H.R. No. 2909
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Bob E. Riley is retiring as president of East
Texas Baptist University on July 16, 2009, concluding a
distinguished 17-year career with this fine institution; and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Riley's skilled leadership, enrollment at
ETBU has reached a record level and the endowment has increased
significantly; Dr. Riley organized the university into seven
schools, each under the direction of its own dean, and oversaw the
completion of more than $25 million in capital projects, including
construction of new buildings and extensive renovations of existing
facilities; technology has been expanded, the athletics program
moved from NCAA Division II to Division III, and the number of
athletic teams more than tripled; he also encouraged the
development of the Student Leadership Institute and Great
Commission Center, expanded the choral program, and instituted the
marching band; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Riley was born in Wheeler in 1943; he earned his
bachelor's degree and his master's degree in education from West
Texas State University and served his country in the United States
Navy; after beginning his career in public school systems in Tulia,
Canyon, and Claude, he went on to earn his doctorate in education
from East Texas State University, which has named him a
distinguished alumnus, and he pursued postdoctoral studies at Texas
Tech University; he worked as an assistant professor at Sul Ross
State University, as dean of instruction at Clarendon College, and
as an assistant professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University
before joining Howard College in Big Spring as vice president for
academic affairs in 1983; the following year, he became president
of Howard; and
WHEREAS, The 11th president of ETBU, Dr. Riley was elected to
the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics council of
presidents and was appointed to the executive council of the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools; and
WHEREAS, This noteworthy leader also served the wider
community as a member of the board of the Marshall Chamber of
Commerce and as president of the Marshall Rotary Club; he and his
wife, Gayle, are the proud parents of three daughters, Lisa, Leigh,
and Melinda, and he serves as a deacon of First Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Named president emeritus by the ETBU board of
trustees, Dr. Riley is highly regarded for his vision and
commitment to excellence, and he can indeed take great pride in his
legacy of achievement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Bob E. Riley on his retirement
as president of East Texas Baptist University and extend to him
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Riley as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Hughes
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2909 was adopted by the House on June
1, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House