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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Wayland Baptist University in Plainview is marking |
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the 100th anniversary of its founding during the 2008-2009 school |
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year, and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to pay |
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tribute to this respected place of learning; and |
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WHEREAS, The university takes its name from Dr. James H. |
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Wayland, a Plainview physician who, at the turn of the 20th century, |
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realized the need for a Christian-based institution of higher |
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education in the Texas Panhandle region; Dr. Wayland and his wife, |
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Sarah, donated $10,000 and 25 acres of land to help make this vision |
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a reality, and they received vital support from the churches of the |
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Staked Plains Baptist Association; through these combined efforts, |
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the college was chartered in 1908 as the Wayland Literary and |
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Technical Institute; the first classes convened in 1910, and that |
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same year, the institution changed its name to Wayland Baptist |
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College; and |
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WHEREAS, Building on a strong foundation of religious faith, |
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Wayland has prepared generations of students for professional |
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success, lifelong learning, and meaningful service to others; the |
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college has stayed true to this mission while adapting to an |
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ever-changing world, and its notable legacy of innovation and |
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progressive action has been evident through the decades; and |
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WHEREAS, Wayland Baptist University was a pioneer in regard |
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to racial integration and has also played a leading role in |
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educating young people from other countries; moreover, the famed |
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Flying Queens women's basketball team helped open new doors for |
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female athletes, and its enduring success has been a proud part of |
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the school's rich sports heritage; and |
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WHEREAS, Well known for its ability to prepare individuals |
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for a life of servant leadership, Wayland has furthered that goal by |
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urging its students to take an active role in community service; |
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outreach efforts have included music performances and ministerial |
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work in Texas and beyond as well as disaster recovery projects and |
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summer missionary trips to Russia, Kenya, Germany, and other |
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international locations; and |
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WHEREAS, Wayland has also taken its services to the wider |
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world by opening a number of external campuses; today, there are 13 |
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such facilities in operation, serving cities in Texas, Oklahoma, |
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Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Kenya; in addition, the |
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university operates a "virtual campus" through its online courses |
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that have an enrollment of some 2,500 students; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of an eventful century, Wayland |
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Baptist University has provided its students with an education that |
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is abounding in academic challenges and spiritual enrichment, and |
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the institution's positive influence will continue to be felt in |
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the years ahead; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the |
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founding of Wayland Baptist University and extend best wishes to |
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its students, alumni, educators, and staff as they observe the |
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school's centennial year. |
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Heflin |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 55 was adopted by the House on |
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February 3, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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