TITLE: In memory of Dr. B. Leigh Browning of Amarillo.

SUMMARY: In memory of Dr. B. Leigh Browning of Amarillo.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The untimely passing of admired professor B. Leigh Browning of Amarillo on April 20, 2015, at the age of 50, brought a tremendous loss to the West Texas A&M University community; and WHEREAS, Born in Sweetwater on June 29, 1964, Leigh Browning was the daughter of Winnie Brock and Jerry Browning; she completed her bachelor's degree in Radio-Television-Film at West Texas A&M and went on to earn a master's degree in rhetoric and presidential discourse from Kansas State University and a doctoral degree in advertising from the University of Southern Mississippi; and WHEREAS, Dr. Browning worked as a radio news director and morning show host, and she was a freelance reporter for CNN and PRS in Japan; in 1991, she joined the West Texas A&M faculty, and under her direction, the school's broadcasting program won a host of awards; she also served as coordinator of Maroon Productions and advisor for KWTS before becoming a professor of marketing and business communication in the College of Business; moreover, she was the Miller Professor of Entrepreneurship; and WHEREAS, A charismatic teacher, Dr. Browning challenged her students to meet high standards, and she was an exceptionally tough but caring mentor; she won the Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award four times, and the university named her its 2010-2011 Magister Optimus; for more than a decade, she was advisor to the school's chapter of the National Broadcasting Society-Alpha Epsilon Rho, and she was named Advisor of the Year four times; she also received the 2010 Silver Medal from the Amarillo chapter of the American Advertising Federation, and the AAF recognized her body of work with its Mosaic Award; and WHEREAS, Dr. Browning served as faculty advisor for Enactus, the largest student organization on campus, and in that capacity, she travelled to the State Capitol in 2015 with group members to meet with Representative Four Price regarding legislation to combat the scourge of synthetic drugs; while in Austin, the students completed filming their documentary on the subject, which was ranked among the top 20 films in the National Enactus Expo held in St. Louis, Missouri; and WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the community, Dr. Browning was a member of many nonprofit boards and committees; she encouraged her students to volunteer as well and led them in a variety of community service projects; and WHEREAS, Leigh Browning made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless students, and although she will be deeply missed, memories of her kindness, her exuberance, and her passion for her work remain to comfort those she leaves behind; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Leigh Browning and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her mother, Winnie Brock, and her stepfather, Garland Brock; to her stepmother, Martha Browning; to her brother, Brett Browning; to her nephew, Brody Browning; to her stepsisters, Christy, Kasie, Steffanie, and Michelle; to her cousins, Danny Lincoln and his wife, Angi, and Christie and Allen Wynn; to her best friend, Sara Northrup; and to her many other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Leigh Browning. Price Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 3428 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House