SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 282

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Saint Mary's University for its legacy of outstanding service to the City of San Antonio and our state; and

WHEREAS, A close-knit academic and spiritual community, Saint Mary's University offers a 13-to-one student-to-faculty ratio with numerous Fulbright scholars, Piper professors, and other engaged faculty members coming together to create an exceptional educational experience; and

WHEREAS, Saint Mary's University has produced more than 300 elected officials, who have served both this state and this nation with distinction; and

WHEREAS, The Carnegie Foundation has granted Saint Mary's University its prestigious Community Engagement Classification in recognition of the university's mission-driven focus on academic excellence, community service, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Saint Mary's University has been nationally acclaimed for promoting an ethic of service to country, fostering scientific and humanistic research, and performing as an engine of social mobility; and

WHEREAS, More than 70 percent of the university's students participate in community service activities, and Saint Mary's University has been listed as a College That Builds Character by the John Templeton Foundation and as one of the nation's top Colleges with a Conscience by the Princeton Review and Campus Compact; and

WHEREAS, Saint Mary's University has been home to 167 All-American Scholar athletes, and it has won five national championships in athletic competition; and

WHEREAS, Saint Mary's University graduates have historically been accepted to medical and dental schools at rates far exceeding the national average; the combination of academic, athletic, and community excellence has truly established Saint Mary's University as a leader in the field of higher education; and

WHEREAS, The appointment of Thomas M. Mengler as the university's 13th president last year underscores this tradition of excellence; an accomplished judicial scholar, Mr. Mengler previously served as dean of the University of Saint Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis from 2002 to 2012; before that, he was dean of the College of Law at the University of Illinois, where he also served as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Mr. Mengler earned his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mengler brings a wealth of experience to the position of president at Saint Mary's University, and he is committed to building on the foundations of academic quality, faith, and service that are the hallmarks of this exemplary institution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commend the students, faculty, administration, and staff of Saint Mary's University for their many outstanding contributions to our state and nation; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the university as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Van de Putte, Campbell, Uresti, Zaffirini

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 25, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate