R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, On June 1, 2001, Dr. Edwin L. "Lanny" Hall opens a
1-2 new chapter in his distinguished and multifaceted career as he
1-3 steps down as president of Hardin-Simmons University and takes up
1-4 the office of university chancellor; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Since becoming president of Hardin-Simmons in 1991,
1-6 Dr. Hall has overseen tremendous growth in a number of key areas;
1-7 total enrollment at the university has increased by 28 percent, to
1-8 2,300 students, while the number of graduate students has risen
1-9 from 130 to an all-time high of 352, reflecting the addition of
1-10 five new graduate programs; the Institute for Leadership and a
1-11 tuition guarantee program have also been established during his
1-12 tenure; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Under Dr. Hall's direction, the endowment of
1-14 Hardin-Simmons has grown from $31 million to $75 million, and
1-15 fund-raising campaigns have secured over $40 million; four new
1-16 buildings have been constructed and six have undergone major
1-17 renovation; further building and renovation projects, worth $6
1-18 million, are scheduled to begin this year; and
1-19 WHEREAS, The career of this accomplished educator has spanned
1-20 high school teaching, service in Washington, D.C., on the staffs of
1-21 the National Commission on Water Quality and the U.S. House of
1-22 Representatives Public Works and Transportation Committee, and a
1-23 stint as special assistant to the house majority leader; and
1-24 WHEREAS, From 1979 to 1984 Dr. Hall represented the Fort
2-1 Worth/Tarrant County area in the Texas House of Representatives,
2-2 during which time he served on the appropriations, transportation,
2-3 public education, and higher education committees; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Before moving to Hardin-Simmons, he established his
2-5 administrative reputation as executive vice president and chief
2-6 academic officer at Howard Payne University and as president of
2-7 Wayland Baptist University; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Dr. Hall holds bachelor's and master's degrees from
2-9 the University of North Texas and a doctorate in educational
2-10 administration from The University of Texas at Austin; in 1996 he
2-11 completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard
2-12 University; and
2-13 WHEREAS, He has served with the National Commission on
2-14 Retirement Policy, as chairman of the Board of Independent Colleges
2-15 and Universities of Texas, as a member of the board of the
2-16 Association of Texas Colleges and Universities, as chairman of the
2-17 Abilene United Way Campaign, and as a director of the Abilene
2-18 Chamber of Commerce, to name only a few of his myriad professional
2-19 and civic activities; and
2-20 WHEREAS, In his new post as chancellor of Hardin-Simmons, Dr.
2-21 Hall will teach classes in leadership and political science on a
2-22 part-time basis and continue his fund-raising efforts in behalf of
2-23 the university; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Through his vision and guidance, this notable Texan
2-25 has contributed immeasurably to the reputation Hardin-Simmons
2-26 enjoys as a vital center of higher education, and it is indeed a
2-27 great pleasure and privilege to recognize his tremendous dedication
3-1 and numerous achievements; now, therefore, be it
3-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-3 Legislature hereby honor Dr. Edwin L. "Lanny" Hall on the occasion
3-4 of his retirement as president of Hardin-Simmons University and
3-5 extend to him sincere best wishes as he assumes the mantle of
3-6 university chancellor; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-8 prepared for Dr. Hall as an expression of high regard by the Texas
3-9 House of Representatives.
Hunter
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1210 was adopted by the House on May
23, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House