78S41556 JHS-D

By:  Madden                                                       H.R. No. 306



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Dr. Franklyn Jenifer, longtime president of The 
University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), has announced his impending 
retirement from this prestigious post, and he is most deserving of 
special recognition for his exemplary 10-year tenure; and
	WHEREAS, Nationally known and respected in the field of 
higher education, Dr. Jenifer joined UTD as president in 1994, and 
since that time the university's enrollment has increased by more 
than 61 percent to nearly 14,000; the school has benefited from the 
addition of several new facilities, including buildings for the 
School of Management, the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and 
Computer Science, and the Callier Center for Communication 
Disorders; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Jenifer previously served as president of Howard 
University, where he also earned bachelor's and master's degrees in 
microbiology; he received his Ph.D. in plant virology from the 
University of Maryland and enjoyed a successful teaching career 
before moving into administration, including terms as vice 
chancellor of the New Jersey Department of Higher Education and 
chancellor of the Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher 
Education; and
	WHEREAS, Few individuals have contributed more to the success 
and growth of The University of Texas at Dallas than Dr. Jenifer; 
his outstanding efforts and supreme dedication have helped the 
university achieve newfound status as one of the country's leaders 
in space science, audiology, nanotechnology, and sickle cell 
disease research, among other disciplines and specialties, and it 
is most rewarding to honor this esteemed gentleman at this time; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby commend Dr. Franklyn 
Jenifer for his achievements as president of The University of 
Texas at Dallas and extend best wishes to him for continued success 
and happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Dr. Jenifer as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.