81R6621 JGH-D
By: McClendon H.R. No. 423
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, An outstanding Texas educator, Dr. Lanier Byrd,
reached an important milestone in his life with his retirement from
St. Philip's College in San Antonio on May 11, 2007, after 35 years
of service to that historic institution; and
WHEREAS, A 1966 graduate of St. Philip's, Dr. Byrd received a
bachelor's degree and a master's degree in biology/chemistry from
Prairie View A&M University in 1969 and 1973, respectively, and
earned a Ph.D. in science education from The University of Texas at
Austin in 1995; and
WHEREAS, After beginning his career at Sidney Lanier High
School in San Antonio, where he taught biology and physics and
coached the girls' volleyball team from 1969 to 1972, Dr. Byrd
joined the faculty of St. Philip's College as a biology instructor;
granted tenure in 1978 and promoted to professor in 1984, he
provided strong guidance to the Department of Natural Sciences
during a highly successful stint as departmental chair; and
WHEREAS, From 1996 to 2007, Dr. Byrd served the college as
vice president of academic affairs; challenged to meet the demands
of a rapidly growing enrollment, he helped the college earn one of
the highest site review ratings ever accorded a community college
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with 28 of the
school's technical programs being rated as "exemplary" and three of
the arts and sciences programs identified as "outstanding"; and
WHEREAS, The capstone of Dr. Byrd's many contributions to the
college was his creation of the Lanier Byrd Endowed Scholarship,
which is designed to help lower-income students receive an
education at St. Philip's; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lanier Byrd's energy, dedication, and
commitment to excellence greatly benefited the students, faculty,
and staff of St. Philip's College, and he may indeed reflect with
pride on a career well spent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Lanier Byrd on his retirement
from St. Philip's College and extend to him sincere best wishes for
continued fulfillment; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Byrd as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.