TITLE: Honoring Dr. Richard Rhodes for his service as president of El Paso Community College.

SUMMARY: Honoring Dr. Richard Rhodes for his service as president of El Paso Community College.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Richard Rhodes, president of El Paso Community College, is an outstanding leader who has contributed greatly to the mission and success of the college; and WHEREAS, A native of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Dr. Rhodes earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico State University and his doctoral degree from the Community College Leadership Program at The University of Texas at Austin; and WHEREAS, Dr. Rhodes began his notable career in higher education at New Mexico State University in 1975; after working as comptroller and accountant with that institution, he served as vice president of financial and administrative services and as interim president during an 11-year tenure with El Paso Community College; he later joined Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah, as vice president of business services, and in December 2001, he returned to El Paso Community College in his current role as president; and WHEREAS, Highly respected in his profession, Dr. Rhodes is the chair-elect of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and past chair of the Texas Association of Community College Trustees and Administrators; in addition, he serves on the Formula Funding Advisory Committee for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and on the Governor's Commission for a College Ready Texas; and WHEREAS, Also dedicated to giving back to his fellow residents, this esteemed community leader is a member of the executive boards of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Boy Scouts of America, Yucca Council; he has further contributed to the boards of directors of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Cancer and Chronic Disease Consortium, and FEMAP Foundation, and he is a member of the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board, The University of Texas at El Paso Centennial Commission, and the Paso del Norte Group, which he helped to found; and WHEREAS, Dr. Rhodes has earned a number of honors through the years, including the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Community College Leadership Program, the Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year BServices Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Vision of Excellence award from the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and induction into the El Paso Business Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, The vision and expertise of Richard Rhodes have contributed immeasurably to the stature of El Paso Community College, and the school's students and faculty are indeed fortunate to continue to benefit from his guidance and dedication; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby honor Dr. Richard Rhodes for his service as president of El Paso Community College and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Rhodes as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Marquez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 909 was adopted by the House on April 7, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House