By Goolsby H.R. No. 9 77R4354 MMS-D 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.