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TAMU's Gates to head Defense Dept.With McKinney hire not yet official, regents begin another search
Tuesday's election triggered dramatic events from Washington, D.C., to College Station, where Texas A&M University President Robert Gates announced his resignation to accept President Bush's nomination as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. In a letter addressed "To the Aggie Family," Gates lamented that he would depart A&M before completion of ambitious initiatives to reinvest in faculty and complete some $500 million in construction projects. 
"I love Texas A&M deeply, but I love our country more and, like many Aggies in uniform, I am obligated to do my duty," Gates wrote. He added that, "A remarkable faculty and a group of gifted administrators and staff who truly deserve the credit for all that has been accomplished over the past four-plus years will still be here - above all, my strong right arm for nearly four and a half years, the Executive Vice president and Provost, Dr. David Prior." The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, which just last week announced its selection of Dr. Michael McKinney as sole finalist for the position of A&M chancellor, now must begin the search for a new president of its flagship College Station campus. Texas A&M University System Board of Regents chairman John D. White said the board would move forward with a national search for his replacement "pending Dr. Gates' Senate confirmation." "On behalf of the Texas A&M System Board of Regents, we are honored that Dr. Gates has been selected by President Bush for this important responsibility," White said. "His departure will be a significant loss to the A&M System, but his duty to our country must prevail over his good work here. Dr. Gates has moved Texas A&M University to a higher level of excellence in education and research, and we are certain that he will serve our country with honor and distinction as our new Secretary of Defense." Gates served as director of the CIA during the first President Bush's Administration. TCEQ gets new IR directorGary Collier has been appointed the new director of Information Resources at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. With more than 20 years of experience in the IT area, Collier since 2001 has served as the TCEQ's infrastructure manager. In making the announcement, Grace Montgomery Faulkner, Deputy Director, Office of Administrative Services, praised Collier's technical skills and "strong focus on customer service and leadership." St. David's gives Texas State $6 million
Texas State University has received a $6 million dollar gift from the St. David's Community Health Foundation to help establish a new nursing program at the Texas State Round Rock Higher Education Center. Texas State President Denise Trauth said the school will be called The St. David's School of Nursing. She called the donation a gift to the entire state of Texas, as it will allow the establishment of a new school of nursing at the least possible cost to taxpayers. The new school is expected to break ground by spring 2008 and enroll its first class of students in the fall of 2010. TCEQ recycling program educates public
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Keep Texas Beautiful on Nov. 15 will focus attention on efforts to reduce trash through a joint program, Texas Recycles Day. The TCEQ is asking Texans to make recycling part of their daily routine by launching a new theme: 4 R Future: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy. The slogan calls attention to how most commonly discarded household items can be reclaimed and regenerated into usable products. TCEQ Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White noted that Texas dispose of 29 million tons of trash - more than seven pound of waste per person per day. "Almost all of this trash can be recycled into useful products, keeping it out of our landfills," she noted. Texas became the first state to hold an organized day for recycling efforts in 1993 and its efforts became the model for the first nationally observed America Recycles Day in 1997. Pickens donates $5 million to new TWU health institute
Texas Women's University received a $5 million donation from oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens for the construction of the university's new T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center. The $32 million center will house nursing, occupational therapy and healthcare administration programs, among other academic offerings. In announcing the donation, Pickens stressed the importance of educating a skilled nursing community and praised TWU's work in the field of healthcare. The university has raised approximately $16 million for the building. TWU plans to break ground in 2008 and has scheduled an opening for 2010. UT-Dallas researchers win national recognition
Three scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas have been recognized for their nanotechnology research by Scientific American magazine. Ray Baughman (pictured, far right), director of the NanoTech Institute at UT-Dallas, along with research scientists Mei Zhang (pictured, center) and Shaoli Fang (pictured, left), were named to the 2006 Scientific American 50 - a tribute to the nation's leading scientists. The trio has contributed to the development of nanotube yarns and carbon nanotubes, which are used in artificial muscles and miniature x-ray tubes, among other things. The magazine article, which will be available later this month, recognizes people and organizations responsible for advances in science and technology. UTEP vice president honored
The Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine has named University of Texas at El Paso Vice President Roberto Osegueda to its list of the 100 Most Important Hispanics in Technology and Business. The magazine's list includes some of the nation's highest-achieving Hispanic executive managers and researchers. Osegueda, who oversees research and sponsored projects at UTEP, was nominated to the list for his leadership and outstanding contributions in the field of technology. UTSA announces first recipient of Janey S. Briscoe chair
The University of Texas at San Antonio has named Dana A. Forgione, a professor of accounting, as the first recipient of the Janey S. Briscoe Chair. The $500,000 endowed chair was established by former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe in honor of his late wife, who served on the University of Texas Board of Regents from 1981 to 1987. Forgione, a certified public accountant, management accountant and fraud examiner, served as director of the school of accounting at Florida International University before joining the UTSA system. His duties will include leading the college's business health initiatives. Baylor Law School grads tops in bar exam
Baylor Law School graduates earned a 97.87 percent passing rate on the latest Texas bar exam, the best success rate in the state when compared to graduates of nine other law schools who took the two-day examination. The Texas Bar exam is an exam that qualifies a candidate to practice law in Texas. Baylor Law School Dean Brad Toben (photo by Baylor Photography) said the performance of Baylor's graduates demonstrates the strength of the law school's program. Texas A&M enlists the services of iTunes UJoining the latest educational trend - pod-casting or "course-casting," Texas A&M University has become the first university in Texas to offer its students and the general public access to educational content like lectures and interviews by using the Apple Computer Service iTunes. The service - called iTunes U - allows students to access lectures and other audio and video materials through their iPods and similar devices. The University of California-Berkley, the University of Michigan and Stanford have also begun offering their students the service. Texas A&M Director of Marketing Olga West called the technology an important supplement to the classroom. CHIP enrollment highest this yearAdministrative changes for enrollment procedures for the Children's Health Insurance Program appear to have reversed declining participation in the program. Figures released for this month showed that enrollment jumped to more than 321,000 people, up from the 300,000 who participated last month in the low-cost insurance program for the working poor. Officials at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission attribute the increase to a rule change that automatically adds children to the insurance program, instead of waiting for parents to select a particular plan. Now, the children are enrolled in a plan, and parents are given an option of changing later. UT-Arlington names new computer science chair
The University of Texas at Arlington has appointed Fillia Makedon, Ph.D. as the new chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Department. Makedon was previously employed as a professor of computer science at Dartmouth College and director of the Experimental Visualization Laboratory, a research laboratory specializing in multimedia technology, data analysis, information retrieval, multimedia database, video analysis, medical imaging and electronic commerce. Makedon, who also has held faculty positions at the University of Texas at Dallas and the Illinois Institute of Technology, received her doctorate degree from Northwestern University. Border web cams go liveTexans are now able to participate in a virtual "border watch" after seven cameras and a connected web site became operational this week. The camera views, which can be accessed at www.texasborderwatch.com, showed a parking lot and a lake, among other things. The cameras are part of "Operation Rio Grande," a $20 million project to beef-up border security with better patrolling and surveillance. Tyler superintendent is named sole finalist in Richardson
Tyler Independent School District Superintendent David Simmons has been selected as the lone finalist for the Richardson school superintendent position. If Simmons is hired, the Tyler School District must release him from his contract, which ends in 2008. Richardson School District Board President Luke Davis said that the board feels confident about its selection of Simmons. Simmons could begin as early as Jan 2. 2006 Texas Higher Education Star Award announcedThe Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has awarded five education programs with the 2006 Texas Higher Education Award. The award is given in recognition of significant contributions toward the state's "Closing the Gaps" initiative to expand higher education participation. The five recipients of the award are:
Beaumont ISD employs a new lunch money systemThe Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) child nutrition department has begun using a new method of paying for meals through a website, Mylunchmoney.com. Parents register online and deposit money into their children's accounts. Parents can either prepay for their children's lunches using credit cards, or provide their children with an identification card that can be swiped before a meal. The site began in 2002 and provides the service for schools nationwide. NIAMS gives $7.5 million five-year grant to UTMSHThe National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes for Health (NIH), has provided $7.5 million in grants to The University of Texas Medical School at Houston (UTMSH) to establish one of the nation's first Centers of Research Translation (CORT). The Center will be used to expand research on scleroderma, a chronic disease that can cause thickening, hardening or tightening of the skin, blood vessels and internal organs. UTMSH Professor of Internal Medicine Frank C. Arnett, M.D., will head the project. Smith leaves Shavano Park for Live OakShavano Park City Manager Matt Smith has been selected from a group of 40 applicants to become the new city manager of Live Oak. He has held city planner, assistant city manager and acting city manager positions in his 18-year career. Smith replaces City Manager Joe Painter, who left at the end of January after nine years of service. DISD employs massive student drug testing programThe Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has adopted the largest student drug-testing program in the country. Up to 71,000 middle and high school students could be tested, with an estimate of approximately 20,000 being tested during this school year. The Department of Education funded the program through the next three years with a $600,000 grant. DISD Associate Superintendent Rosemarie Allen stressed that the goal of the program is to help kids and get parents more involved, and said it should not be viewed as a punitive measure. Hidalgo superintendent takes new post
The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school board recently announced it will hire as superintendent Daniel King, the Hidalgo school chief recently named as the state's superintendent of the year. In eight years under King's leadership, the Hidalgo school district has seen huge strides in improved test scores. The district also received national acclaim, including recognition as one of the best school districts in the country by the National Center for Educational Accountability. King, 52, said he was interested in the challenge of a larger district. Hidalgo has 3,000 students and PSJA has 30,000. Rice researchers uncover nanotech breakthroughScientists at Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) have discovered a revolutionary method of cleaning arsenic from drinking water with the use of magnetic interactions between particles of rust. This new development could have major health implications for developing countries. CBEN Director Vicki Colvin said arsenic contamination of drinking water is a global problem and remediation requires extensive resources, especially electricity. Colvin said the new method of cleaning water requires no electricity and could be accomplished with gas-burning stoves. State sales tax figures reported upMore than $505 million in November sales tax rebates for November have been sent to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, up 11.9 percent from this time last year. The State Comptroller's Office reports that the state collected $1.6 billion in sales tax revenue in October, a 17.3 percent increase from October 2005. Texas cities are receiving $348.8 million of the sales tax rebates, up 12.2 percent over last year. So far in 2006, city sales tax allocations are up 14 percent over the same period last year. Texas counties received November allocations of $28.5 million, up 13.6 percent, and are running 16.2 percent ahead of last year's figures. The state's more than 100 special purpose taxing districts received $14.4 million and its 10 local transit systems received $113.3 million. The next local sales tax allocation will be Friday, Dec. 8. |
Voters approve millions in construction
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Media attention in the last few days has been primarily focused on officeholders, but it is interesting to note that voters also made important decisions about the future of Texas public schools. More than three billion dollars in school bond proposals scattered across the state were approved this week. A vast majority of the bond proposals address needs brought about by continued enrollment growth in public schools, but the election results also reveal strong public support for improving school security, providing up-to-date technology and responding to state mandates for an enriched science curriculum. Here are some examples: Security: Connally school district officials will use part of $9.8 million in approved bonds to construct a new main entrance and office complex at the high school to allow the staff to better screen visitors and control access to the building. Nearby Bosqueville will use some of the $8.5 million approved by voters to improve school safety by enclosing the elementary school's cafeteria and library, so that children will not have to walk outside to access those areas. Additional security spending was included in bond proposals in the Burleson and Willis school districts. Technology: Voters in the Round Rock school district signed off on an ambitious plan to provide laptops for high school classrooms at four different campuses. Round Rock also plans to invest in computerized projectors for elementary, middle and high school campuses. Bond proposals approved by voters in the Burleson, Coahoma, Sheldon and Lamar Consolidated Independent School Districts also have earmarks for technology upgrades. Science: The State Board of Education's recent vote to add a year of science to high school graduation requirements prompted officials in Coahoma to win bond approval for a new high school science classroom. Round Rock and Sweeny school districts also will use the approved bond money to build and outfit new high school science labs. Not every school bond proposal passed, however. South San Antonio ISD voters rejected a $32 million bond request to upgrade athletic facilities and renovate schools. Taxpayers in the Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District gave thumbs down to a $34.6 million bond request. In Monday morning quarterbacking, officials there wondered whether they had made a strategic error in offering a lump-sum proposal, rather than a cafeteria-style ballot that would have allowed voters the option of approving some expenditures and rejecting others. According to an analysis by Joe Smith, director of TexasISD.com, Texas voters approved 80 percent of the school bonds offered across the state. To see Smith's complete analysis of school bond election returns, click here. Strategic Partnerhips has also begun an in-depth study of bond proposals -- including those offered by cities and counties. To view bond proposals that passed, click here. To view the proposals that failed, click here. Texas Tech gets Phi Beta Kappa chapter
Texas Tech University has been approved for a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, one of the most prestigious honor societies in the nation. With chapters at more than 250 universities, Phi Beta Kappa is considered one of the nation's leading advocates for educational excellence. Texas Tech University president Jon Whitmore said the society will help prospective students realize that their Tech education ranks among the best in the nation. Whitmore said the affiliation would mean that degrees granted at the university will be "enhanced in value." UTPB expands direct transfer programThe University of Texas-Permian Basin has added another community college - Western Texas College - to its "Direct Connect" program, which allows students to transfer their classes toward a diploma from UTPB. UTPB already has similar agreements with Midland, Odessa and Howard Colleges, as well as New Mexico Junior College, to assure students that they will be able to get credit toward a four-year degree. Proponents say the program improves communication between the two institutions. Gentry to retire from OrangefieldOrangefield School Superintendent Mike Gentry announced his plans to retire after 32 years of service in the district. Gentry has been superintendent for the last five years and has a total of 38 years of experience in the field of education. Before being employed at Orangefield, he worked in Vidor and Lumberton. His career includes stints as a math teacher, principal, track coach and superintendent. HISD plans to buy 225 defibrillatorsThe Houston Independent School District, which this fall has experienced the deaths of four student athletes, last week decided to purchase 225 automated external defibrillators, which administer electric shocks to victims of heart failure. The HISD school board approved the approximately $280,000 to purchase the AEDs and another $14,000 to train personnel. Coaches will be asked to keep the AEDs available at athletic events. The University Interscholastic League, reacting to a rash of tragedies involving young Texas athletes suffering heart failure, recently adopted a rule requiring schools by next August to have AEDs available during athletic events. Henderson police chief to head state associationHenderson Police Chief Randy Freeman has been elected to serve as president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association. His duties will include overseeing the association's annual convention in The Woodlands and leading a program for the families of peace officers killed in the line of duty. As president of the association, Freeman will personally hand-deliver a check for $1,000 to the slain peace officer's survivors.
SPI seeks additional K-12 and Healthcare consultants in Texas Recent Reports
Event Links
Texas Government Insider ArchivesVolume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 10/13/06 Resources
Strategic Partnerships, Inc., thanks all current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service this Veteran's Day!Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. |
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Greater Austin Chamber to present economic forecastFour economists will present at this year's Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Annual Economic Forecast: Ray Perryman, President of The Perryman Group; Jon Hockeyenos, Founder of Texas Pespectives; Billy Hamilton, Texas Deputy Comptroller, and Daniel Kah, Research Director of Angelou Economics. The event will be held Dec. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse. Cost is $45 for Chamber members and $65 for future Chamber members. Call Linda Barrera at 322-5619 for more information. River Systems Institute sponsors water conferenceTexas State University's River Systems Institute will hold a conference entitled "Charting the Course" at the State Capitol Extension, Nov. 16-17, with presentations by the state's leading scientists and representatives from water resource management agaencies. For more information, click here. Homeland security conference to examine safetyThe Texas Homeland Security Conference, hosted by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management, will be held in San Antonio Nov. 27-Dec.1 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Workshop topics will address border security, port security, school safety, citizen emergency response teams and mass care and evacuations and a host of other issues. The conference is the essential annual event for emergency management and homeland security professionals, first responders, volunteer organizations and all law enforcement officials engaged in preparedness and response to hazards and threats to Texas. For conference registration information, contact Natasha Watts at Natasha.Watts@txdps.state.tx.us. For conference exhibitor information, contact Justin Lopez at Justin.Lopez@txdps.state.tx.us. The Texas Government Performance SummitThe Texas Government Performance Summit, to be held Dec. 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency in Houston, will feature as speakers Billy Hamilton, Texas Deputy Comptroller; Charles Bacarisse, Board of Directors of the Texas Department of Information Resources; and Mary Scott Nabers, CEO, Strategic Partnerships, Inc. For more information, please click here. LBJ School to hold ethics conferenceThe LBJ School of Public Affairs on Nov. 15 will hold a conference entitled Ethics in Government: A Leader's Role in Enhancing Ethics in the Public Sector. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Howard Prince, director of the LBJ School's Center for Ethical Leadership. Cost is $150 for this event at the Thompson Conference Center. Click here to register. |
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