H.R. No. 246

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Dr. Cary Israel is retiring as president of Collin College in January 2015, concluding a notable tenure that has spanned nearly 16 years; and

WHEREAS, Appointed in 1999, Dr. Israel has skillfully guided the institution through a period of tremendous growth; enrollment at the campuses in Plano, McKinney, and Frisco has risen from 30,000 to more than 52,000 credit and continuing education students, facilities have been expanded by more than 1 million square feet, and the college today offers more than 100 degrees and certificates; it has gained wide recognition as a national Center of Excellence in Nursing Education, and it is the recipient of more than $30 million in grants and the only college or university in the state to count six Carnegie Professors of the Year among its faculty members; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Israel has implemented a number of innovative programs at Collin College, including the Weekend College, the Collin Higher Education Center, and the Center for Scholarly and Civic Engagement; through the PISD Health Sciences Academy partnership with the Plano Independent School District, the institution offers students the opportunity to get a head start on careers in health care; and

WHEREAS, Also an outstanding steward of financial resources, Dr. Israel oversaw decisions that resulted in Collin College offering one of the lowest tuitions in the state even as it continued to maintain or lower its tax rate every year; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed leader has also made a positive impact through his service on the executive and legislative committees of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and as president of Texas Campus Compact, a coalition of college and university presidents who promote civic purposes of higher education; moreover, he has been a member of the national executive advisory council for SunGard Higher Education, of the advisory council for the Center for Community College Education of Texas A&M University-Commerce, and of the advisory board for the University of North Texas Bill J. Priest Center for Community College Education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Israel graduated from Michigan State University and holds a juris doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law; he brought to his role at Collin College a wealth of knowledge and experience gained as president of Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, as president of the Illinois Community College System, and as president of Front Range Community College in Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the local community, Dr. Israel is a Rotarian and a member of the Plano Chamber of Commerce advisory board and of the boards of The Medical Center of Plano and the Plano Symphony Orchestra; he was named one of 21 Leaders of the 21st Century by Inside Collin County Business, and his numerous accolades include two regional CEO of the Year Awards from the Association of Community College Trustees, the Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, the Plano Community Forum Award, and the Collin County League of United Latin American Citizens' Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Cary Israel has secured Collin College's place among the state's most vibrant educational centers, and his exceptional accomplishments will continue to enrich the lives of Texans for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby honor Dr. Cary Israel on the occasion of his retirement as president of Collin College and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Israel as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Sanford Laubenberg

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 246 was adopted by the House on April 16, 2015, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House