James S. Cole of Dallas has been named dean of
1-2 the Baylor College of Dentistry, an institution of The Texas A&M
1-3 University System Health Science Center; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Dr. Cole has been affiliated with the Baylor College
1-5 of Dentistry for almost the whole of his professional career,
1-6 serving as a faculty member and senior administrator; after taking
1-7 a leave of absence to lead the Baylor Oral Health Foundation for
1-8 two years as president and treasurer, he returned to the college to
1-9 assume the interim deanship in December 1999; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Born in Minneapolis, Dr. Cole graduated from Stephen
1-11 F. Austin State University in 1967 with a degree in accounting;
1-12 following college he served with the U.S. Navy, earning a Vietnam
1-13 Service Medal with bronze stars and holding the post of bridge
1-14 officer during the Apollo 13 recovery mission in 1970; he was
1-15 discharged in 1971 with the rank of lieutenant; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Enrolling in the Baylor College of Dentistry,
1-17 Dr. Cole graduated in 1975 and maintained a private practice for
1-18 two years before joining the college's faculty as an instructor in
1-19 operative dentistry; and
1-20 WHEREAS, Moving quickly into the administrative ranks, he
1-21 served from 1981 to 1992 as the college's director of computer
1-22 services; while fulfilling those duties he also assumed, for six
1-23 months in 1990, the office of interim president and dean, and later
1-24 that same year was promoted from vice president to executive vice
2-1 president/associate dean; he has, in addition, held the offices of
2-2 chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and vice dean;
2-3 and
2-4 WHEREAS, In spite of his heavy administrative
2-5 responsibilities, Dr. Cole continues to teach on a part-time basis,
2-6 having been promoted to professor with an appointment in the
2-7 college's department of restorative sciences; and
2-8 WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards from professional
2-9 and civic groups, Dr. Cole was named the 1999 Dentist of the Year
2-10 by the Dallas County Dental Society, an award bestowed in
2-11 appreciation of his many contributions to dental education over the
2-12 years; Dr. Cole is also a fellow in the International College of
2-13 Dentists and the American College of Dentists; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Dr. Cole's proven leadership will be of inestimable
2-15 value to an institution that has become one of the leading dental
2-16 colleges in the nation; founded as a proprietary school in 1905,
2-17 the college was absorbed by Baylor University in 1918 and remained
2-18 part of Baylor until 1971, when it assumed the status of a private,
2-19 nonprofit corporation; since 1995 the college has been part of The
2-20 Texas A&M University System; and
2-21 WHEREAS, In meeting the challenges of his work, Dr. Cole
2-22 finds renewal in the joy and pride that he takes in his family, a
2-23 circle that includes his wife, Barbara, and their two children,
2-24 Katy and Andy; and
2-25 WHEREAS, For 25 years, Dr. Cole's outstanding dedication and
2-26 expertise in the field of dental education have won him the
2-27 admiration and esteem of all who have been privileged to know him,
3-1 and it is truly a pleasure to recognize this accomplished
3-2 individual; now, therefore, be it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-4 Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. James S. Cole on his
3-5 appointment as dean of the Baylor College of Dentistry and extend
3-6 to him sincere best wishes for success and happiness in the years
3-7 to come; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for Dr. Cole as an expression of high regard by the Texas
3-10 House of Representatives.
Goolsby
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 9 was adopted by the House on March
29, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House