SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 101

WHEREAS, Dr. L. Michael Metke is retiring as chancellor and chief executive officer of Tyler Junior College in June 2019, drawing to a close a distinguished tenure in education that has spanned more than four decades; and

WHEREAS, Mike Metke served as a Peace Corps volunteer and a police officer before embarking on his career in education as a school counselor and college professor in Wisconsin; he went on to hold the office of vice president for instruction and student development at South Texas Community College and subsequently led Lake Washington Technical College in the Seattle area as president; and

WHEREAS, On December 1, 2007, Dr. Metke assumed his duties as president of Tyler Junior College, one of the largest community colleges in Texas with an enrollment of more than 12,000 students; he has since overseen the school's $26 million infrastructure overhaul, initiated its safety and civility campaign, and launched a capital campaign and bond proposal for a new nursing and health sciences center; under his leadership, the college has also begun providing scholarships to high school students in its tax district through the TJC Promise Program, and it became a Level II accredited institution capable of granting baccalaureate degrees; after the college established its fifth location in the area, Dr. Metke was granted the title of chancellor in 2018; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed administrator holds a doctoral degree from the University of Houston; in retirement, he plans to spend more time with his wife, Donna, and their family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Mike Metke's adept and forward-looking leadership has helped guide Tyler Junior College through a transformative period in its history, and his many valuable contributions will continue to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby congratulate Dr. L. Michael Metke on his retirement as chancellor and chief executive officer of Tyler Junior College and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Dr. Metke as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 30, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate