SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 106
         WHEREAS, Dr. Rodney H. Mabry retired as president of The
  University of Texas at Tyler on December 31, 2016, drawing to a
  close nearly two decades of exemplary service to that
  institution; and
         WHEREAS, Since Dr. Mabry's appointment as president in
  1998, the university has tripled its enrollment, from 3,000 to
  almost 9,000 students, and added four doctoral programs, the Ben
  and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, and an engineering center
  in Houston; moreover, Dr. Mabry has overseen the construction of
  W. T. Brookshire Hall, the two Bill Ratliff buildings, the
  Herrington Patriot Center, the Center for the Musical Arts
  building, the David G. and Jacqueline M. Braithwaite Building,
  the Dub and B. J. Riter Millennium Carillon Tower and Plaza, the
  Ralph and Mary John Spence Fountain and Plaza, and several new
  residence halls; and
         WHEREAS, A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Rod
  Mabry holds a doctor of philosophy degree in economics from the
  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; he previously served
  as head of the Department of Economics and Finance at the
  University of Louisiana-Monroe, as chair of the Department of
  Finance at Clemson University, and as dean of the College of
  Business at the University of Tulsa; highly regarded in his
  field, he is the author of more than 50 scholarly articles; and
         WHEREAS, Dr. Mabry has further contributed to the academic
  community through his work as commissioner for the Southern
  Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, as
  treasurer of the Council of Public University Presidents and
  Chancellors, and as chair of the Texas International Education
  Consortium Executive Committee; he has also served on the boards
  of such groups as the Tyler Economic Development Council, the
  East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Discovery Science Place, the
  Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County, and the United Way of Smith
  County; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Mabry enjoys the love
  and support of his wife, Merle Mabry, and his life has been
  further enriched by his two children and six grandchildren; and
         WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Tyler has gained
  immeasurably from the skilled and farsighted leadership that
  Dr. Mabry has provided throughout his 18-year tenure as
  president, and he may indeed reflect with great pride on his
  outstanding record of achievement; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
  Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Dr. Rodney
  H. Mabry on his retirement as president of The University of
  Texas at Tyler and extend to him sincere best wishes for the
  future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  Dr. Mabry as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on August 7, 2017.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate