TITLE: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the purchase of the present campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the purchase of the present campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Texas A&M University-Commerce is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the purchase of its present campus in 2017; and WHEREAS, This institution traces its roots back to 1889, when it first opened its doors as East Texas Normal College in Cooper; after its original building was destroyed by a fire in 1894, the college moved to its current site, which was later acquired by the State of Texas in 1917; renamed several times over the course of its history, the school has been known as Texas A&M University-Commerce since 1996; and WHEREAS, Today, A&M-Commerce is the fifth-oldest state university in Texas and the second-largest institution in The Texas A&M University System; serving nearly 14,000 students, the school offers 147 major areas of study at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels; it also operates satellite buildings in downtown Dallas, Mesquite, and Rockwall and conducts classes through partnerships with colleges in McKinney, Corsicana, Midlothian, and Frisco, in addition to offering an extensive array of online courses and an online MBA program; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to nurturing a supportive environment for learning, A&M-Commerce annually provides full-ride scholarships to 50 students through its Honors College and four-year scholarships to 30 students through its Regents' Scholars Program, which focuses on leadership development and international study; in recognition of its commitment to fostering a diverse student body, the university has been designated as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, as students of Hispanic descent composed 17 percent of undergraduates in 2016; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, Texas A&M University-Commerce has continued to advance its founding mission of encouraging "ceaseless industry, fearless investigation, unfettered thought, and unselfish service to others," and this occasion presents a welcome opportunity to honor this fine institution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the purchase of the present Texas A&M University-Commerce campus and extend to the school's students, faculty, and staff sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the university as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Flynn Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 328 was adopted by the House on February 23, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House