TITLE: Recognizing the dedication of the Dr. D. Arlington Talbot Building at Texas A&M University–Commerce.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the dedication of the Dr. D. Arlington Talbot Building at Texas A&M University–Commerce.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, On April 18, 2017, the Hall of Languages at Texas A&M University--Commerce is being rededicated in memory of Dr. D. Arlington Talbot, the school's first African American faculty member; and WHEREAS, Born in British Guiana in 1916, David Arlington Roberts Talbot came to the United States in 1935 to attend Morris Brown College in Atlanta, and during his time in Atlanta, he was sometimes called on to babysit the young Martin Luther King Jr.; during World War II, he served in the United States Army under General George Patton and earned the Bronze Star; and WHEREAS, After receiving a master's degree from Columbia University in 1951, Mr. Talbot taught at Shorter College and Arkansas AM&N College; in 1966, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and two years later he joined the faculty of East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University--Commerce, becoming the school's first black instructor; and WHEREAS, Dr. Talbot served as a professor of counseling and guidance and a student counselor; during his years at the university, he established the multicultural Teacher Training Institute as well as the landmark Inter-Cultural Residence Hall Living Experience, where students of different races and backgrounds lived and studied together; he was named professor emeritus when he retired in 1986; and WHEREAS, Until his death in 2003, Dr. Talbot was active in the civic life of Commerce, and the city acknowledged his contributionsbycelebratingDr.D.ArlingtonTalbotDayin 1997; in addition, the university has paid tribute to this respected educator by creating an endowed fellowship in his name, and now by refurbishing and rededicating its Hall of Languages in his honor; and WHEREAS, Dr. D. Arlington Talbot made a positive difference in the lives of countless students through his work as a teacher and counselor, and it is truly fitting that his legacy is being memorialized by the institution to which he devoted the last 18 years of his accomplished career; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby commemorate the dedication of the Dr. D. Arlington Talbot Building on the campus of Texas A&M University--Commerce and extend to Dr. Talbot's family and the members of the university community sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable event. Hall, Hughes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 5, 2017.