H.R. No. 2884
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Royce Money, who has rendered outstanding
service as president of Abilene Christian University, is retiring
from that position on May 31, 2010, and transitioning into a new
role as ACU chancellor; and
WHEREAS, A native of Temple, Royce Money became the first
member of his family to attend college, earning both his bachelor's
and master of divinity degrees from ACU and his doctorate in
religion from Baylor University; in addition, he received a
master's degree in human development and the family from the
University of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Money worked in the ministry for more than a
dozen years until ACU recruited him as an associate professor of
marriage and family therapy in 1981; a few years later, he
transferred to the Bible department to help develop and direct the
school's ministry program; in 1987, he became executive assistant
to the university's then president, Bill Teague, and served as vice
president and provost before becoming the institution's 10th
president in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of Dr. Money's tenure the school's
national reputation has grown significantly, and its numerous
accolades include high marks in the U.S. News & World Report 2009
edition of "America's Best Colleges," where it ranks No. 1 in the
16-state western region for innovative leadership; ACU's Mobile
Learning Initiative recently received the Institutional Excellence
Award from the Association for Information Communications
Technology Professionals in Higher Education; moreover, the
university won inclusion in the publication America's 100 Best
College Buys for 12 consecutive years and earned a spot on the 2008
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll; and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Money's skillful leadership, the ACU
endowment has more than quadrupled to over $236 million, and the
university has received more than $300 million in operating,
capital, and endowment gifts; successful capital campaigns have
funded major renovations of campus facilities and the construction
of many new buildings, including a special events center, a
performing arts center, and a residence hall; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic educator directed the creation of the
School of Social Work and the School of Information Technology and
Computing, and he has overseen an increase in the number of academic
programs achieving specialized accreditation and the addition of
key graduate and professional programs, including speech-language
pathology and conflict resolution; he has also demonstrated a
commitment to developing a more diverse and global focus through
the expansion of study abroad programs and online degree programs,
as well as the establishment of the Office for Student
Multicultural Enrichment; the diversity of the student body has
increased as well, and ACU today draws students from 60 foreign
countries, as well as most of the 50 states; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Money enjoys the love and
support of his wife, Pam, and their daughters, Alison and Jennifer,
all of whom count themselves as proud ACU alums; and
WHEREAS, Royce Money's vision and expertise have contributed
immeasurably to the stature of Abilene Christian University, 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 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Dr. Royce Money for his outstanding
achievements as president of Abilene Christian University and
extend to him sincere best wishes for success in his new role as
chancellor; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Money as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
King of Taylor
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2884 was adopted by the House on June
1, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House